Should I go with 2 or 1?

[JG2000SE]

Just wondered if there would be a sound difference or advantage to running 2 mufflers rather than 1? It would be for sound only, not looking for performance.

For sake of argument, lets assume we are comparing the option of 1 Magnaflow with a one inlet/two outlet design versus 2 Magnaflow's with a one inlet/one outlet design. The end result would be dual style exit at the rear of the car like an SSEi.

I've seen this covered on other forums but not here, not directly at least. Not trying to start arguements or flame wars, just looking for opinions and experience. It seems the majority opinion is that 2 can sound better than 1 although it is a little more expensive for the set up. Thanks for any input.

[JG2000SE]

Will it even make a difference if it is not a true dual exhaust and it simply splits behind the rear axle? Just looking for the best mellow, smooth, sound.

[01bonneSC]

Make sure you keep the cat and resonator for a good sound.

[JG2000SE]

It would be a stock set-up otherwise. I am basically wondering if there would be a difference in going with the F-body style Magnaflow mounted across the back of the car with dual outlets or, two smaller mufflers closer to the back of the car, possibly with tips attached directly to the muffler outlets as I've seen on other cars like the new 2011 Camaro's.

[01bonneSC]

I think money is the only diff. Two mufflers vs one.

[Turbo30]

For not changing performance, I would prefer one muffler with dual outlet, just for the sake of saving a bit of money.

About to go to a guy I know that builds race exhaust systems and see if we can't figure out how to build a true dual exhaust for my SE and see if it will even help anything at all ..

[wake]

the polls havent been working lately

i say true duals sounds like a bad arse idea

[JG2000SE]

I would love a true dual set up but I don't know if there is enough room. It has been my experience that some of these lower riding GM cars just don't have room underneath.

My main question is, would the dual mufflers affect sound? I was hoping two mufflers would create a type of echoing lower growl. Like maybe two Aerochambers mounted right at the rear with dual tips on each muffler?

Also, lookin for 00beast and willwren and some other well experienced Bonne owners to reply

[00Beast]

Well considering my car has a stock Rez-back idk how much input I should really have in this thread, lol. SSEi's stock split behind the axle from a single 2.5" pipe to 2-2.25" pipes into the mufflers.

You cannot do true duals, the front bank leads into the rear exhaust manifold where the O2 sensor is, and I don't know of a way to add another O2 sensor to the circuit. In any case, true duals would be expensive and not worthwhile for any FWD 3800.

Honestly, your first exhaust mod should be a downpipe and HF cat. After you've done those, give it a few weeks and decide if you want more. I'm in love with my car's exhaust note as it sits with 3" from the rear manifold to the resonator with a High Flow cat and stock resonator back. It sounds more like a quiet V8 at hot idle. If you want more, we can go from there. You'll also gain some power and performance.

[01bonneSC]

I wouldnt do true duals. Waste of money. And everyone else know my opinion of after market mufflers on anything that has less than 8 cylinders.

If you go with a DP and hi flow cat you will gain some growl as 00Beast stated. A P-Log would help you with flow also.

[willwren]

The amount of money wasted on exhaust going true duals would be ridiculous. Spend your money on something that will actually gain performance.

[JG2000SE]

So, been listening to approximately 100 different sound clips over the last couple weeks and I have come to the conclusion there is almost no difference, or at least I can't really find any, between Flowmaster, Magnaflow, Dynomax, etc. It's just too hard to tell and there are too many differences in set-ups.

Gonna go with one muffler (Jegs has Dynomax mufflers for $26!) with a dual tip to start and see if I like it before going any further I guess. Not looking for performance yet just a little different sound. I'm sick of the stock brown muffler and tail pipe sticking out from under the car, remember I have an SE...

[willwren]

Try a Hooker Aerochamber then. It's a uniquely different sound.

[BonneMe]

If you like the dual tip look, find an SLE/SSEi cat back setup, and swap in new mufflers and bolt that in.. Alternatively, you could have a shop put a Y and some pipe off of your stock system like an SLE/SSEi would have. Whichever way is cheaper depends on prices for a used exhaust setup in your area.

[willwren]

Used is a great option, Zaisarooni. Might be a big savings in the long run.

[2000Silverbullet]

I went for twin magnaflows, 3" after the headers into twin 2 1/2".
It sounds pretty good IMO although loud. I had to re-install twin 3" resonators but if you run a Cat it will be mellower.

There's not much room to bend pipes for a single muffler as there is on pre 00 Bonne's.

[JG2000SE]

Awesome, thank you 2000Silverbullet for the pics , that is exactly what I had in mind for my own set-up, and thanks everybody for the responses. I found out some of the new Flowmaster ForceII axle-back systems for V6 cars come with 60 Series Delta Flow mufflers and they sound great. I know my car will not sound exactly the same but, that is what I will go with, a good moderate and smooth tone.

[exp069]

i have a 96 with no cat and dual magniflows and it sounds great.

[willwren]

i have a 96 with no cat and dual magniflows and it sounds great.

And that lack of a cat is probably costing you some low-end torque. Running catless won't benefit you until you hit the 400chp mark. Aside from that, running catless can get you into trouble, especially if someone turns you in for the EPA reward, whether it's a member here, or a shop that puts your car on a lift. Cats are required in all 50 states regardless of local emissions testing.

Both of my cars lost bottom end during short runs without cats due to clogging, but both were replaced. Get a high-flow magnaflow or carsound cat and I'll bet you'll feel the improvement off the line.