Exhaust Upgrade Question(s)

[CalebSE]

Ok so I own a 2000 Grand Am SE. I'm very serious about doing an exhaust upgrade within the next month, and I want to get a plan together.

First: What all do I need for the installation, from start to finish? Pipes, Muffler, Catalytic Converter etc. Anything else?

Second: I have an ECU chip installed on my car, will the exhaust effect this? What can I do to avoid causing any troubles? The chip is installed through my IAT Sensor.

Third: What is the typical labour cost for an exhaust job on a Grand Am? I will be buying the supplies myself once I know exactly what I need.

Alright guys, thanks alot for your time and help. Hopefully I can get it all figured out and plan to do it within 2 months. Thanks!

[TA^Guy]

Ok so I own a 2000 Grand Am SE. I'm very serious about doing an exhaust upgrade within the next month, and I want to get a plan together.

First: What all do I need for the installation, from start to finish? Pipes, Muffler, Catalytic Converter etc. Anything else?

Second: I have an ECU chip installed on my car, will the exhaust effect this? What can I do to avoid causing any troubles? The chip is installed through my IAT Sensor.

Third: What is the typical labour cost for an exhaust job on a Grand Am? I will be buying the supplies myself once I know exactly what I need.

Alright guys, thanks alot for your time and help. Hopefully I can get it all figured out and plan to do it within 2 months. Thanks!


Is your "ECU chip" one of those boxes on ebay that are wired inline of the IAT sensor? If so that is no "chip", it's just a resistor to trick your car into running richer. IMO, not bad for the track, but I wouldn't use it all the time. You'll ended up burning more fuel, clogging sensors, catalytic converter, and leaving excess deposits in your engine.

If that is the only modification you have I would leave the stock cataylic converter in place and just run a 2.5" mandrel-bent pipe from the converter back to a free flowing muffler of your choice. If you want a nice exhaust send a little more and get a new header too.

[imstock]

What he said. ^^^

[CalebSE]

Awesome that sounds great, and yeah it is just a box off ebay, it seems to work very well but if its at the expense of the quality of my car then I dont think its worth it...Do you have any information to back up what your telling me? Dont get my wrong, but I would just like some more proof. As far as the mandrel bent pipe, how long does it need to be? 9 feet? Get back 2 me, thanks.

[Pte Socks]

You need 6 bends. 2 90 degree ones and 4 45 degree ones. Word of advice, for being a fellow canadian, its gonna cost you. Only go with Stainless steel. Mild or coated steel will rust out on you. I ended up spending about 600$ for piping, welding and install with dyno runs. Parts like a muffler, res and cat all add to that.

[mutt421]

Check out this thread, it should help to not waste a ton of money on ebay!
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75121

[Matt95GT]

Remove the IAT "chip" - it's not really a chip, you were scammed. It is doing more harm than good. In addition to the link posted above, see this one also:
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=78418

As for exhaust, since the 2.4 is loud and can sound nasty with the wrong muffler, it is important to put a little research into this first. There are many many threads on this already... hint... Borla = good; Dynomax = good; Flowmaster = bad; canister mufflers = bad.

[CalebSE]

Ok, well, I know the chips arent good... I uninstalled it awhile ago. But I must say I definitely noticed an increase in Torque/HP in my car... not sure why but the chip I got must have definitely worked. Anyways, Thanks for the info.