My plan, when I get off my **** and modify the exhaust, is to do the following:

• Remove rear cats
• Install an X-pipe in place of the H-Pipe/cats
• Leave the resonator in place
• Aftermarket rear muffler w/ custom tips

The cats are the most restrictive aspect. So, removing them would be most beneficial regarding HP and would net the same basic weight loss as the resonator delete. The resonator is actually fairly free-flowing, and the extra 30# being near the rear axle never hurts.

The removal of the cats will introduce some bass to the exhaust, and perhaps a bit of rasp. Adding the X-pipe should cut some of the rasp. The X-pipe normally gives better flow than the H, and on Steve's car it worked beautifully to cancel out the drone.

As for the aftermarket muffler, the stock one simply has no pleasing note to it. I was reminded of this at the Dragon this weekend, as Pacemaker's car (with the Magnaflow cat-back) sounded better than mine. I don't want to have an obnoxious note, so I'm leaving the resonator in place as additional "drone insurance". But changing the final muffler should serve to modify the note in a pleasing manner. Looking at either Magnaflow, Hooker, or Dynomax. Cherry Bomb makes a nice free-flowing muffler, and the case is a boxy one that fits the recessed area perfectly.

My goal is the least amount of restriction while also achieving the least amount of drone. Won't be cheap, but won't be hacked, either.