How does it sound? Any droning?

No drone. I do have a rattle though, it's because my exhaust shields over the rear suspension have worn out where the fasteners would have secured the piece to the body.

Gonna revive this since it’s on topic mostly.

Looking at my car today so that I could ensure I was buying the right size piping and X-Pipe. When I measured the two pipes going into the resonator, I was confused to say the least. The passenger side pipe is 1.985 inches diameter and the driver side is 2.095. Is this normal or do I have something weird going on? I thought the 3.0 had 2-1/4 piping but maybe I’m just looking at this the wrong way. Thanks!


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With that small variance I would say they are both 2 inch pipes. If I were you I would take it to a muffler shop and have them do the cutting and replacement.

I came to the same conclusion about the pipe size. I’m not taking my car to any local exhaust shops because I had a friend take is 03’ Tahoe to the only two local shops and give him a price on a cat back: $350. I went to both of them and explained that I wanted an x pipe put in place of my resonator, and that’s all: $675. I’m getting price gouged cause I own a BMW :(

Look at the engine as an air pump. More air in, more exhaust out. If you are letting more air out you might benefit from more air in but it is not a sure thing.

On the vast majority of engines, large to very small, reducing the back pressure improves performance. How much depends, of course, on the engine, how restrictive the exhaust is stock and how much back pressure is relieved. So, yes, cutouts would relieve the most back pressure and by just making that change wold likely improve performance the most. Bear in mind, we are talking at best less than 10 HP at high rpms. and very little gain in torque. It is possible, though unlikely, that cutouts will reduce torque which is not good for heavy vehicles.

Yes cutouts would be removable, and could be adapted to larger and smaller exhausts. To install cutouts, a hole is cut into each exhaust just after the pre cat O2 sensor. As much as possible at the same length from the exhaust manifold. If you go to cutouts purchase a quality brand. I like QTP. I have had no problem with the motors. Some like the vacuum operated style to eliminate the motors. I would call ECS for correct size for your application. The diameter of the cutouts are normally less than the diameter of your exhaust.

It doesn't sound like you are a performance nut like some of us so I would do just the X pipe and a low restriction air filter first to see if you are happy making only those two changes. You can always remove the resonators, install cutouts, or an aftermarket cold air intake later. Cold air intake will change the engine sound which most people like.

If Dinan still offers transmission software that is a worthwhile fun adder regardless of your choice. I think it is a great value.

So for the cutouts, they would go before the cats then? That’s what I’m understanding unless I’m misreading it

Yes, before the cats and after the pre cat O2 sensor.

But isn’t that like all the way up inside the engine bay? Seems like the sound would be getting shot right into the body of the car.

You will lose some benefit of the cutouts if installed after the cats but if that is necessary so be it. Can you take a picture of your exhaust from under the vehicle, cat and toward the engine? Depending on the brand of cutouts you can add pipe to get exit where you want it.

See post 12 to see how I have them installed.

Be sure to check state laws. Emission standards may be a problem.