Hello all,

I recently bought a 2000 3.8L v6 5 speed, all stock. I have been researching bolt-ons, in hopes of better sound and performance, probably in that order.

I realize its a v6, and I'm on a budget, so my goal would be +15-30 hp.

My thoughts are CAI, true dual exhaust, and maybe a performance chip. I would like to keep cost below $1000 for sure.

My main question centers around the dual exhaust-- If I just go divorced duals after the stock cats (or maybe fabricate a H-pipe) with, say, Flowmaster 40s, will all I get be better sound? Is the stock muffler the limiting factor more so than the stock cats?

If people think high flow cats increase power significantly over stock, I will be tempted change cats and muffler while I'm at this. If just going to divorced duals after the stock cats is a decent upgrade in sound and performance, I won't bother with the hi-flow cats offered by something like Pypes.

I've heard the hi-flow cats are offer a negligible benefit, basically looking for confirmation of that.

I'm not interested in going catless, too loud for me.

 

They do offer little performance by themselves, coupled with an x or h-pipe then they give a decent power gain. I would go h-pipe with duals and whatever other mods you want