So many things in todays engines can control the sound and how it works with an exhaust. Some cars they work hard to make a sound that is appealing but still passes the government regs. The GTO was tuned to sound like an old Pontiac or as much as they could.

The real trick system out there is the by pass muffler in use on the Vette and Camaro. It is quiet until you hit WOT and it opens up all the way. The ZR1 sounds like a beast with this system.

Even my Fiero with the 2.8 V6 has a good sounding engine because Pontiac spent time tuning the sound.

It is hard for a repair shop or someone at home to really get it right all the time and not spend a lot of money.

I know at work I too often get people who buy and install a muffler then want to return it used?

I also have people who do not understand many of todays systems are single pipes back and split into two outlets like on the 4th gen F body. Flowmaster and GM offered a single outlet system for these cars. People ask why and I tell them 7-10 HP as the single out let has poorer sound but better flow.

 

Well after many questions, vids, and going to different shops and my wallet :/, I've decided to go with a muffler delete. Hopefully in the next few weeks

 

Muffler delete while keeping the resonator was not bad, just got too loud after a while for me... If you can weld, the muffler delete is under $10 , you just have to buy a straight pipe with a flared end. 2.5"

 

I got it done. I love it. Only 20 bucks

 

Awesome...its a nice upgrade considering what it costs, and having nice sound.... I noticed with the resonator and muffler gone(which I had done for about 15 minutes to go to the store to get a grinding disk to re weld my muffler) You can hear the turbo through the exhaust. sounded pretty bad ass, but was borderline annoying past 3000 rpms

 

sounds good...so did you end up finding out what the cause was?

 

Something with the muffler for me(baffles or something)...I assume it was the same for foxtrotraptor

 

Yeah same thing I'm sure. The tech double checked and the muffler was fine wasn't damaged or anything like that so I'm guessing that muffler just didn't agree with my car, but I'm actually gonna have it installed on my fiancés LT. Next week along with the stock tip of the SS muffler. But yeah I'm pretty upset that I spent 150 on something that ended up not sounding good when just 20 bucks could have got me the sound I've been looking for but oh we'll learn from mistakes. Now I know lol

 

but that system was for the HHR correct? so might have just been a manufacturing error or boxed wrong

 

No not a system. The pipes are stock it was just a muffler swap. When I went to the shop I just asked the guy I wanted to swap my stock muffler for a MAGNAFLOW he asked me how big the engine was then he went and brought it out. To be honest I didn't even look at the model number or anything. Just had him install it but it was my fault for not looking into it more. Anyways the magnaflow was ok at low RPMs but anything high and it would sound like crap. When my girl drive my car she described the sound as "something ripping or tearing". Now that I got the muffler delete done she says it sounds very deep she said it sound like it has "balls" lol Better late than never