PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Hi,I'm new to the forum so I hope I'm asking in the proper forum.I have a 97 Bonneville series 2 3800.I want an aggressive sounding exhaust note both at idle and under throttle.I'm more interested in the sound rather than adding hp .for a cheap rout I thought about running just a single loud muffler and having it exit behind the rear tire.I could also run just a pipe without any muffler just keeping the cat and resonator,I'm just in the beginning stages of investigation of the best but budget minded way of getting a nice muscle sound outta my 3800.any and all suggestions welcome,thanks,Brian

3800s just do not sound good the louder they get.

My car sounded best with Magnaflow cat, a simple Vibrant resonator (my car had no res) and the stock dual outlet muffler.

Most stock exhaust plus aftermarket muffler setups sound like drone-y and like an elderly man saying HUUUUHHHHHHHH if that makes any sense.

I would 100% keep the stock muffler. A highflow cat and maybe a different resonator would probably get you were you want without sounding bad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDzRFQT ... nel=mods89

Even the highly modified cars struggle to keep the sound bearable at much anything beyond idle.

The engine is notoriously raspy (the noise has been described as that of a "barfing giraffe").

The only way I have seen someone get the noise remotely tolerable and loud is by going true dual exhaust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR6sm_X ... azytrain65

Never gonna happen with these motors. You're wasting your time and money and will just sound stupid. If you want a tough sound buy an 8 cylinder. If you're on an extremely tight budget you not gonna have a tough sounding ride period.
You just bought a 1998 with a 170,000 miles from a dealer with no idea when it last had an oil change or tuneup.
Save your money for your tuneup and oil change. Or something worthwhile like a FWI/CAI.
In your other post you said it seems to best at 65. Does this mean you have issues at other speeds? You need to really have it looked at by a trusted mechanic to make sure things like intakes gaskets have been replaced. Brakes and suspension are good. That kind of stuff. I wouldn't trust a dealer that didn't even change the oil on a 170,000 mile car.

Well all that is a no brainer.I am taking it in the shop after I get paid this week,probably throw a tune up on it,but will do the oil change myself,it does have new tires and brakes.it does have a slight wobble at about 75mph,but not so bad as I wouldn't drive it at that speed.I paid very little for it and it's very nice so I don't mind putting a little extra into it,I'm not new to cars or how to take care of one and very comfortable with what I purchased so far,I was only asking about the exhaust for down the line a bit.

Thanks to all with the positive feed back,I plan on waiting on the exhaust until down the line a bit.I saw some on YouTube that gave me mixed reviews,some sounded horrible,lol some not so bad.I'm not even sure if I'm going to do exhaust on it,but thought I'd get some idea of what I'm dealing with.

Bcb577 wrote:Well all that is a no brainer.I am taking it in the shop after I get paid this week,probably throw a tune up on it,but will do the oil change myself,it does have new tires and brakes.it does have a slight wobble at about 75mph,but not so bad as I wouldn't drive it at that speed.I paid very little for it and it's very nice so I don't mind putting a little extra into it,I'm not new to cars or how to take care of one and very comfortable with what I purchased so far,I was only asking about the exhaust for down the line a bit.

I've just never known a dealer to sell a used car that's worth a $1000 at best in good condition. (SE, Standard Options, 170,000 miles. $250 trade in value. You say you paid very little for it. I assume that means $500 or less. I just don't see a dealer messing with it for that. The liability is too great and what they are required to do too costly. Thats why they end up in auction.
But then I've never known anyone to buy a car that old from a dealer either so. Maybe he's a friend of yours or something.
You do seem to all but dismiss the fact it has a "wobble" as you put it, deeming it safe to drive when in reality it could be any number of things, some costly, (even costlier when those new tires are showing steel belt inside of 2 months) still obviously focused on how you can make your exhaust loud for little money.

He just said he's going to do the exhaust down the line.. Who cares if it was cheap or whatever? No need to make something out of nothing. His car, his learning experience.

Thanks 95nasta,well gradke61,I've had a lot of experience buying used cars from dealers and have great success with it.and it's my business,not your about how much I paid for it.And I don't dismiss anything when it comes to cars,your assuming way to much.I asked a simple question,about exhaust and you feel the need to treat me like someone who is stupid,I don't need your lectures on cars,how dealers do business or what will or won't sound stupid on my car.I think your attitude is unbecoming and not typical of this forum!feel free to not respond to anymore of my posts,as I'm looking for friends that help,not ones who are negative!

Edited Cuz I don't think you're capable of even grasping what's be8ng said. I could care less what you paid and my assumption was a statement. I'm sure that's over your head too.

Welcome to the internet. Where everyone is wrong and its your choice to be a deck about it.

Well,eventually after I get a few other things done to my se,I'm going to do some exhaust work,,I've been doing my research and ha e found a col combinations that to me sound pretty good.I'm not going to continue to argue,it's pointless,I'm actually getting some great ideas from the forum and not going to let one negative encounter to cause me to judge the whole forum,if anyone else has any FRIENDLY advise I'd appreciate it!