2.5" exhaust on an Auto?

[Richo86]

I was wondering who has done this and what they thought of the results. I'm considering upgrading the exhaust on my auto Fairmont (didn't have a manual to learn in! : ) but if others have found that it SOUNDS pretty pathetic/try hard (i.e. gear changes, etc) then I'll probably hold off. I'm not TOO fussed about performance as it's just an auto, but I'm hopeful of getting a half decent sound from a 2.5" if possible

I plan on converting the tranny to manual as a future project, but I'm also considering the option of starting to save for an XR8, although I'm on my P's for a few more years so it'd be a while before I could drive one.

Either way, I wanna be able to have a bit of fun with the Fairmont until I'm ready to drop a manual tranny in/sell it and buy an XR8.

Cheers in advance for any advice/opinions.

[JC]

Lots of us have done it (but make sure you get mandrel bent, not press bent). It's a great upgrade, both in terms of more noise (how much more depends on what and how many mufflers you use), and a bit more poke.

[poolkeeper]

I got 1 hotdog, 1 muffler. Nice burble at idle, bit droany on the motorway at first...


My advice, save up for an 8 :sm_drool: like me

[StAndArdAU]

yeah i had mine put in earlier this year. Good sound, with one muffler just before the tip. though gets a bit droany on longer trips, that where the stereo comes in!

[HLC]

got a 2.5" cat back on my fairmont. one muffler, one hot dog. sounds pretty good.

iver perfected my driving style, so i can make it sound like a manual on the shift between 1 and 2 LOL

[Ruger]

lol yer gas off when you change to second sounds like a manual.
mines not an au but its still a 6 auto. worst comes to worst shift kit it :P no more evil NEEOooooh sound on gear change

[b2tf]

If you really need the shifting sound that much, buy a manual.

Autos sound fine with exhausts.

[Richo86]

Originally Posted by b2tf

If you really need the shifting sound that much, buy a manual.

Autos sound fine with exhausts.

I never said I 'needed' the shifting sound, I just wanted to know if there was a significant difference between the sounds of an auto and a manual. I wouldn't know to be honest, hence this thread ;) Also, I just wanted some feedback/reviews before I made the decision to upgrade.

Thanks to all who gave their opinions and especially the nod of approval - I'll be getting my exhaust done next

[Autocade]

Richo 86
I replaced catback exhaust on Auto I6 with a 2.5 inch redback with 2 mufflers
IMO sounds OK & is not too loud or try hard (well within epa limits)
It does not drone and have gained a small increase in performance in the mid to high rev range
Cheers
Autocade

[GlennBA]

Mine sounded ok when my car was auto imo. You get used to it and if you get a resonator it doesn't drone that much. I know mine never used to drone unless i had my foot on the pedal accelorating. Mind you it does sound a hell of a lot better with the manual :hihi:

Originally Posted by HLC

got a 2.5" cat back on my fairmont. one muffler, one hot dog. sounds pretty good.

iver perfected my driving style, so i can make it sound like a manual on the shift between 1 and 2 LOL

WANNABE! out:

[Mr Hardware]

Manuals suck IMO. I had a manual corolla before the falc, and for the first six months or so it was great fun. for the next 2 years it was just tiresome. yes, maybe it was quicker than an auto. yes maybe you feel like your driving more. but they are just a plain pest after a while, just too much effort when a BTR auto is just so smooth and silky. Thats my opinion anyway.