[4mermarine]

Just picked up an 07 Lux and looking for a little advice on an inexpensive exhaust setup. I've scoured the forums and think I've put together what I want, just looking for a few opinions. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to modding.

My goal is for a little more sound, but nothing real obnoxious. Not real worried about the performance gains. So like on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being obnoxiously loud and 1 being stock, I'm looking for something in the range of a 4 or 5... I know there is the option of replacing the stock resonators with an x-pipe, but does anyone have a sound clip on that setup with stock mufflers? Or, how about just replacing the stock mufflers? Would that get a little more sound? And which mufflers would everyone suggest?

 

[kbevere]

Thats funny your asking this because im looking to do the same to my 07. I dont want to replace all of it but just the end parts to give it a little sounds and a better look. I will use this information also for my CTS.

 

[Scattilac]

I did the Magnaflow Truex x-pipe and Magnaflow tips on my 3.6 CTS and got exactly what I was looking for in sound. There is a noticeable difference out the back, a deeper, slightly louder tone, yet mild enough for my 45 year old ass to not look like I am trying to be a teenager again - No drone in the car at any speed/RPM while driving whatsoever.

 

[Scattilac]

BTW - overall cost installed was a little over 300 bucks - a little steep mainly due to the rather expensive dual wall, stainless magnaflow tips I chose which were about 60 bucks each - the Truex pipe is a little over 80 bucks...

 

[4mermarine]

Found a thread on stock mufflers with x-pipe...
It says that it's not that loud at all. Says it sounds like stock CTS-V exhaust, which I find hard to believe, but all the info I can gather will help.
(Sorry I can't post links yet, which is lame...)

I'm seriously thinking about doing the x-pipe only and if it sucks putting the resonator back on and regrouping. Couldn't possibly be that much to weld in the x-pipe, but I'll ask the local muffler shops.

 

[4mermarine]

I did the Magnaflow Truex x-pipe and Magnaflow tips on my 3.6 CTS and got exactly what I was looking for in sound. There is a noticeable difference out the back, a deeper, slightly louder tone, yet mild enough for my 45 year old ass to not look like I am trying to be a teenager again - No drone in the car at any speed/RPM while driving whatsoever.

Now that's the kind of feedback I was hoping for! Thanks!

I'm 37 and don't want to be farting around like a 16 year old either. The fact that there is no drone on that setup is perfect.

Did you have the tips welded on to the stock mufflers? Also, do you have a link or a part# on the x-pipe?

 

[Scattilac]

I bought it from Summit Racing - It is showing a price of $83.95 right now and available to ship today. Part number and link (hope it works) below. This is for the 2.25inch X-pipe which will fit your car is it has the 3.6 motor.

Yeah - I had the tips welded on also, the shop did a great job.

MPE-10790 2.25 inch Magnaflow Tru-X

http://store.summitracing.com/partd...t=MPE-10790&N=700+4294921571+115&autoview=sku

 

[NiMedina31]

Hey man, hope you find what you like for your exhaust, I know i went back to my exhaust guy like 3 times in order to finally get what I like overall was about $350, heres what I did, i went with the V Exhaust first, wasnt enough so then I tried throwing an xpipe on and that sounded real good but it was making a weird noise so i decided to replace the V mufflers with magnaflow 12226 mufflers, and that was WAY TO LOUD! So I replaced the x pipe with the old V Resonator and I now love the sound. Has a slight drone at certain RPM's but isnt too annoying. Here is the link to a few clips of my setup as it is right now, personally I like it, but again to each their own! Good Luck finding what you need and let me know if you have any other questions. Also mine is a 3.6 engine.

 

[4mermarine]

Mine is a 3.6L as well... Thanks Scattilac and everyone else!

I'm going to order and have it put on. I'll report back with pics and a sound clip with a full write up.

 

[4mermarine]

Just curious... Anyone tried the Gibson setups from Summit?

http://store.summitracing.com/egnse...94905137+4294923429+115+4294839782&rsview=sku

 

[Scattilac]

Look at the install directions - It is really just mufflers and the piping from the rear end back - You can do better just getting mufflers welded on from your local Performance muffler shop. (just my opinion)

 

[odysseus]

The whole point of a center resonator is to dampen the higher frequency sounds (those with wavelengths less than the distance from the engine to the resonator). Removing it does not add a deep sound, but quite the opposite. If you want better sound, keep the resonator, and go with new performance mufflers and tips. You'll have a much better, deeper tone sound, and better looks to boot.

A center resonator is basically an X-pipe (or more correctly an H-pipe) and muffler all in one.

 

[Scattilac]

I read everything I could find prior to putting the Xpipe on my car - I read all the technical mumbo jumbo about wavelengths and frequencies and higher tones getting through without the resonator - Fact is, I did this mod and there is clearly a noticeably lower tone out the back of the car - I have nothing to gain by giving false infomation to 4mermarine - He sounds like he wants what I was looking for, a mild increase in tone for a decent price.

I do not disagree that replacing the stock mufflers is another option, I just read on here somewhere that it was louder than one member was expecting when he had that done, so I chose to not go that route...It really is all about personal likes, there are alot options for exaust upgrades, just depends what you want.

 

[4mermarine]

Ok, so let's just say I decide I was to only replace the mufflers... What would everyone recommend as far a gaining a little sound? Not looking to break any windows, which from everything I've read the Magnaflows are loud.

 

[4mermarine]

Here's some feedback that sounds good.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-cts-forum-2003-through-2007/151602-magnaflow-part.html

The magnaflow number is MPE-13215. Good flow and a great sound under acceleration but very loud drone. The Dynemax number is WLK-17731. Good flow, good acceleration sound with alot less drone. You will need 7" long tips for these. You should be able to do all this for less than $300. I got mine from Summit Racing.

I think I'm going to talk to the muffler shop about the Dynamax muffler and see where that gets me.

 

[70eldo]

Don't go x-pipe if you don't want it too loud. The stock mufflers are the most restrictive, so you do good to replace those. Those are also farther away from the cabin, so you do not get too much noise into the cabin. The X-pipe would practically be right under your seat and that will be very noticable in the car.

Choose the right mufflers for your taste and you'll be alright.

 

[Scattilac]

Don't go x-pipe if you don't want it too loud. The stock mufflers are the most restrictive, so you do good to replace those. Those are also farther away from the cabin, so you do not get too much noise into the cabin. The X-pipe would practically be right under your seat and that will be very noticable in the car.

Choose the right mufflers for your taste and you'll be alright.

Not trying to be argumentive here, nothing to gain by talking up this option, just speaking from experience.

The Tru-X is nearly undetectible inside the car - In fact, when I first left the shop I was questioning my decision as I thought there was even less than what I wanted in my exhaust sound - When I got home I had my son drive the car while I stood outside and realized there was a nice, noticeable, lower tone - ALL coming out the back.

The statement above is 100% inaccurate. It is noted all over this board that changing to certain mufflers causes drone inside the car.

Again - depending on what you want - changing mufflers a great upgrade if that is what you are looking for - I am not too into mods, I love this car like it is - tint and minor exhaust is it for me (Black grill to match car, but that was done prior)

 

[cvadala7813]

I am glad this thread started because I have been thinking about getting exhaust for the past couple weeks. After reading this it sounds to me like the x-pipe with tips on the stock mufflers is the way to go if I want a deeper sound more like the V but not too loud. Putting new mufflers on will give more drone and be louder than just the x pipe. Is there any performance gain out of either of these two options or would I have to do the whole system to get any type of performance gains?

 

[70eldo]

I am glad this thread started because I have been thinking about getting exhaust for the past couple weeks. After reading this it sounds to me like the x-pipe with tips on the stock mufflers is the way to go if I want a deeper sound more like the V but not too loud. Putting new mufflers on will give more drone and be louder than just the x pipe. Is there any performance gain out of either of these two options or would I have to do the whole system to get any type of performance gains?

I hope Scattilac will agree with me, that replacing the mufflers will get you more performance gain, than getting an X-pipe alone.

 

[Scattilac]

I hope Scattilac will agree with me, that replacing the mufflers will get you more performance gain, than getting an X-pipe alone.

I will agree, just so I am not disagreeing anymore..haha..

Here's my thought - the increase in power from adding the X-pipe/changing mufflers is so minimal , you would have to be kidding yourself if you think you can actually feel the difference in your car's performance. I think most do this for the sound, not looking for HP gains.

However, it sure does seem faster when there is some sound coming out the back...I still question why Cadillac was so lame with the CTS exhaust - basically silent - I know it is a Caddy, but they marketed the hell out of the CTS as thier "sports car" - they could have done a little better with the stock exhaust, again just my opinion.