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I currently have GHL cat backs on my 2004 CE coupe. The exhausts sounds good to me. I wish it was a little (little means more but not a lot) aggressive sounding. I think adding some LT headers will give me a little more of the sound I am looking for. I am not searching for the last ounce of HP. It is the sound. I also enjoy getting good gas mileage. I can afford to pay more for gas so the gas mileage is a challenge when I go on a trip. I have had 30 + mpg with the 6 speed and 3.4 rear end.
So your comments about the AMOUNT of increase at lower speeds (cruising) and what brands ? I guess I should have High Flos to keep it "green". They may come back with state inspections here in Ohio.
my first mod was the cat back. Good mod but like you I wanted more growl from my exhaust. I add LT Kooks headers , high flow cats and a X-pipe. That did the trick. Go for it. And the added HP is fun too.
I just put a ser of ARH on my 01that I already had Corsa Indy's on. No matter what hearer you go with it will improve the sound greatly. it woke mine up.
My car had TPiS long-tubes on when I bought it with Corsa Touring cat-backs. Also has a mild cam so sound was nice for daily driver - pretty agressive at WOT but quiet at idle and no drone. I recently went to high-flow cats and an x pipe which increased the sound abut 20% I'd say - really sounds good but still not too loud for DD. I do get a bit of odor from the high-flows and I had to tweak the tune a little after the install - you'd need a tune after the headers too - but I think the headers are the best part of the whole setup - have had the car 2 years now and definitley do not regret the headers. Mine are ceramics coated and I think thats the way to go for less underhood heat and they continue to look good too.
I also started with GHL bullets on my 6-spd vert. I then added the LG Street headers with high-flow cats, and the sound increased quite a bit. It's fairly loud on startup and raunchy under full throttle. However, it's a moderate sound increase under partial throttle and cruise conditions.