Shorty headers, Resonator and Cats combinations
 

Couple of questions:
1 - Do the shorty headers require the resonator install or is the resonator used for a straight pipe to back end configuration? Assume those with resonator use a high flow cat and resonator? Is that the option to using the stock dual cats?

2 - I have a American Thunder axle back and wondering if the resonator is necessary after I install shorty Doug Thorley headers.

3 - Also, stock dual cats vs high flow single cat, anyone know if there is a significant difference? Some have installed the shorties with the stock cats welded flange mated to the shorties and gone on with that.

4 - Finally, is there any advantage after install of the shorties to also installing a X or H pipe config?

Thanks!

Where are you getting your Doug Thorley shorties from? I’ve been thinking of getting some also

Haven't decided yet, but not seeing any special deals, all sources are same price.

Im running JBA shorty headers with JBA high flow cats and a Magnaflow X pipe with a muffler delete and love the setup, it makes good power and sounds great. You can run shorty headers with the stock cats but the power gain is from deleting the restrictive stock cats. You can remove the resonators if you want more noise. I would definitely recommend a x pipe over the stock h pipe, you can even get a resonated x pipe.

But would this set up sound the same for the v6?

Edit: oh shit! I just realized you’re sangstah. I follow you on ig Lol. I’m @lucas.310

Yes, the Magnaflow resonated x (11386) with a resonator and muffler delete sounds great on the V6. There's lots of posts or videos about it across the forum and youtube. The 11386 would keep the rasp in check if you had headers and secondary cat deletes or high flow cats, though you might want a set of mufflers for the rear. Magnaflow, Borla, or MRT have good rear muffler options.

Listen with a set of head phones and enjoy.

OBX headers, No Cats, Magnaflow (11386), MRT 2.0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgcknU0B3GU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXmwhqp4S0A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i-P68snGuU

So a Resonator X Pipe with my Flowmaster mufflers and a pair of high flow cats with shorty headers should offer some good increase, no? Afterward a tune to squeeze out whatever can be done with this setup.

Would I see a much difference using shorty headers, stock dual cats and stock setup back to axleback Flowmaster system with a tune or to get anything out of the shorty headers do I really need high flow cat and resonator X Pipe?
Thoughts? ... and thanks a bunch.

The resonated x pipe is for sound. It brings the exhaust note down a few octaves. If you don't run the resonated x and leave the stock H and resonators, in my opinion at least you're leaving a lot of satisfaction on the table. The resonated x definitely seems to be the ultimate addition to our cars for sound. You don't need it for power, necessarily, on paper and in theory x pipes flow best, but for sound, absolutely. Adding the resonated x to my NPP system was the best decision I made.



You'll see some minor gains running shorty headers, but yeah, at least deleting the secondary cats (unmonitored, no CEL if you do) is where the gains are. High flows or long tubes with / without cats is where max power is. And then tune.

Those of us who have LT headers, need the resonated X pipe to eliminate the RASP that is horrible in the 2200 - 2800 RPM range.

My car with no cats and the stock NPP exhaust had awful rasp too, I think in that exact range. That's why I added it, though the deeper tone was a huge plus. I'm sure there are people that for some reason like that kind of sound though.

Thanks for the info guys! All the best.