New to the forum, have a question...
 

First I'd like to introduce myself as I am new to the forum. I have actually been reading it over the last couple of days doing to research and thought I would join up.

I have a 2002 GT with only a CAI and Flowmaster American Thunder catback so I am certainly well behind most of you here. My goal is to give my car a bit more muscle car sound and also make it a bit more fun to drive so I doubt I will be going nuts with the modifications.

I do have 2 questions though and I am hoping the members here could help me out.

1) I live in Virginia and we have routine emissions inspections so I don't really want to mess with not passing it so I am looking for a catted H pipe. Is MAC the standard or is there another (better) brand out there? I've looked at Magna but based on the soundclips I've heard it give more of the raspy sound than muscle car sound. Any suggestions?

2) My other modification I am looking at is either a 3.73 or 4.10 gear. Don't worry I am not going to ask which one to get. I am more interested in what kinda of prices I should be looking at. I called a local shop and for a FRPP 4.10 gear, a "C" kit, SCT Tuner (for the speedo) and labor would be about $1300. It seemed a bit high to me. Is that about right?

Thanks in advance for all responses!

sounds a bit high to-me.
for the gear install and maybe exhaust, check wth Jason @Steen Racing in Norfolk.
real nice people to deal wth, good shop and good prices. www.steenracing.com or 757-480-RACE(7223) tell 'em I sent 'ya

Randy - Thanks for the prompt reply. Unforntunately Norfolk is clear across the state as I living in Northern VA near Dulles otherwise I would be all over it.

Heck Liberty Ford is probably closer ...LOL

Jeremy?

Anyways, emissions in VA is all OBD-II now. So as long as you dont have a code, youll pass. For inspection, they probably check to see if there are cats on the car, Im not 100% sure. But for emissions they just hook the car up to the computer and check for codes. So if you get an o/r pipe, then just get a tune to turn off the rear 02's, or get MIL's.

As for midpipes, H pipes sound the best to me. Its more of a deeper sound, while X pipes are higher pitched sounding and raspy. A catted Mac H pipe is fine.

For the gears, just buy them here along with an install kit and XCal 2 with a mail order tune for the gears. Use the 6% discount code. Then just pay labor for install. Dont pay more then $300 to install gears.

Somes in NOVA are...

EB3 Motorsports
Excessive Motorsports
Springfield Motorsports

Springfield is probably the most expensive one. But theres a guy on here who works there, I believe his name is Wheat. Shoot him a PM for labor prices on gear install.

Sup Dan..yup it's me. TeddyKGB is a login I have used for years.

Those prices are from one of those places you listed. Here is the rough breakdown the guy gave me.....$175 for the gear, $120 for the "C" kit (similar to the rebuild you suggested), labor $350-$400, Xcal Tuner and to load it to my car $750 (which is HIGH IMHO).

Now when you say "buy them here" is there a sponsor section? (sorry still finding my way around here).

When I say buy them here, I mean www.americanmuscle.com They have packages with gears and the Xcal. http://www.americanmuscle.com/xcal2-...r-oil-kit.html They also have a 3.73 gear kit. Add on this rebuild kit, http://www.americanmuscle.com/rearendrebuild.html

The Xcal comes with 1 free mail order tune, and you can load it yourself. That brings your total to around $600 for the gears, Xcal, fluids, and rebuild kit, everything you need for the install. Then just add labor, which should not be more then $300. $750 for the tuner is insane.

Another shop I forgot about is Jax Automotive. They are probably the closest to you, but the last place Id recommend going. http://www.performancebyjax.com/

also check-out Justin @ JPC Racing in Glen Burnie 410-768-3025

Thanks both of you!

you can save yourself some hassle by pulling the rear out of the car and somewhat disassembling it yourself. this would save you some money at the shop if all they have to do is pop the new gear on and set them up with the right tolerances. i did this and it cut the labor price in half. but i also had the carrier bearing replaced and i did the wheel bearings myself.

That might be a bit out of my range Clemson although I appreciate the info.

BTW...go Tigers!! (I am a grad myself and die hard fan)

I found a place near here that will charge about $260 to install the gears with new bearings, although 03GT advises he wouldn't go there.