Two projects today. Neither was as easy as I was hoping.
Ashamed as I am, I have to admi5 that the first project was replacing my MagnaFlow stainless cat back with a CGS stainless cat back. I didn't mind the acceleration noise of the MF but the drooonnnnneeee was way too much for me. Funny how the CGS was roughly 60% of the cost of the MF. Anyway, I really hate trying to line up these exhausts, there is so little room above the box frame and getting things to line up and stay lined up when you're trying to wrench down the clamps. Everything wants to twist on you, even when things are in the hangers. not to mention, getting these long sections in without damaging the brake lines running right above the frame, when you don't have a lift available, is a pain in the butt. I also tried to reuse the clamps from the MF, they are a much more compact design and better looking than the massive U Clamps, but they definitely didn't work. The two exhausts use different connections from section to section.
So to review the outcome, they sound pretty similar during acceleration, and I do expect the CGS to dampen a little over time just like the MF did. After calling MF to complain about the noise, they said you need to wait sometimes around 100 miles for what little dampening material is in the muffler to compact and work right. They weren't kidding, it did get a little better, but it didn't help the drone. I am happy to report though that the CGS does NOT have the drone issue. I still wish it was a tad more timid during acceleration but we'll see if that changes a little over time. I may eventually do a small resonator, CGS told me that have some small/compact ones that can help a little. I get it, it's a V6 and doesn't have a V8 sound. Oddly enough, the CGS sounds a lot like a V8 during idle. With that said, you can tune the sound from an exhaust just about any way you want. I used to run a racing Acura turbo 4Cyl that sounding nothing like your typical ricer. It sounded sweet...
I will also say, one thing I like is that the tip for this unit doesn't stick out as far behind the rear tire. The MF stuck out a little like a sore thumb, and I get it, some folks want to show it off. I don't want to show it off, and it just becomes something else to get jacked up. It was so bad that if I ever drove off a curb, I'd probably rip it off. The CGS isn't quite as beefy as the MF, but it's still stainless and pretty well done. All mandrel bends.
My second project was the Sumo Springs. While I don't intend on towing 10k lbs very often, I wanted to stiff up the rear a tad, and it definitely worked. The sumo's combined with the front and rear sway bars feel amazing. Cruzing around some tight entrance ramps while accelerating, this things feels better than it should honestly. These were a bit hard to install than I was expected, even with the suspension fully extended. If you go to do this, definitely make sure you lube the springs with a little soapy water. Even though I'm sure I might not need to, I didn't secure mine with zip ties.
Good times!