I was wondering if anyone has run a header and/or catless downpipe with the stock muffler on a 2.2. Input on sound or performance is welcome. Yes, I know its still going to be restrictive, but at the moment, I'm very close to stock and want to keep with a stock appearance. Thanks guys!

 

Well you don't want to do that for performance because to have the exhaust bottle neck is just restrictive and you wouldn't see any gains really. On my old 2.2 I was full 2.25" exhaust catless and I had a borla catback, wasn't so raspy but that was after the 800$ I spent on the borla catback. Your best bet would be header with high flow cat and a zzp catback.

 

You'll definitely want to upgrade the cat back. The stock 2.2 catback is 1.75", with the muffler being horribly restrictive. The best power is going to be long tube headers, but that isn't in everyones budget. My old 2.2 had the stock Manifold, a ZZP 2.5" 400 cell catted downpipe, and a 2.4(same as LSJ) cat back. The 2.4 catback is 1/2" bigger, with a larger resonator and a less resrictive muffler. It had a great, deep, throaty sound, and was loud enough to be heard, but not obnoxious. It didn't have any highway drone, and it even had some nice burble/pops on deceleration. A catless on the stock catback will definitely add some sound, but I'm not sure how much, or if it will be a good sound.

 

This has been really helpful guys, thanks! I'm thinkin this summer is gonna bring big changes!

 

Spend the money on an exhaust first, thats where most of your restriction is.

Catless on the stock exhaust would probably sound awful....