Can anyone share experiences with an intake, header,and exhaust combination?

Thanks.

Scott.

 

countless threads are searchable here plus you did not specify your car`s year and model.

 

its a 2006 C4, I will try and search some older posts as well.

 

My non-perfect understanding of 3.6L engine says that its headers are as good as it can be. No real need to change that part.

For sound alone you can do just mufflers, for partial improvement in hi-revs performance you can drop in 200 cell sport cats - I just did Fabspeed x-pipe high flow cats and maxflo performance mufflers and I love `em so far.

Intake mods can be probably ignored by large, easiest thing to do is to drop in oiled filter into stock airbox - I did k&N but most people advice on BMC.
Install of OEM CAI like EVO is possible but does not have real proven base but it is very simple thing to do as well if you have extra $500 or so.
Same about RSS IPD Plenum - I did it, it feels like additional lite improvement in high revs but nothing overly dramatic. If you have extra $1K to waste - you can do that plenum and oiled filter.

Overall feeling I have about all this - all those mods generally serve major function to fight your own boredom, all of it is very fun, car is VERY easy to work on, post-install assessment of all changes is also fun and is well worth the money spent on it.

Cats replacement procedure may be a bit painful - I still have to find the way to depress 4 broken bolts from my stock cats. If you decide to overhaul your exhaust - better decide on entire solution - cats+muffler+tips - it will be easier to mount and will look much better than trying to combine stock and aftermarket.

PS.
You have an old car so you better leave your headers alone - design of stock ones is very good and as car is `06 those header`s bolts are very rusty and most likely already became non-separateable part of your engine block.

 

As ut said, countless threads available discussing the exact topic... I'd run an Evo V-Flow with Fabspeed headers, sport cats and cans. I've tried just about every combination and that gets my vote. Happy hunting and welcome to the 6

 

my 2 cents:

1) AWE Cats
2) EVOMS Intake
3) Muffler: Cargraphic, AWE, GMG, or Fabspeed (Tubi's are not designed for aftermarket cats)
4) Softronic Software
5) Stock Headders