Originally Posted by FlJeeper90

actually, the ICE needs some backpressure. While having too many bends will restrict the airflow, not having any exhaust (straight pipe) will actually make the performance worse. Now, dumping the exhaust right after the cat, might not be so bad. But its not going to be a noticeable difference. Now, if you do a whole complete header back system with magnaflow high flow cat will give you more low end torque. What you want is a lot of torque. Torque is what gets you going, horsepower is what keeps you there. Think of it like a diesel, 650ftlbs of torque and 300hp will pull a house off the foundation. So, the best ways to improve your get up and go, is #1-gearing, #2-good exhaust system, #3-good intake system (a filter on a piece of pipe in the engine bay is not a cold air intake system) you must seal it off from the heat of the engine bay and have adiquate airflow to the filter. Now, anything that will restrict the airflow into the engine will cause power loss. The easier the engine can breathe, the harder it can work. I know it sounds kinda contradictory, but thats just the way it works. lol