Headers will sound better and give u more power and if u can find long tubes go for those and get ones that won't rust

As long as you have the 02 sensors and hi-flow you shouldn't run into any problems. I wouldn't gut the cats, it creates resistance in the exhaust cause the gases expand and contract real fast in the such a small area. if your gonna do true duals, 2.25 is best for performance but there isn't anything wrong with 2.5. A 3in pipe with duals is were you start to lose performance. 3in pipe is best for a si/so setup. If you really wanna great sounding exhaust, get some OBX long tubes with hi-flows. they'll run you about $650 but you'll have a complete and totally legit exhaust system

^^^^^^ this guy

Wow. thanks for the advice. :thumbup1: I am glad I talked to yall before this. I think I will do a little more shopping around the interwebs for headers. Maybe that can be my graduation gift from my girlfriend. hint hint. I am set on dual exhaust so I will stick with the 2.25. I want it to exit behind the rear tires and maybe throw some tips on it but I can't find anything that isn't chrome or shiny. I like a just a plain exhaust pipe look or a flat machined look if I can find it. I am glad I talked to yall before this. Ill keep yall updated on the build.

97maroon- I'm assuming you're referring to the loss of backpressure with the 3" pipe? If OP installs cats and runs duals all the way out the back, he would probably be able to get away with 3". With no cats, it would probably be no bueno.

OP, i just suggested using bigger diameter pipe because it would be louder and the tone would be different, but that all comes down to your choice!

X2 on the OBX and cats!

Thanks for the input! I definitely want to get noticed with the sound. I have some "friendly" neighbors I would enjoy waking up each morning. hmm.....:whistling2: