Was the power gain from the headers and cats really that noticeable or could it be a placebo effect caused by sound?

I ask because, I was thinking about getting headers (crawford or strup) and crawford high flow cats if I absolutely decide not to go FI... plus I also really like the stock exhaust note.

 

for me it was definately real; i can kick the back end out at ~4000RPM now at 1/2throttle...go me ^_^

 

NICE!!!!!!

So how much louder did it get with the headers and cats? I really don't want my car to get that much louder because I drive it to work and I don't want it to sound like a kids' car or a overly modified honda. =P

 

A LOT! ^_^

you can hear me coming a few blocks away now, hehehe


If you're able to, sometime please do take a video/sound clip of it - since we basically have the same mods (i found it kind of funny that you did your MD stuff 3days before I did, and then did headers+hfc+sways 3days before I did as well, hehehe) I'm curious if the rev-up engine sounds deeper/louder than an 03 a/t w/ similar mods.