Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance replace what?

I have a 96 GL Zetec ATX. I was thinking of upgrading my exhaust. But, I would like to do it one at a time, so with that in mind. What do you guys suggest replacing first, the resonator or the end muffler and with what? I don't want those loud exhaust sound though.

Usually people replace the resonator first.
Check this out....

http://www.contour.org/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=33;t=001184

Personally I'm just goimg to do the whole thing at once. But if I wanted to piecemeal it, I'd go for the res first. As far as wha tto put, that's all personal choice. I don't think there is any sort of sound tester for mufflers (but that would be very cool). Your best bet is to keep searching for old threads and hoping you find one that describes the sound of a particular pipe. The only problem with that is you'll find that almost every single one makes the car sound "a little louder", "boomier", "deeper", "not overpowering, but you can definitely hear the diff."
What does that tell you?
I'm not sure either, except that it's almost always faster .
Whatever you decide please let everyone know.

One of the first mods I did was to replace the Res with straight pipe. I really didn't notice much of a difference at all, just barely a touch louder under WOT and maybe a bit punchier. The best thing to do right off the bat would be the end muffler; magnaflow, dynomax, and a host of others make decent muffs.

Thanks guys, I'm leaning towards getting the magnaflow for the resonator now. Do I get it right, I need to get 2" for the inlet and outlet for both the resonator and rear mufflers? And if do get the rear muffler later on, what offset do I have to get. I actually have been reading all the posts I could get, but It's hard to peice things together. So, thanks for all your help.