Mine is Gutted, no unusual noise is noticed.
I do have a Borla exhaust, and stock cats(headers)
Can't say I noticed a ton of improvement, but before
I gutted it I hadn't driven the car in 8 months.

I will most likely be putting in a straight pipe
in the spring, but its been like this for over a year.


99 Cougar V6 Tourmaline Green: MTX, KKM, Borla Dual...