I am looking to improve performance on a stock 77 280z. I am told that the stock muffler is the #1 resistance point in the exhaust flow. I would like a more free flowing straight thru muffler BUT I would still like it not to be too loud. I will stay with the stock manifold, pipe and resonator for now.

A Ractive muffler has been suggested. Any thoughts/experience on my goal???

I would think the #1 cause of restriction in the exhaust of a '77 would be the cat. Mine was ALL plugged up. But then, maybe where you are you don't have one???

If you don't have smog inspection, replace the cat with a short 'bullet' style straight-thru muffler (Cherry Bomb, etc...). Then install a good muffler in the rear. A decent 'non-name-brand' turbo muffler with at least 2.25 ports will probably flow just fine, and be the quietest....a Dynomax or Flowmaster will supposedly flow a bit better and be a bit more 'throaty'. The aforementioned bullet muffler will take care of a bunch of the noise--especially the really annoying resonance. A straight-thru muffler combined witht he bullet will be somewhat louder.

steve(none of the above)77

Mine does not have a cat, just the resonator that came on the federal 77s.

So do you think I would notice much difference by only replacing the rear muffler.

Thanks for your help!