By doing this, (removing my muffler and basically having it straight pipe) will this effect my performance and make my car run like crap? Also would it sound good?

 

No. It'll sound better. Watch out for your smog *****, though.

 

I've heard the 4.0 sounds bad ("not good") with the axleback removed.

No, it won't hurt (nor improve) your performance.

 

If you want decent sound out a 4.0 then you have to get a exhaust system wether it be a custom one or a box one. You gotta do it.

 

I can tell you from experience it is loud and personally I think it sounds like crap.

 

It's loud and raspy as hell. And IMO, vibrates everything in the car to the point you feel like you're driving an old Ford tempo. Straight pipes won't add any power, so I would suggest putting an aftermarket axle back on there.

 

you'd be much better getting a cat back duel exhaust system instead of removing the stock muffler nor buying an aftermarket one. Why spend 200 on a single muffler when a whole kit costs 500 for duals?

 

Real quick and easy and in most cases downright economical would be to find a pair of takeoff GT mufflers. Swap that in there and it will improve the sound immensely. Straight pipes may or may not sound good depending on your taste... and driving style.

Once you have the GT takeoffs (search around on the site... there are two different models... one off a manual trans, the other off and auto. YES they are different and you want the MANUAL trans version) then really all you would need to go duals would be an X-pipe and the LH intermediate pipe.

Oh.. and another pair of muffler hangers.

Tons of info on exhausts. Look around here. I do not recommend eliminating the muffler altogether.

 

Your car will be LOUD without the muffler. I had nothing after the cats other than a Pypes x-pipe for a short drive to my shop (to use the hoist to install GT mid pipes) and i tried to avoid revving over 2500 rpms! I was concerned it would shake loose the door panels lol. but after the mid pipes were on there and the sound was farther back it was kind of fun until I put the GT take off mufflers on. a quick little rev in the parking lot and I set off 2 car alarms. I personally liked the sound of straight pipes but didn't want to **** off the neighbours as I leave for school at 6ish sometimes. Very happy with the take off mufflers though (from a manual GT).

 

Without the muffler is terrible.

BUT, if you go to an exhaust shop and have them bend and hang a pipe that goes from where the muffler mounts up, back to where the tip comes out it sounds GREAT.
It eliminates the rattling and horrid raspy sound.

Much louder than stock, and way cheaper than any aftermarket axlebacks.