reading this makes me laugh.. bro, changing exhaust doesn't mean it has to be loud.. it juz gives better flow.. and, for an auto tranny, u'll be using the "S-Flow" type muffler, which in return already reduces the noise.. there's a lot of aftermarket exhaust out there that are silent.. don't go for the "RM130 Semua Siap Pasang" package la..
what i'm using for my Gen-2, changed R3 header (removed the CAT), bullet, and Speedworks muffler, no noise at all inside cabin.. outside, when u pull, it sounds like a turbo engine when the internal wastegate routes the gas through the exhaust, which is sweet for me.. it's silent if the throttle is depressed <50%..
dyno tested it, before and after gave me an extra 9HP at the wheels.. that is without the K&N, and with, adds up another 2HP..
not to say it cannot tahan mods, it can.. but our proton gearboxes only can withstand to a certain HP increase before it fails, which is not much btw.. that's why American or European gearboxes have horsepower ratings, i.e, till 550HP etc..
p/s: i destroyed 7 auto gearboxes in my 1st car, which is a 1990 Proton Saga 1.5i (4G15) [personal R&D purposes], before i finally swapped to VR4-RS (4G63T) engine..
bro when u changed to gen2??... ur satria vr4-rs sold adi??... i havent sat in ur monster before leh...
lol
best still is no exhaust after extractor. that is proven to be the best

or straight piping to the rear without any bullets or midboxes - they ruin power at high revs if your car is setup for high power at high revs.
no for auto tranny...