I may have a 6cyl, but I had a similar dilemma. How do I make it sound good, but not like a V8. Answer = Header, true dual exhaust, glasspacks.
When running alongside my dad's 289 '66, they sound noticably different. Although the average person usually can't tell what my car has.
I had one instance where an 80's Lincoln started pacing me and asked if I had a 289 Hi-Po... I laughed and said no. He said 'you want to run?' I said 'sure'
His car was packed and he walked me. lol.
Another good one happened before I got my '01. This guy in an '01 GT (which was pretty beatup for that new of a car) used to hang around the apartments. I was in my '66 and my older brother was in his '00 Trans Am. As we were leaving I noticed the GT was trying to catch me. He wanted to run. I couldn't stop laughing and I kept gesturing to my brother to run him. So he did. They left me behind. I got up to 75 mph and caught up.. they had let off so I went by them, since I knew where the pizza place was. I pulled in and brother followed. The GT slowed and passed, then came back. He pulled in after we were out of our cars, and asked what I had in it. I said '6 cylinder.' He said
'is that all?' I had to laugh again. Then he started talking to my brother about how he traded in a Trans Am for the GT, because the GT felt faster.
I know I talk too much, and it makes me forget the point of my post, but... um... I think it's cool that people don't know what I have under the hood. They are usually in shock because of how it sounds. I like explaining it to them. And I've never had anyone dissapointed after I told them it was just a 6cyl. They always compliment how nice it sounds.