'03 5.3 Exhaust ?

2003 Sierra · June 11, 2010

I searched and couldn't find anything specific enough to answer my question so I am starting a new thread.

I am thinking about removing the muffler on my '03 1500 with the 5.3. Just running the cats and then straight back, single pipe, factory exit. The factory muffler is starting to get a hole in it so I figured I would do something now instead of the middle of winter.

What are your opinions about this? I want the exhaust to be louder than stock but I don't want it to sounds like crap either. I have searched on youtube to maybe hear what it would sound like but again, nothing specific enough to my question.

I don't have much money right now to be spending on a new exhaust or I would just go and buy a better muffler.

Eventually I would like to run duals or like my '93 1500 had, a Y-pipe after the cat to 2, 3" echo pipes. But not now.

Thanks.

Nytemare · June 12, 2010

It sounds decant usually.

you need to insert a piece of pipe to take up the gap...so all in all...you'll probably pay about 50 bucks or so to have the pipe fabbed up, the old muffler cut out and 2 clamps.

2003 Sierra · June 14, 2010

Thanks. I haven't really looked at the stock exhaust closely to tell what I am going to need. Is the stock muffler a dual inlet single outlet? If so I would have to get a Y-pipe and probably run a next size larger tailpipe to compensate. If it is single in, single out then it shouldn't be a problem.

pigfeeder · July 11, 2010

Hey 2003sierra I have the same problom as you. I was wondering if you got your striaght pipe in yet. If you have what does it sound like crap or cool. Thanks

beertestr · July 14, 2010

Walker sells aftermarket mufflers that go onto an otherwise stock exhaust. $80 IIRC on Summit. Just food for thought. It will be a little louder than stock (not a bad thing IMO), and might not be a bad option. I think a stock exhaust sans muffler is asking for more attention than it's worth.

wolverine_22 · July 17, 2010

ok people say its..bad on your vehicle to dump it right before the muffler...and put a turndown on...I don't get this..but adding 4 foot of pipe changes the fact that it hurts it???....im lost....I don't see y you guys can't just cut the pipe off before your muffler put a turndown on...and call it good...surely 4 foot of pipe adds no more backpressure???....y spend the time fabbing the pipe in...i Wish someone who knew alot about exhaust would get on here and say...Guys IT MAKES no difference or Does NOT hurt your trucks to cut it before muffler and put a turndown on....but no one has done that...If they had I'd go cut mine off right now...

simon7mm · July 17, 2010

ok people say its..bad on your vehicle to dump it right before the muffler...and put a turndown on...I don't get this..but adding 4 foot of pipe changes the fact that it hurts it???....im lost....I don't see y you guys can't just cut the pipe off before your muffler put a turndown on...and call it good...surely 4 foot of pipe adds no more backpressure???....y spend the time fabbing the pipe in...i Wish someone who knew alot about exhaust would get on here and say...Guys IT MAKES no difference or Does NOT hurt your trucks to cut it before muffler and put a turndown on....but no one has done that...If they had I'd go cut mine off right now...

Depends on how long you plan to keep your truck... putting a turn down on under your vehicle will cause rust on everything. I keep my trucks for quite a while, I put a turn down at the output of my muffler. After a few years, the bottom of the box, or pan of the truck rusted out and the chassis took a pretty big hit as well.

However I do live in a very harsh climate for vehicles. backpressure on a couple feet of pipe - negligable.

2003 Sierra · July 21, 2010

Hey 2003sierra I have the same problom as you. I was wondering if you got your striaght pipe in yet. If you have what does it sound like crap or cool. Thanks

I have not done anything with my exhaust yet. I am still too poor to even buy a piece of pipe and clamps.

ok people say its..bad on your vehicle to dump it right before the muffler...and put a turndown on...I don't get this..but adding 4 foot of pipe changes the fact that it hurts it???....im lost....I don't see y you guys can't just cut the pipe off before your muffler put a turndown on...and call it good...surely 4 foot of pipe adds no more backpressure???....y spend the time fabbing the pipe in...i Wish someone who knew alot about exhaust would get on here and say...Guys IT MAKES no difference or Does NOT hurt your trucks to cut it before muffler and put a turndown on....but no one has done that...If they had I'd go cut mine off right now...

Some states do not allow you to dump your exhaust before your real axle. I think I have heard something about Michigan now allowing it. It would be okay for trucks that are factory equipped with that type of exhaust like the Ford Lightnings. I did the turndown thing on a truck of mine before, it had a y pipe after the cat and then back to megaphone tips. The pipes rusted and I just cut the pipes after the y and put 2 turn downs on. They were between the cab and bed but it actually made the exhaust quieter. I wasn't happy.