Exhaust system & Headers for 5.3

pjs2000yukon · January 3, 2003

This is my first post I am a newbie here. I am looking for a exhaust system set up for towing a travel trailer.I want more low end torque. I am leaning toward Gibson S/S 1-5/8" headers, S/S single 3" side swept cat back exhaust. What happens with the existing Y pipes and cat converters. are you supposed to reuse this part of stock Exhaust? From what I see in adds for this system I think you are suppose to keep the stock cat converters and Y pipe. Would'nt this be restrictive? Has anyone used this set up? Any response would be helpful. Thanks.

gandolphxx · January 3, 2003

Most of the headers, with the exception of the ASM's will drop in as a "cat forward" with a small amount of cutting and welding.

I suggest that you also look at the TOG The Other Guys headers - they will give you more low end gains for towing IMHO. Check them out at TByrne Motorsports - he is offering a group buy thrugh Jan.

pjs2000yukon · January 8, 2003

Thanks Grandolph, I will look into the sites you recomended. ps. you have an excellent looking truck. I bet that thing would tow!!

gandolphxx · January 9, 2003

I actually haven't tried to tow anything yet, but Tom Byrnes tows that monster car carrier with his.

I occasionally IM with a guy that wants me to come to a "truck pull", haven't quite stepped that far over the line

Tjwong · January 10, 2003

Check out Banks Performance. They have the best Stainless Steel headers made for your GM truck with proven dyno performance. Their headers are made of 409 Stainless steel, and have a 5/8" thick flange. Banks says that they are so "perfect" that even header gaskets are not necessary.

I have personally used their products and I swear by them. I have a set of TOG's ( The other guys) and even as they are a good set of headers they were not great. TOG's are 1/2' thick flanges which are adequate and certainly better than 5/16 or 3/8 which are what most of what Gibson sells. My problem was the fact that TOGs told me that their headers were a direct fit and only minor welding was required. Well let me tell you that it was not a direct fit into my 02 Suburban. We had to do some bending and mitering to make their connection points to the stock exhaust.

When I called them on it, their reply was "gee you must got a truck with a different exhaust vendor to GM". Well I can assure you that if in fact GM has a different vendor for exhaust systems (which I'm sure it happens) that vendor will be building the systems on the exact same jigs as the other vendor did. GM will not out soure parts that won't fit from vendor to vendor. I got them to fit but it was a pain in the a**!

I have personally installed over 20 Banks systems, everyone went in and fit perfectly as if it was from the factory. And performance gains can be felt by the BUTT DYNO. The only reason I went with the TOG's was because one, Banks did not have a system for the 8.1 Suburbans, and two, Whipple recommended them to me as they had used them personally.

As for Gibsons, well I am not very impressed by them either. Unless they have changed their muffler suppliers. In my 95 blown 454 suburban, I went through 3 Gibson mufflers. Each one that was replaced had baffling that was broken loose due to high exhaust heat and flows. One time the guy there actually told me where to cut it open and where to weld it! After the third replacement I junked their system for a Banks.

You can check out Banks at this website:

http://www.getpower.com

Yes, there systems are a bit more expensive. But not that much more when you consider TOG's cost in the excess of $750+ for big block headers and you still have to purchase a cat back system. Plus Banks are 100% stainless steel and don't need to be coated unless you want it to be "pretty". I have personal experience with Banks because my friends shop is a installer for them and I help there with high performance tuning when I'm home and not doing anything

Just remember that there are lots of claims out there of gains of this and that. Do your research and find the best product for yourself. I am just one guy out of millions out here in cyberspace. Just don't rely only on advertised claims. Listen to what your peers that have had personal experience with these products has to say.

pjs2000yukon · January 15, 2003

I have check out the banks web site. I left message and the people at banks got right back to me with a phone call and sent me lit the mail. I was very impressed, looks to be a great product. Heavy gauge headers with heat shield 3/8" flanges, monster 3.5" pipes, and all stainless steel, but very $$$$ $1.359.00 for the complete system shipped with tax. Headers, Dinaflow muffler, to polished tailpipe. I guess I have to think about that for awhile. If anyone has this system please post.

sivart · January 15, 2003

I have these headers and exhaust on my 01 GMC 5.3. There is no welding required. You do use part of your stock exhaust.

pjs2000yukon · January 17, 2003

sivart, hows the sound? Is it alot louder than stock? How Long did it take you to install? May I ask how $$$ did you pay? They look to be the best I have seen but are they worth it. over a Gibson system.

sivart · January 17, 2003

Headers $450 delivered

Exhaust and tips $240 delivered. It sounds like a Corvette. More of a vroom sound rather than a crackle that Flowmaster gives. It is a good bit louder than stock, but it is rather quiet at highway speeds. It is very loud when you stomp the gas. The exhaust install is like every other one youve ever seen. The headers you need two to three people and at least 4 hours. Not too bad though. They don't leak like other headers that I have heard. Hope this helps

jhawk · January 17, 2003

I have these headers and exhaust on my 01 GMC 5.3. There is no welding required. You do use part of your stock exhaust.

Sivart, what headers do you have? I can't tell from your post what headers you are running. Maybe my computer can't download your entire post or something....Thanks.

sivart · January 19, 2003

Gibson Shorty Stainless Steel Headers

Gibson Supertruck Stainless steel exhaust

lyonsd · January 28, 2003

Will that Banks system increase gas mileage?

It also replaces the Y-pipe correct?

NWI_#73 · April 30, 2010

I know this thread is from a looooong time ago but i'm considering the banks monster exhaust for my 08 and i'd like to hear some feedback from real time users.