i need my truck to sound like a truck

mfbearded · August 1, 2015

so im shopping for an exhaust...catback, good sound, nothing crazy. ive read thru the post but hteres a lot on the topic and this is one of those eye of the beholder thing. im leaning to AFE or Gibson but id like some feedback here. sound clips are great if anyone has them.

smrr1 · August 1, 2015

there are some descent videos on youtube. just remember it will sound different when in 4 cylinder mode.

mfbearded · August 1, 2015

i think ive watched every video on youtube...thats why im looking for user feedback...who likes what they got, who wishes they went with something else, anyone change from one to another ?

smrr1 · August 1, 2015

have you looked at the gm/borla kit? i know there are many users here with them and they are all very happy with them. there are a couple threads floating around.

EChavez · August 1, 2015

Just gut everything from the muffler back. I'm running a flowmaster 40 and I love it at times but for some reason it just gets quiet. I know your exhaust gets quieter when it warms up but I mean some days its just howls and others you can't hear it at all. Don't really know why. I have a buddy that removed everything, muffler too, and left the three cats. Sounds mean, like a real truck imo.

TxTruckMan · August 1, 2015

This is a completely subjective topic. Some like it loud, some mild, some soft and some quiet/stock. Maybe give us some more info? The GM Borla has great reviews if you have the dough. All the other options will drone in V4 - some more than others. There is a whole long sticky thread in the engine sub-forum.

jay15892 · August 1, 2015

I'm happy with my Gibson on my 6.2. I turned off the AFM though

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · August 1, 2015

Just gut everything from the muffler back. I'm running a flowmaster 40 and I love it at times but for some reason it just gets quiet. I know your exhaust gets quieter when it warms up but I mean some days its just howls and others you can't hear it at all. Don't really know why. I have a buddy that removed everything, muffler too, and left the three cats. Sounds mean, like a real truck imo.

That's what I did except I have the more aggressive Super 44.

I've never cared for those expensive pre-made kits. Being that it's a daily driver and not exactly a performance machine I wouldn't worry about having mandrel bent pipes. I just went to a good local shop that happens to be good with exhaust. I told them to take everything from the muffler back off and put in the single in/dual out Flowmaster Super 44 muffler and have the tips at 45° behind each tire. It's loud, aggressive and the best sounding truck I've ever owned. It doesn't sound like a shitty glasspack either which I can't stand. When in V4 mode, you get that drone because it doesn't have the flapper valve anymore. Most describe it as a helicopter, but me tried out trucking and done local delivery in class B trucks the drone actually sounds more like an engine/jack brake on a commercial truck which I don't mind. I didn't mess with the 3rd cat. I may have it taken out and replaced with a piece of pipe since it's not monitored, but I may just leave it in there.

EChavez · August 1, 2015

Do you know what size piping they used for the new exhaust on yours? Mines 2 1/4 and I feel like that's why it quiets down. It's restricted imo. I've heard 3" is optimal.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · August 1, 2015

Do you know what size piping they used for the new exhaust on yours? Mines 2 1/4 and I feel like that's why it quiets down. It's restricted imo. I've heard 3" is optimal.

I want to say 2 1/2" since I believe that's the factory size for the 5.3.

EChavez · August 1, 2015

Nice, I used to have an 07 5.3 with a super 44 and gutted 3rd cat. Absolutely loved the way it sounds. I've considered just removing the muffler altogether & leaving all 3 cats but don't know if that affects the smog regulations here in CA.

mfbearded · August 1, 2015

not worried about the v4 drone...ive had the valve clamped open for over a month and homestly i either cant tell the difference or it doesnt bother me....im looking for mild...not to quiet but not screaming. it my daily driver so i def dont need to howling every minute. cost wise...id prefer to under 500ish...hence why i havent thought about borla or corsa. the flowmaster, magnaflows and mbrp i weeded out for being to loud

jroyston13 · August 1, 2015

I just put the borla s-type on my 2015 5.3L and i really like it. Its right in the middle. Cold starts sound awesome then fade to a mild idle. I like the sound and dont care about drone so im wondering what the flowmaster 40/44 would sound like, but for now im happy with the borla.

tkkz71 · August 1, 2015

i just put the gm borla on. absolutely love it! i will admit it's probably not as loud as others, I didn't want that. absolutely no drone, towing or normal driving. got mine on ebay, $1200 with the black tips.

jimlem · August 1, 2015

Go with the GM-Borla cat back. It's different than just a Borla form their general sales. It's not the cheapest but it seems for most who install it correctly that it's perfect amount of growl with no drone.