Muffler Only Replacement Questions

Bowtie619 · February 28, 2016

Hey guys,

I've been reading through the forums getting up to speed but I did not find a thread on anyone replacing the muffler only on a 2014 Silverado. Might have just missed it but everyone seems to be going the route of an entire exhaust upgrade or various muffler removals and other configurations.

I'm looking for advice on muffler ONLY replacement and what were the results.

How difficult was installation? Does new 3" muffler fit into existing piping and just bolt on? Or do you need to buy extra parts for installation? Any specific model number that would fit?

New exhaust is around 1k for the various kits but I can get a muffler only and a nice new stainless steel tip for around 200$. I'm leaning towards Magnaflow 18" but there are a ton of different model numbers and sizes, offset, oval, rounded etc...

Or is it worth it to drop the extra 800 and get the entire kit? I would prefer dual out the rear but not for an extra 800.

Thanks!

Bowtie619 · February 28, 2016

My options I'm weighing right now...

1. Magnaflow 18" dual exhaust kit for 700$ I self install...all bolt on so easy enough to install

2. Muffler shop quoted me around 400+ for magnaflow 18" muffler and single tip

3. Muffler shop quoted 600+ for magnaflow 18" and dual tip in rear

4. I buy Magnaflow muffler for 100$ and a tip for 75$ and do myself. I basically do what muffler shop will do for much less...but I don't know how difficult this route would be fitting the muffler only...

gilleydog · February 28, 2016

muffler delete (cut off flapper valve) sounds great under $70.00 at you local muffler shop what have you got to loose

22ink · February 28, 2016

My options I'm weighing right now...

1. Magnaflow 18" dual exhaust kit for 700$ I self install...all bolt on so easy enough to install

2. Muffler shop quoted me around 400+ for magnaflow 18" muffler and single tip

3. Muffler shop quoted 600+ for magnaflow 18" and dual tip in rear

4. I buy Magnaflow muffler for 100$ and a tip for 75$ and do myself. I basically do what muffler shop will do for much less...but I don't know how difficult this route would be fitting the muffler only...

Holy moly....I paid around 250 for a 14 and a corsa double tip...those are high prices...

Bowtie619 · February 28, 2016

Holy moly....I paid around 250 for a 14 and a corsa double tip...those are high prices...

I appreciate that info because I thought that seemed high but I have no idea. I'm going to shop around at a few more shops. Thanks!!

Mrrr Rippin · February 28, 2016

I chose to spend my money a little different. I cut out the stock muffler and left the resonator and flapper. I then bought a superchips programmer and am going to disable afm. The total cost of all this is 320 bucks. 40 bucks to cut out the muffler and replace with piece of pipe at local muffler shop and programmer to get rid of v4 chopper sound and make the truck a little more peppy. It sounds really good with just a muffler delete. Not very loud at all. Quiet cruising in v8 mode. I guess I'm going to clamp the flapper open now that I have a programmer coming...

je1279 · February 29, 2016

Unless you know how to weld stainless I would advise against doing anything other than a cat back kit on your own. Between the difference in pipe diameter (stock is 2.75") and the difference between the 18" Magnaflow length and the stock muffler length you are going to have all sorts of headaches trying to make it work with clamps.

f8l vnm · February 29, 2016

Any known combos that drone to stay away from ?

benjaminforeal · February 29, 2016

I am fortunate enough to have a buddy that does a great job welding stainless and has a shop free to use with a lift. We took the entire cat-back system out, chopped the muffler and flapper vlave out, and welded in a new muffler (a magnaflow off-brand). I decided to leave the resonator in to see what just a muffler swap would do. I might consider taking out the resonator someday, but right now its just loud enough to hear it but doesn't drone a bit on the highway. I'm sure it will be considerably louder with the stock resonator out.

I can hear v4 mode when cruising in town but not on the highway. Its noticeable, but not deafening by any means. Honestly right now as it sits its perfect. Eventually ill get full long tubes and exhaust with a tune disabling cylinder deactivation (but thats after warranty is about up).

Ridersfan · February 29, 2016

I did a cat back 3" MBRP exhaust setup with a chrome tip for $400 canadian, surely the US dollar should buy you the whole works for $300 or so?

AK_GONZO · February 29, 2016

I did a cat back 3" MBRP exhaust setup with a chrome tip for $400 canadian, surely the US dollar should buy you the whole works for $300 or so?

Did the same thing off amazon, good sound except for V4 mode.......sounds like a flippin Subaru with a fart can! I've had it on for about 1200 miles and seems to have mellowed out a bit though.

Ridersfan · February 29, 2016

Did the same thing off amazon, good sound except for V4 mode.......sounds like a flippin Subaru with a fart can! I've had it on for about 1200 miles and seems to have mellowed out a bit though.

I did my 1st road trip with the new exhaust this weekend, everything else had been shorter trips. It does sound worse in V4 and seems to be in V4 more often now... but it doesn't sound TERRIBLE. If anything, it can self justify a tuner to turn off AFM now ;)

Bowtie619 · March 1, 2016

Ok so I called around at a few more shops and the best price I can get for a dual exhaust with magnaflow muffler is 525$ plus tax. With the following description:

"For your 2014 Silverado LTZ we would custom fabricate a 3" cat back exhaust system with a Magnaflow (single in dual out muffler) dual 2.5" tail pipes out the rear with custom tips of your choice.

When creating this system we use a 13 gauge aluminized tubing, this tubing does not rust, it expands and contracts with heat very well and essentially will last forever

Additionally, during the installation process the tech can try on different mufflers for you to listen to, you can then choose the muffler that sounds best to you."

After tax I'm pretty sure I'll be looking at around 600$. So the questions is would I just be better off ordering the entire Magnaflow 18" exhaust system for 700$? Do you guys think it would be better quality then what this guy would be installing? Of course I would be doing the work on my own at that point. Any thoughts or suggestions?

benjaminforeal · March 1, 2016

I personally don't like aluminized tubing. Stainless steel will look better and most likely outlast the life of the vehicle (if you intend on owning the truck for a long time, SS is the way to go). SS is more expensive for both material and the welding, while aluminized is cheaper and a little more forgiving (SS is more brittle and liable to crack).

It really comes down to personal preference. But making an educated decision now will make you happy in the long run! There is a reason why OE uses SS from factory rather than aluminized steel!

je1279 · March 2, 2016

I agree with the statement above regarding stainless. Have you checked out the Dynomax 39530? It's stainless, dual out, and a straight through design like Magnaflow for around $500. It comes with a 14" muffler though so might be a bit louder than your looking for. Looks like Jegs.com as a $75 rebate currently that you could use towards a Magnaflow muffler and just shorten the intermediate pipe a bit if you wanted to.