Exhaust help

SouthernZ71 · September 22, 2003

Getting ready to do some exhaust work and have a few ?'s.

1)should I use an X pipe or an H pipe? (what benefit would I get with either)

2) what size piping before the muffler

3) what size after?

4) Are spintechs any good?

5) Or series 40 flows?

Basically, I'm looking for low-end performance with a really throaty exhaust note, but don't want to sacrifice too much hwy tourqe.

thanks for the help

BTW its an 02 Chevy 5.3

Butch 02 Denali · September 22, 2003

Definatly the x pipe, it will help the low end twice as much as the H pipe would. I think you have a Y pipe and one pipe running to the muffler now. It's probably 2 7/8, that's what GM usually uses. Feed that into any free flowing 3" inlet muffler like the Spintechs, Magnaflow, Ultraflow or 40 series Flowmasters. Use a single 3" out or dual 2 1/2" on the exit side. Another option is to split the Y and run dual 2 1/2"s into a X pipe then into dual mufflers, side by side, and then dual 2 1/2" out the back or sides. That's the way I'd go!

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

SouthernZ71 · September 22, 2003

So split the Y and run 2 1/2" pipe with the X pipe to 2 mufflers, then 2 1/2" pipe out the back with whatever tips? Any others out there?

Thanks for the help

greyghost03 · September 22, 2003

I used the factory y-pipe into a single 3"in dual 2.25"out 40 series Flowmaster. Works great for me. No loss in torque, but I have aftermarket intake also. If you want a throaty exhaust note I would go with the Flowmaster 40 series (non-Delta).

I wouldn't go any larger than 2.25 on the outlet side so you don't lose any low end tq.

If you want to run true duals, Butch's suggestions are good!

SouthernZ71 · September 23, 2003

Okay gonna use the X pipe route. Should I buy a fabbed up pipe off the net (SurFlow) or should I get the exhaust shop to make one? OR does it make a difference?

greyghost03 · September 23, 2003

I think you should go the pre-fab route unless you really know and trust the guys at the shop and their abilities. If they can fab it for ya it might be more expensive than a pre-fab.

Pre-fabs have been tested and are prob better quality.

Just my .02.

99Silver6.0 · September 23, 2003

Anybody running a Borla cat-back on their 5.3?? Hows about Magnaflow??

SouthernZ71 · September 24, 2003

Grey: Thanks for the tip. DO you suggest any company to get the X pipe from?

99: I've heard the Borla are good but you can do better for cheaper, cause the Borlas are so expensive. As for Magnaflow, people on different boards I go to say they are d**n good and price right. The exhaust place I'm gonna bring my truck to (they do manily race application and highend stuff) said Magnaflow aren't good quaility. Who knows

99Silver6.0 · September 24, 2003

I can get Borla cat-back #140015 for $315 through my dad. I heard B&B Tri-Flo not too long ago. Sounded good. Everybody and their dog has Flowmasters on thier trucks around here. All sound the same if you ask me, wether it be on a GM or Dodge. I want to go with something different, thus the look into Borlas cat-back. I still cant find anyone to send me a good sound clip of a Borla cat-back on a 5.3 so right now I am still undecided.