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Tow package from factory or not?

dbricken

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dbricken Enthusiast

dbricken

Posted
Posted

Hello all - new to the board. Just purchased my first Chevy (2003 Tahoe LT) last Saturday. This looks like a great informational site for performance mods and some nice looking trucks.

 

Anyways, quick question -

 

How do I know if my tow package was factory installed, and therefore has the accompaniments like the tranny cooler and etc? I bought the Tahoe used and am unsure how to tell if the tow is aftermarket or not.

 

Thanks.

 

db

TarheelZ Enthusiast

TarheelZ

Posted
Posted
Look in the glove box for the option codes...

You might want to list the codes in the glovebox and use the RPO's link on the left side of this page to identify all of the options you're truck has.

 

Also, welcome to the site! :uhoh:

dbricken Enthusiast

dbricken

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks a lot for the fast help...I'm checking it out now.

 

The reason I was asking is that I read that some aftermarket exhausts will not fit on vehicles with non-stock tow packages... gotta get those performance upgrades!!

 

db

dbricken Enthusiast

dbricken

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well, I have a PDP and a PF4, but no PDZ. Oh well, guess I'm not getting that exhaust. I suppose it's okay since I've read (on this site I think( that the LT exhaust is moderately free flowing.

 

I smell an intake on the way...lol.

 

 

db

LogixRat Enthusiast

LogixRat

Posted
Posted

Hold the boat!! Don't give up on that aftermarket exhaust just yet. You may not be able to get an entire cat-back system with the pre-bent mandrel pipe that you can just bolt-on, but I'm fairly certain you could take it to a local muffler shop and have them custom run you an exhaust using the mufflers, size of pipe and any tips you wanted.

 

Better yet, the custom ran exhaust system will probably be cheaper than a bolt-on and will actually be welded. Perhaps the biggest downfall would be that most muffler shops can't mandrel bend pipe (since the machines cost about 2 arms & legs) but I have heard a many people say unless you are running an engine producing serious HP such as 400-500 then you probably won't see any difference between regular bent and mandrel bent piping. I've never done a test to gauge the performance difference between the 2, but I have ran custom bent pipe (w/o mandrel bends) and noticed performance gains.

 

So yeah, show your local muffler shop some love & get an exhaust. Your truck will thank you, and you will be pleased with the power increase and new growl! :uhoh:

Chris97K1500 Enthusiast

Chris97K1500

Posted
Posted

One other thing to look into, I doubt a non-factory tow package would keep a bolt on exhaust from working. If the dimensions of the aftermarket hitch/reciever are like the factory one, nothing is changed, just not from GM. If there actually was a difference between the factory/non factory tow package, the duals out the rear would be the only one I could imagine having any trouble with. A single out or the duals out the side should be fine since they do not come close to the bumper area. Just some things to look into. Chris

99-2door Senior Enthusiast

99-2door

Posted
Posted

I think the problem some aftermarket hitches give is some of them move the spare back a little bit and it causes the exhaust pipes to run too close to the tire. An exhaust shop won't have any problem with it though. The pre-made kits are over-priced clamp together crap anyway. Get a system installed by a local guy who does quality work. You will come out cheaper with a better system. BTW mandrel bends are way over-rated for pretty much stock engines. Something companies like Borla and Gibson came up with to make their product look good.

dbricken Enthusiast

dbricken

Posted
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Posted

So would it be best to get the whole system through a local shop, or should I buy the muffler and tips myself, and let the shop fabricate/bend the pipes?

 

Can you fellas recommend some sizing on the pipes as well? I'm looking for something that will get me some HP over stock, but won't create any noticable difference in cockpit noise levels.

 

thanks.

 

db

LogixRat Enthusiast

LogixRat

Posted
Posted

Really I think it just depends on the shop. More times than not, a shop will stock exactly what you need to complete the entire package w/o the hassle of buying the parts yourself. Of course, they aren't in the business to turn down money so I'm sure they will install the parts you provide them as well, at least all the shops do around here where I live.

 

In regards to which exhaust to use....there are a plethora of choices. On the inside I like to hear the exhaust, and as long as I can listen to the radio and talk to someone I'm okay with it. And then on the outside I like it to sound mean, aggressive & loud. Many a people have said they love their Magnaflow systems. It provides almost stock sound level inside while providing some growl outside. This may work good for you since you care more about interior resonance. Personally I like the original Flowmaster sound, even though it's a little louder inside. But now Flow has a Delta Flow and other Series that dampen the interior drone. Be sure and do your research. And when looking around, keep in mind that website sound clips will likely vary from your exact situation.

 

Pipe sizing can be tricky. I don't know your exact stock setup as I have a Silverado, and not a Tahoe. But if you have 2 catalytic converters like my truck, then you have the option of cutting back to the single pipes before they Y together and running a "true" dual system. This usually sounds a little better, but is more costly cause you have to buy 2 mufflers and then use an H or X pipe to balance out the banks (otherwise 1 side may flow better or worse and cause an unequal effect).

 

If you run a single in/dual out muffler so it just LOOKS like "true" duals, I would try to use 2.25" (at most 2.5") pipe coming out and then use echo chambers. The benefit of using the smaller pipe on this type of a setup is that it should help keep some backpressure so you don't lose any low end power, while still maintaining your high end (where most your increase will be felt).

 

Some of the truck guys with the 6.0 and 8.1 engines also talk about running a dual in/dual out muffler. I'm not really sure the benefit as I'm not familiar with them, but I guess if you found out more info on the subject it would also be an alternative (providing your Hoe did indeed have :thumbs:

dbricken Enthusiast

dbricken

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for all the info. Since I'll be towing a boat frequently, it was recommended to me not to go with the dual out systems. I'm going to consult my local shop and see what options they throw out. I'm going to do a little more research on MagnaFlow and the Borla Delta to get a price point beforehand.

 

Thanks again.

 

db

Shaners Senior Enthusiast

Shaners

Posted
Posted

I believe the factory reciever/hitch is a "Talon". It should be printed on the hitch.

 

If it says Reese or DrawTite etc... then it is aftermarket.

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