muffler vs. cat-back system on 03 silv.

[03Bowtie]

Hey all. I am wondering if I really want to spend the money on a whole cat-back system. My '03 Silverado 4.8L EC SB looks like it already has mandrel bent tubing? Is this true? I'm wondering if the power gains seen buying a cat-back system will be that much more than just going with a high-flow muffler and welding it in instead. Is it worth the money to pay for the whole system or should I just get the muffler?

 

thanks!!

[SportSide 5.3]

the catback and stock tubing are very close to the same bends. Someone a while back said they asked magnaflow your same question and it sounded like they were tryin to make the extra money and get him to buy the whole catback instead of just a muffler.(In his opinion, i didn't talk to them) If your looking to save the money, I'd just go ahead and find a muffler and weld it up.

[Black02Silverado]

When I was looking at getting my Flowmaster, the individual told me to just get the Big Block muffler (it was the one I was looking at getting) and forgo the catback. There was no need to spend the money because there would not be any difference in performance. He told me to use what I saved and put it down on my truck payments. Now if I wanted a system that looks like duals then to go with their cat back because it came with the one in and two out muffler so I would have two tail pipes.

 

I just went with getting the Big Block muffler and saved my money. It surprised me to that he told me to just get the muffler. He could have made a big sale but like he said why it doesn't make a difference besides looks. So I guess it is up to the individual buying.

[03Bowtie]

Thanks for the info. I think I'm sold on just the muffler. I've already decided that I only wanted a single side outlet. I don't want anything too loud, just a little more grunt so that people know it's not stock. If I just go with the muffler, I can spend a little more and get one I really want. I'd like to get a Borla, or Magnaflow. I emailed one of the tech guys at Gibson and asked him about my stock system and if it was s.s. or what, and if it was mandrel bent. He had no idea. That's not my idea of a good tech guy!! If I owned Gibson, I'd want my employees to know about stock systems and be able to tell customers the direct advantages about going with a complete system. He couldn't, and I wasn't impressed. So I guess it's gonna be a muffler and a tip. Thanks again!

[Chris97K1500]

I just went with a Borla muffler and exhaust tip on my truck, Brother in laws 99 Siliverado and his 02 Tahoe. I like not being very loud all the time, but when you get on it, it sounds great. No cab noise in any of the vehicles with just the Borla muffler and tips. Chris

[SportSide 5.3]

the muffler that goes with the Magnaflow catback on a 4.8 can get you pretty good results. StreetTrucks dyno'd this and got just over 20hp and 23 lb. of tq..