Performance vs Sound Level?

Kevin Deaton · October 27, 2001

This my first post here because I just bought a 2002 Sliverado Z71 with the 5.3L two days ago. First I have to say I am very impressed with this truck. Going from a 97 F250 4x4 Powerstroke to this truck is a welcome relief to my ears and my back. While the performance seems pretty good stock (I'm still letting it break in so I haven't really explored the boundries yet) I'm sure that I am going to want more. The first areas I am looking at are exhaust and intake. My main concern is not raising the interior sound level very much with the mods. What intake and exhaust would you recommend for both power gains and relatively low sound levels? I like the looks of the B&B exhaust so if someone has had any experience with it please comment. Price is not my major concern. I would rather get the best quality than save a few buck because I plan on being in this truck for a long time.

Thanks,

Kevin

Y2K Silverado · October 27, 2001

I tried several mufflers on my truck before I stayed with a 70 Series Flowmaster, single 3" in and dual 2.25" outlet. Interior noise is very low while cruising but sounds good when I get on it. I didn't experience any loss of low end with this muffler which is a big problem with these engines, in fact it helped low end. I made a ram-air system from the stock air box and it actually out performed the K&N FIPK I had so I kept it on and sold the FIPK. I cut a 4" hole in the bottom of the air box and ran a 4" duct down to the bumper, mounted a scoop in the hole next to the passenger side fog light and connected the duct, works great. I'm also using a K&N drop in filter in place of the stock paper one.

Jim

Stepside Z · October 28, 2001

Kevin welcome to the forum. I am in the process of doing exactly what you are asking about. I started with a K&N replacement filter. I just changed that out for a FIPK and I really like it. You can hear it when you step into the gas. sounds like secondaries opening up. My next step will be a Banks stinger system. That is basically a cat back system. They do make a power pack system that replaces the entire exhaust including the manifolds. That is more then what I want. The sound is described as a mature sound. Banks is the company to go with if quality is important to you but they are expensive. I hope this helps.

Shaners · October 28, 2001

Air in Air out...

K&N FIPK on the in-side and I would suggest a Borla cat-back to get rid of the exhaust. I Had a Borla on my '97 F250 and was very happy with it. It wasn't too loud (barely louder than stock at idle), but had a sweet sound to it when getting on the gas and most importantly, NO cab resonance. Borla is pricey, but for a quality stainless system with a million mile warranty you'll have to pay a few bucks...

BTW, Welcome...