Need advice...OBS exhuast

midnightrider · March 31, 2005

Alright...I am in the market for a new exhaust, and I need some help. I have a '97 x-cab SWB w/ 5.7L and 4L60E. It has dual cats and uses a single flange to bolt onto the "catback." I have been unable to find anything that's really what I want yet, so I need some help. I want something moderately agressive (i.e. loud when you want it to be), side exit (before or after rear wheel, no matter), and it must be 100% stainless. I originally had a Flowmaster American Thunder system, which I loved, but the muffler rotted and had to go. I was a poor college kid at the time, so I just fabbed up my own exhaust, which is a single 3" Flowtech Warlock dumped right in front of the axle (surprisingly sounds like crap to me).

I have considered products from Gibson (anyone have a SuperTruck system?) and Magnaflow- who don't seem to make a cat-back for my truck any longer. I'd really love to hear feedback on products by each of those companies and any other suggestions!!!! I'm kind of at a loss because the aftermarket seems flooded with systems for the NBS. I guess I wouldn't care about the OBS, either, but I still have to drive one!

Thanks in advance.

Wingnut · March 31, 2005

Do what I do, stay away from any cat-back "kit" out there.

Head down to your local muffler shop, and see what they have.

I got custom bent pipes dumped over the axle on the Blazer (flowmaster) for well under $200.

Most cat-back kits cost north of $400.

DanMan_S · March 31, 2005

To throw in my 2 cents, I'd recommend the JBA catback system. I've pretty got the exactly same truck as you (98 Z71 Xcab/SB with the 5.7L and 4L60E) and got a deal on a JBA exhaust since it was a display model and had a few dents. Honestly, I was very impressed with the final results. There was a definite power increase and it sounds great. I've heard complaints about droning at highway speeds but I've never really noticed. At idle it's very subtle but when you have it at WOT, it really screams. It's definitely worth looking at.

JBA Exhausts

WhiteyZ71 · April 1, 2005

Dual in, single out 50 series flowmaster on my '98 Z71, sounds great, but really not loud enough, so i'm waiting for my buddys dad to weld some dynomax bullets on there, i'll post up how they sound when I get them on in a few days

mcreyaufmiller · April 1, 2005

I have a 98 with the 50 series on it, I love the sound, not to loud, and sounds great when you punch it.

midnightrider · April 4, 2005

Thanks for the idea on the JBA, I hadn't considered that. That could be cool....

I don't really care if I can get a flowmaster dumped over the axle for under $200, I am basically running that set up right now, as I said in my first post. I am looking for a catback system....because I don't trust Billy Bob at the local exhaust shop and I'd rather do it myself, and also because I want a totally stainless system. I know it will cost more, but the last Blowmaster I had rotted out on the inside (although it did sound good).

Thanks to all for the help....keep it coming please.