CAT BACK SYSTEM vs JUST MUFFLER

OLERED04 · April 20, 2005

Just sitting here killing some company time thinking about

if a catback is better than just adding a Magnaflow muffler.

What got me thinking about this is an post I read on a guy

that polised his aluminized (sp) pipes on his truck.

Most of the cat backs I can afford are all aluminized maderl bent

pipe 3" inlet and outlet. What size inlet/outlet are on my truck?

So which is better most gains/sound? Thanks in advance!!

melbertbloosfan · April 21, 2005

Just sitting here killing some company time thinking about
if a catback is better than just adding a Magnaflow muffler.

What got me thinking about this is an post I read on a guy

that polised his aluminized (sp) pipes on his truck.

Most of the cat backs I can afford are all aluminized maderl bent

pipe 3" inlet and outlet. What size inlet/outlet are on my truck?

So which is better most gains/sound? Thanks in advance!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Since noone has given you any feedback, I'll give you a bump and opinion.

Since the tailpipe from the stock muffler is S/S anyway, I decided to go with the magnalfow 12298 (3" in, dual 3" out) and keep the stock "Y" and tailpipe from the rear of the muffler back. Got a 3.5" s/s magnaflow tip to weld on when I get the muffler installed (hopefully tomorrow). The magnaflows are supposed to be pretty quiet at cruise with nice growl on load. The muffler was $85, tip was $25, install should be around $20.

Good luck!

Dead Horse · April 21, 2005

Please don't beat me.

Wingnut · April 21, 2005

^^ ^^

I did pretty much the same thing melbertbloosfan did, except I just replaced the muffler, and left the rest stock.

Sounds purty nice.

OLERED04 · April 21, 2005

Thats great never thought someone would have that as

there screen name. I won't beat you!!!!!

Mark_in_Tulsa · April 21, 2005

^^ ^^

I did pretty much the same thing melbertbloosfan did, except I just replaced the muffler, and left the rest stock.

Sounds purty nice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What muffler did you use, and did you see any performance gain, with just the muffler swap???

pastor scott.com · April 22, 2005

I did a muffler only with my 5.3 burb, went to a flowmaster 70 series and went from 18 mpg to almost 22

Scott

Wingnut · April 23, 2005

Mark_in_Tulsa, I just did the Magnaflow (Part number 12589). Well, that's what the guy wrote down. But my inlet/outlet are a offset a little, while the ones in that link are centered.

Don't buy it from them...I got mine welded in place cheaper than what they're selling it for outright.

I have noticed zero increase in mileage or performance out of that and the K&N drop in filter.

ZERO.

But it sure sounds nice.

jaslo · April 23, 2005

I did a muffler only with my 5.3 burb, went to a flowmaster 70 series and went from 18 mpg to almost 22

Scott

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is the flowmaster 70 very loud? I would rather want a nice quiet rumble.

Roostman · April 23, 2005

Mark_in_Tulsa,
I have noticed zero increase in mileage or performance out of that and the K&N drop in filter.

ZERO.

But it sure sounds nice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The problem isnt that you didnt gain any power, you just cant notice it. You have to realize that adding 20hp to 300 is like putting a another story on a 15 story building. It pretty much looks the same but there IS another story.

mcreyaufmiller · April 23, 2005

Just sitting here killing some company time thinking about
if a catback is better than just adding a Magnaflow muffler.

What got me thinking about this is an post I read on a guy

that polised his aluminized (sp) pipes on his truck.

Most of the cat backs I can afford are all aluminized maderl bent

pipe 3" inlet and outlet. What size inlet/outlet are on my truck?

So which is better most gains/sound? Thanks in advance!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So to answer the other part of the orignal question, The big 3 are putting high flow cats on the trucks from the factory. Unless you have a failed cat or another reason to replace it, keep it and add the aftermarket muffler. There are a variety of good units out there depending on your personal taste. I like the FM 50 series, quiet but loud, nice unit.

jaslo · April 24, 2005

I did a muffler only with my 5.3 burb, went to a flowmaster 70 series and went from 18 mpg to almost 22

Scott

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you have a 4 wheel drive surburban? Did you just put on a muffler or a whole cat back system? Because to put on just a muffler and it increases your gas mileage that much is kind of strange I would think.

melbertbloosfan · April 25, 2005

Just sitting here killing some company time thinking about
if a catback is better than just adding a Magnaflow muffler.

What got me thinking about this is an post I read on a guy

that polised his aluminized (sp) pipes on his truck.

Most of the cat backs I can afford are all aluminized maderl bent

pipe 3" inlet and outlet. What size inlet/outlet are on my truck?

So which is better most gains/sound? Thanks in advance!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Since noone has given you any feedback, I'll give you a bump and opinion.

Since the tailpipe from the stock muffler is S/S anyway, I decided to go with the magnalfow 12298 (3" in, dual 3" out) and keep the stock "Y" and tailpipe from the rear of the muffler back. Got a 3.5" s/s magnaflow tip to weld on when I get the muffler installed (hopefully tomorrow). The magnaflows are supposed to be pretty quiet at cruise with nice growl on load. The muffler was $85, tip was $25, install should be around $20.

Good luck!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just to follow up - got the 12289 magnaflow installed thurs afternoon. Dayum!!! What a difference. Nice, quiet rumble at idle (noticable, but not obnoxious). Great growl on acceleration. Can't hear the engine at all when accelerating until you get above 2800 rpm or so. Virtually silent at 45-55 mph cruise. A little louder at 65-75 mph cruise. Probably would sound different (quieter) w/o my bedcovers on, haven't tried that yet. Overall, very pleased!!

As far as mileage/power, I think it has a little more giddyup at launch. Mileage will have to wait for this tank to be used up. I did disconnect the battery for a hour or so after install, so right now the computer is relearning everything.

Hope you find a good one!