Questions about my '05 Sierra

Hellcat · June 23, 2005

Hi,

I'm new here, just bought a new '05 GMC Sierra. It's pretty much exactly what I wanted: work truck, regular cab, long box, 2WD, 5.3 V8, automatic, pwr windows/locks/cruise/cd, 3.73 locking rear end. I guess it's kind of an oddball, the way it's optioned. I got a pretty good deal on it.

Anyway, I have a couple of questions: First, does the 5.3 "wake up" at all after it's broken in? I'm guessing that it will, most engines do, I'm just wondering how much. It seems a little down on oompf right now.

Also, I want to get a nice sound from the exhaust. I don't want fake duals, I just want to replace the stock muffler..which sounds the best? I don't want a raspy or glasspack sound, I want a nice rumble; the way a healthy smallblock Chevy is supposed to sound. I also don't want that awful deep toned droning sound that so many F150's and Mustangs have. The local muffler shop will put on some muffler they call "V-Force", I guess it's a knockoff of the Flowmaster 40 series..they say it sounds "exactly" like the 40 series..anyone know about them? Any recommendations?

GLOCKM22 · June 23, 2005

You can't go wrong with the flowmaster 40, Borla, or Corsa muffler replacements. They sound great. I like the Borla myself but they are all good in their sound. As for the truck waking up, yes it will. i did not think anything about it until my 2004 had 9,000 miles on it and then all of a sudden, i noticed a performance improvement. Some may be sooner , some may be a little later but i did notice a difference after 9 grand on my other truck. if you are going to have this as your daily driver and will be driving alot of highway miles, get a K&n FIpk2, you will also notice a nice difference in acceleration. Also, put synthetic oil in it immediately. Valvoline full Synthetic, Mobil1 full synthetic, or Amsoil will also give you a few extra ponies.

MS3DALE · June 23, 2005

Like GLOCK said,It will definetly "wake-up" around the 10,000 mile mark,My '99 did and my '04 just started around the 11,000 mile mark.

You also won't go wrong with a muffler replacement either,I think you'll like the sound and performance upgrade,and definetly put in a cold-air intake system like a K&N FIPK or a Volant System.

I'll second the synthetic oil also

Hellcat · June 24, 2005

Like GLOCK said,It will definetly "wake-up" around the 10,000 mile mark,My '99 did and my '04 just started around the 11,000 mile mark.
You also won't go wrong with a muffler replacement either,I think you'll like the sound and performance upgrade,and definetly put in a cold-air intake system like a K&N FIPK or a Volant System.

I'll second the synthetic oil also

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the tips. Well, I might have the shop put on one of those V force mufflers then, everything I've read about them says they do sound like the Flowmaster 40, I sure would like to hear one though.

One question about the intakes...I understand how they work (duh), but, since they increase airflow, wouldn't they HURT gas mileage since the airflow sensor "sees" the increased flow, and the computer compensates with more fuel? I've read advertising that says they increase BOTH power and fuel economy..I don't see how that is possible.

kevinz92702 · June 25, 2005

Hey man I have a V Force muffler on my truck (2001 Silverado ECSB 4x4) and it's a nice muffler. Sounds really good too. It's a little quiet at idle with a low rumble, but once you get rolling, it opens right up. Then if you floor it, once the motor hits those higher RPMs, it really gets mean.

Kevin

GLOCKM22 · June 25, 2005

Hellcat-- I see your way of thinking about the airl flow creating worse gas mileage. However this is not the cae. These vehicles are suffocating from lack of air in stock form. The MAF sensor compensates for this on an aftermarket intake and actually the vehicle becomes more efficient rather than needing more fuel. Most usually claim 1-2 mpg gain in a K&n FIPK ,Airaid etc. When I had my K&n FIPK, I noticed maybe 1 mpg but really noticed nothing on the mileage other than performance gain due to hammering it more often.

Hellcat · June 26, 2005

Ok, thanks again, and Kevin, you don't know how many websites I've surfed trying to find ONE actual opinion of how a VForce actually SOUNDS behind a GM V8..thanks for yours. I am wondering how having a single tailpipe as opposed to duals will affect sound..I'm guessing a single would be better, but I'll see. I'll go ahead and have the muffler put on next week. I'll check Ebay for one of those K&N FIPK thingies. I think they're around $200 or so new, hopefully I can do better than that.

vhato · June 26, 2005

No muffler or Intake are gonna help with the lack of dead stop ooommmpfff if that is what you are asking. Gotta get a tune or programmer to fix the ECM's Abuse Mode.

Hellcat · June 26, 2005

No muffler or Intake are gonna help with the lack of dead stop ooommmpfff if that is what you are asking. Gotta get a tune or programmer to fix the ECM's Abuse Mode.

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That doesn't matter to me. It's a pickup, not a race car. I was actually referring to better merging/passing performance. The main reason I am going to do a muffler replacement is sound..if it helps power at all (I'm a firm believer that the only thing that will provide a really noticeable power increase is forced induction), then cool. The intake, I may or may not do that..I've had intakes on vehicles before and I never noticed much. If I can get a deal on one, great.

Hellcat · June 27, 2005

I got my exhaust done today. A VForce muffler w/ dual outlets (when they asked me what I wanted, I decided it WOULD look better with two pipes), no fancy tips or extensions, just the pipes out the back. $209.00 total, and it sounds pretty good. Really rumbles, and people turn and look when I start it up, lol, vrooom, haha.