Flowmaster Exhaust Kits

AcetyleneDreams · February 18, 2007

Hi Everyone,

I just joined the site after looking around to find the best forum for my GMC. I will be posting a pic of my ride soon.

I have been thinking of putting on a Flowmaster 17428 exhaust kit on my 2005 Sierra. I had a custom job done on my 2000 Sierra, but i think this time I am going to try a "bolt on" kit. My main concern is that I know for some kits, you have to move the spare tire, and, in some cases, madify the tubes slightly to make the (cough) "bolt on" kit work.

I am curious to know if any of you have ever put one of these kits on your ride, and, if so, how much time do i need to do it? What snaggs did you come across (if any)? Are these kits even worth the money?

I am a welder/fabricator, and I have made a few custom exhausts before, but I just want to see what you all think about this. Thank you in advance!

s-ten · February 18, 2007

I have an older model of that kit (becuase of an older truck), but it should be nearly the same. I put it on in my driveway in a couple of hours, it would have taken less but MN salt caused multiple problems with removing the stock system. It was easy enough and all of it fit well with no need to remove the spare. Had it for three years and I still like it.

AcetyleneDreams · February 18, 2007

Hi S-Ten,

Thank you very much for your insight! My main worry was how this thing snakes its way past the spare on the driver's side, but you have elated my fears. Thank you!

Regards,

Ben

mikystyle · February 18, 2007

Because the flowmaster kits arent that expensive and the tubing isnt stainless you might as well just get the exaust pipes put in custom. You could by the mufflers u want and have them put those in for you. Why deal with the possibility of having to change things on your truck when u could just have a custom stystem put in for the about the same price maybe a little more.

firefighteremt3100 · February 18, 2007

Hi Everyone,

I just joined the site after looking around to find the best forum for my GMC. I will be posting a pic of my ride soon.

I have been thinking of putting on a Flowmaster 17428 exhaust kit on my 2005 Sierra. I had a custom job done on my 2000 Sierra, but i think this time I am going to try a "bolt on" kit. My main concern is that I know for some kits, you have to move the spare tire, and, in some cases, madify the tubes slightly to make the (cough) "bolt on" kit work.

I am curious to know if any of you have ever put one of these kits on your ride, and, if so, how much time do i need to do it? What snaggs did you come across (if any)? Are these kits even worth the money?

I am a welder/fabricator, and I have made a few custom exhausts before, but I just want to see what you all think about this. Thank you in advance!

I got a 2004 Silverado 1500 and went with a Magnaflow dual exhaust catback kit. These kits, at least from Magnaflow are stainless and guaranteed for life for one...and are designed for specific applications, which means its designed for your specific model. There is no need to relocate any piece on your truck. The only "modification" is you can either drill another hole in your frame for one of the hangers, or use a current hole that is already there with a few washers, depending on your preference. I'm sure other people can chime in about the other manufacturers setups. I had Flowmaster on my 99 Silverado, but I had a custom shop do it, so I'm not sure how fancy they had to get. Unfortunately it started rusting out within 2 years of putting it on. Hope this helps at least a little.

ATMINF · February 19, 2007

My brother in law and I put a Flowmaster kit on his 2003 Suburban and it was easy. It took maybe about 1 hour and the fit was great and it sounds good. There was no resounance(sp) and the chrome tip that comes with the kit looks good. As for rusting out, I would would say it all depends on where you live and how much salt gets put on the roads in the winter. Down south the flowmaster will be fine for decades, up north where they salt the roads like its going outta style they will lastly 5+ years easy, and much longer if you wash the truck regularly during the winter. Good luck.

Lifted 2000 Silverado · February 19, 2007

I put one on my 2000 Silverado and it bolted right up. Took 1-2 hrs. Before it stock exhaust with a flowmaster muffler. I thought the new flowmaster was too quiet sounded like my grandpas stock truck you couldnt even tell if it was idleing with the 40 series muffler so I used Flowmaster muffler that was added by the previous owner. Sounds much better nice deep mellow sound till you get on it.

mikystyle · February 19, 2007

My brother in law and I put a Flowmaster kit on his 2003 Suburban and it was easy. It took maybe about 1 hour and the fit was great and it sounds good. There was no resounance(sp) and the chrome tip that comes with the kit looks good. As for rusting out, I would would say it all depends on where you live and how much salt gets put on the roads in the winter. Down south the flowmaster will be fine for decades, up north where they salt the roads like its going outta style they will lastly 5+ years easy, and much longer if you wash the truck regularly during the winter. Good luck.

I live in new hampshire and i have had two flowmaster systems on my old '92 bronco and they lasted a little over two years each and i hate salt and cars mixed together so i washed it regularly. I did offroad alot with it and im sure that may have pushed the rust process a little quicker but i cant see it making that much of a difference. All i know is i will never go with anything but a stainless exhaust again. It pays off in the long run. Again... just my two cents

ATMINF · February 19, 2007

I was stationed up in Wisconsin for two years (active duty army advisor to the National Guard)and had a Flowmaster on my 95 Camaro and on my 2001 Suburban, and drove them both as daily drivers. I did wash both of them every week sometimes twice a week, and both of them had very little rust on them. Granted I may have been more anal than most people but washing the underside of the car and truck kept the rust away. So that was my experance with being up in the "Rust Belt" of Eau Claire Wisconsin.

s-ten · February 19, 2007

I agree that the Flowmaster system will rust, I have had mine for 3 years now and could still put at least 2+ years on it and that is driving it in salt. But being that he is from GA, he probably won't need to worry the rusting issue like someone from a "Salty" state would.

mikystyle · February 19, 2007

I agree that the Flowmaster system will rust, I have had mine for 3 years now and could still put at least 2+ years on it and that is driving it in salt. But being that he is from GA, he probably won't need to worry the rusting issue like someone from a "Salty" state would.

True. Not having the road salt would increase the life of any muffler system tenfold

IDGBZ71 · February 20, 2007

I put a flowmaster kit on my nbs and after 2yrs had to replace the muffler rusted out on the inlet/outlet welds about 1yr after that I had to replace it all it had rusted out on all welds, hangers,clamps, etc. It was 3inch in with dual 2.5 dumped behind the rear tires it was easy to bolt on with no modification. Glad I put kept the stock exhaust which is back on it for now and got low end tq back. If I was going to spend the money again I would buy stainless and never worry about it again.

AcetyleneDreams · February 20, 2007

Hi Guys,

Thank you all very much for your insight! I think I am going to go with a kit though. I had a custom job done last time, and I think I'm going to try this. Besides, I am a fabricator with all the tools to make the kit into a custom job (if I had to). I also like the steel tube better because the stainless does not resonate as much (since it has a higher flexural ridigity).

Anyhoo, thank you all for your help.

PS: I did just get my windows, tinted, so I'll be updating my profile pic soon!

Regards,

Ben

dheller · March 18, 2007

Hi Everyone,

I just joined the site after looking around to find the best forum for my GMC. I will be posting a pic of my ride soon.

I have been thinking of putting on a Flowmaster 17428 exhaust kit on my 2005 Sierra. I had a custom job done on my 2000 Sierra, but i think this time I am going to try a "bolt on" kit. My main concern is that I know for some kits, you have to move the spare tire, and, in some cases, madify the tubes slightly to make the (cough) "bolt on" kit work.

I am curious to know if any of you have ever put one of these kits on your ride, and, if so, how much time do i need to do it? What snaggs did you come across (if any)? Are these kits even worth the money?

I am a welder/fabricator, and I have made a few custom exhausts before, but I just want to see what you all think about this. Thank you in advance!

I went the custom route too on an older GMC. This time I went with MagnoFlow cat-back with dual tips out the rear. I coudn't be happier with the look, the feel, and the improved mid to upper end, and even 1.5 to 2.0 mpg (with a Volant cold air kit). Go the Magnaflow and save you some time for the ride in the Sierra.

dheller · March 18, 2007

Hi Everyone,

I just joined the site after looking around to find the best forum for my GMC. I will be posting a pic of my ride soon.

I have been thinking of putting on a Flowmaster 17428 exhaust kit on my 2005 Sierra. I had a custom job done on my 2000 Sierra, but i think this time I am going to try a "bolt on" kit. My main concern is that I know for some kits, you have to move the spare tire, and, in some cases, madify the tubes slightly to make the (cough) "bolt on" kit work.

I am curious to know if any of you have ever put one of these kits on your ride, and, if so, how much time do i need to do it? What snaggs did you come across (if any)? Are these kits even worth the money?

I am a welder/fabricator, and I have made a few custom exhausts before, but I just want to see what you all think about this. Thank you in advance!

I went the custom route too on an older GMC. This time I went with MagnoFlow cat-back with dual tips out the rear on my '05 Ext Cab Silverado. I coudn't be happier with the look, the feel, and the improved mid to upper end, and even 1.5 to 2.0 mpg (with a Volant cold air kit). Go the Magnaflow and save you some time for the ride in the Sierra.