Cut To The Chase: Which Exhaust?!

gman4dx266 · January 6, 2008

Just as the topic description says: What is the best aftermarket muffler i can put on my 1500HD LQ4 that will not sound any different or much different than stock INSIDE but will have a nice tone outside as well as when I'm on it. Ive seen a lot of posts but none really help. Perhaps a Delta flow 50 Flowmaster? Im also open to other brands and models as well. Since cabin noise is an issue to me, cherrybombs and purple hornies and such are out of the question. So post up!

Also, If possible I'd like to get stainless, so that the muffler wont rust when i launch my boat.

omegafiler · January 6, 2008

Assuming you are refering to cabin drone, all of those aftermarket mufflers are going to make it louder on the inside (ie. hwy drone). Some more or lesss than others, but typically the louder it is on the outside, the same goes for the inside.

The one exception would be the Corsa. A Corsa Sport on your 6.0 will be loud on the outside, and relatively quiet on the inside while cruising. However, past 2k RPM on the highway, you can expect a small amount of "noise" or drone. If you frequently have a lot of heavy cargo or tow on long trips, you may want to opt for the Corsa Touring. The more weight you have, the worse that drone will get. The touring is quieter overall, but if drone is a concern, that's definately what you want.

Also keep in mind when comparing exhaust systems on other trucks that your 6.0l V8 LQ4 (same engine I have) is considerably louder with after market exhaust systems. The Corsa is expensive, but a quick search on the forum will prove that it's worth it.

user3657 · January 6, 2008

there isnt such a thing.

Darkanion · January 6, 2008

there isnt such a thing.

Agreed. Louder outside = louder inside.

The only way I can think of to get around that would be to add some sound-deadener around the inside of the cabin of the truck to absorb the sound before it gets to you. Otherwise, the more noise you put under the truck, the more noise you're going to get in the truck.

If you find a way to do "loud out-back, but not loud inside," let us know! I'd be curious to see how you pulled that off.

gman4dx266 · January 7, 2008

Yeah I didnt mean zero inside/100% outside. I know that putting it right under the bed instead of the cab would help. I have 3.37's in the truck with the stock tire size, and I speed like a mofo (90+), so I've come to realize that I need to be able to live with a little bit of drone, just like you said. It's just that I have a long daily commute; school and work are opposite directions from the house, so i do about 80 miles/day and I dont want to go crazy from drone.

Omega, Them Corsa products are WAY past my price range. LOL Thank you though.

Whats the next in line? Ive read good things about Borla and their solid construction as well as being stainless steel.

How does your Flo-Pro perform with respect to my expectations, Darkanion?

Thanks for the replies guys! Keep em comin!

Darkanion · January 7, 2008

How does your Flo-Pro perform with respect to my expectations, Darkanion?

Based on your requirement for "loud," the particular Flo-Pro I have would probably not be to your liking. They make other models, which are likely to be louder. I had specifically asked my muffler guy for something "a little more aggressive, but not loud, like some people do with their trucks." I further explained that I wanted it to "talk to me a little more," but "not be the guy people are looking at and going 'd@mn - that's too loud' when I take off from red lights."

If you click the "My YouTube" link in my sig, there are a couple of video files with clips of the exhaust. There was a lot of wind that day, so the mic on the camcorder didn't pick up the sound of the exhaust as well as it could. But, it can give you an idea.

gman4dx266 · January 7, 2008

That flopro sounds good! I dont want '40 series' loud, and i dont want to attract cops either. But like you said, i want that agreesive sound that the stock muffler lacks in. Perhaps thats the one for me...hmm. What model FloPro do you have? They have a few listed on their site; The MX336 perhaps? Thanks

EDIT: If you dont mind me asking, how much did your set up cost you? Did you opt for just the muffler or a whole cat back or what? Also what did removal and install cost you?

Darkanion · January 7, 2008

That flopro sounds good! I dont want '40 series' loud, and i dont want to attract cops either. But like you said, i want that agreesive sound that the stock muffler lacks in. Perhaps thats the one for me...hmm. What model FloPro do you have? They have a few listed on their site; The MX336 perhaps? Thanks

EDIT: If you dont mind me asking, how much did your set up cost you? Did you opt for just the muffler or a whole cat back or what? Also what did removal and install cost you?

The muffler is called a Flo-Pro Big Oval. I don't remember the exact part #, off the top of my head. If I come across the paperwork, I'll update this post with that info or add it later in the thread.

Here are some pictures, which might describe what we did better than just typing it all out.

Stock exhaust setup :

Y-pipe from each cat to the single exhaust pipe that GM put on, stock.

Single-in / single-out stock muffler.

Stock exhaust outlet.

After :

Pipe off of each catalytic converter.

Dual pipes, going back to the dual-in/dual-out Flo-Pro Big Oval muffler.

Another shot of the whole setup, from the cats to & through the muffler, back to the axle.

...and out the back.

The tips were the most expensive single part of the whole thing. All of it, though... pipes, muffler, custom-made tips, all the work, and everything... $900 installed. If I hadn't gotten so set on a "look" for the tips, I could've saved $300-$400, easy. I just wanted what I wanted .. and some times that costs more.

Initially, it had a nice sound to it, but it was a little more quiet than I had hoped for. I had already ordered the Volant CAI. So, the next weekend, I installed it. That seemed to open everything up more, sound-wise. I'm more than happy with the whole setup, now. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask...

SS Crew · January 7, 2008

Save your money for a Corsa - you'll be happy from the start and be money ahead.

Check out eBay, I bought mine for about half of retail. Check Corsa's website for your application model number.

gman4dx266 · January 7, 2008

I dont know guys. Both those (Corsa and Flo-Pro) look and sound great. This is tough. I guess I have to sit on it for a while. I dont have my money all sorted out yet, but I figured Id get the worst part out of the way. Who knew a mod choice could be this tough!? And exhaust is hardly a mod! haha

Thanks again guys, and thank you darkanion for taking time to post those pictures! Nice looking GMC btw.

ws6_guy · January 7, 2008

My previous setup was with a replacment was with a Flo-Pro HD oval, was only loud past 3000, where it crackled alot. I couldn't stand the crackle, or how quiet it was so I upgraded lol. It was very quiet inside, couldn't really hear it on the start, the seatbelt dinger was louder.

Magnaflow sounds like what you want though, low deep rumble but too quiet. and made of T-409 stainless.

Flowmaster 50 series is the quietest chambered muffler they have and gives a deep toned sound so thats another good choice, but its alumized steel.

For a budget exhaust, I say cut off your stock tip and run the OEM muffler dumped, wont be that different but it will be a tiny bit louder but not obnoxious.

gman4dx266 · January 7, 2008

Is aluminized steel bad? Im guessing thats rust protection, right? I was giving the 50 series a serious look too.

On a side note, but still related: My stock GM muffler is 25" long on the casing. If I just buy a muffler, like a 50 series that I believe, if memory serves, is 28" long, could I just do it in the driveway and clamp it? It would save a bit at the muffler shop, plus if I wasn't too big of a fan I could change it easily later on.

Im not for the dumping idea. Not only do i not want to have carbon mono accumulating under my truck while idling, I also eventually want to get a stainless tip. But that IS a good budget idea, it just raises my red-flag in the common sense area.

I forgot to mention to you guys, I had a catalytic converter explode @ about (I believe) 46K miles and all the pellets went into my stock muffler and it rattles like it has marbles or pennies in it. I had the cat replaced under warranty and GM(or the dealer rather) didnt feel there was anything wrong with the muffler and therefore wouldn't replace it. I have 106K on it now, and Im finally fed up with the rattle.

I'm going wednesday afternoon to talk to some of the shops around here. Magnaflow isn't out of the question though. I like the way some of their stuff sounds as well.

WS6 guy: I have seen and maybe talked to you somewhere else on the internet, and i cant remember where. Do you visit the HPTuners website?

Darkanion · January 8, 2008

I dont know guys. Both those (Corsa and Flo-Pro) look and sound great. This is tough. I guess I have to sit on it for a while. I dont have my money all sorted out yet, but I figured Id get the worst part out of the way. Who knew a mod choice could be this tough!? And exhaust is hardly a mod! haha

Thanks again guys, and thank you darkanion for taking time to post those pictures! Nice looking GMC btw.

"Tough"!? Just wait until you get ready to do a tune!

No problem about the pictures! Anything to help... And thanks for the compliment on the truck! It's much appreciated.

gman4dx266 · January 8, 2008

Haha, I've tuned for intakes, so exhaust shouldnt be that hard. Just a matter of reading the rich lean swings and adjusting accordingly. I'll be making an exhaust decision within the next month or so. You guys have been such a big help, thanks again!

ws6_guy · January 8, 2008

Is aluminized steel bad? Im guessing thats rust protection, right? I was giving the 50 series a serious look too.

On a side note, but still related: My stock GM muffler is 25" long on the casing. If I just buy a muffler, like a 50 series that I believe, if memory serves, is 28" long, could I just do it in the driveway and clamp it? It would save a bit at the muffler shop, plus if I wasn't too big of a fan I could change it easily later on.

Im not for the dumping idea. Not only do i not want to have carbon mono accumulating under my truck while idling, I also eventually want to get a stainless tip. But that IS a good budget idea, it just raises my red-flag in the common sense area.

I forgot to mention to you guys, I had a catalytic converter explode @ about (I believe) 46K miles and all the pellets went into my stock muffler and it rattles like it has marbles or pennies in it. I had the cat replaced under warranty and GM(or the dealer rather) didnt feel there was anything wrong with the muffler and therefore wouldn't replace it. I have 106K on it now, and Im finally fed up with the rattle.

I'm going wednesday afternoon to talk to some of the shops around here. Magnaflow isn't out of the question though. I like the way some of their stuff sounds as well.

WS6 guy: I have seen and maybe talked to you somewhere else on the internet, and i cant remember where. Do you visit the HPTuners website?

well aluminized steel isn't exactly bad, but its not the best way to build them Salt will rust it out. You can always paint them with engine paint to prevent them from rusting.

HPTuners no I never have, sure it wasn't rankmyride.com or motortopia.com?