Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust

chevy4x4trucks · August 21, 2001

I just ordered and American Thunder Exhaust for my Silverado and I was wondering if it is as loud as it claims to be. Has anyone tried one, or heard one? I am looking to give my truck the deep throaty rumble that all chevy v8's deserve.

Awsum00z · August 21, 2001

I used to have one on my 98 Z71 and I loved it. I had the 5.7l and a 5 speed. I miss it every time I start my Siverado and hear the less aggressive sound of the Gibson exhaust.

The bums at Flowmaster told me, last June 2000, that there were no immeadiate plans to make an American Thunder system for the 5.3l Silverado's. If I would have known this, I would have waited!!!! Can you give me the part numbers and where you ordered it? In fact, I told my wife last night that I miss the awesome sound of my old exhaust. Thanks.

Rick

chevy4x4trucks · August 21, 2001

http://www.truckperformance.com/ As of yet this is the only place that I've found where they have the exhaust system. The price when I ordered it came to about 396 with shipping. They've also got a lot of other performance parts for the silverado at pretty good prices.

Awsum00z · August 21, 2001

That's cool, I ordered my Gibson system off of them in June of 2000 just after I bought the truck. Good service and prompt delivery.

The Flowmaster American Thunder system is loud and sounds mean. If that's what you're looking for, you won't be disappointed. I'm envious........

I'm kind of bummed, I wish I hadn't read this post. Well, it looks like I'm going to have to yank the Gibson off and get an American Thunder system....... Sounds like a good thing to spend my tax rebate check on? Anyone want to by a used Gibson kit????

chevy4x4trucks · August 22, 2001

The exhaust was backordered. I checked Truck Performance's website because I figured I should have gotten it by now and it says that it was backordered and won't ship until the 31st. It would be nice if they would send you an email or something so you aren't just sitting around waiting for your parts for an extra two weeks.

Awsum00z · August 22, 2001

As I recall, they kept me notified quite well regarding my Gibson. It took about a week to get here because it was shipped directly from Gibson.

It will be worth the wait. I'm seriously thinking about ordering one too. The only problem is getting rid of my Gibson system.

Are you planning to install it yourself? I installed it myself, with some help from my wife, and it was not problem.

chevy4x4trucks · August 22, 2001

I was thinking about doing it myself, but I don't have access to a lift and I didn't want to crawl under the ruck and try to do it. A guy at the local muffler shop said he'd do it for 50 bucks, so I figured it would be done right and the work would be garunteed.

96 Vortec · August 24, 2001

I have that system on my 96. It was easy to put on. You will need help from a friend though. Didn't need any special tool other than some beer to keep us warm since it was about 50 degrees outside. We removed the old and bolted in the new. Sounds great and only gets louder for the first couple of months. I saved my stock system up to the muffler so that after the Flowmaster muffler tanks I can remove the muffler and run pipes all the way w/o mufflers.

My favorite part of the kit was that the tubes that come from just behind the axle to under the bumper are stainless steel so you don't add tips to your exhaust to make it look bigger.

chevy4x4trucks · September 5, 2001

I just got it via UPS today. At least they made up for the backorder by sending it 2nd day air from california. I'll tell you tomorrow how much I like it. I can't wait to leave work so I can go and get it put on.

chevy4x4trucks · September 5, 2001

I just got back from Midas. It was 60 bucks for the install. Not too bad, it only took them an hour. However they hit a couple of snags where pieces didn't just bolt on by themselves. If I had done this myself I'd have been screwed because I can't bend a new piece. However I'd have to say that the truck definetly sounds a lot more ballsy than before. You can hear me coming now. I haven't noticed any change in performance either up or down.