What exhaust to go with? [Archive]

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tkr*fred

02-07-2002, 10:33 PM

Hey guys Im new here and new to hookin up my truck...

I'de like to get a exhaust on my 02 tahoe LS and want to know what sounds the best and gives me the best performance...I want something with a deep rumble, but not too loud when driving...

is a full exhaust system the way to go? or just some mufflers?

I kno these are some stupid questions but I dont want to look like a idiot with some POS mufflers or some rattling pc of JUNK exhaust on my truck...

any info would help...thanx guys

FeatherFoot

02-07-2002, 11:08 PM

Find a sound you like and ask the owner what it is and are the engines the same. You may not like what I like, so my recommendation may not please you at all.

Some rules of thumb for you-

Larger mufflers are quieter as a rule.

tailpipes that are too big will lose torque on the low end.

the longer the tailpipe the more pronounced the sound (think school bus)

the shorter the tailpipe the deeper the tone.

a good muffler will cost between $100 and $250

Stainless may last forever so if you think you might change your mind later save your money

A good after market exhaust system wil cost between $500 and $1000.

any other questions just ask.

John

astroracer

02-08-2002, 05:37 AM

OH MY GOD!!!
$500 to a $1000 for an exhaust system?! NO FREAKIN' WAY I would pay that kind of money for PIPES! There is nothing in this world that justifies spending that much money on an exhaust system!
Listen... Go to a local muffler shop and have them replace your stock muffler with a Pro-Flow or Flowmaster Big Block muffler... Should be around 120 bucks WITH the freakin' muffler... If you want duals out the back bump the price up to 200 with aluminized tubing...

Jokeman

02-08-2002, 06:29 AM

I have Flowmasters, a lot of folks also have Magnaflows. I would go with either of those two.:rocking: :rocking: :D

CKTA

02-08-2002, 06:50 AM

Originally posted by tkr*fred
Hey guys Im new here and new to hookin up my truck...

I'de like to get a exhaust on my 02 tahoe LS and want to know what sounds the best and gives me the best performance...I want something with a deep rumble, but not too loud when driving...

is a full exhaust system the way to go? or just some mufflers?

I kno these are some stupid questions but I dont want to look like a idiot with some POS mufflers or some rattling pc of JUNK exhaust on my truck...

any info would help...thanx guys

If you want the best performing, sounding complete kit....look at Borla, MagnaFlow, Gibson and even MBRP. They all offer Stainless cat. backs.

Replacing just a muffler will do little but change the sound, it is worth getting a well designed cat. back system.

Durden

02-08-2002, 08:43 AM

Flowmaster and Megaflow are both good mufflers, one of my buddies has a deltaflow 40 flowmaster and he is going to be switching to megaflow. I should be getting my megaflow cat back on monday. And the 500-1000 price seems a little high to me. I am going to me looking at about 450 for a new high flow cat and megaflow muffler with duals (and pipework).

BlueBoar454

02-08-2002, 09:57 AM

I have been looking all over and I can't find a cat back for my truck with dual exits. Is it because its a HD or because its a big block? Or have I not looked in the right place?

'98 2500HD, 7.4, 4x4
x-cab, short bed

CKTA

02-08-2002, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by BlueBoar454
I have been looking all over and I can't find a cat back for my truck with dual exits. Is it because its a HD or because its a big block? Or have I not looked in the right place?

'98 2500HD, 7.4, 4x4
x-cab, short bed

Have you looked into the companies I listed above? If they don't, I believe Martin @ MBRP would make one for you.

02-08-2002, 10:25 AM

MAGNAFLOW...............trust me :read: :smokin:

PFarkas

02-08-2002, 10:31 AM

OH MY GOD!!!
$500 to a $1000 for an exhaust system?! NO FREAKIN' WAY I would pay that kind of money for PIPES! There is nothing in this world that justifies spending that much money on an exhaust system!

I'm pretty sure that PIPES can be had for the kind of money you're talking about ($120-$200), however, a quality SYSTEM will cost substantially more.

A quality system will be one that includes

Heavy guage stainless for long life
Mandrel bends to reduce power loss through turbulence
All necessary hardware to mount and install the supplied equipment
Time and effort put into the design to actually enhance the vehicle's performance instead of just "look and sound cool"

In general, if all you want is something that looks cool, save yourself some money and just buy some shiny tips and a sticker for the window.

If you want performance, then be prepared to spend some money.

justin

02-08-2002, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by astroracer
OH MY GOD!!!
$500 to a $1000 for an exhaust system?! NO FREAKIN' WAY I would pay that kind of money for PIPES! There is nothing in this world that justifies spending that much money on an exhaust system!
Listen... Go to a local muffler shop and have them replace your stock muffler with a Pro-Flow or Flowmaster Big Block muffler... Should be around 120 bucks WITH the freakin' muffler... If you want duals out the back bump the price up to 200 with aluminized tubing...

Well said. If anything, those expensive systems with pipes running out the back hurts performance compared to getting a muffler replaced and going with a turn-down tip.

1987 K20

02-08-2002, 06:36 PM

well, heres my plan 4 my truck, get some full length coated Doug Thorley headers, dual cats, dual flowmaster 30 or 40 series mufflers, H-Pipe, and exits in front of the rear wheels. Pipe will be 2.5" with mandrel bends, that sound good? (now all i need is cash, anybody wanan gimme some?)

jejoyce

02-08-2002, 07:20 PM

Thats what Im talking about, if you want performance dump out in front of your back tire and forget all that pipe going to the back. dual exaust = weight and :to: :gay:

Tahoe14

02-08-2002, 08:05 PM

I have a Tahoe also. I really love the flowmaster 70 series. It has a real deep tone and sounds great with out being loud. Flowmasters site with the 5.3 pickup sound is pretty accurate, I think my tips give a even deeper sound. I have about $ 325.00 in my set up. I bought the muffler at truck performance and had a local shop do the work. It really opened the truck up in combination with the FIPK. I do have some drone at 80 to 85. The droan is a pain, but I don't drive at 80 or above that much, and the performance gain along with the great deep sound are worth it in all other areas. Check out my pics at Http://www.picturetrail.com/greenejr

black_yukon

02-08-2002, 09:17 PM

If your gonna raise your Tahoe, then you can get the "Performance Dump" infront of the back tire. If you plan on lowering it, there won't be enough clearance. the rear control arms (I think that's what there called) sit way low on Tahoes and Yukons. You'd have to dump it behind the tires.

astroracer

02-08-2002, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by BlueBoar454
I have been looking all over and I can't find a cat back for my truck with dual exits. Is it because its a HD or because its a big block? Or have I not looked in the right place?

'98 2500HD, 7.4, 4x4
x-cab, short bed

Like I stated above... You don't have to spend big bucks on a "Cat Back System". You can have ANY muffler shop in your town put on a good, single in, dual out high performance muffler and route the pipes ( yea... I said "pipes") anywhere you want them. It will sound and run great... ANY dual setup will perform better then the stock single outlet with a stock motor.
You don't have to spend 500 bucks on a "System" and then another 50 or a 100 more to ship it... Come on guys... Are you really sucked in by all of that hype? Like the ad says..."We QUARANTEE a 0 to 35 horsepower increase"... 0 to 35...
Don't take me wrong here... I am not trying to flame ANYONE. Just read what I have to say and think about it.
A STOCK small block (or Big Block for that matter) will run just as well with a "cost effective" exhaust system as they will with a high dollar setup... there just isn't enough flow there to warrant the expensive stuff. You realize it's all about the sound anyway... that's really all that matters. If my truck sounds and runs as good, or better then yours, (and my truck DOES sound and run good!) and I spent less then half what you did, well...
I'll agree that mandrel bends are pretty and all, and real stainless tubing will outlast the truck, but I've been using aluminized tubing for over ten years and I usually get tired of the system and change it before the tubing wears out.
Am I being an assclown here? I just hate to see you guys tossing your cash off on STUFF you really don't need...

justin

02-09-2002, 01:10 AM

Originally posted by astroracer

Like I stated above... You don't have to spend big bucks on a "Cat Back System". You can have ANY muffler shop in your town put on a good, single in, dual out high performance muffler and route the pipes ( yea... I said "pipes") anywhere you want them. It will sound and run great... ANY dual setup will perform better then the stock single outlet with a stock motor.
You don't have to spend 500 bucks on a "System" and then another 50 or a 100 more to ship it... Come on guys... Are you really sucked in by all of that hype? Like the ad says..."We QUARANTEE a 0 to 35 horsepower increase"... 0 to 35...
Don't take me wrong here... I am not trying to flame ANYONE. Just read what I have to say and think about it.
A STOCK small block (or Big Block for that matter) will run just as well with a "cost effective" exhaust system as they will with a high dollar setup... there just isn't enough flow there to warrant the expensive stuff. You realize it's all about the sound anyway... that's really all that matters. If my truck sounds and runs as good, or better then yours, (and my truck DOES sound and run good!) and I spent less then half what you did, well...
I'll agree that mandrel bends are pretty and all, and real stainless tubing will outlast the truck, but I've been using aluminized tubing for over ten years and I usually get tired of the system and change it before the tubing wears out.
Am I being an assclown here? I just hate to see you guys tossing your cash off on STUFF you really don't need...

WORD! :D

black_yukon

02-09-2002, 02:58 AM

seeing that you live in Huston, I don't think rust would be too much of a problem either, so I think you could save a couple hundred by going aluminized.

FeatherFoot

02-09-2002, 09:58 PM

Originally posted by astroracer

1. ANY dual setup will perform better then the stock single outlet with a stock motor.

2. Just read what I have to say and think about it.

3. A STOCK small block (or Big Block for that matter) will run just as well with a "cost effective" exhaust system as they will with a high dollar setup... there just isn't enough flow there to warrant the expensive stuff. You realize it's all about the sound anyway... that's really all that matters. If my truck sounds and runs as good, or better then yours, (and my truck DOES sound and run good!) and I spent less then half what you did, well...

4. Am I being an assclown here? I just hate to see you guys tossing your cash off on STUFF you really don't need...

1. After 200+ dyno runs on my '00 Sierra w/5.3L I cannot agree with this statement and would like to see the data you use to make it. I'm dynoing a race car tomorrow that I just replaced long tube headers and dual 3" exhaust with a set of my unequal length headers and a single 3" exhaust with one of my mufflers in the exhaust. Last time I did this we gained 23 lb-ft of torque and 22 HP. I'll post tomorrow nite or Monday A.M. and let you know what this set did.

2. I've read every word you wrote and come to the conclusion that you are expressing your personal opinion as a fact which it isn't.

3. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! an unbalanced system will cost performance. I know, I have replaced big BRAND NAME mufflers scabbed into a home-made, crush bent system and gained more than 30 HP. My muffler will only bring 17 to 20 HP to a stock system so the crush bends must have been less than efficient.

4. No, but, if you are going to poo poo people for Wasting money you should take some of the bells and whistles out of your signature that are nothing but eye candy and add nothing to the over all performance.

Our vehicles are extensions of ourselves, each is an individual and we visit these forums seeking ideas to further that individualism.

I find the opinions expressed above as a double waste of time. Yours writing it and mine in rebutting it.

Thats My Humble Opinion.

cainsw

02-09-2002, 11:02 PM

Dallas Z-71

02-10-2002, 12:11 AM

Originally posted by CKTA

If you want the best performing, sounding complete kit....look at Borla, MagnaFlow, Gibson and even MBRP. They all offer Stainless cat. backs.

That's the first i've heard of MBRP how are their systems? Are they as pricey as something like B&B or Borla? How do they sound? I checked out their site and they have a good looking setup available for the newer trucks.

454ss

02-10-2002, 04:05 AM

Here is their site, I don't know too much about them, but have a friend who says their great.
http://www.mbrp.com/MBRP%20B/index_B.html

astroracer

02-10-2002, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by FeatherFoot

1. After 200+ dyno runs on my '00 Sierra w/5.3L I cannot agree with this statement and would like to see the data you use to make it. I'm dynoing a race car tomorrow that I just replaced long tube headers and dual 3" exhaust with a set of my unequal length headers and a single 3" exhaust with one of my mufflers in the exhaust. Last time I did this we gained 23 lb-ft of torque and 22 HP. I'll post tomorrow nite or Monday A.M. and let you know what this set did.

2. I've read every word you wrote and come to the conclusion that you are expressing your personal opinion as a fact which it isn't.

3. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! an unbalanced system will cost performance. I know, I have replaced big BRAND NAME mufflers scabbed into a home-made, crush bent system and gained more than 30 HP. My muffler will only bring 17 to 20 HP to a stock system so the crush bends must have been less than efficient.

4. No, but, if you are going to poo poo people for Wasting money you should take some of the bells and whistles out of your signature that are nothing but eye candy and add nothing to the over all performance.

Our vehicles are extensions of ourselves, each is an individual and we visit these forums seeking ideas to further that individualism.

I find the opinions expressed above as a double waste of time. Yours writing it and mine in rebutting it.

Thats My Humble Opinion.

1. A Big Single! Great! That's what I'm talking about! Improved torque and horsepower over TRUE DUALS. It works better and is cheaper... Maybe YOU can convince these guys about what works and what doesn't. I agree 100% with your Big Single System... they WORK!
CLARIFICATION:
My statement about duals was referring to AFTER cat systems... Adding a single in, dual out muffler to a stock "Y" pipe and a set of well thought out duals will out perform the stock single outlet.

2. No personal opinion... Personal Experience... And a lot of study. I am NOT an expert and I don't have the luxury of a dyno but I know what works and what doesn't. A friend of mine owns a muffler shop and we have done a lot of experimenting. We found that a big single system will improve lowend torque a "whole bunch". We both have V8 Astro Vans and we found the true duals Mike put on his van REALLY hurt the lowend. I have a Big Single on mine and am very happy with it.

3. I'm not wrong and you know it. Yes, I will agree that badly designed "scabbed together" systems will hurt performance but, a well thought out and executed "crush bent" system will perform just fine on stock motored vehicles. Notice I said STOCK... A race car or high horsepower motor WILL benefit from a good exhaust system. Spend the money for mandrel bends and big pipes and you will probably see a major horsepower increase like you stated. Car Craft just did an exhaust comparo on a Mustang. A 3" Dual system with an X pipe and expansion chambers in front of the mufflers actually made MORE horsepower then open headers... and over 20 more then a scabbed together 2 1/2" H pipe system.

4. Well... What can I say? What does my signature have to do with what we are talking about? I wasn't attacking you OR your truck. I was just trying to make a point... Look on pg.168 in the latest Sport Truck Magazine. Does ANYBODY in this forum buy the HYPE?
Check out the numbers. How much will you pay to get 4 or 5 more Horsepower above 3600 RPM? THINK about it... How often does your truck actually SEE 3600 RPM? I wish they would have published numbers for 1500 to 3600. They would be more usable. It looks like they wouldn't be good, though, when the chart shows the power is down by over 25 horses at 3600 RPM. Maybe it's a typo...

Yes, our trucks are extensions of ourselves, Bells and Whistles included... And anyone who frequents this forum will agree with that. I hope this thread has made some of them stop and think about what they are actually getting for their money... or willing to pay for.

As far as the opinions expressed? I don't think it's a waste of anyones time... Far from it. As long as somebody gets some insight or picks up some knowledge, this thread is a viable tool. The guys just need to know there are options out there when it comes to anything you do to your vehicles. If you want to spend 500 to 1000 dollars on pipes and can afford it, who cares, I really don't. I, for one, CANNOT afford it. I did the next best thing, my truck sounds and runs great and I'm happy with it.

Maybe Mark should add an exhaust forum to the site. There is enough traffic and input to warrant one.

Featherfoot... I am not trying to discount you or your exhaust systems. As you can see I agree with you 100%. I just think there is a time and place for BIG DOLLAR SYSTEMS and somebody who is just looking for a better sounding exhaust can do so without spending a lot of money... and get a little better performance at the same time.

Mark

FeatherFoot

02-10-2002, 11:49 PM

astroracer - I may have mis-read your post - or read it with an attitude carried over from a long exasperating discussion with a dunce. No offense or slam intended. My original post on this topic just about sums up your post.

The promised post about the race car:
the rules are 5L engines Ford Chevy or Dodge max overbore .060,
association spec cam
2 barrel, 500 CFM Holly Carb
Auto transmission - 3000 max stall converter
spec tires
comercially available headers and mufflers if used with cost maximums for the headers

The vehicle
Chevy according to the above rules strictly legit.
long tube headers, no muffler 3" exhaust "X"-piped duals
db reading @ 100 ft @ 4000 rpm 98 db
186 HP and 161 TQ AT the ground normal power and torque curves.
a consistant 7th and 8th place contender

The association Director asked for development of an exhaust system that would emprove the performance of these engines while reducing the db level to 90 db that the tracks are requiring now.

Today we dyno'd our system that would meet the rules.
Results 230 HP and 265+ lb-ft of torque with a db reading of 78.
thats 104 lb-ft of torque and 44 HP increase using SMALLER exhaust pipes into a single muffler.

The Tq peak was moved from 4900 rpm to 3500 rpm and the HP peak was moved from 6000 rpm to 5500 rpm dropping to 225HP at 6100.

The reason I went to all this detail was to make the point that a well designed exhaust system can add a significant amount of performance and not cost an arm and leg. This complet exhaust system is less than the cost of a lot of Headers only.

The bad news - off road use only - application specific. Development costs - a bunch.

:mad: I want some for my truck :cussing:

FF

bigred305

02-11-2002, 05:03 AM

:wow: :wow: :wow:

Damn!!!

Wish I could see that kind of gains with an exhaust....

Dallas Z-71

02-12-2002, 12:45 PM

I got an email back from MBRP about their Cat-back for my truck......Goodlawd..$709.00 I'm sure it's a quality kit, but damn thats outta my budget for exhaust anyway.

CKTA

02-12-2002, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by Dallas Z-71
I got an email back from MBRP about their Cat-back for my truck......Goodlawd..$709.00 I'm sure it's a quality kit, but damn thats outta my budget for exhaust anyway.

Martin's sytems are REALLY nice!:cool: He is also a good guy to deal with, he made a couple of stainless custom pieces for me.......GREAT workmanship!:read: