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exhaust suggestions?

ashman

ashman

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So now that I have the 6.0 running it's going to be time to have the exhaust rebuilt soon. Any suggestions on size, mufflers, etc?

My current thoughts are duel 2.5 out behind the rear tires with an H pipe in there somewhere. Any reason to go with something else?

What mufflers would be good? I don't want it to be loud when cruising but some throaty noise when I stomp on it would be nice. My old mufflers were a bit too quiet. I think I want something a bit louder this time.

Also, what about cats? Obviously I don't have to run them but I hate having that eye-watering exhaust smell that gets pulled in when the sides are up but the top is still on. This engine should run a whole lot cleaner than I'm used to so maybe that isn't an issue but I'm looking for input.

If you don't know the build, the link is in my sig.
 
I wouldn't run cats, you don't need them. You also don't really need the h pipe unless you just want it. I've got the same setup your talking about, 2.5 duals out the back behind rear tires and its a good setup. I'm running knock off flow master 40s and they sound good, not to loud, good rumble.
 
flowmaster 40s huh. I'll have to look into it. I wish I had a way to compare a few live. I went and looked for markings on my old mufflers but I couldn't find anything to say what they were. It would be nice to know what my base point was.

I thought that I needed the H pipe with the new engine for some reason.:dunno:
 
Personally, a single 3" (you'd have to know HP to know if that is enough, it probably is) setup is my preference.

You need less parts, there is less to get in the way under the truck, and it should be cheaper.

Cat(s) I say hell yes. I hate the smell without them, although running well injection isn't normally too bad, still nice to not have to worry about it at all. They don't cost enough to not run them. they also seem to eliminate or muffle some of the crackling/popping you get under certain conditions.

Run duals if you like the look, there is very little necessity to run them anymore. Back in the old days when small pipe was all there was perhaps, not today with 3"+ being easy and common to source.
 
I have duel 2.5 with flow master 40s. Loud as hell when you get on it. My next set will Be fm 50s I think. I used a cheaper high flow turbo muffler on my 94 that sounds good. Came from Napa. A single 3" ought to be enough for most applications. Have to have a good y pipe for that but will Take care of your h pipe delima and helps scavenge exhaust better. Only cost me 300 at Midas to make a duel exhaust for my 72 if you don't want to do It yourself.
 
Thanks for the input on the 40s. If they are that loud then I'll want to go more quiet than that. I kinda like the look of dual exhaust but honestly I don't care that much. I'll look into seeing how much cheaper it would be to just do a single 3". It's a stock 6.0 (for now) running stock manifolds so I'm guessing 3" single will be fine.

Unless I'm looking at a big loss in power, I'm going to run a cat. The cleaner the better imo. Is it worth buying new, or can I try to snag one from a junkyard?
 
I'll second the "40's being loud" comment. I had 50 series and the drone drove me nuts. I'm happy with a 3" single pipe out the back at an angle with a nice big magnaflow. It's throaty when you get on the gas, but fairly tame at idle.
 
Modern cats don't cost you measurable HP. The old stuff GM used to throw on vehicles did, the new stuff flows way better.
 
In my hotroddin 20's, I was a 40 or louder builder... but now I'm old and try to be a bit more discreet.. so I'm a 50 series guy these days....

but anything quieter is just a huge honkin muffler IMO... 50's are a nice size for packaging, 70's are frickin huge...... 50's are quiet enough when your out of the pedal, but throaty when into it..

I'll be going 50 in Mutt this spring when I put exhaust back in....
 
kgblazerfive said:
My Burb has a 40 on it if you want to come up and take a listen.
Click to expand...
Thanks man. If time permits I may take you up on that.
Modern cats don't cost you measurable HP. The old stuff GM used to throw on vehicles did, the new stuff flows way better.
Click to expand...
Good to hear. I'll be using a cat for sure then.

. but now I'm old and try to be a bit more discreet.. so I'm a 50 series guy these days....
Click to expand...
You have me beat by a few years, but I feel the same thing. I like to actually be able to carry on a conversation with someone while I'm driving. I'm at the age where I pick tires partially based on road noise now. :whistle:
 
I'm with bp71k5, I run a single 3" to a big magnaflow then a full length tailpipe. I like it, I miss the hot rod roar but I do like being able to talk while driving now.
 
3" to 40 series with cat. I too had no qualms putting a cat on if I can find a cheap one on amazon. You won't notice a difference, and it'll help with the stingy eyes and smell. I also have been past the loud exhaust for quite a few years now. But I do like some throaty-ness when you put the foot down.

50 series may be the sound you're after, but a cat and 40 may produce similar results. Single pipe, less expensive, less crap under your rig. If they solid weld it all make sure the Y is somewhere that won't be in the way of an inspection cover (trans) being removed if you have an auto.

Dunno if you're doing it yourself or what. But I know a lot of places have issues with installing products you buy separately. And if you have to buy THEIR cat, cost might be stupid for an otherwise $39 cat off Amazon.

I don't think it'll give me a link, but a quick search on amazon had a 44 series 3" in/out and 223 series cat 3" in/out for $151 (both center) if bought together. Shop'll prolly charge that for each.
 
How often do cats go bad? I've got to run to the junkyard tomorrow for a few parts and they are showing a 2004 yukon. I was thinking about snagging the cat if it's still there.
 
Often enough that I would not ever put a used one on unless it was because I had to. I guess never by choice.
 
ashman said:
How often do cats go bad? I've got to run to the junkyard tomorrow for a few parts and they are showing a 2004 yukon. I was thinking about snagging the cat if it's still there.
Click to expand...

those had dual cats before the Y


I like the magnaflow mufflers over the flows these days.
 
All the yards I've ever been to won't sell you a cat. Big sign outside makes sure you know it
 
I was just at an exhaust shop yesterday to get a price for replacing the old muffler with this new one I just bought. He mentioned what I had under there now was a 40 series Flowmaster, that's where we are getting the drone at highway cruising from, said they flow good, but don't control the sound very well. It sounds good at idle and slower, through town cruising.

I told him which muffler I had to replace it, and he immediately told me their advertising got to me. I hate when that happens. I bought a 70 series Flowmaster mainly due to the case length in the hopes of really getting this thing to quiet down a bunch. He informed me that this series of muffler doesn't flow as good as even a factory muffler.

One thing he suggested was to use a Magnaflo style muffler to keep a decent tone, but would help with that highway drone. He said NOT to use the actual Magnaflo brand though Nd showed me a common problem with them. The cases split open. Said there is a knock - off style that sounds and looks a lot like the name brand, but they use a better quality material and construction.
 
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