Author Topic: my ava got cherry bombed! (Read 2268 times)

Chris · « **on:** February 08, 2010, 07:24:22 PM »

well not the bomb you may be thinking of, but the exhaust manufacter known as cherry bomb. got a glass pak installed today, sounds awesome, nice deep tone and just sounds great all around. after i had that put on i went by a valvoline and had the transmission flushed ( completely burnt fuild, sorry to let it go that far) and fuel system cleaner, man was that dirty, you should have smelled the stuff coming out of there. but cleaner truck with a nice sound when i pass people in fords.

bluedevil · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:30:31 PM »

Very cool dude!

chevyfan · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:31:30 PM »

I was wondering how the cherry bomb would sound. Glad you are happy with it! congrats.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:32:38 PM »

Quote from: Chris on February 08, 2010, 07:24:22 PM

well not the bomb you may be thinking of, but the exhaust manufacter known as cherry bomb. got a glass pak installed today, sounds awesome, nice deep tone and just sounds great all around. after i had that put on i went by a valvoline and had the transmission flushed ( completely burnt fuild, sorry to let it go that far) and fuel system cleaner, man was that dirty, you should have smelled the stuff coming out of there. but cleaner truck with a nice sound when i pass people in fords.

SOUNDS like you had some fun today! Just to ask a little off topic here,,,,what kind of fuel system clean did they do?

Chris · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:37:17 PM »

I am not sure, it was a three step thing, stuff in the tank and then a drip hooked up on the fuel manifold and the throttle bottle cleaned. i think it worked pretty good with all the stuff that came out of the tail pipe, smelled nasty too. but i think it does run better now.

RonJ · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2010, 09:17:32 PM »

and video/sound clips!!!
I will be doing a muffler when taxes come in and iv been looking at different routes... Im pointing towards the SilverBudman way! LOL his AV sounds like a damn muscle car!!! hehe
I beleave he went with the cherry bomb , but not the glass pack. Think it was the turbo muffler Cherry bomb.

Chris · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2010, 09:24:50 PM »

i want just the straight through design with the classic red paint job. its not as loud as most things but it is a suprise when i get on it, which happens alot. i might post some video/sound of it whenever the snow is gone or stops, which ever i feel like doing.

bluedevil · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2010, 11:39:59 AM »

Quote from: Chris on February 08, 2010, 09:24:50 PM

i want just the straight through design with the classic red paint job. its not as loud as most things but it is a suprise when i get on it, which happens alot. i might post some video/sound of it whenever the snow is gone or stops, which ever i feel like doing.

HenryJ · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2010, 08:58:01 AM »

I installed the Cherry bomb Cat back system. 3" mandrel bent pipe, a small glass pack resonator and then the newly designed Cherry bomb muffler out to a single stainless steel tip.
At low speed there is a point where there is a slight resonance, but it is not bad or an rpm that I cruise at. The tone is nice and deeper. Very good at highway speeds. Not loud by any means, but has a bit of a bark when you step into it. I don't need "Hotrod" loud on my truck. I have a supercharged HenryJ that takes care of that for me. I do like to hear a nice mellow deep tone and this has that. It may be on the quiet side as my wife can not hear me roll in compared to my last truck with a delta flow muffler.

I will admit that the inspiration to try this came from Stacey David and Gearz TV the Clunker episode. Following that episode they modified an Avalanche. I like the design of the muffler and thought I'd give it a try.

The price is definitely attractive. Under $300 it easily competes with a custom built system locally.

AvalancheAviator · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2010, 11:56:56 AM »

Great choice! I went with the vortex catback. I didn't want the extra volume of a glasspack system. But, if it sounds good to you, that's all that matters! I'm very glad to see another Top Gear fan around here! Go Jezza, Hamster, and Captain Slow!!!

HenryJ · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2010, 01:40:42 PM »

So you got the Cherry Bomb Vortex Exhaust kit, right?

If that is right, I have some bad news for you... It is a glass packed system

That IS what I installed on mine.

The Vortex muffler uses the design elements of the glass pack and turbo muffler wrapped into one.

This has a very good video which explains how it works. Gearz - Cherrybomb Performance Exhaust

What is your rationale for the comment, "I didn't want the extra volume of a glasspack system." ? Just curious about your thoughts on that subject. Volume that does not restrict flow can be an advantage when it comes to noise reduction.

AvalancheAviator · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2010, 02:37:43 PM »

You're right. The vortex does have fiberglass inside. I saw that Stacey David video too. The glasspack is basically a straight through design. The vortex also has chambers and baffles to reduce the volume even more than fiberglass packing alone. I like the way that there's no "wrong" way to install it. Well, I suppose there is, but I meant you can't install it backwards. I have noticed one thing though. Over the past few months, It's gotten a little louder. I wonder if these new vortex mufflers suffer from the age old problem, the fiberglass burning up inside the muffler. Anyway, I noticed that the glasspack has a more aggressive sound with a lot of decel pop. Plus, the sound is sharp. I picked mine because it was way smoother with just a hint of decel pop. Question.... Did Cherry Bomb send you an intermediate pipe with a resonator built in?

HenryJ · « **Reply #12 on:** December 22, 2010, 08:40:19 PM »

Quote from: AvalancheAviator on December 22, 2010, 02:37:43 PM

...Over the past few months, It's gotten a little louder. I wonder if these new vortex mufflers suffer from the age old problem, the fiberglass burning up inside the muffler.

I assume that at some point the glass will deteriorate. I think the "age old problem" of glass blowing out may have been somewhat solved by mixing stainless steel in the packing. I could be mistaken, but I think these may use that sort of packing?
Mine was a bit "sharp" to begin with. Any exhaust system needs to season a bit. Mine seems to have mellowed nicely. I could stand it a bit louder. If that comes with age , that will be fine.

Quote

Did Cherry Bomb send you an intermediate pipe with a resonator built in?

Yes. A short little glass pack between the cat and the muffler. That might take care of the decel popping?
I know my last truck had a delta flow muffler and no cat. It popped terribly. I added a Supertrapp as an exhaust tip and it worked great. They are a little spendy, but are really awesome. Tunable and rebuild-able.
I don't see myself doing that on this truck as I need a smooth round tip for the exhaust jack. I'll likely replace the muffler when the times comes that it is too loud, or starts cracking out.

AvalancheAviator · « **Reply #13 on:** December 23, 2010, 08:33:50 AM »

Now that I think about it, you're right again. They do have a layer of stainless packed first with the fiberglass behind it. You know, you learn something new everyday. I didn't realize that every exhaust "seasons" and has tone and volume changes over time. It does make sense though. Personally, I'm quite happy with the result. Even though mine's changed, it still sounds really smooth. I did 2 month's worth of homework before I pulled the trigger on a system. My worst fear was get one on the truck, then finding that I didn't like it and being stuck with it. That definitely has not been the case with the cherry bomb. I've been thrilled with their product from the first day. Top notch system. I'm now wondering how one of their systems would sound on my 99 chevy blazer 4.3 liter. Hmmm.....

OH3_Z71 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 23, 2010, 09:42:22 AM »

Not to get off topic from exhaust but after that trans flush, how's it running? Reason I ask is I've heard of people doing a flush and it messing up shifting patterns and firmness. I've noticed the guys on horsepower and those shows doing just a pan drop and filter change then a full flush. I've been considering a flush but I'm just concerned of running into those problems.

Sorry to get off topic.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

HenryJ · « **Reply #15 on:** December 23, 2010, 07:03:12 PM »

Quote from: OH3_Z71 on December 23, 2010, 09:42:22 AM

Not to get off topic from exhaust but after that trans flush, how's it running? Reason I ask is I've heard of people doing a flush and it messing up shifting patterns and firmness. I've noticed the guys on horsepower and those shows doing just a pan drop and filter change then a full flush. I've been considering a flush but I'm just concerned of running into those problems.

Anyone who had problems after a flush filter and fluid change, had those problems before, or damaged something in the service. Those solenoids can be damaged if you try to force the pan back on, or use a pry bar to get it off. That may sound funny, but it did happen.

Why would you ever want to run on burned, dirty fluid. Those talking about the clutch material promoting good clutch operation are just fooling themselves.

Service the transmission according to the schedules in the owners manuals at the very least. More often if you work it hard.
I run a fleet of 75 vehicles. Once I acquired a fluid changer , our transmission replacement dropped to almost nothing. We had been doing three to four a year and now I have probably changed three in the last half dozen years.

The 4L60E is a problem child. It needs more line pressure and better servos to live longer. There is a reason that the Beast sun shell is a popular upgrade. Ours is weak.
Treat it right and be prepared to rebuild with better parts at some point. That is my plan.

Exhaust-
It is a musical instrument. Longer pipe, bigger tube, different tips. Build a Tuba, Trumpet, Flugel horn or French horn.
The sweet spot for the 4.3L is 3" cat back with a delta flow muffler. Make sure the pipe is small enough to burn out the condensation. If you short trip too much , bigger pipe will not heat enough to burn out the condensation and rot out. Gasses travel faster over a heated surface, so smaller pipe may flow better in that instance. My one way trip is 10 miles. Plenty of time to heat 3". I also live in the high desert climate. Low humidity. That promotes longer life.
Ask your local exhaust guru what works best for your area and base the size on that. The tailor the sound using the length, size, tip and muffler.
Cherry Bomb has a "signature" sound. They did the work to get that sound in all their systems. That and the very low price sold me. I can not have a custom system installed for the price I bought the kit.

AvalancheAviator · « **Reply #16 on:** December 24, 2010, 12:37:58 PM »

Henry, I know this isn't Avy related, but I found a Dynomax catback on amazon for $138. Thoughts on quality and sound of a Dynomax system? Also, do you know where i can get a Delta flow system online? I can't seem to find one at my usual spots...

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #17 on:** December 24, 2010, 01:53:10 PM »

A guy at Summit tried to sell me a Dynomax muffler. Just don't know of anyone that's used one before.

AvalancheAviator · « **Reply #18 on:** December 24, 2010, 02:17:59 PM »

Just trying to do my homework. I'm not finding too many options for my little blazer. My daughter got a new car and brought it back to me. Now it's time to play with it too. You know... Exhaust, cai, rims and tires... Well, that and replacing all the parts that it needs. Power steering pump, the latest tune up, and fixing all the blemishes that she's collected....

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #19 on:** December 24, 2010, 02:58:45 PM »

Quote from: AvalancheAviator on December 24, 2010, 12:37:58 PM

Henry, I know this isn't Avy related, but I found a Dynomax catback on amazon for $138. Thoughts on quality and sound of a Dynomax system? Also, do you know where i can get a Delta flow system online? I can't seem to find one at my usual spots...

I couldn't find it. According to Dynomax website the part number is 19360. Amazon didn't come up with it so off to google land I go.

AvalancheAviator · « **Reply #20 on:** December 24, 2010, 04:39:12 PM »

Found it at Summit for $125. I think I'll be buying it there, if I go that route. I'll tell you what, I'm finding that the parts for the blazer are a hell of a lot cheaper than the Avy. Exhaust, $125. Air intake, $93....

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #21 on:** December 24, 2010, 05:19:16 PM »

Quote from: AvalancheAviator on December 24, 2010, 04:39:12 PM

Found it at Summit for $125. I think I'll be buying it there, if I go that route. I'll tell you what, I'm finding that the parts for the blazer are a hell of a lot cheaper than the Avy. Exhaust, $125. Air intake, $93....

Was that just the muffler? For the Avy or the TB? Summit's price for the CB for the Avy (Dynomax) is $310

AvalancheAviator · « **Reply #22 on:** December 24, 2010, 05:28:32 PM »

That price was for a cb for the blazer....

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #23 on:** December 24, 2010, 05:44:12 PM »

Quote from: AvalancheAviator on December 24, 2010, 05:28:32 PM

That price was for a cb for the blazer....

Gotcha

HenryJ · « **Reply #24 on:** December 24, 2010, 08:35:08 PM »

I don't have any experience with the dynomax stuff. I had my local shop run a 3" system and they had a dynaflow muffler. Not a name brand and half the price of most others. It eventually started cracking the outer case at the baffles after nine years. Not a bad life I guess.
See what your local shops can do. Someone should be able to do a single 3" cat back reasonably. IIRC, mine cost $180 with a nice stainless resonator tip.

AvalancheAviator · « **Reply #25 on:** December 24, 2010, 08:39:42 PM »

Ok, got it. Thanks, Henry.

HenryJ · « **Reply #26 on:** April 02, 2011, 06:09:51 PM »

Beware the Cherry bomb exhaust.
I love the price , performance, design and quality. I am not at all crazy about the warm up and cool down noise! tick..tick..tick.. creak..crack... tick. This goes on forever and ever. Embarrassing.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #27 on:** April 02, 2011, 06:55:04 PM »

Quote from: HenryJ on April 02, 2011, 06:09:51 PM

Beware the Cherry bomb exhaust.
I love the price , performance, design and quality. I am not at all crazy about the warm up and cool down noise! tick..tick..tick.. creak..crack... tick. This goes on forever and ever. Embarrassing.

Kinda like my air cooled Harley

MyBigToy · « **Reply #28 on:** April 03, 2011, 06:43:32 AM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on April 02, 2011, 06:55:04 PM

Kinda like my air cooled Harley

If and when it runs.

Sorry, I'm remembering the old days, especially when AMF owned them.

HenryJ · « **Reply #29 on:** January 07, 2012, 12:44:27 PM »

Quote from: HenryJ on April 02, 2011, 06:09:51 PM

Beware the Cherry bomb exhaust.
I love the price , performance, design and quality. I am not at all crazy about the warm up and cool down noise! tick..tick..tick.. creak..crack... tick. This goes on forever and ever. Embarrassing.

Long term update on the Cherrybomb Vortex catback system:
The ticking sound as it cools went away. It took a long time to season the system.

Holding up very well and the sound is good. Not terrible on the highway. Nice rumble. I am very pleased.

Under $400 for a tuned system complete is a price hard to beat.