Topic: Exhaust that's throaty, yet legal! lol

[andymckee272]

Hey everyone! I just bought an awesome used 2003 Avalanche Z71 with stock exhaust. I am stationed here in VA with a GREAT mechanic uncle who does inspecions.

My question is...what is a really good exhaust system that will give me a loud, throaty sound all trucks should have  and is also legal with compliance with EPA regs.

I have heard some great things about a catback or no cat cherry bomb system, just not sure if anyone has researched this! I'm in the Army just back from Iraq so I don't wanna get arrested on post just yet!

Thanks everyone!!!!

[trAVelingman]

Hey everyone! I just bought an awesome used 2003 Avalanche Z71 with stock exhaust. I am stationed here in VA with a GREAT mechanic uncle who does inspecions.

My question is...what is a really good exhaust system that will give me a loud, throaty sound all trucks should have  and is also legal with compliance with EPA regs.

I have heard some great things about a catback or no cat cherry bomb system, just not sure if anyone has researched this! I'm in the Army just back from Iraq so I don't wanna get arrested on post just yet!

Thanks everyone!!!!

Go with an exhaust piped around the muffler with an exhaust cutout!  With the flip of a switch you can go from stock quiet to what a truck should sound like.  Flip the switch back for that stock sound if you feel the need.  I ride around with the cutout open 90% of the time because I like exhaust rumble....   :)

[Main One]

I've heard an AV with no muffler, just the cats, and it isn't too bad.  To stay legal, you need to keep the cats, but I don't think you have to have the muffler.  Your neighbors may not appreciate it, but it probably isn't illegal unless the local community has some strict noise ordinance.  Or you can go both ways as TrAV mentions and use an exhaust cutout switch to go between mufflerless and muffler.

If you want to just get a fairly inexpensive muffler that will give you a good amount of sound, a lot of folks here are using the Flowmaster Super 40.  For me personally, I don't want that much sound, and am happy with the Flowmaster 70 series.

[andymckee272]

Hey thanks guys!!!

I'm gonna have to actually call the state police about these muffler laws. There is so much "grey area" when it comes to aftermarket and performance exhaust in the state of VA it'll make your head swim. I did do some research and sound samples of the systems you all described and about fell out of my chair...I love them all!!!

I think it's gonna take me going to an exhaust place or a 4x4 place and jut drool for a while before I make up my mind!  LOL!

Thanks for all the help!!!

[trAVelingman]

Best thing to do would be to go to a GTG and listen to the different exhaust setups in person.

[bluedevil]

Without the muffler....

Chevy Avalanche Exhaust

[Ski Edition]

Go with an exhaust piped around the muffler with an exhaust cutout!  With the flip of a switch you can go from stock quiet to what a truck should sound like.  Flip the switch back for that stock sound if you feel the need.  I ride around with the cutout open 90% of the time because I like exhaust rumble....   :)

Never heard of this!  Anyone have any pics of how that works?  Wife thinks the AV is too loud now with a 40, so this will seal the deal if I can do this!! 

[bluedevil]

Never heard of this!  Anyone have any pics of how that works?  Wife thinks the AV is too loud now with a 40, so this will seal the deal if I can do this!!

@ stylintrucks.com  or your favorite store, search for "electric exhaust cutout".  Its expensive about $300 for the electric but the manual one (uses some sort of pull cord) is a lot cheaper.

[bluedevil]

[oHIobellboy]

Never heard of this!  Anyone have any pics of how that works?  Wife thinks the AV is too loud now with a 40, so this will seal the deal if I can do this!! 

I saw it last summer. Basically a valve that leads into a bypass pipe around the muffler and back into the exhaust pipe. Sounds great though. Summit carries them also.

[trAVelingman]

Never heard of this!  Anyone have any pics of how that works?  Wife thinks the AV is too loud now with a 40, so this will seal the deal if I can do this!!

This is the setup I have on mine Brian.   Wanna meet up this weekend so you can take a look at it?  I got it done in Franklin, I took the cutout to them for them to install.

[oHIobellboy]

Funny, Stylin TRUCKS uses and old 340 duster for the commercial. 

[oHIobellboy]

This is the setup I have on mine Brian.   Wanna meet up this weekend so you can take a look at it?  I got it done in Franklin, I took the cutout to them for them to install.

Could this be the start of a GTG?

[Ski Edition]

With a dual out, I would have to have two, correct?  I'm about ready for some wings John.  I think GR1MR3APER is about ready too!  He got a new '08 LTZ I'd like to check out.   

[trAVelingman]

I have duala our the back too Ski and a single cutout.   Sounds like a Hooters lunch on Saturday is in order.  Let the Reaper know!

[oHIobellboy]

I have duala our the back too Ski and a single cutout.   Sounds like a Hooters lunch on Saturday is in order.  Let the Reaper know!

C'mon trAV, you of all people should know the rules. 
 

And yes, I'm talking about the exhaust.

[Ski Edition]

I have duala our the back too Ski and a single cutout.   Sounds like a Hooters lunch on Saturday is in order.  Let the Reaper know!

Saturday noon, Murfreesboro? 

[andymckee272]

Without the muffler....


Chevy Avalanche Exhaust

This is EXACTLY the sound I was looking for!!! I just hope I can do it without too much grief! I looked at the cutout setup and it's just a little too rich for my blood bc I would want to do the electronic switch due to my "geek who loves buttons and gadgets" nature.

Thanks again!!!

[trAVelingman]

Saturday noon, Murfreesboro?

Works for me!

[trAVelingman]

C'mon trAV, you of all people should know the rules. 
 

And yes, I'm talking about the exhaust.

I never have taken pics of the setup. Maybe I can get a video shot this week and post it.

[trAVelingman]

This is EXACTLY the sound I was looking for!!! I just hope I can do it without too much grief! I looked at the cutout setup and it's just a little too rich for my blood bc I would want to do the electronic switch due to my "geek who loves buttons and gadgets" nature.

Thanks again!!!

I have just over $600 in my cutout setup.  Like I posted earlier, I ride with the cutout open most of the time.

[coolram62]

First I apologize for bringing back an older topic but I thought my post would fit in here rather than starting a new one. And second I have yet to take pictures or do sound clip so two strikes against me right off.

I wanted to replace the stock muffler/resonator and have been looking at the catback versus muffler minus resonator. I finally had the funds to do this and decided on a Magnaflow muffler (  http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/shopexd.asp?zone=main&id=8941   ). I bought the muffler from a local speed shop (Parks Auto) for just a bit less than half the listed price. The muffler shop (Jimmy's Auto care) I've dealt with for many years is located next door to Parks. And just a side note Jimmy has a '05 Avy for the shop truck. He has full duals using Thrush turbos ,mounted side by side,that sounds great but is a bit loud for me. It was cleanly done but would there be any benefit to going full duals after cats? We got to talking more about Avys and I told him about the club and site. Back to my truck the Magnaflow I chose is quiet at idle ,not much above stock, but lets you know it's there on throttle. It would be comparable to a Gibson setup I had on my '99 Ram 360. Jimmy's installed the muffler,removed the resonator and installed the tip for $150. I'm very happy but might one day go to duals if I switch to shorties.

[Main One]

I would say that there is most likely a benefit to going with true duals, although my muffler installer didn't want to go that route due to the location of the gas tank and spare tire.  Sounds like your guy has it figured out for his truck though.

[coolram62]

Main One I was thinking on an Avy with mild mods (ie:CAI,performance tune) that full dual exhaust might be overkill on mine. The factory is 2.71" with clean bends anyhow just in need of a better flowing muffler and no resonator. It was interesting how they did it though,similar to a Jeep FSJ . It was crossed over at the front at the stock down pipes then run parellel through the mufflers then branched around the spare. If I remember correctly 2.5" duals give a similar volume/capacity as a 3" single setup. And 3" dual would lower back pressure to much at the expense of low end torque on a setup like mine. Please correct me if my line of thinking is incorrect on this. I may go the dual 2.5" route someday if the modifications get to that point.

[Main One]

Main One I was thinking on an Avy with mild mods (ie:CAI,performance tune) that full dual exhaust might be overkill on mine. The factory is 2.71" with clean bends anyhow just in need of a better flowing muffler and no resonator. It was interesting how they did it though,similar to a Jeep FSJ . It was crossed over at the front at the stock down pipes then run parellel through the mufflers then branched around the spare. If I remember correctly 2.5" duals give a similar volume/capacity as a 3" single setup. And 3" dual would lower back pressure to much at the expense of low end torque on a setup like mine. Please correct me if my line of thinking is incorrect on this. I may go the dual 2.5" route someday if the modifications get to that point.

I don't think your thinking is incorrect.  You seem pretty knowledgeable.