2014+ Exhaust Systems & Mufflers

surebuttercringe · April 7, 2015

Has anybody found a setup that doesn't get the helicopter sound or drone in v4? Is the GM Borla system the only one that eliminates this? I don't mind the v4 drone as much as I do the helicopter sound that seems to bother my ears (pressure wise). I have a Borla touring muffler installed, left the flapper and cut the resonator off and dumped over the rear axle. I guess I could either disable AFM or unbolt the flapper (but then I get the chirp commonly associated with the valve). I guess I can try that and just live with the chirp. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

I'll know in a few weeks if the Dynomax VT system eliminates the V4 drone. It has the flapper built into the muffler itself and claims to eliminate any v4 drone but still let out a nice sound when the throttle is applied. I ordered it from Summit racing because free shipping but it won't be here until April 22nd.

Tmatt1990 · April 8, 2015

Hello, I've got a question about my exhaust, my knowledge on this subject is very limited! My bud talked me into getting a magnaflow muffler and dumping it before the axle. So no flapper valve any more and no resonators. I have disabled the v4 mode with a tuner but the sound is too obnoxious for me while at cruising speeds. It's much louder in the drivers seat than passenger seat for some reason. I plan on just going to a muffler shop and getting them to take the turndown off and run a pipe back out the back,

What I am asking is, what would result in the QUIETER setup, muffler with single pipe out the back, or muffler to dual pipes out the back? Thanks

revitupfaster · April 12, 2015

Hello, I've got a question about my exhaust, my knowledge on this subject is very limited! My bud talked me into getting a magnaflow muffler and dumping it before the axle. So no flapper valve any more and no resonators. I have disabled the v4 mode with a tuner but the sound is too obnoxious for me while at cruising speeds. It's much louder in the drivers seat than passenger seat for some reason. I plan on just going to a muffler shop and getting them to take the turndown off and run a pipe back out the back,

What I am asking is, what would result in the QUIETER setup, muffler with single pipe out the back, or muffler to dual pipes out the back? Thanks

What size Magnaflow muffler do you have? As I understand it, Magnaflow has 22", 18", & 14" sizes. The 22" from what I have read, is not much louder than stock, and the shorter sizes give a progressively louder sound. Again from what I have read, most seem to prefer the 18" model, as the 14" apparently, is quite an aggressive sound.

I'm pretty sure having the pipes dump before the axle will transfer significant sound into the cab. My 2 previous trucks had a Magnaflow system, but I always had dual rear outlets, at the back bumper, where the sound can get away, It sounds like you have a single outlet muffler, which to me would concentrate the sound all in the one area, right under the vehicle. Dual pipes out the back or sides, to me would help dissipate the sound away from the cab.

I have the GM Borla exhaust on mine, with dual side outlets exiting just behind the passenger rear wheel. I don't hear anything inside the truck unless I get on the throttle, then it's just a nice rumble while accelerating.

REV

kzinge1 · April 16, 2015

I had the 22" Magnaflow installed on my truck a couple months ago with dual 2.5" tailpipes. I had it on there for about a week and I cut the tailpipes off and dumped it before the axle. IMO the 22" Magnaflow is basicly stock replacement and for a performance vehicle is too quiet. I am much happier though with it dumped. No drone at all and sounds good on WOT. Has a nice rumble at startup and idle.

The better choice is the 18" or even the 14". I had the 18" with dual 3" tailpipes on my old 08 Sierra Denali and it sounded great.

5RWill · April 16, 2015

393hp 402ft-lb of torque at the wheels. That's what somewhere around 500hp at the crank with a 15-20% loss at the wheels?

That same livernois stage 3 i posted way back but with methanol..

You know when people ask you why do you want to beef up the power of your truck? This is the only response i've come up with..

Edited April 16, 2015 by 5RWill

WendysOrBust · April 17, 2015

393hp 402ft-lb of torque at the wheels. That's what somewhere around 500hp at the crank with a 15-20% loss at the wheels?

That same livernois stage 3 i posted way back but with methanol..

You know when people ask you why do you want to beef up the power of your truck? This is the only response i've come up with..

Well yeah, no one is saying the 5.3 is not a good platform. But for the Denon Motorsports package you are looking at $10k+.

http://www.davenportmotorsports.com/packages/89

The Livernois package will be up there too since the Whipple Supercharger starts at $6k, not including installation, headwork, tune and other goodies.

That is allot of money, I was looking at adding forced induction to my 5.3 but whichever supercharger you go with you are realistically looking at ~$8k with parts, tune, and installation. And when you are adding as much power as the Livernois truck you have to then consider how long the stock transmission will hold up. The livernois package IS insane though, they did some serious head work to that truck to move that powerband all the way up to 6.5k rpm. Its impressive seeing as how the 5.3 has a compression ratio of 11:1 and that Whipple S/c is probably boosting at around 8-12 psi.

Edited April 17, 2015 by WendysOrBust

Skeeter McSkeet · April 17, 2015

Been reading and following this thread a while now. Had a local shop order an 18" magnaflow for me today. They said the resonator they usually don't put back on since I want it SI/DO one behind each wheel. I was asking about the flapper everyone refers to on here and they laughed and called it something else (don't remember the name). Do I need to have them keep that or remove it? I have read this thread so many times I get more confused each time through lol. I'm ordering some black tips to go with the truck and having it all put on next Friday. I guess I'm trying to figure out what to do so I don't encounter the helicopter sound or chirp you guys have been referring to. I like it to be loud so I'm not super worried about it being loud, just more confused now after typing this haha. I drive a 55mph road to work 5 days a week, am I going to get ate up with drone without keeping the resonator or flapper? Thanks guys, I know someone has these answers for me!!

-Skeet

5RWill · April 17, 2015

Well yeah, no one is saying the 5.3 is not a good platform. But for the Denon Motorsports package you are looking at $10k+.

http://www.davenportmotorsports.com/packages/89

The Livernois package will be up there too since the Whipple Supercharger starts at $6k, not including installation, headwork, tune and other goodies.

That is allot of money, I was looking at adding forced induction to my 5.3 but whichever supercharger you go with you are realistically looking at ~$8k with parts, tune, and installation. And when you are adding as much power as the Livernois truck you have to then consider how long the stock transmission will hold up. The livernois package IS insane though, they did some serious head work to that truck to move that powerband all the way up to 6.5k rpm. Its impressive seeing as how the 5.3 has a compression ratio of 11:1 and that Whipple S/c is probably boosting at around 8-12 psi.

When did I say or imply the 5.3 is not a good platform? Was in no way saying there is anything wrong with it. It's what I drive lol. I was just posting those videos because they're awesome. My statement of people asking me why I want more power out of my truck was merely a comical response to those car enthusiast friends of mine that ask "why do you need or want over 400hp in a truck?"

But yeah those are some expensive upgrades. Before I get another truck I plan on a supercharger and long travel suspension kit for this truck in its lifetime. That much power with the stock tranny is certainly a concern. Planning ahead for a new one that could handle it would probably add another 7-10k to an already 10k worth of upgrades. Livernois did some impressive work on that truck indeed.

Edited April 17, 2015 by 5RWill

WendysOrBust · April 17, 2015

When did I say or imply the 5.3 is not a good platform? Was in no way saying there is anything wrong with it. It's what I drive lol. I was just posting those videos because they're awesome. My statement of people asking me why I want more power out of my truck was merely a comical response to those car enthusiast friends of mine that ask "why do you need or want over 400hp in a truck?"

But yeah those are some expensive upgrades. Before I get another truck I plan on a supercharger and long travel suspension kit for this truck in its lifetime. That much power with the stock tranny is certainly a concern. Planning ahead for a new one that could handle it would probably add another 7-10k to an already 10k worth of upgrades. Livernois did some impressive work on that truck indeed.

Oh yea, sorry about that. I assumed you were replying to someone criticizing that the 5.3 couldn't make power. And if you want to go N/a, this is a nice video too from a tuning shop down in Houston.

Sounds soooo good

Been reading and following this thread a while now. Had a local shop order an 18" magnaflow for me today. They said the resonator they usually don't put back on since I want it SI/DO one behind each wheel. I was asking about the flapper everyone refers to on here and they laughed and called it something else (don't remember the name). Do I need to have them keep that or remove it? I have read this thread so many times I get more confused each time through lol. I'm ordering some black tips to go with the truck and having it all put on next Friday. I guess I'm trying to figure out what to do so I don't encounter the helicopter sound or chirp you guys have been referring to. I like it to be loud so I'm not super worried about it being loud, just more confused now after typing this haha. I drive a 55mph road to work 5 days a week, am I going to get ate up with drone without keeping the resonator or flapper? Thanks guys, I know someone has these answers for me!!

-Skeet

Remove resonator and the adjust/flapper valve. You are doing the exact same setup as I with the 18" muffler. I just went with different tips. Its gonna sound great.

Skeeter McSkeet · April 17, 2015

Oh yea, sorry about that. I assumed you were replying to someone criticizing that the 5.3 couldn't make power. And if you want to go N/a, this is a nice video too from a tuning shop down in Houston.

Sounds soooo good

Remove resonator and the adjust/flapper valve. You are doing the exact same setup as I with the 18" muffler. I just went with different tips. Its gonna sound great.

Appreciate it man!! If I remember right u got those double corsa or borla tips one didn't you? I haven't ordered any tips yet still browsing the Internet. Anyone recommend a good site for tips? I was told at the shop today that a lot of your sound comes from the tips. Longer and larger diameter would give you more of a deeper growl or aggressive sound than shorter and smaller diameter. Any truth in this? I've been looking at 18" and up in length right now.

-Skeet

Edited April 17, 2015 by SkeeterMcSkeet

Half_ton · April 18, 2015

Just a fyi- installed my dynomax vt on my 5.3 today, amazing sound, no drone and cheap even in stainless

Half_ton · April 18, 2015

I'll know in a few weeks if the Dynomax VT system eliminates the V4 drone. It has the flapper built into the muffler itself and claims to eliminate any v4 drone but still let out a nice sound when the throttle is applied. I ordered it from Summit racing because free shipping but it won't be here until April 22nd.

You'll like it.

surebuttercringe · April 19, 2015

Been reading and following this thread a while now. Had a local shop order an 18" magnaflow for me today. They said the resonator they usually don't put back on since I want it SI/DO one behind each wheel. I was asking about the flapper everyone refers to on here and they laughed and called it something else (don't remember the name). Do I need to have them keep that or remove it? I have read this thread so many times I get more confused each time through lol. I'm ordering some black tips to go with the truck and having it all put on next Friday. I guess I'm trying to figure out what to do so I don't encounter the helicopter sound or chirp you guys have been referring to. I like it to be loud so I'm not super worried about it being loud, just more confused now after typing this haha. I drive a 55mph road to work 5 days a week, am I going to get ate up with drone without keeping the resonator or flapper? Thanks guys, I know someone has these answers for me!!

-Skeet

Delete the resonator = louder exhaust

Delete the flapper = drone in v4 mode

Delete the resonator + keep the flapper = louder exhaust with little v4 drone

Keep the resonator + keep the flapper = milder exhaust and no v4 drone - mostly hear exhaust when in v8 mode

Delete the resonator + delete the flapper = get to the choppa!

I think the third option is what you're looking for. If you're doing a 55 mph commute, you're going to want to keep that flapper as I would assume you would be in v4 mode most of that drive. The drone would probably drive you nuts if you didn't. You're going to hear it (v4 exhaust sound) more with the resonator deleted because it's going to be more pronounced with the resonator removed but in v8 mode, it will sound great.

Edited April 19, 2015 by surebuttercringe

ToesonTheNose · April 19, 2015

Oh yea, sorry about that. I assumed you were replying to someone criticizing that the 5.3 couldn't make power. And if you want to go N/a, this is a nice video too from a tuning shop down in Houston.

Sounds soooo good

Remove resonator and the adjust/flapper valve. You are doing the exact same setup as I with the 18" muffler. I just went with different tips. Its gonna sound great.

this is so much more my style the NA set up, as much as I love forced induction and the power, too much moving parts and room for eroor, a nice cam, good tune and some bolt ons what exactly does that truck have done to it to make 400whp?

SkiDooNick700 · April 19, 2015

Is anyone able to comment on the noise level of a Flowmaster 40 vs Corsa Sport? I had a flowmaster 40 on my Av. Sounded great, but had awful drone, especially when towing. Just wondering, if from the outside, the Corsa Sport is louder or the Flowmaster 40 is louder.