5.3 MBRP Exhaust Review & Install FYI - UPDATE

SamDSJR · December 8, 2019

Just finished my install. It went way harder than I thought it would. I was really hoping to get the factory exhaust out in one piece. I tried that "move it back and rotate trick" but I just couldn't get it out. I ended up cutting it. Made a nice clean cut thought so it can be welded up good if need be.

Regarding the install instructions for a 147" wheelbase. The instructions state to cut the universal length main pipe to 23.75". That ended up being too long for the muffler to fit. I had to cut it to 23.25".

So far I'm happy with the sound. Nice deep rumble (of course this info is meaningless since sound is relative - what's loud to me might be quiet to you.) I can tell you its certainly louder than stock, yet nowhere near a Borla ATAK system. There is a YouTube video from MBRP of this system on an AT4 - if you search for "2019 Silverado MBRP" that is pretty accurate. Also no helicopter chopping sound on the highway or cruising so far. I'm crazy about keeping an accurate weight on my truck (I tow a lot and close to max.) This system shaved 11lbs off from the stock exhaust system.

I will also say that now that the flapper valve is gone - its a lot easier to hear what DFM is doing. As others have said - DFM seems way better than AFM and was a lot harder to notice with the stock exhaust. Now that I have the MBRP on I can clearly tell its doing its thing. Nothing as bad as you could tell with the K2 - but certainly more noticeable than with the stock exhaust.

UPDATE - So this was a massive mistake. The drone is horrible. Absolutely horrible. Today I got my first good drive in and my ears hurt from the helicopter drone of high speeds, and the horrible pathetic sputter at low speeds. This is absolutely coming off, and looks like I'm screwed since you can't return them after you install them.

Here are the main issues - One is the standard helicopter mode that my 2018 Silverado had. Its the exact same helicopter sound, just it sounds like the blades of the helicopter are rotating slower than it did on the K2's with AFM. Another DFM mode is when first accelerating and/or at low speeds. The DFM must drop down to like 2-4 cylinders, and it sounds pathetic. Like a pinto puttering up a hill with occasional spits of water coming out of the exhaust. And finally - I would honestly say I have LOST performance. Especially on the low end/torque related. No question whatsoever the truck doesn't "jump start" like it used to. Granted, once it does get moving it starts screaming, but my truck behaving like a Pinto at the low end is a deal breaker for me.

The pro's - It looks amazing . It sounds amazing at start up, and with the pedal to the floor.

Edited December 10, 2019 by SamDSJR
Updating review

SamDSJR · December 8, 2019

Here’s a short video of a warm start with my new exhaust:

code-man26 · December 9, 2019

Oh man sorry to hear that. Funny how our stories are perfectly opposite. My install was a breeze but I absolutely hate the sound. It is SO loud inside my cab. The only difference we have is you have a single and I have the dual tip exhaust. Never had a dual tip system before so I'm not sure if that's the culprit on the sound or what. Glad you're enjoying it!

SamDSJR · December 10, 2019

On 12/9/2019 at 6:12 PM, code-man26 said:

Oh man sorry to hear that. Funny how our stories are perfectly opposite. My install was a breeze but I absolutely hate the sound. It is SO loud inside my cab. The only difference we have is you have a single and I have the dual tip exhaust. Never had a dual tip system before so I'm not sure if that's the culprit on the sound or what. Glad you're enjoying it!

Cody looks like you were dead right. I found your other post about how it sounded to you and I'm in the same boat. I can't belive it can be this bad. I think I'm going to try a Borla S-Type.

SquireSCA · December 16, 2019

Mine is straight piped and I don't have the drone issue. 2019 LT Trail Boss 5.3L with DFM enabled...

SamDSJR · December 16, 2019

3 hours ago, SquireSCA said:

Mine is straight piped and I don't have the drone issue. 2019 LT Trail Boss 5.3L with DFM enabled...

So you don’t hear a helicopter sound at highway speeds on level ground?

SquireSCA · December 16, 2019

Nope, not at all. The 2018 has the 4 cyl mode disabled with the tune I am using and the 2019 doesn't have AFM, it has DFM and is a lot more transparent than the older method.

I can go for a drive later and record it in the cab and give you an idea of how it sounds with the muffler and flapper removed...

Texasdeere · December 16, 2019

On 12/7/2019 at 8:10 PM, SamDSJR said:

Just finished my install. It went way harder than I thought it would. I was really hoping to get the factory exhaust out in one piece. I tried that "move it back and rotate trick" but I just couldn't get it out. I ended up cutting it. Made a nice clean cut thought so it can be welded up good if need be.

Regarding the install instructions for a 147" wheelbase. The instructions state to cut the universal length main pipe to 23.75". That ended up being too long for the muffler to fit. I had to cut it to 23.25".

So far I'm happy with the sound. Nice deep rumble (of course this info is meaningless since sound is relative - what's loud to me might be quiet to you.) I can tell you its certainly louder than stock, yet nowhere near a Borla ATAK system. There is a YouTube video from MBRP of this system on an AT4 - if you search for "2019 Silverado MBRP" that is pretty accurate. Also no helicopter chopping sound on the highway or cruising so far. I'm crazy about keeping an accurate weight on my truck (I tow a lot and close to max.) This system shaved 11lbs off from the stock exhaust system.

I will also say that now that the flapper valve is gone - its a lot easier to hear what DFM is doing. As others have said - DFM seems way better than AFM and was a lot harder to notice with the stock exhaust. Now that I have the MBRP on I can clearly tell its doing its thing. Nothing as bad as you could tell with the K2 - but certainly more noticeable than with the stock exhaust.

UPDATE - So this was a massive mistake. The drone is horrible. Absolutely horrible. Today I got my first good drive in and my ears hurt from the helicopter drone of high speeds, and the horrible pathetic sputter at low speeds. This is absolutely coming off, and looks like I'm screwed since you can't return them after you install them.

Here are the main issues - One is the standard helicopter mode that my 2018 Silverado had. Its the exact same helicopter sound, just it sounds like the blades of the helicopter are rotating slower than it did on the K2's with AFM. Another DFM mode is when first accelerating and/or at low speeds. The DFM must drop down to like 2-4 cylinders, and it sounds pathetic. Like a pinto puttering up a hill with occasional spits of water coming out of the exhaust. And finally - I would honestly say I have LOST performance. Especially on the low end/torque related. No question whatsoever the truck doesn't "jump start" like it used to. Granted, once it does get moving it starts screaming, but my truck behaving like a Pinto at the low end is a deal breaker for me.

The pro's - It looks amazing . It sounds amazing at start up, and with the pedal to the floor.

Thanks for the Update! I'm going to play it safe and go with the GM Performance System. I don't want to hear much of anything until I "get on it"

Edited December 16, 2019 by Texasdeere

SquireSCA · December 16, 2019

1 hour ago, Texasdeere said:

Thanks for the Update! I'm going to play it safe and go with the GM Performance System. I don't want to hear much of anything until I "get on it"

I would go the straight pipe route first.

I am uploading a video of me driving around with my setup now... Don't go spending over a grand for a piece of pipe...

SquireSCA · December 16, 2019

First up, cold start from both my 2018 and my 2019 truck that has been straight piped...

SquireSCA · December 17, 2019

Driving along from the cabin... no drone... just a smooth mellow V8 sound track when you punch the gas, and mainly the sound of wind and A/T tires when cruising down the road...

scotman623 · December 23, 2019

Great video and views about big trucks and gas mileage!! LOL!! I did not buy my truck to worry about MPG either!!! My F450 had a custom plate that said!!! EPATHIS. You made my mind up.. Straight pipe it is.. Thanks

SquireSCA · December 23, 2019

It's cheap, easy and sounds great. If you decide you don't like it, its no big deal to weld the muffler and flapper back on, or get and get a catback system. But my guess is that you will enjoy it.

Londart2020 · December 25, 2019

On ‎12‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 6:10 PM, SamDSJR said:

Just finished my install. It went way harder than I thought it would. I was really hoping to get the factory exhaust out in one piece. I tried that "move it back and rotate trick" but I just couldn't get it out. I ended up cutting it. Made a nice clean cut thought so it can be welded up good if need be.

Regarding the install instructions for a 147" wheelbase. The instructions state to cut the universal length main pipe to 23.75". That ended up being too long for the muffler to fit. I had to cut it to 23.25".

So far I'm happy with the sound. Nice deep rumble (of course this info is meaningless since sound is relative - what's loud to me might be quiet to you.) I can tell you its certainly louder than stock, yet nowhere near a Borla ATAK system. There is a YouTube video from MBRP of this system on an AT4 - if you search for "2019 Silverado MBRP" that is pretty accurate. Also no helicopter chopping sound on the highway or cruising so far. I'm crazy about keeping an accurate weight on my truck (I tow a lot and close to max.) This system shaved 11lbs off from the stock exhaust system.

I will also say that now that the flapper valve is gone - its a lot easier to hear what DFM is doing. As others have said - DFM seems way better than AFM and was a lot harder to notice with the stock exhaust. Now that I have the MBRP on I can clearly tell its doing its thing. Nothing as bad as you could tell with the K2 - but certainly more noticeable than with the stock exhaust.

UPDATE - So this was a massive mistake. The drone is horrible. Absolutely horrible. Today I got my first good drive in and my ears hurt from the helicopter drone of high speeds, and the horrible pathetic sputter at low speeds. This is absolutely coming off, and looks like I'm screwed since you can't return them after you install them.

Here are the main issues - One is the standard helicopter mode that my 2018 Silverado had. Its the exact same helicopter sound, just it sounds like the blades of the helicopter are rotating slower than it did on the K2's with AFM. Another DFM mode is when first accelerating and/or at low speeds. The DFM must drop down to like 2-4 cylinders, and it sounds pathetic. Like a pinto puttering up a hill with occasional spits of water coming out of the exhaust. And finally - I would honestly say I have LOST performance. Especially on the low end/torque related. No question whatsoever the truck doesn't "jump start" like it used to. Granted, once it does get moving it starts screaming, but my truck behaving like a Pinto at the low end is a deal breaker for me.

The pro's - It looks amazing . It sounds amazing at start up, and with the pedal to the floor.

I just put the Gibson exhaust on my 2020 GMC Sierra with the 6.2L yesterday. I drove it around a little last night I think it sounds good, not too loud but you can tell its there. There was a little of the "thumping" driving steady in the 40-50MPH range, so after reading this and not yet taking it on the highway, I got a little worried. But today on my way to work I made it a point to take the highway. To my surprise in the 60-65MPH range there was little to no "thumping." I come to understand this is from the DFM and it going down to 2 cylinders. So if you are still looking to keep an aftermarket exhaust, I would definitely recommend the Gibson. Again I did worry, after reading this and my little driving yesterday, that I may have made a mistake and I had already started looking at GMParts.com, or whatever it is, to see what it would cost me to go back to stock. Not the case, I love the sound.

SamDSJR · December 25, 2019

21 minutes ago, Londart2020 said:

I just put the Gibson exhaust on my 2020 GMC Sierra with the 6.2L yesterday. I drove it around a little last night I think it sounds good, not too loud but you can tell its there. There was a little of the "thumping" driving steady in the 40-50MPH range, so after reading this and not yet taking it on the highway, I got a little worried. But today on my way to work I made it a point to take the highway. To my surprise in the 60-65MPH range there was little to no "thumping." I come to understand this is from the DFM and it going down to 2 cylinders. So if you are still looking to keep an aftermarket exhaust, I would definitely recommend the Gibson. Again I did worry, after reading this and my little driving yesterday, that I may have made a mistake and I had already started looking at GMParts.com, or whatever it is, to see what it would cost me to go back to stock. Not the case, I love the sound.

Good to know. Thanks for the input on this. I still have the MBRP, but I’m definitely getting rid of it soon.