Cat back exhaust systems

[telemike]

I'm going to replace my cracked manifold with a Walker OEM repalcement. I figure I might as well replace the original muffler and resonator.

Either I will have a muffler shop make up a system and bend it up or order a kit. Any thoughts? Trying to stay as affordable as possible and don't want a ricer sound.

CGS Motorsports $315. http://cgsmotorsports.com/php/products.php?productid=76&modelid=59&makeid=10&appid=164

http://cgsmotorsports.com/php/instructions/60049.pdf


Aluminized steel, stainless steel muffler goes where resonator is.



Volant. Discontinued old stock $425. 304SS.



Borla GM Touring Exhaust $~ $450 with tips.

I live in the south, so we don't have a lot of winter salt if that makes any difference.

 

[Dennis]

I've been running a Gibson set up since the truck was new back in 06..Love the sound and easy to put on.

http://www.ajusa.com/Gibson-312701-Split-Rear-Exhaust-a3eb21.html

 

[rascole]

I've been running a Gibson set up since the truck was new back in 06..Love the sound and easy to put on.

http://www.ajusa.com/Gibson-312701-Split-Rear-Exhaust-a3eb21.html

Same here. Takes about an hour to install.

 

[alrock]

My Gibson has been a PITA for a long time. Has never quite "fit" on my truck - dents in the pipes from the axles, pulls down where it meets the cat connection, leading to stretched and broken hangers. Soundwise it's good in the front seat but too droning in the back seat.

 

[Kyle]

honestly heres what you should do. replace everything but the muffler, then have an exhaust shop make a pipe that comes from the resonator all the way out the back! it sounds perfect! not to loud at all and NO ricer sound! best thing is when you rev it hard and let off you get a nice crackle sometimes! its awesome!

and if you want an idea of what sound you will be hearing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wm90TDHrZA theres a video of my h3 with no muffler.

 

[Dennis]

My Gibson has been a PITA for a long time. Has never quite "fit" on my truck - dents in the pipes from the axles, pulls down where it meets the cat connection, leading to stretched and broken hangers. Soundwise it's good in the front seat but too droning in the back seat.

That's a shame Alex..You are the first of many I know with a Gibson, who has had these kind of issues...Although, the folks I know though do not do a lot of serious offroading..This may explain the stress placed on this UNWELDED set up..Had you welded it together like many folks do..it would have taken the off road beating better I expect.

 

[kflips]

i have a billy boat exhaust. No issues

 

[rascole]

That's a shame Alex..You are the first of many I know with a Gibson, who has had these kind of issues...Although, the folks I know though do not do a lot of serious offroading..This may explain the stress placed on this UNWELDED set up..Had you welded it together like many folks do..it would have taken the off road beating better I expect.

Alrock, I should have mentioned that I tack welded all connections, but it is wise to do that what ever catback is used.

 

[58Bisc]

GM performance exhaust works great. Performance is a little louder then touring. Perfect fit, H3 tips look great if you don't go off road, but will rust over time.

 

[Chook]

I am another with the Gibson cat back. A couple of the brackets became loose at the start but are ok now it is bedded in (if it comes back I might tack weld them). I would agree though the sound up front is great but it can drone somewhat for those in the back seat (no biggy, kids just say turn the music up or they put in their headphones)

 

[Best4x4]

Thanks to the previous owner of my H3 Alpha I don't have a rear muffler at all and I love how it sounds, I just have the OEM resonator. Just a word for the wise though if you decide to remove the rear muffler make sure you dump the hot exhaust out below the rear bumper!! I don't know how many used H3's I've seen with melted rear bumper caps!! Lucky for me the previous owner had it done properly so now I've got room under my H3 for an onboard air tank if I ever decide to mount one in the future.

 

[AlaskaDan]

Would someone explain what the OEM resonator is? Is this the smaller muffler looking thing? I thought this was a catalytic converter.

 

[alrock]

It's not small.

You have two cats: one in the exhaust manifold and one ahead of the main exhaust connection under the passenger seat (the connection is the two bolts going through the oval-ish flange). The 2nd cat is maybe six inches long. Everything you replace in a "Cat-back" system is behind that main exhaust connection.

On the I5 (I don't know the Alpha setup) there's a large resonator under the passenger rear seat and ahead of the rear axle that looks somewhat like a muffler, and the muffler is of course under the cargo area behind the rear axle. The resonator simply quiets the exhaust.