Exhaust for 5.3 liter 2002 Silverado

[flylwsi]

most systems have to remove/relocate the spare b/c of the tight space constraints...

the split rear set up goes up over the axle, then splits to the driver's side, right behind the axle, right in the area occupied by the spare tire... which is why it won't work... too tight of a fit...

[XOTech]

Good observation Fly,

That is a typical problem of most vendor kits. Yet another reason why I chose to design my own system. I did not have to relocate my spare tire. I don't believe there are any vendor kits that allow for the spare tire to remain in its original position.

[flylwsi]

yeah...

the reason for that is that there are too many variables to produce a kit that will fit allllllll the different vehicles, depending on things like the size of the spare, etc...

most of the time, those kits could fit, but are too tight, which is why your custom kit works great, b/c it's made specific to what's under your truck...

[pags1597]

I just installed a magnaflo cat backsystem in my 2000 5.3 Z71. 3" stainless, polished tip, looks great and sounds even better. Absolutely the best fitting bolt on anything I've ever delt with. Very happy with the sound outside and inside the cab. My

[fwkid30]

correct me if im wrong, dont all of these trucks(mines a'00 3-door sierra) come with separate cats that go thru a d/i-d/o muffler? my 2 chamber flowmasters sound awesome(200k miles on them) but about 50k or so miles ago,i started noticing various rattles coming from what i thought was the duals vibrating against the truck. i've got it isolated to what sounds like chunks of metal rattling around inside the mufflers themselves. could it be pieces of the cats, or mufflers themselves breakin up? i havent had time to take it back to exhaust place yet.. a simple fix i hope

[daleheller]

I have an '05 Silverado with the 5.3 liter. I went with the Magnaflow. I had heard many posts about others rusting out prematurely, so stainless was a big item for me. The Magnaflow was the perfect install. I installed myself and everything fit perfectly.

The sound, ahhhh, the sound.. Deep and at wide open throttle, you really notice the difference and appreciate the quality.

Beware, there is some resonance, so you may want to insulate the cab with Dynamat or something similar. My Polks and Infinity Basslink minimized that, but still need some deadoning.

For my money, you can't go wrong with the MagnoFlow, the tips look great too.

I just did a Volant cold air kit today with the ram air option. Noticable improvement. Next on the list, is the performance chips and tuners. Not sure which one yet, perhaps the Diablo.

Good Luck

[sub006]

My son put a Gibson single 3" system on his '04 Silverado Z71, plus a K & N FIPK intake system. The combination sounds awesome. In the cab, his FIPK growls from under the hood exactly like the real headers on my '90 383 Suburban.

[dirtrider126]

go with a nelson tune

[bluevenomgt]

whatever you get make sure its single in and dual out especially with the flowmasters it has a louder but lower rumble......and i think its the sound yousomewhat described that you want.

[chuck16]

Little disheartened with the Magnaflow I put on my truck. Nice deep low grumbly sound but, at 1500-2000 RPM the Resonance in the cab is really annoying. I'm actually thinking about taking it off and putting the stock exhaust back on.

Maybe I'll just take the stock one and have some dual pipes welded out the back.

[TexasF355F1]

Guys, this thread goes way back to 2001. Let it go.

Mod, lock it.

[silverado122775]

If you want a simple system but great sounding exhaust. Cut the muffler out. DONE!!!
You get the nice low grumble when you accelerate, but not too loud when idle. But when you smash the accelerator, everyone will know you are comming
The best part, is that you can do it yourself if you wish or you can pay about $200 to have someone cut the exhaust out and run a a 4" pipe to the side like what I did.

[daleheller]

Go with MagnaFlow, they have the best sound - not like a wanna-be yuppy that just wants NOISE !

Stay away from Gibson, rust out too fast....