09 Silverado with 5.3L: dual or single??

**mspa** · 04-23-2009, 09:01 PM

I'm picking up my 09 Silverado next month. It has the 5.3L engine. I am looking for comments on Flowmaster, Magnaflow, Gibson or other quality setups. To keep the cost down, I'm thinking about sticking with single exhaust and just doing a performance muffler catback system.

Are there benefits to a dual setup over single that I should consider?

My priorities are:

1) Keeping the 21 mpg highway capability,
2) Have a low profile authoritative rumble sound that doesn't interfere with listening to music or annoys at highway speeds
3) increases hp and torque

If I loose economy, then I'll stick with stock for now. But I would like to think I can get a mild performance setup that lets people know I'm there, sounds sporty, but not too much. Make sense? I basically want the rumble at idle, get a little louder at acceleration (part of the fun), and when letting back off at cruising speeds above 45 mpg, goes back to quiet.

I used to have a custom bent 2.5" Magnaflow catback system on a Mustang 5.0 that was louder than I want. I wish I could remember the model. Plus since I have the stock sound system, I don't want the muffler(s) to get in the way of enjoying my music, which sometimes is jazz or classical (not always rock or country).

So any ideas for setups under $800, would qualify.

**vncj96** · 04-23-2009, 09:05 PM

Why not just get the performance exhaust that GM offers, then it can get rolled into the price of the truck and they install it for you, I belive it is Borla.

**adampaul1964** · 04-23-2009, 10:09 PM

If you don't go with the dealer option I'd recommend the Gibson, it has the characteristics you describe. Not too loud but enough to let you know it's there. Dual or single is up to you, performance is the same, I have dual because I like the look.

**werty** · 04-23-2009, 10:20 PM

nice

**wolfrivercc** · 04-24-2009, 09:33 AM

i dont know how prices run where you are but i got a tru-flo stainless steel muffler and dual exhausts ran with it "hid" at a local shop for 180 out the door. it sounds really good and is not to loud. it actually helped my mileage a lil bit and gave it a lil more umph. just thought i would throw it out there.

**mspa** · 04-24-2009, 11:28 PM

Thanks guys. I did some checking around and I think staying single exhaust is the way to go for several reasons, a big one, price. I got pricing from local here in WA state, and in TX where I'll pick up next month. Prices were a little lower there, but just getting a Magnaflow muffler and keeping the stock pipe would be $179 installed, plus tax. A full catback with new pipe would be $379.

We get salt out here in the winter so it was suggested to go with the Magnaflow S/S muffler over the Vortech Turbo or Flo-Pro. I am curious now though to find some sound clips online of Gibson. Off I go now to look.

I haven't even driven the truck so I have no idea what it sounds like from inside with the stock system. From the outside on the highway I can't really hear anything . . .

Oh, I should say, I think my budget just shrank to $250 tops (today) so that's one reason I'm thinking about just the muffler . . .

**heavy chevy** · 04-25-2009, 01:23 AM

If your coming to Texas I can get you a single in dual out with tips for that pm me and ill let you know .

**mspa** · 04-25-2009, 11:39 PM

I saw this video on YouTube today:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i92Azi7gyhM"]YouTube - 2005 Silverado 5.3L with Magnaflow exhaust[/ame]

This sounds like what I want, but I need to find out if it drones, or is even noticeable at highway speed. Hopefully not. I'd rather just have the tone on round town driving, and be quiet on trips.

The other thing is do you guys know where I can find a video that shows how a stock 09 Silverado sounds at ideal and rev? I can't find one. I noticed some comments (on the link I posted above) where guys said their (different) model year Silverado's, with the same engine, and setup sound different.