Another headers/exhaust thread...

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fozzi58

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OK so now after my pipe dreams of buying an off the shelf 1k HP Burb have died down, its time to get serious about an exhaust mod. Looking for headers and exhaust.

2017 5.3 BB Tune and aFe CAI.

Headers
Seems like all the threads I searched on our forums point to the ARH 1 7/8 long tubes. I'm sticking with cats but will be getting a better collector Y pipe, etc. Is the consensus still with AHR over Kooks? I only ask cause I have kooks stepped headers on my TA and they are nice. I also read on another thread that the kooks don't have as much clearance as the ARH's.

Going to spend the cash and go for the ceramic coated to try and keep the temps down under the hood.

Exhaust
I called up Corsa and they DO NOT have a touring part number available for sale to the masses. Apparently the touring part is only available through GM and they are tacking another $150 just to slap the GM name on there.

I'm considering the Borla 3" touring system. I had a Gibson setup on my Old Ram p/u and that was nice but a bit of a drone at highway speeds. I can't be killing the in-cabin quietness so the sport models are out of the question.

Final Thoughts
Also I am probably going boosted down the road - just not now. Probably a stage 2 cam and heads as well but thats for another spring.

Thoughts on the combo for the truck?
 

08HoeCD

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While I would not go with extensive exhaust modifications on their own, other than for tone enhancement, it can make a lot of sense in concert with a supercharger. I'd go full exhaust such as from Kooks.
 

CMoore711

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I've had great experience with Kooks long tubes in the past. I had some 1- 7/8" Long Tubes on my old trailblazer SS that was my DD, and even after 100K+ miles they were holding up great, no cracks, no holes, no broken welds or etc. Great product.

Kook, ARH, Stainless Works... I really don't think you can go wrong, it'll most likely come down to personal preference and I'm sure you'll find equally happy users of each.

Also, I wouldn't steer away from the Corsa, even if you got a "sport" you can always add a resonator and they sound great! Reduces tone to more of a "touring" level and typically cleans up the sound.
 
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fozzi58

fozzi58

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Exhaust is done. Kooks Stepped headers 1 7/8ths, high flow Y and cats; Borla touring exhaust. ******** is it loud! I guess I am going to need a resonator installed cause the decibles are too loud under 80 MPH. Forget drone its just loud. Went down the shore with the family this weekend and under 80 its just a constant rumble. You can hear every shift from the tone of the exhuast.

From a seat of the pants feel, its got a little more get up and go off the line. It will squeak off the line without a power break but there is no tire spinnage. Then the power dips throughout the midrange from before the stock exhaust was replaced. I can definitely feel the loss between 1800 rpm and 3800rpm. Then it comes on again at about 4000 RPM and pulls REALLY strong to redline. Its definitely ready for a whipple and some heads/cam. But its way to obnoxious...even for me.

That all being said, I scared the shit out of some people that were next to me when I took off...even at half throttle. I can see people's faces have that look like "That's a Suburban?" lol Its definitely fun to drive without the fam and not on my street. I'm not sneaking up on anyone now though. It sounds like it has a lot of power but now I need to make it...and soon. Already had a blacked out Durango and a couple of tuners try to play with me. The fun is just starting.
 

Tonyrodz

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Exhaust is done. Kooks Stepped headers 1 7/8ths, high flow Y and cats; Borla touring exhaust. ******** is it loud! I guess I am going to need a resonator installed cause the decibles are too loud under 80 MPH. Forget drone its just loud. Went down the shore with the family this weekend and under 80 its just a constant rumble. You can hear every shift from the tone of the exhuast.

From a seat of the pants feel, its got a little more get up and go off the line. It will squeak off the line without a power break but there is no tire spinnage. Then the power dips throughout the midrange from before the stock exhaust was replaced. I can definitely feel the loss between 1800 rpm and 3800rpm. Then it comes on again at about 4000 RPM and pulls REALLY strong to redline. Its definitely ready for a whipple and some heads/cam. But its way to obnoxious...even for me.

That all being said, I scared the shit out of some people that were next to me when I took off...even at half throttle. I can see people's faces have that look like "That's a Suburban?" lol Its definitely fun to drive without the fam and not on my street. I'm not sneaking up on anyone now though. It sounds like it has a lot of power but now I need to make it...and soon. Already had a blacked out Durango and a couple of tuners try to play with me. The fun is just starting.
Sounds like my experience with my Hoe--people's expressions lol--but I have 1 3/4 Lt's, and I don't have any down low power loss--that I can notice anyway. People have said that about the 1 7/8's long tubes. Is it still all stock? Stock tune?
 
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fozzi58

fozzi58

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Julio at CarTek tuned it. But as soon as I free up some time I am going to send the files back to BB for a retune. There is something about the 2~3 shifting that irks me. Not sure if its just me or the tune Cartek put in. I am hoping they can level out the performance in the power band a little more. I "live" in the mid-RPMs so this is gonna be a very tough year before I can get cash round up for the whole SC package.
 

CMoore711

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It sounds great, but I can agree with your comment on the sound level for a DD family hauler.

It may be difficult to add a resonator to the Borla system since its (2) pipes after the muffler. Unless you can find enough straight pipe before the muffler to weld one in. Even so may need to add an extra exhaust hanger if placing it before the muffler.
 

Rocket Man

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Julio at CarTek tuned it. But as soon as I free up some time I am going to send the files back to BB for a retune. There is something about the 2~3 shifting that irks me. Not sure if its just me or the tune Cartek put in. I am hoping they can level out the performance in the power band a little more. I "live" in the mid-RPMs so this is gonna be a very tough year before I can get cash round up for the whole SC package.
Then if you’re like me you’ll want a different cam, stall, etc etc.
 

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