I had the GM Performance Exhaust installed

[Sgt1411]

Great review Thanks...I'm building my 25 RST and was on the fence about the LPO Performance Exhaust Upgrade but your results are exactly the same as my expectations.

Its around $2200 for the Exhaust and Cold Air Intake Performance Package if you order it from factory, what is it from GM Parts?

 

[Sean Michael]

Great review Thanks...I'm building my 25 RST and was on the fence about the LPO Performance Exhaust Upgrade but your results are exactly the same as my expectations.

Its around $2200 for the Exhaust and Cold Air Intake Performance Package if you order it from factory, what is it from GM Parts?

If the GM exhaust and CAI was an available option from the factory for $2,200 when I bought mine, I would've done it in a heartbeat. The exhaust alone is listed at ~$3,300 on GM's site when done after the fact, but I paid around $2,700 because they were running a 20% off sale through year-end when I ordered. GM doesn't even offer the CAI after the fact at all anymore, so if you want that, you have to order it equipped from the factory. I'm looking into third-party options at the moment.

If you are interested in performance, the best way to achieve that is opting for the 6.2L, which was a "must have" of mine when buying my RST. A stock 6.2L will blow the doors off a 5.3L all day long even if the 5.3L is upgraded with exhaust and CAI. You didn't mention which engine you're considering, but engine choice is the biggest bang for the buck if someone was debating between the 6.2L as it comes or the 5.3L with exhaust & CAI. The 6.2L goes hard, prioritize that, and any exhaust & CAI will be gravy on top.

 

[Sgt1411]

If the GM exhaust and CAI was an available option from the factory for $2,200 when I bought mine, I would've done it in a heartbeat. The exhaust alone is listed at ~$3,300 on GM's site when done after the fact, but I paid around $2,700 because they were running a 20% off sale through year-end when I ordered. GM doesn't even offer the CAI after the fact at all anymore, so if you want that, you have to order it equipped from the factory. I'm looking into third-party options at the moment.

If you are interested in performance, the best way to achieve that is opting for the 6.2L, which was a "must have" of mine when buying my RST. A stock 6.2L will blow the doors off a 5.3L all day long even if the 5.3L is upgraded with exhaust and CAI. You didn't mention which engine you're considering, but engine choice is the biggest bang for the buck if someone was debating between the 6.2L as it comes or the 5.3L with exhaust & CAI. The 6.2L goes hard, prioritize that, and any exhaust & CAI will be gravy on top.

Your absolutely correct about the 6.2L and I did spec that engine out. Its good to hear a second opinion on the package being good bang for the buck, especially if you cant get the CAI as a stand alone GM Performance Part later after delivery. I will ensure both are ordered as I like the fact if its ordered from the factory its covered by the factory warranty.

 

[23Seven]

I went with a Flowmaster Super 40 and keep it in L9. I couldn’t be happier for a $400 job from my local exhaust shop.

Mine is 2024 Tahoe z71 6.2L that came with dual (dual tip) tailpipes.

OP, That’s great that you are happy with your setup, that’s really all that matters.

 

[Sgt1411]

If the GM exhaust and CAI was an available option from the factory for $2,200 when I bought mine, I would've done it in a heartbeat. The exhaust alone is listed at ~$3,300 on GM's site when done after the fact, but I paid around $2,700 because they were running a 20% off sale through year-end when I ordered. GM doesn't even offer the CAI after the fact at all anymore, so if you want that, you have to order it equipped from the factory. I'm looking into third-party options at the moment.

If you are interested in performance, the best way to achieve that is opting for the 6.2L, which was a "must have" of mine when buying my RST. A stock 6.2L will blow the doors off a 5.3L all day long even if the 5.3L is upgraded with exhaust and CAI. You didn't mention which engine you're considering, but engine choice is the biggest bang for the buck if someone was debating between the 6.2L as it comes or the 5.3L with exhaust & CAI. The 6.2L goes hard, prioritize that, and any exhaust & CAI will be gravy on top.

After driving my 25 High Country for the past few weeks I can confirm you were bang on about the 6.2L What a beautiful power plant, the way its geared with the 10 speed transmission is so well done. The 25 High Country has the factory dual exhaust and every morning that start up exhaust sound makes it worth the purchase right there. I wish I could buy the OEM Cold Air Intake they offer with the clear top on it. Other then ordering it from the factory I cant see it anywhere on any GM Performance site.

 

[Sean Michael]

After driving my 25 High Country for the past few weeks I can confirm you were bang on about the 6.2L What a beautiful power plant, the way its geared with the 10 speed transmission is so well done. The 25 High Country has the factory dual exhaust and every morning that start up exhaust sound makes it worth the purchase right there. I wish I could buy the OEM Cold Air Intake they offer with the clear top on it. Other then ordering it from the factory I cant see it anywhere on any GM Performance site.

I enjoyed my 6.2L with the performance exhaust that I made this post about. However, the power it provided was a gateway drug so to speak, I went for even more performance and traded it on a 2025 Cadillac CT5-V last week. I'll miss the 6.2L rumble and copius interior space, but the V Series Cadillac that replaced it is an absolute blast to drive. 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, adjustable suspension with track mode and launch control, manual mode paddle shifters, Brembo brakes, active exhaust, and drives like it's on rails. Performance is addicting.

 

[Sgt1411]

I enjoyed my 6.2L with the performance exhaust that I made this post about. However, the power it provided was a gateway drug so to speak, I went for even more performance and traded it on a 2025 Cadillac CT5-V last week. I'll miss the 6.2L rumble and copius interior space, but the V Series Cadillac that replaced it is an absolute blast to drive. 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, adjustable suspension with track mode and launch control, manual mode paddle shifters, Brembo brakes, active exhaust, and drives like it's on rails. Performance is addicting.

You can get both things you want....but it is a $150,000 Escalade V.......

 

[Sean Michael]

You can get both things you want....but it is a $150,000 Escalade V.......

I could've kept my Tahoe and bought the CT5-V as a second car for less than $150K!

 

[iamlegion]

That or Hennessy or Lingenfelter both have 650hp+ packages now that have an OK warranty and you could still probably pick up a used Blackwing for under $150k.

 

[66 Galaxie]

Calloway also has a supercharger package or you could buy the whipple charger kit and DIY

 

[ReaperHWK]

nice. Enjoy the new ride.

It’s not the most luxurious but I think the best performing suv for the $ would have to be the hellcat Durango though. I’m not a fan of its looks but it does have 710hp and you can get one for 80k.

 

[Marky Dissod]

The luxury of excess power is more entertaining and retains its long term value better than the luxury of fripperies.
How much more is a 10 year old Escalade vs a 10 year old Denali vs a 10 year old Tahoe (assuming similar mileage & idle-age)?
And how much of those differences is accounted for by the fact that the Escalade & the Denali have better engines?

 

[BacDoc]

The luxury of excess power is more entertaining and retains its long term value better than the luxury of fripperies.
How much more is a 10 year old Escalade vs a 10 year old Denali vs a 10 year old Tahoe (assuming similar mileage & idle-age)?
And how much of those differences is accounted for by the fact that the Escalade & the Denali have better engines?

The Escalade and Denali have better engines? The Tahoe 6.2l is different than the 6.2l Denali and Escalade?

 

[Marky Dissod]

Although any 6.2L V8 (truck) engine is interchangeable, the tune is likely different.
I do know that in the previous generations, the Denali 6.2L was ever so slightly detuned,
compared to the Escalade 6.2L, despite being physically indistinguishable.

If I'm gonna pay over $100,000 for a glitzy blingy Escalade that is slightly more likely to get me layd,
I'll be disappointed if it's not slightly quicker than a plebian non-Cadillac.

 

[jerry455]

I would be surprised if the tune was any different on the 6.2 among any of the trucks. I will have to ask. It would seem time consuming and costly to have 3 different tunes for each of the 3 models.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I would be surprised if the tune was any different on the 6.2L among any of the trucks. I will have to ask.
It would seem time consuming and costly to have 3 different tunes for each of the 3 models.

It's cheap & easy to differentiate otherwise identical hardware by changing several lines of code.

 

[BacDoc]

Although any 6.2L V8 (truck) engine is interchangeable, the tune is likely different.
I do know that in the previous generations, the Denali 6.2L was ever so slightly detuned,
compared to the Escalade 6.2L, despite being physically indistinguishable.

If I'm gonna pay over $100,000 for a glitzy blingy Escalade that is slightly more likely to get me layd,
I'll be disappointed if it's not slightly quicker than a plebian non-Cadillac.

You have a point about expectations and the price of a glitzy Escalade but even if the engines were identical I think you are correct - chicks would dig the Escalade over the pedestrian Tahoe or Yukon.

In my younger days, me and a wealthy friend of mine went to Ft Lauderdale on Spring Break. He had the high end Mercedes sedan at the time. Metallic silver, sunroof, heavy tinted windows and cool alloy Mercedes wheels.
When pulled up to a spot on the strip to park a couple of very attractive young ladies came up to us to say hello and inquire about our evening plans lol!
Bling and glitz definitely factor into the equation of expectations!

Id be curious to see a side by side performance comparison to see if there are any noticeable differences between the three brands with the 6.2l engine.

 

[tjonesdfw]

Caved before the GM sale ended & ordered the Borla dual for my 5.3 ‘25 Z71 Tahoe so TBD what the sound/performance effects are down the road.

How did the GM Borla system sound on your '25 5.3. Considering trading a recalled 6.2 for a '25 5.3 as well, but will definitely miss the rumble and thought the exhaust may help a little.

 

[NWLa Now]

How did the GM Borla system sound on your '25 5.3. Considering trading a recalled 6.2 for a '25 5.3 as well, but will definitely miss the rumble and thought the exhaust may help a little.

The OEM GM Borla system wasn’t compatible w/ my ‘25 per my long known dealer’s serv. dept.

 

[tjonesdfw]

The OEM GM Borla system wasn’t compatible w/ my ‘25 per my long known dealer’s serv. dept.

Well that's disappointing to hear. Corsa appears to make one for the '25 with 5.3 too.