Carven muffler, and third cat delete?

[ScrewbenSS]

Pulled the trigger on a Carven R series muffler and the SLP resonator delete tip. Should be here at the end of the week. I’ll be replacing my magnaflow 12589. Its just way to quiet for me. But while I’m at it I thought what the hell! Lets see if I can cut that third cat out as well for a little extra sound. I’ll be doing the work myself as I’m am a welder. I’m thinking I can just curlt it out and slap some 3” pipe in place of it. But before I do the cat delete I figured I would get some possible feedback from anyone who may have done this already? Truck is a 12 tahoe 5.3l 4x4. I will eventually probably go long tubes and stainless dual rear exit but for now this will do. That stuff will have to wait for the afm delete and texas speed cam swap

 

[kbuskill]

Pulled the trigger on a Carven R series muffler and the SLP resonator delete tip. Should be here at the end of the week. I’ll be replacing my magnaflow 12589. Its just way to quiet for me. But while I’m at it I thought what the hell! Lets see if I can cut that third cat out as well for a little extra sound. I’ll be doing the work myself as I’m am a welder. I’m thinking I can just curlt it out and slap some 3” pipe in place of it. But before I do the cat delete I figured I would get some possible feedback from anyone who may have done this already? Truck is a 12 tahoe 5.3l 4x4. I will eventually probably go long tubes and stainless dual rear exit but for now this will do. That stuff will have to wait for the afm delete and texas speed cam swap

I am curious about the "3rd cat".

I have an '08 and it didn't come with one.

I am curious because I have heard some people say it is a 3rd cat and others claim it is some kind of resonator. They cite the lack of O2 sensors in front of or behind it as proving that it's not a 3rd cat.. which makes some sense but I'm not sure.

Anyway be sure to keep us posted as to what you find and how it all turns out.

I too am waiting on my muffler to come in but I am trying to go quieter... lol

Removing the 2 main cats makes for a very loud truck just FYI.

 

[ScrewbenSS]

I am curious about the "3rd cat".

I have an '08 and it didn't come with one.

I am curious because I have heard some people say it is a 3rd cat and others claim it is some kind of resonator. They cite the lack of O2 sensors in front of or behind it as proving that it's not a 3rd cat.. which makes some sense but I'm not sure.

Anyway be sure to keep us posted as to what you find and how it all turns out.

I too am waiting on my muffler to come in but I am trying to go quieter... lol

Removing the 2 main cats makes for a very loud truck just FYI.

That is a very good point. I really dont know what it is. I had my exhaust disconnected and Y-pipe off when I did my trans rebuild and saw a honeycomb type shield at the exit port. Same as the two primary cats. I just assumed it was. I would be happy to find out though. I work at a custom fab shop and can open it up to see whats inside. It is going to be interesting replacing it though as the entrance port is 3.5” and the exit is 3”. Oh well I’ll figure it out. I’ll post picks when all is said and done. Will be either this weekend or next depending how much free time I get.

 

[08HoeCD]

It’s my understanding that GMT900 year 2009 and up have three cats, whereas prior years have two.

I put a Magnaflow 12589 on my ‘08 and installed SLP Delete kit, and it’s throaty enough for me.

 

[swathdiver]

I am curious because I have heard some people say it is a 3rd cat and others claim it is some kind of resonator.

My original and replacement do have have a honeycomb media that looks like a cat. The scrap man paid me as if it was a cat.

 

[kbuskill]

It’s my understanding that GMT900 year 2009 and up have three cats, whereas prior years have two.

I put a Magnaflow 12589 on my ‘08 and installed SLP Delete kit, and it’s throaty enough for me.

Yeah, I knew it was an '09+ thing, just wasn't sure if it was actually a cat.

My original and replacement do have have a honeycomb media that looks like a cat. The scrap man paid me as if it was a cat.

Like I said the only argument I have heard against it being a cat is the lack of O2 sensors around it. Perhaps GM figured that by the time the exhaust got to the 3rd cat that the first 2 cats would have already cleaned it up enough to not be a problem for it and didn't feel the need to have an 02 sensor to monitor the cat efficiency.

 

[01FormulaTA]

It’s definitely a catalytic converter...I remember my first car, a 1996 Mustang GT, had 6 cats on the stock H Pipe, but to your point the downstream O2s were located after the last cats, it was a heavy SOB

 

[ScrewbenSS]

I’m getting the feeling I may have gone a little to far .
Oh well I’m sure I’ll get ised to it.

 

[ScrewbenSS]

Ok its done. I’ve decided to leave the cat because the truck is plenty loud enough for now haha. Will upload a video of before and after later tonight or tomorrow.

 

[992dr]

I’m getting the feeling I may have gone a little to far .
Oh well I’m sure I’ll get ised to it.

View attachment 218301

So, where's the Carven muffler?

Ok its done. I’ve decided to leave the cat because the truck is plenty loud enough for now haha. Will upload a video of before and after later tonight or tomorrow.

I bet there's a pretty noticeable difference haha.
Lookin forward to hearing it.

 

[ScrewbenSS]

Cold start with Magnaflow 12589 and resonator delete:

Warm start with Carven R Series and slp 31059 kit in place of resonator:

Truck at full operating temp rev. To 4k RPM:

Overall I am extremely happy with it. Fairly loud outside but suprisingly quiet in cab with windows up. Almost no drone. Cruising down the hwy at 80mph you can barely hear it. Can still easily hold a conversation and use Bluetooth phone without issue. But put your foot down and its violent lol. Exactly what I wanted. Also the tone is much deeper than my iphone can capture. Very nice sounding exhaust. Definitely a fan of Carven now.

 

[ScrewbenSS]

I can say that I will at some point go full 3” exhaust. I think it will deepen the tone a little more. But for now I am very happy with it.

 

[kbuskill]

I can say that I will at some point go full 3” exhaust. I think it will deepen the tone a little more. But for now I am very happy with it.

When you say go "full" three inch, I assume you mean from the manifolds back.

If you do just be aware that you will most likely loose a lot of bottom end torque.

2.25" Y-pipe into 3" tail pipe or 2.25" duals is enough to support 370+HP.

 

[ScrewbenSS]

When you say go "full" three inch, I assume you mean from the manifolds back.

- Yes sir that is what I meant Y-Pipe back. However after sleeping on it I believe I’ll wait till I get a cam and headers. Nothing crazy just the truck spec cam from texas speed and delete the dod.

If you do just be aware that you will most likely loose a lot of bottom end torque.

This is true. Something I also considered lastnight.

2.25" Y-pipe into 3" tail pipe or 2.25" duals is enough to support 370+HP.

 

[ScrewbenSS]

Got a cold start shot this morning.

 

[992dr]

Sounds great, surprisingly quite for such a tiny muffler.

I know what you mean about frying the harness, haha, did the same thing when I cut my resonator off.

I'm prepping for a 3" cat back, hopefully within the next week or two I'll have it finished. Still deciding on where I want my tailpipe to come out.

 

[ScrewbenSS]

Sounds great, surprisingly quite for such a tiny muffler.

I know what you mean about frying the harness, haha, did the same thing when I cut my resonator off.

I'm prepping for a 3" cat back, hopefully within the next week or two I'll have it finished. Still deciding on where I want my tailpipe to come out.

I know what you mean. I only went with this set up because it was quick and easy. I eventually want dual exit out of the rear corners. Having all the sound on one side of the truck is kinda strange. Something to consider when making your decision.

 

[ScrewbenSS]

I will say after watching the videos and hearing it in person its two different experiences. The tone sounds deeper and louder in person.

 

[992dr]

I know what you mean. I only went with this set up because it was quick and easy. I eventually want dual exit out of the rear corners. Having all the sound on one side of the truck is kinda strange. Something to consider when making your decision.

That's exactly what's holding me back. After looking around, a dual exhaust would look very cool.
I went a different route than the 12589 5 x 11 muffler and bought a 12279 5 x 8 muffler.
Its a couple inches longer and 3 inches narrower than the 12589. I can Y it off over the axle to split it up but now I'm pondering the thought of buying another muffler, single in and dual out. Thinking a 12298 5 x 8 x 18 and see what happens.
I'll use the 12279 for now using v-bands so I can swap them out later.