4.3 Backflow and sound
Hi everyone! I own a 96' Chevy Blazer LT 4WD with a 4..3 Vortec. Recently my muffler has gotten a few holes in it from rust and rocks and I was wondering what the best sounding muffler in your opinion would be. I do not want a backflow issue where I lose back end torque and forgive me if I said that wrong I don't know much about the exhaust. I would like a nice sounding muffler that maintains or improves factory performance while sounding very nice. I do not intend to remove my CAT.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx If you would tell me your best budget and best regular pick. It would be greatly appreciated!
And if it can be avoided the cruising drone or super loud in the cabin it would be appreciated!
And if it can be avoided the cruising drone or super loud in the cabin it would be appreciated!
Last edited by rriddle3; Feb 16, 2020 at 11:06 AM. Reason: Removed reference to Forum banned practice
I put a flowmaster on my '02. I used it because it is smaller, tucks-up in the frame rails, do not see it hanging down like the OEM one. Sound wise....well.....it is a V6....does give a rumble....do not hear it in the cab at all.
Requires a short piece of pipe added due to be shorter.
Good luck
Requires a short piece of pipe added due to be shorter.
Good luck
The Dynomax 2.5" cat-back system I installed sounds kinda cool with a deeper idle sound. It was also super easy to install in my driveway. You will need three new bolts and nuts with it though to attach to the cat.
For what it is worth, I had a Subaru owner who is REALLY proud of his Subaru sound like how my truck sounded in an underground parking lot. LOL
For what it is worth, I had a Subaru owner who is REALLY proud of his Subaru sound like how my truck sounded in an underground parking lot. LOL
I have a Gibson bolt-on system and it sounds fantastic. The Gibson muffler is also WAY smaller and lighter. No drone.
I would recommend buying new exhaust hangers, as the ones on my 2000 were completely shot.
Also, now is the time to replace your cat if you want to. They're relatively cheap, and the cats on these trucks are known for plugging, breaking chunks off and rattling, and generally being obnoxious pains...
I would recommend buying new exhaust hangers, as the ones on my 2000 were completely shot.
Also, now is the time to replace your cat if you want to. They're relatively cheap, and the cats on these trucks are known for plugging, breaking chunks off and rattling, and generally being obnoxious pains...
I have a Gibson bolt-on system and it sounds fantastic. The Gibson muffler is also WAY smaller and lighter. No drone.
I would recommend buying new exhaust hangers, as the ones on my 2000 were completely shot.
Also, now is the time to replace your cat if you want to. They're relatively cheap, and the cats on these trucks are known for plugging, breaking chunks off and rattling, and generally being obnoxious pains...
I would recommend buying new exhaust hangers, as the ones on my 2000 were completely shot.
Also, now is the time to replace your cat if you want to. They're relatively cheap, and the cats on these trucks are known for plugging, breaking chunks off and rattling, and generally being obnoxious pains...
The Dynomax 2.5" cat-back system I installed sounds kinda cool with a deeper idle sound. It was also super easy to install in my driveway. You will need three new bolts and nuts with it though to attach to the cat.
For what it is worth, I had a Subaru owner who is REALLY proud of his Subaru sound like how my truck sounded in an underground parking lot. LOL
For what it is worth, I had a Subaru owner who is REALLY proud of his Subaru sound like how my truck sounded in an underground parking lot. LOL
I've had a dynomax 2.5" cat-back setup on my Sonoma for about 6 or 7 years now, and quite like it. It has a nice full sound at idle and driving around town, but no drone on the highway. Definitely don't expect a cammed V8 rumble, but it's a more full & deeper sound than the factory exhaust. Mine is only mildly louder than the factory exhaust.
As for any performance changes, the headers, cats, and the Y-pipe are the major restriction points in the exhaust, so unless you replace everything I wouldn't expect any major changes in any performance metric. Because those are all upstream from the muffler, the muffler and larger down-stream cat-back tubes won't change anything with the back-pressure.
As for MPG, I did not notice any change to my fuel economy with that mod.
As for any performance changes, the headers, cats, and the Y-pipe are the major restriction points in the exhaust, so unless you replace everything I wouldn't expect any major changes in any performance metric. Because those are all upstream from the muffler, the muffler and larger down-stream cat-back tubes won't change anything with the back-pressure.
As for MPG, I did not notice any change to my fuel economy with that mod.




