the tip does change the sound of the exhaust....thus "echo" tips....big 4" tips make them louder that little dinky 2" pipe

 

I'd say my DNA muffler flows air pretty good, and I love the sound.Got my Hypertech in there as well...

If I stomp on it, I can hear the air being thrown out the tail pipe (which is still stock size, unfortunately, but you've gotta work in your budget, lol.) The tip will definitely affect the sound, but nowhere to the degree of the muffler will.

Next step is probably an AEM Brute Force CAI or AEM DryFlow panel filter...

 

I put a Gibson catback on mineand love it.

 

Ive got an 04 thats stock too, does anyone have an opinion on the KN cold air intake vs the AEM Brute Force CAI? Also did you guys do your own exhaust or take it to the shop. And so what is cheaper getting exhaust or a CAI.

 

A lot of members are leaning towards the AEM intake now because of the use of a dryflow filter that requires no oiling. Exhaust can be done in your driveway if you have access to a welder or if you clamp it (most prefer welds over clamps), but I would venture a guess and say most took theirs to a shop. If you go the bolt-on route for a catback, well, it was mentioned earlier in the thread:
CAI (cold-air intake) will run you more than $180 unless you get it used.

 

what would a 180* or 160* tstat do?

 

Anything lower than 185* will cause a CEL (check engine light) and decreased performance. These engines are designed to run efficiently with programming appropriate for those design conditions. Unless you get your PCM tuned to properly allow for the reduced temperature, you will gain nothing.

 

Well, I have a '04 Blazer with the VIN X 4.3L. I have installed a Flowmaster Super 44 muffler, K&N FIPK2 CAI, Jet Performance Stage 1 chip, Accel cap and rotor, MSD spark plug wires and NGK spark plaugs( which I am going to change back to ACDelco's) and my truck is pretty stout. I have beaten those little Hondas running around along with some higher end Hondas, both my buddies S-10 truck (stock) and alot more rice burners running around town. It is definitely fun to drive. And I can also boil my tires alot easier when I feel like it.

 

My 4400lbs of Blazer don't outrun much