Quiet Exhaust Please (VORTEC)

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Joined
Nov 28, 2009
Threads
39
Messages
257
Location
Clarion, PA
Website
www.clarionbicycle.com
I am trying to learn how to make my exhaust as quiet as possible and I don't know who to trust. It seems that lots of people ask this question online and get very different answers. The guy at the local exhaust shop didn't exude a lot of confidence either, seemed like he just wanted to sell me a basic muffler he had in stock.

Currently I have a 6.0 vortec with hooker headers, dual straight pipes to magna flow 14" Stainless mufflers that then exit behind the rear wheels. Obviously it's loud, especially when you get on the gas. The PO probably loved that sort of thing, but I prefer stealth.

I am wondering if just adding resonators would make a big difference, or if swapping the magna flow mufflers to something like the Walker quiet flow SS would be more effective.

I am hoping someone has some real exhaust experience and can chime in. Thanks
 
Having owned 2 different 6.0 LQ4 vehicles and gone through numerous exhaust setups, the best and stealthiest sound was when I had a OEM 3.5" muffler from a '07-'10 6.2L Deanli.

Hands down the best sounding idle, zero drone at any RPM and sounds pretty nasty at WOT. You can find them used online for <$100.

If you need/want help finding one, PM me.
 
For quiet, it's hard to beat OEM, as already noted. (having no experience with the Walkers above).
 
I yanked a magnaflow and put in a big GM 2 into 1 muffler from I think a 6.0... can't even tell it's running at idle. Super stealth mode. People get surprised when a quiet old toyota suv just rips by them:)

Only problem is that it hangs low even with a body lift, a lower profile one would be much better. But for$10 can't complain.

I do miss the vroom vroom every now and then...don't miss the done ;) I also think I got a little better mileage with the magnaflow... maybe placebo.
 
Yeah I am sure sourcing a stock one would be the quietest, but I really doubt it would fit in with how my exhaust is set up and would entail reworking the whole set up which equals big $. Seems like the walker quiet flow is the best option as it would be as easy as cutting out the magnaflow and welding in the walker. Thanks for the insight guys.
 
So, haven't heard of the Walker Quiet flow before...is this something that could be put behind a 3FE?

I have a custom reworked exhaust (like many here) on an fj62/3FE with a Magnaflow. Never have liked the Magnaflow, its too noisy and drones and vibrates the truck.

need a resonator... stock ones had one.... also you may have exhaust contacting the frame if it vibrates.....
 
I'm using something like the walker SS quite flow.... basically a stock type configuration muffler from a GM pickup or SUV.
I did have a dual in dual out magnaflow....got tired of the noise.

I now run the above noted..single muffler, runs /works nice. and its quite. Go look on the rock auto web site, pick Chevrolet and then look at the pickups with a 6.0 engine or go look at something like a 99 GM pickup / Suv with 5.7 and see the muffler listed. TO be clear...my muffler is like the one pictured on the rock auto web site for a 99 gm pickup/suv with 5.7, single in, dual out.

I run a 5.7 vortec. My engine is more responsive with the stock type muffler (stock like on a GM truck), which I believe is related to the back-pressure and the 02 sensors working better. I don't get in poping out the exhaust since I swapped mufflers. The GM stock type muffler is the best choice in my view.

I know the stock OEM muffler on a 6.0 truck is large...very large. But thats what you are going to have to get down to be quite. My LC has a 5.7, there might be some differences to understand on the exhaust between 5.7 and 6.0. I certainly like the stock type muffler on my 5.7 setup, it was a great improvement and the truck runs better.
 
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I don't have any pics of the muffler but I'll see about taking one or two and post to this thread. I do have a 2 inch body lift which give me a little more room. Basically I have rams horn manifolds...driver side exhaust runs straight back into one side of "y" pipe, passenger side runs back from manifold to rear of transfer case and then goes up and over rear area of transfer case/driveshaft into other side of "y" pipe...Y pipe mates to front of muffler. Muffler is generally in the same stock location as Toyota OEM. Muffle is a singe in, dual out. Then dual pipes come out the muffler and one exits up high just below the frame on the left and one on the right to keep the pipes from being crushed in the rocks. Again so no confusion...my truck has a 5.7 vortec and shares the similar layout on the engine as the 5.7 family of engines.
 
not the best pics... some of my exhaust has been modified here and there...but on my truck the muffler does not hang down below the frame rail, but again I have a 2 inch body lift. I need to fab up a little protection for the tail pipes but for now everything seems to be good..of course things get bent and beat up off road. And we had to rig a little on the crossover behind the rear of the transfer case the last time 001.webp 002.webp 003.webp
 
I ordered 2 walker quiet flow stainless mufflers, will most likely get them installed on wednesday and i'll post up with my results. Stockers sound like they would be ideal but I know they wouldn't work without redoing the whole set up, so I am hoping for the best. If it is still too loud I'll add resonators or cats. I already did some cruiser crap sound deadening and mcmaster-carr sound deadening foam on the inside. The foam made the biggest improvement so far.
 
walker queit flow ss.webp
Just wanted to update this thread with my results incase anyone else is in a similar situation. I made a before and after video I was going to post but they sound almost identical, I think because it's in the garage and the sound is reverberating all over the place, however it is way quieter with less drone and it no longer screams under hard acceleration, just growls...:grinpimp: So overall I would say I am very pleased with the results. The walker quiet flow stainless mufflers were $68 each, and the exhaust shop charged $126 to install them and replace 1 hanger. I also have 2 barely used Magnaflows to sell cheap if anyone is interested, they are about 1 year old and in great shape as they are also stainless.
 
I'm using something like the walker SS quite flow.... basically a stock type configuration muffler from a GM pickup or SUV.
I did have a dual in dual out magnaflow....got tired of the noise.

I now run the above noted..single muffler, runs /works nice. and its quite. Go look on the rock auto web site, pick Chevrolet and then look at the pickups with a 6.0 engine or go look at something like a 99 GM pickup / Suv with 5.7 and see the muffler listed. TO be clear...my muffler is like the one pictured on the rock auto web site for a 99 gm pickup/suv with 5.7, single in, dual out.

I run a 5.7 vortec. My engine is more responsive with the stock type muffler (stock like on a GM truck), which I believe is related to the back-pressure and the 02 sensors working better. I don't get in poping out the exhaust since I swapped mufflers. The GM stock type muffler is the best choice in my view.

I know the stock OEM muffler on a 6.0 truck is large...very large. But thats what you are going to have to get down to be quite. My LC has a 5.7, there might be some differences to understand on the exhaust between 5.7 and 6.0. I certainly like the stock type muffler on my 5.7 setup, it was a great improvement and the truck runs better.


Is the Walker 21400 the muffler you got? That is what is listed on rock web (at least what I found). I read it is 2 inlets and 1 outlet. Did you reverse it or am I missing the right muffler?

I guess I am asking what Walker model did you use?

I read the part # in the pic: 17195, the SoundFX Universal

dougbert
 
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I ordered 2 walker quiet flow stainless mufflers, will most likely get them installed on wednesday and i'll post up with my results. Stockers sound like they would be ideal but I know they wouldn't work without redoing the whole set up, so I am hoping for the best. If it is still too loud I'll add resonators or cats. I already did some cruiser crap sound deadening and mcmaster-carr sound deadening foam on the inside. The foam made the biggest improvement so far.

which walker model number?
 
Is the Walker 21400 the muffler you got? That is what is listed on rock web (at least what I found). I read it is 2 inlets and 1 outlet. Did you reverse it or am I missing the right muffler?

I guess I am asking what Walker model did you use?

I read the part # in the pic: 17195, the SoundFX Universal

dougbert


I have a manga-flow y pipe that the two pipes from the engine feed into and then the y pipe single pipe mates to the muffler on the 3inch intake side, then there are two 2.5 exhaust sections that mate to the rear of the muffler and exit as described. I don't have the box or anything from the muffler shop. I'll look to see if I can find anything stamped on it. In my discussions with the local muffler guy..he recommended a GM OEM type replacement muffler that fits the source vehicle, in my case 99 Yukon. Basically the engine and exhaust are interchangeable between the GM pickups and SUVs with 5.7 in that year range..96-99. Visually it looks identical to what I found when I looked up 99 GM pickup on rock auto (muffler). If I find some specific markings on the muffler I will let you know. For me its made a nice improvement both in sound and in engine tuning. The engine turning thought comes from the fact my truck is fuel injected and only runs the front 2 o2 sensors. Truck did pop and have minor backfire out the exhaust in certain situations...all of that is gone now and it runs fine across the spectrum and it does so quietly. I'm running one single muffler connected in the "normal" orientation.

Details here... http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-17195/


Not sure how long it will last

its a little hard to see but look closely at pic #1 above and at the far right you can see a portion of the magnaflow y pipe and see it welded to the front of the muffler.


Looks Like I have a Walker 17195 muffler.... engine side is connected to the single pipe, exhaust side it connected to the dual pipes. Not sure how long this muffler will last...but I think you would be good with any OEM type muffler for a GM pickup with 5.7. My muffler looks likes its the universal fit type thing and it appears that there are other similar mufflers in size and configuration that might be of better quality. I had to get mine fixed with what he had in stock that day. When my exhausts takes a hit or whatever...I'll replace the entire thing and look for a similar muffler but probably one out of SS steel or fully welded. So while i like what I have...I think there are better quality made items from Walker and others of similar configuration.
 
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