I have been researching exhaust systems now for a while and I need to know what you think. I am thinking of putting the Gibson swept side cat back system on my truck. It's a single exit behind the RR tire. I don't necessarily need horsepower gains, just torque. I am just looking for some more pulling power. From my understanding, keeping with a single exit rather than duals will do this. Any opinions or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

The absolute best...

A straight threw muffler of your choice ran SI/DO or SI/SO with a 2.5" mid pipe. Do not get a cat back that has a 3" mid pipe.

 

My guess would be that you need to stick with stock for bottom end torque. You won't gain much at all in the low end rpm. The gains you get with a free flowing muffler are mostly in the higher rpm ranges. The sound is nice though.

 

What I would run in your situation:

Replace the factory 'Y' with a Magnaflow 10768 'Y' and replace the pipe from the left catalytic converter to the 'Y'. Then run a Magnaflow 11216 muffler (2 1/2" SI/SO), and a 2 1/2" tailpipe exiting in the stock location. This will give you better low end torque as well as a better breathing engine without making it much louder.

 

^ that too

 

You really want to focus on the Y-pipe if towing is your main focus.

 

Found the Maggie Y-pipe and muffler. Is the pipe from the left cat to the Y 2 1/2 inch? What size is the factory tailpipe? Should I just have the exhaust shop fabricate the tailpipe?

 

Let the exhaust shop do all the fabrication. They should be able to do this simple project quickly.

The 'crossover' pipe from the left side is 2 1/2" piping, as is the stock exhaust piping from the catalytic converters back. I would definitely let the shop replace the current exhaust pipes as mentioned in my previous post with mandrel bent piping to reduce any flow restrictions.

And if you take a look at the stock 'Y', you will see why I recommend replacing it with the Magnaflow 'Y' mentioned in my previous post. It is a rather poor 'Y' connection, and reduces the left side down to about 2" before connecting to the right side pipe.

 

Cool. Thank you for all the suggestins. I went ahead and ordered the Maggie Y-pipe and muffler. Will be here next Wed or Thurs. Hopefully get them installed Fri. Can I use the stock tailpipe? Is it 2 1/2 inch or should I have them fabricate that as well? I want to put a nice tip on it too, not the garbage ones you buy from Pep Boys!

 

^ That should be just fine, but definitely add a good tip on it.

 

i couldn't be any happier towing than with the setup iv'e been running for over 240k miles, i tow ~5500 lbs ever weekend form march till nov, 2.25" mandrell bent dual exhaust with x pipe in ss

 

I too have been pondering this same question. Would the magnaflow version suit the 3v 5.4 as well or is there a better solution for it?

 

^ Pretty well any straight threw muffler works great. Dynomax bullets, Magnaflow, borla...

 

Precisely

 

Maggie Y-pipe and 11216 muffler came in today-having it installed tomorrow. can't wait. Not that I am overly concerned but the muffler being a straight thru design, how loud will it be?