Ha that's what I'm thinking of just doing it right and not settling for what is cheap right now .... I'm leaning most towards the magnaflow 12288 18" si 3" do 2.5" and then figure out what to do about getting some black tips on there ... Powder coat, rattle can , ceramic coating ... Hmmm

Sucks not being able to actually know what it will REALLY sound like till it's said and done !

 

You really can't go wrong with ANY exhaust on a big American V8, and I mean that. Some just sound better than others, and Magnaflow is up there with the best for our trucks. You really can't go wrong with it IMO.

The black tips you may may to think about and/or you'll still end up trying 5 different things. It's very hard to keep them looking good! Consistent re-coating with hi-temp spray paint may be the most economical option because I want to say the heat chews through even powder coat after a while, but not 100% sure. Gloss black ceramic coating, if you can do that, would be awesome and should stand up to it.

 

you think a "line-x" type coating would work at all? probably not huh

 

Hmm it's a good thought. It isn't meant to handle that much heat though, so I don't know. Could be worth a try as a last resort at least, cause there's no getting it off once it's on there! There are "industrial coatings" available, which coat drilling equipment that would probably work, but I have NO idea how much that would be or where you'd even go for that.

 

My old truck had a rear cat delete ( equivalent to hi-flow cat volume ), 2.5" true duals and 12" bullet mufflers ran out the back, and it was fonking loud . I recommend just replacing the muffler with the bigger body case muffler.

Video of old exhaust for reference. Maybe my talking levels will help indicate the volume output.