# Truck muffler advice

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-muffler-advice/35463>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** gmc, 1500\
**Created:** [August 23, 2009, 2:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-muffler-advice/35463 "2009-08-23T14:00:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![grampy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a9adbd/32.png) [@grampy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grampy)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 2:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-muffler-advice/35463/1 "2009-08-23T14:00:45Z")

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I have a stock muffler on my 2004 GMC Sierra pk up 4.8 V8, single exhaust truck,and would like to replace with one that has a  
  
 slightly louder, mellow sound.  
  
 Not something that will wake up neighbors,or have the cops pulling me over.

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**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-muffler-advice/35463/2 "2009-08-23T16:18:57Z")

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It isn’t the muffler that makes the sound, it’s the engine. Unless you are planning to remove the catalytic converter, you might not notice any difference in the sound. I bought a 1976 V-6 Skyhawk with no muffler and I didn’t even know it. I was never one to be too careful.

Put anything you want on it and it will make almost no difference in sound…

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**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-muffler-advice/35463/3 "2009-08-23T18:55:45Z")

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Completely disagree. A low restriction muffler like Flowmaster 40 or Super 44 will make a very noticable difference. Futhermore, I didn’t have any mufflers on my Bronco, just a y pipe coming out of the converter with 2.5 inch pipes culminating in 4 inch tips and it was loud enough to set off car alarms when I would rumble by.

I humbly submit the following. Note : these are all cat-back exhaust systems, the stock converter is left in place, the muffler and pipes aft of the converter are replaced.

Straight pipes after the cat

Flowmaster super 40’s

Magnaflow

Dynomax Bullets

Cherrybomb glasspack

As you can clearly hear, there is _significant_ differences between what a stock truck sounds like and one with the muffler replaced.

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**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-muffler-advice/35463/4 "2009-08-23T19:26:09Z")

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I agree with FoDaddy on this one. The exhaust system has a profound effect on the sound a vehicle makes. Some customized trucks have a resonator on the exhaust system, which can have the desired effect the OP seeks. Besides, we are talking about a pick-up truck, not a midsized economy car like the Skyhawk/Cavalier.

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**Author:** ![grampy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a9adbd/32.png) [@grampy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grampy)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 11:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-muffler-advice/35463/5 "2009-08-23T23:54:08Z")

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Thanks FoDaddy,nice links, and Whitey.

I also disagree with pleasedodgevan2