i want to add a tuner and intake, i am pretty certain what to get but for exhaust im lost. I've read a couple times that factory exhaust is ok for flow if you remove muffler. my question is how much louder than straight pipe is a mbrp exhaust kit?

 

My advice to you is to go with one of the really, really large mufflers out there like the 51" Nelson/Donaldson.

I started out with a Magnaflow but the noise got old very quickly, especially when towing. I now have the 51" Donaldson and the noise reduciton is excellent. Even though it has that baffle in there, it doesn't seem to slow the flow at all. The EGTs when running loaded and unloaded aren't any hotter with the Donaldson than they were with the straight through Magnaflow.

 

straight pipe is beyond loud, i had a straght pipe on my truck and a short exhaust, i couldn't even stand to be in the truck for more than ten minutes. i then put on a generic through flow muffler that was 4 in' and it sounds great. there isn't any drone but when you mash the skinny pedal then the truck gets loud

 

yea i ran my truck straight and then the mbrp. around town the straight is awsome but on the highway...get some ear muffs. the mbrp duals are loud anyway. i think im gunna go back to straight when i put my stack on though

 

Since yours is an 03' you dont have a cat on it, so a straight exhaust would be pretty loud. I have the mbrp exhaust on mine and I love it but I have a cat also so its not anymore louder than stock really. I had a mbrp muffler on my 03' and I liked it but it is a lot louder than stock.