Went to the dealer today and test drove an 03. Man is the thing quite. Has anyone had a 02 with a straight pipe and went to an 03 with a pipe.
If you pipe the 03 does it make it a little louder. I could barely hear the engine at a stoplight with the radio on. I'm still trying to decide if I want to trade my 02 or not and I do like the sound of it. Just wonder what an 03 with a straight pipe will sound like.

 

03 straight piped sounds like a mack truck to me. I love rolling down the windows and going through tunnels or under large overpasses especially when uphill and towing- she barks. I like the sound because it does not have the rattle of the diesel but the exhaust tone is fantastic. 72 mph empty gives a harmonic tone in my truck.

Make sure you replace the muffler with a 4" pipe not a 3 1/2" and weld up the front to fit up with the 3 1/2". Also gets better mpg.

 

I love the sound of my 03 with only a straight 4" pipe. When pulling my 10,000 lbs camper up a hill I think it may be a little too loud, but I can live with that.

People definitely notice the sound. It really does sound like a semi. I've had many very positive comments, a thumbs up from a truck driver, and an old lady rolled her eyes at me.

Removing the stock muffler and replacing it with either a straight pipe or high-flow system is the first mod I'd recommend to anyone. Straight pipes are MUCH cheaper.

 

any way you guys who put the 4" straight replacement can but a sound file on here so i can hear it.....

i know i dont want the 5" exhaust now because i heard it is quieter than the 4" and the turbo boost doesnt go up as fast....GOOD TOPIC!

 

[quote author=03ho link=board=20;threadid=19150;start=0#msg179977 date=1062595536]
Make sure you replace the muffler with a 4" pipe not a 3 1/2" and weld up the front to fit up with the 3 1/2". Also gets better mpg.
[/quote]

It looks like mine is 3-1/2 in and 3-1/2 out of the muffler... Where are you going to 4"?

 

The 03 is 3.5" before the muffler and 4" after the muffler.

 

Did you all have it done at an exhaust shop or do it your self? If at a shop, what was the general costs?

 

why couldnt they use a 4" stock :'(

 

They did......halfway. :

 

Mine cost me 70 bucks in Texas in a little shop near where I live. They cut off the muffler, took one of the hangers off, welded the hanger on the 4" pipe, fit it, welded the pipe front to the exhaust, then welded the tailpipe on. Then they cut off the tailpipe and put about a foot of extension on it so it stops staining the side of my truck with smoke- mine is a dually but has the same tailpipe as the SRW. I still have the muffler in good shape, so if I ever have to.....

 

[quote author=bhaner link=board=20;threadid=19150;start=0#msg180541 date=1062699625]It looks like mine is 3-1/2 in and 3-1/2 out of the muffler... Where are you going to 4"?
[/quote]bhaner, my muffler also has 3.5" inlet and outlet. My tail pipe starts out at 3.5" at the muffler and flares quickly to the 4" the rest of the way back. I'm guessing that they're cutting into the front portion of the 4" tailpipe. I would think either way works.

 

[quote author=bulabula link=board=20;threadid=19150;start=0#msg181294 date=1062849459]
[quote author=bhaner link=board=20;threadid=19150;start=0#msg180541 date=1062699625]It looks like mine is 3-1/2 in and 3-1/2 out of the muffler... Where are you going to 4"?
[/quote]bhaner, my muffler also has 3.5" inlet and outlet. My tail pipe starts out at 3.5" at the muffler and flares quickly to the 4" the rest of the way back. I'm guessing that they're cutting into the front portion of the 4" tailpipe. I would think either way works.
[/quote]


I looked under it the other day... I thought that's what I saw... My plan was to get a chunk of 3 1/2 pipe and just remove the muffler and replace it with the pipe.

 

Hey Bhaner,
Several people in the past on this forum have said there trucks sounded like a ricer when they used the 3 1/2" pipe in place of the muffler, but there supposed to sound good with a 4" piece.

 

So I should go with 4" as close to the turbo as I can? Or just at the end of the muffler?

 

Muffler shop did mine. $40 for labor and pipe they welded in place.