country_09

Well loud, if that's what you're lookin for, you can do true duals into 8" bullets/glasspacks. The shorter they are the louder it'll be. The stock cats are basically high flows cats. They don't restrict a whole lot unless they're plugged. Headers will make them a whole lot louder if you can do that but 2 8" bullets/glasspacks into some 4" tips out back will be pretty loud.

GilbertF

There are six main components to an exhaust system. You've got your exhaust heads (where exhaust is channeled out of your cylinders and away from your engine block), your catalytic converters (they reduce pollution by igniting any leftover gas in your cars exhaust), your O2 sensors (makes sure your engine has the proper fuel to air mixture), your muffler (reduces engine sound and smell), your tubing (carries the exhaust between each of the other parts), and the tip (strictly cosmetic).

So the cheapest way would be to grab the ole sawz all or cutting torch and chop the whole thing off right in front of your catalytic converter(s). Unfortunately it sounds God awful and its illegal in most states because of pollution, so lets throw that out.

You could go with a true dual setup, meaning two pipes are run from the heads to the back. Thats what I run on my Chevy, but I have no muffler and she is one loud *****

You could also go with a Y piped setup, meaning your pipes join in a y shape after the manifold, but split right before the tip, so that only one muffler and/or catalytic converter is needed. Its not quite as loud but it makes for a but smoother sound, where as a true dual will be a tad louder and more aggressive sounding.

And finally there's the single pipe. Pretty self explanatory, pipes join after the heads (manifold) and follow one pipe, muffler, and catalytic converter to the tip.

The best way to increase mileage, sound, power, and torque is to install after market exhaust heads. New heads will allow for better flow in the exhaust, which allows the engine to breathe better and run more efficiently. For this to be most effective, changes in the system need to be done where the exhaust is still hot, I.e. right after it leaves the cylinder. That being said, just a tip will cause a very mild change in tone, one that might not be obvious unless compared side by side with a stock.

After market catalytic converter's are probably a good idea anyway, they tend to see more carbon buildup than other components of your vehicle.

THE BEST WAY TO CHANGE THE SOUND OF YOUR CAR is with a completely new system. However, by replacing the whole system you are likely to spend over a $1,000 in parts and labor, depending on discounts at local shops and brands you choose, and its unlikely you wouldn't be interested in that unless you were doing some serious **** in that Volvo. That being said, the best bang for your buck is definitely a new muffler. Easy to find, relatively cheap to buy and install. Some notable brands are Magnaflow and Flowmaster. Hope this helps!

therewolf

So the upside of the headers is they will sponge a lot of heat off your

engine. After your initial cost for your exhaust system, you'll be seeing

somewhat poorer gas mileage,(offhand, I'd estimate @ a 3-5 MPG drop)

and you'll also have to support the rest

of your vehicle expenses, as well as anything else in your budget.

With any luck, you have that kind of money, or you're working a

great job, while finishing High School.

BTW, if you start getting tickets behind this, I hope you're an

Oil Sheik, because that's the only way you'll be able to afford

insurance, in your age/risk bracket. IANAL, and at no time did

I mean to infer that doing this to your truck was an advisable

decision, favorable for the drive-train, or your wallet..

mr.dudeman199

How in the world would I lose 3-5 mpg?

therewolf

Where do you think the "loud" and "cackle" come from?

You are increasing the size, and overall flow of the exhaust.

The OEM exhaust is specifically designed, in size and flow, to

help assist maximum efficiency to help the drive-train produce

maximum possible overall performance, in order to conform to overall

CAFE standards.

Make it louder you may, tweak more power you can, but it's going to

cost you fuel economy.

catalyticconverter

I agree with gray gables.

mr.dudeman199

I agreed with him too. I now have no cats with a 12 inch glasspack. Its not as loud as it could be, but its loud.

Pugly

Just curious as how an exhaust system that "cackles" damages the valve train??

GMtruckGuy

Maybe typical in this sense: "I want it fast and loud".

Have a great weekend.

therewolf

I know you want that extra noise, and next to your needs,

engineering is nothing, but you are lowering your system's

back-pressure. This causes higher rpms, but, more importantly,

as the designed flow goes out the window, the system gets slightly

out of time and sync, especially at higher and lower RPM. The

stress upon the valve-train starts to change at the exhaust valves,

and uneven wear on the camshaft ensues. Some lobes wear normally,

while others wear rapidly. Assuming the stock lifters and pushrods can

handle the stress, and don't accellerate the cam wear, or collapse

entirely. Eventually you start getting the tell-tale backfire, which is

your cam and valves putting you on notice.


But a truck which makes a racket is nice, as long as you're ready to

upgrade your failing engine parts, as they go.