Anyone have a Gibson catback?

[EricH]

I see the Gibson catbacks are about half the price of the Magnaflow's.
Is there a discernible reason?

I am looking for a slight V8 rumble, but nothing that is going to be loud or even cause droning in the cabin.

Thanks!

 

[EricH]

Well, I guess I will be the first to try this out. I got the stainless steel side-swept version off Amazon for $438.
I heard from guys in another forum that Gibson makes good truck catbacks and should give a nice deep, mellow sound without being too annoying. We shall see!

 

[GAINMOB]

most have flowmaster...few have other brands...i think there are ppl with it but they havent been active on the site

 

[EricH]

I had a Flowmaster on a Tahoe we used to have. It droned badly!
I also had a Magnaflow on my G8 which did the same.

The Magnaflow on my Avalanche wasn't bad. And my G8 now has a Corsa which is pure V8 music!

So, I can't wait to hear the Gibson. I am just hoping it is not too loud.

 

[2k3Expy]

The Magnaflow doesn't really drone that much.

 

[hwy73]

I have the Gibson single in - dual out cat-back system on my 99 XLT 4.6. Fit perfect, has a nice sound to it. Slightly deeper than stock. Tailpipes exit behind rear tires (each side). Came with chrome tips which I didn't care for so I put some old-school turndowns on it. I am pleased with the system, added 2 mpg on the highway.

 

[EricH]

I have the Gibson single in - dual out cat-back system on my 99 XLT 4.6. Fit perfect, has a nice sound to it. Slightly deeper than stock. Tailpipes exit behind rear tires (each side). Came with chrome tips which I didn't care for so I put some old-school turndowns on it. I am pleased with the system, added 2 mpg on the highway.

That sounds great.
Thanks!

 

[rayt]

i actually bought the gibson for my 2011 back in december, never got around to installing it, let me know how it goes, i paid 385 or something from some unknown online retailer, it was drop shipped from gibson. if you report back that it is good, i might get off my lazy ass and get it installed hah.

 

[Bojo]

Post a sound clip when you are finished.

 

[thegeneral]

When it comes to changing exhaust sytems, I think that most would be let down, unless you go the whole route.

Flowmaster is the way to go.

I was having this same debate when I was putting an exhaust on my Yukon. The guy (who had been doing it for 40 yrs) said that anytime someone would be looking for a magnaflow, most times would come back looking for more sound.

If you want a "slight" difference from stock, and no drone. I suggest you drill a hole in the oem muffler system.

A slight difference can never justify the cost.

Either you step up to the plate, and get a nice exhaust, or drill some holes. There's really no in-between. No small difference with no drone. You'll always have drone if you're at the exhaust shop wanting a change.

Either you want deep growl, or you want a small difference.

Drill some holes and save some cash! Or go all out and do it right.

 

[EricH]

I mostly want a small difference.
I want to hear more exhaust upon acceleration but none during cruising.
The magnaflow sounded nice on my Avalanche but too much drone on my G8.
We put a Flowmaster 40 on our Tahoe back in '03 and it was horrible.
People in the back had to raise their voices considerably just to hold a conversation with people in the front when cruising highway speeds.

Personally I would rather hear the sound of the exhaust over that of the engine when idling and accelerating.

 

[tbird610]

I have the Gibson on my 05. I love it . Not to loud until you get on it.
Hope thats helps a little bit.

 

[EricH]

Installed it Friday. I must say it is a sweet sounding exhaust!
Def not the loud rumble as my Magnaflow or Flowmaster exhausts. If you want sound, they are better for that.
The Gibson gives a nice rumble upon start and acceleration. I also added an Airaid CAI at the same time and can definitely hear a difference with it. The CAI changed the way the OE exhaust sounded. And you can hear it in the Gibson exhaust even more.

The only droning I noticed whatsoever is around 65-70 mph if going either uphill or into the wind. But it was not to the point in which I needed to turn up the radio or to where I could not hold a conversation with the people in the third row. You just merely hear an exhaust tone. The rest of the time it is pretty muted while cruising.
It is 100% what I was looking for- aggressive when dropping the throttle. Yet mild when cruising.
Very nice!

 

[aric1979]

Do you think it gave you any more power??

 

[EricH]

It's hard to tell exactly. I do notice it downshifts and accelerates more smoothly/quickly.
I guess the site claims something like 15hp.
Honestly, it has to add something. It just felt like before I was always driving into a bit of a headwind when trying to accelerate. That is gone now. It is still FAR from a speed demon though.

But it's kinda like what I call the 'Harley Effect'. It sure sounds like I'm going faster!