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mkirsch's avatar
mkirsch
Nomad II
Jul 23, 2018

Cat-back exhaust system for Chevy 8.1L

I was wondering why my old farm truck was sounding more and more like a farm truck all the time...

Over the weekend I discovered my 2002 Chevy 3500 8.1L has developed a leak in somewhere in the muffler! Seems like sixteen years is all you can get out of them...

Got any recommendations for a cat-back exhaust system for the 8.1L?
  • Ozlander wrote:
    mkirsch wrote:
    The Flowmaster kit is for Extended and Crew cab trucks. It will not fit my regular cab truck. Flowmaster says so.

    Are you saying Flowmaster does not have a kit that fits your truck?


    Sounds that way, and he is saying that FLowmaster is saying they said so.
  • Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. They only list two kits, both of them are for extended or crew cab trucks, one stainless, one not. Neither of them will fit my truck.
  • I ordered the 3 chamber Flowmaster for my old '90 2500 chevy..... std cab ....long bed. I had a muffler shop add the pipe.

    Give Flowmaster or one of their dealers a 1-800. They should have all the answers.
  • Take it to a small custom exhaust shop and have them build what you want. I did this with my 96 big block crew cab. Full 3 inch duals from the cats back. Under 500.00 with labor, mufflers, and pipes.
  • I did via online chat at their website. I was told almost immediately that there was nothing for my truck and nothing they could do to help me.

    This "TIME Auto" place says they have an OEM (style?) muffler, but they're so disorganized I'm not sure that they're legit. They list about 8 different mufflers all at different prices for the same truck.
  • hussbuss wrote:
    Take it to a small custom exhaust shop and have them build what you want. I did this with my 96 big block crew cab. Full 3 inch duals from the cats back. Under 500.00 with labor, mufflers, and pipes.


    Hopefully not too off topic, since the OP is considering muffler/catback choice.

    What kind of drone are you all getting under load(towing) with these aftermarket mufflers?

    I have a 2 into 1 catback sitting in the shed for my truck, but I have been leery of installing it because I don't want it to be obnoxious when towing.

    I have a the factory GM trashcan sized muffler on it now.
  • mkirsch wrote:
    Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. They only list two kits, both of them are for extended or crew cab trucks, one stainless, one not. Neither of them will fit my truck.
    Do you have access to a sawsall? It can't be that tough! Good luck
  • Give these GUYS a call.

    They have a couple of counter guys who can go through their catolog and inventory and usually put together a package of off the shelf pieces that will bolt right on to about anything with little modification. I have dealt with them for years in person. Theyre wholesale but have a walk in retail parts counter and may be able to ship to your location or to one of their customers in the Buffalo area.