Muffler roll call!

[Wayne M.]

Ok so it's time again to shop exhaust systems. I've gotten excellent life out of the Dyno max cat back, but I can hear it, and bet it's blown a seam. I could see myself getting that system again, but I'd like to research the "Donaldson" truck muffler approach. I'm fine with 4" and would use this Dyno max tailpipe again (new) so let's hear what we've been using as systems and (part #'s and lengths) mufflers. I want to leave the kitty/ front pipe. I do like some tone, but need to avoid the 2k drone.
TIA!

 

[lpennock]

Put FTE resonator right at cat outlet. Muffler or straight pipe works without drone then.

 

[jgillott]

Wayne, over 500K combined on my 3rd gens at this point. Both are wearing MBRP/Silverline 304 stainless systems installed cat back. Both look great and perform they way they did when I installed them. I swear that the only thing on the 04.5 without rust is the exhaust. I'd buy those systems again in a heartbeat.

 

[Wayne M.]

Wayne, over 500K combined on my 3rd gens at this point. Both are wearing MBRP/Silverline 304 stainless systems installed cat back. Both look great and perform they way they did when I installed them. I swear that the only thing on the 04.5 without rust is the exhaust. I'd buy those systems again in a heartbeat.

Ok but how does it sound?

 

[jgillott]

Ok but how does it sound?

Zero drone. Nice and mellow with a little bark when you really stand on it. I just completed a 1000 mile trip with the travel trailer and my '07 and no complaints from anyone about the noise.

 

[DaveHess]

X2 on jgillott. I put this system on my 2003 back in 2004 and have never looked back. The muffler with this system gives a direction choice. With the internal "fins" of the muffler facing forward it is quieter than if installed with the fins facing toward the back of the truck. I installed with the fins facing the back of the truck. Mine is also a turbo back with no kitty (none from the factory). I get no drone in the cab whatsoever and as jgillott says, she gets a bark and growl when you get after it or she's working hard. Even then it is not obnoxious in the cab. Just the sweet sound of a workin' Cummins. I also purchased my system with the 5" double walled exhaust tip which still looks fabulous. Being mine is a 2003, she still will dirty up the inside of the tip so I stopped polishing that years ago. I just polish the outside of the exhaust tip now. Even windex gives it a great shine when I am on the road and just want a quick dust up. But I digress... I installed my system myself with the truck up on jack stands. I had to cut portions of the old system out but the new system was a walk in the park to install. I'd do MBRP again in a New York second.

 

[jjdiesel]

X2 on jgillott. I put this system on my 2003 back in 2004 and have never looked back. The muffler with this system gives a direction choice. With the internal "fins" of the muffler facing forward it is quieter than if installed with the fins facing toward the back of the truck. I installed with the fins facing the back of the truck. Mine is also a turbo back with no kitty (none from the factory). I get no drone in the cab whatsoever and as jgillott says, she gets a bark and growl when you get after it or she's working hard. Even then it is not obnoxious in the cab. Just the sweet sound of a workin' Cummins. I also purchased my system with the 5" double walled exhaust tip which still looks fabulous. Being mine is a 2003, she still will dirty up the inside of the tip so I stopped polishing that years ago. I just polish the outside of the exhaust tip now. Even windex gives it a great shine when I am on the road and just want a quick dust up. But I digress... I installed my system myself with the truck up on jack stands. I had to cut portions of the old system out but the new system was a walk in the park to install. I'd do MBRP again in a New York second.

Dave, If the fins faced forward...do you think it would sound stock?...or close to it?
TIA

 

[DaveHess]

jjdiesel, I cannot give you an honest first hand answer on that. I do remember reading in the instructions about the fin orientation in relation to the volume of the exhaust. I went for the louder, fins facing the rear of the pickup. It's a straight thru muffler design and I could slide that thing down my arm. 4" in/out. The fins are all over the inside diameter of the muffler. My system has been on for 13 years and I've never regretted my decision. Not sure how the fins facing forward changes the noise "volume" as this is a big straight through type muffler. But I promise you from experience, there is no drone in the cab and at idle standing at the exhaust tip, mine is almost indiscernible from stock. I can say this because I do remember after installing it and standing back there, telling my wife I was a little disappointed that it wasn't much different from stock. She doesn't sound "growly" until I get her under load and working and there still is no drone in the cab. I do hear it, but it is not obnoxious in the cab. I did run it by the local Police Department as we do have a noise ordinance here and at 2000 RPM it was well below the legal threshold. Of course I don't think they understand a Cummins at 2000 RPM and no load sounds different than a Cummins at 2000 RPM under a hard load. Wish I could remember the decibels. It was measured from about 20 feet away from the exhaust tip. I hope this helps. If it helps, I'm an "older" guy and the exhaust on mine sounds as good as it did to me back in 2004.

 

[Wayne M.]

Is this the kit? Want to make sure I get the right muffler. The fins back might be what the dr ordered.

https://m.summitracing.com/parts/mbr-s6108409

 

[jgillott]

Is this the kit? Want to make sure I get the right muffler. The fins back might be what the dr ordered.

https://m.summitracing.com/parts/mbr-s6108409

That's the system but the one you linked is 409. Is that what you intend or do you want the 304? If you are on the fence, buy the 304. You will not regret it.

On Edit: I'm not seeing their 304 products listed, even on their site. I wonder if they discontinued them?

 

[DaveHess]

Does Geno's still carry these systems? I'm pretty sure I bought mine from Geno's.

 

[jjdiesel]

jjdiesel, I cannot give you an honest first hand answer on that. I do remember reading in the instructions about the fin orientation in relation to the volume of the exhaust. I went for the louder, fins facing the rear of the pickup. It's a straight thru muffler design and I could slide that thing down my arm. 4" in/out. The fins are all over the inside diameter of the muffler. My system has been on for 13 years and I've never regretted my decision. Not sure how the fins facing forward changes the noise "volume" as this is a big straight through type muffler. But I promise you from experience, there is no drone in the cab and at idle standing at the exhaust tip, mine is almost indiscernible from stock. I can say this because I do remember after installing it and standing back there, telling my wife I was a little disappointed that it wasn't much different from stock. She doesn't sound "growly" until I get her under load and working and there still is no drone in the cab. I do hear it, but it is not obnoxious in the cab. I did run it by the local Police Department as we do have a noise ordinance here and at 2000 RPM it was well below the legal threshold. Of course I don't think they understand a Cummins at 2000 RPM and no load sounds different than a Cummins at 2000 RPM under a hard load. Wish I could remember the decibels. It was measured from about 20 feet away from the exhaust tip. I hope this helps. If it helps, I'm an "older" guy and the exhaust on mine sounds as good as it did to me back in 2004.

Thank you Dave...good info.

 

[DaveHess]

You're welcome jjdiesel!

 

[promisedland]

When I lost my oem muff, I had to deal with drone. The FTE 30"resonator is the bomb!
A bit loud by itself but every throttle input is heard, kind of like a straight pipe with manners ... Turbo sings loud & clear
For drone the FTE works best in the CAT location though, as i move it back, a lil bit of drone shows up.
Nice if you like volume.

I don't so I added a flopro muff with a perforated inner pipe.

Very well mannered.

Im stuck in traffic so pardon my rambling...

The CAT with the FTE was also very well mannered, less turbo sound but throaty.
I believe the straight through muffs allow the most turbo sound to come through.

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes. Thanks guys!

 

[Wayne M.]

That's the system but the one you linked is 409. Is that what you intend or do you want the 304? If you are on the fence, buy the 304. You will not regret it.

On Edit: I'm not seeing their 304 products listed, even on their site. I wonder if they discontinued them?

They are named in series. They do have a 304 deal but it's way out of my league. I'm lucky to step up from aluminized so 409 would be it. I'm just concerned about getting the right muffler but seems they only sell one with the kits.
I would love to buy from Genos- I get almost everything consumable there, but summit wins by free shipping.

On edit--

To be fair I went back and double checked, and Genos also has free shipping as well as price match with Summit. The XP (409) is $444, and the PRO (309) is $599 which Genos don't show but Summit does. I guess Genos does not deem it necessary to carry the 304 system?
I guess I have to pull the trigger on this. They're having a sale on filters too.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

The muffler with this system gives a direction choice. With the internal "fins" of the muffler facing forward it is quieter than if installed with the fins facing toward the back of the truck. I installed with the fins facing the back of the truck.

From what I can tell that's on their 5" system where the hangers are part of the clamp at the back of the muffler. It looks like the 4" system uses a muffler with the hangers welded to it so only one way for it to go in.

In any case, it looks like an MBRP stainless system will be in my not-too-distant future as my current aluminized system is starting to show signs of giving up the ghost.

 

[Wayne M.]

Well I pulled the trigger with Genos today. I got the 4" MBRP as was overwhelming supported here. Just wanted to thank for all the encouragement. Maybe I'll snap some shots on the install. I also sprung for the old style Cummins logo shift knob in red.

 

[bigken1971]

my truck already had a banks monster muffler and tip installed and sounds good no drone and pretty quiet untill you get on it,even then still not loud like all the young crowd like.

 

[Wayne M.]

I've received shipment yesterday. Just to clarify, the muffler can only be installed one way. The hangars are welded on, and the perforations do face against flow, meaning open to rear. I will install this weekend.