Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Straight Pipe Vs. Muffler...Noise Vs. Turbo Whistle?

[Devil Black Diesel]

For all you guys with straight pipes...



I originally had RIP's 4" system installed with the muffler that comes with his kit. It was very loud with the muffler and the muffler didn't seem to quiet it down much. My neighbors complained and I ended up replacing RIP's muffler with a Dynomax muffler which made quite a difference at low RPM's but still sounded great at WOT.....



I just upgraded my exhaust system to a 5" Bully Dog and I installed the muffler that came with it. I have much more turbo whistle coming out the tailpipe than I did with the 4" and it actually sounds like a big rig now (neighbors are p'd off again)...



My question is, how much louder can it get if I remove the muffler that came with the system? These mufflers (same type that came with RIP's) don't seem to muffle much noise at all... ... I can't imagine it will be too much louder straight piped but correct me if I'm wrong..... I don't really want more noise at this point but I would like more turbo whistle... . will I get more whistle with the straight pipe and hopefully not much louder?

 

[DuallRam]

Its alittle louder and it sounds awsome

 

[Nate]

Tell you neighbors tough **** and deal with it Well unless your out there at 2AM reving your truck haha.

 

[Devil Black Diesel]

Unfortunately down here in Newport Beach our houses are separated by about 8 feet... . I get up really early in the morning and wake up the whole block when I fire up my truck... even at idle speed.



So the straight pipe is just a little louder than the muffler? If yes, I'll give it a try for awhile until they start shooting at me...

 

[Forrest Nearing]

just straight pipe it...



my neighbor's 24v used to wake me up in the mornings, and it was bone stock... it was a nice sound to wake up to

 

[MGosciewski]

Heck yeah, straight pipe is great. I take it easy pulling out of my house at 6:15AM and when I get home late. But, when I get down the road, I let it roar. By taking out the silencer ring, I have a pretty good whistle going, even at idle! Gotta love that big rig roar when I get to overdrive, and the sucking/whooshing sound when I pull off the accelerator quickly.

Seems like around here that the cops aren't out to get us! The awesome sound is a big reason I went diesel.

 

[Nate]

There were a few guys with CTDs that lived around my place in Anchorage and it would wake me up cause and I'd run to the front door to make sure mine was still there. Got to a point I could tell who's truck it was though.

 

[MGosciewski]

Another great thing about straight pipe is that it cost me $91. The MBRP and Silverline full systems I looked at ran from $500-900.



Wondered if I should have gone 5", but from what I've read the 4" sounds loudest and 5" is deeper.

 

[obert]

$6 from tuffy in "01. The exh. hangers flex enough a straight piece fits nicly in place of muff and res. or purifier. No special parts needed.



That was my own installation. Parts cost only.

 

[CHolman]

When I had my 5" stright pipe, everyone loved the way it sounded, but it was hard to talk to anyone driving down the road at 65 mph. I got my stacks, not only does it sound even better I can hear my buddy's...

 

[MGosciewski]

Yeah, I picked my mom up at the airport and she got to enjoy the noise going down

I-94 at 80 MPH. Stacks would be nice, but I'd lose the Lear cap. With no extended cab, I need that extra storage. Almost crashed into a Dodge with stacks the other day because I was so impressed with the sound and wanted to run the light to keep up with him. He slammed on the brakes at the same time I hit the gas on a yellow light.

 

[Devil Black Diesel]

Another great thing about straight pipe is that it cost me $91. The MBRP and Silverline full systems I looked at ran from $500-900.



Wondered if I should have gone 5", but from what I've read the 4" sounds loudest and 5" is deeper.

MGosciewki,



My 5" straight pipe is ridiculously LOUD... I'd say almost twice as loud as my 4" system was. Everyone that hears it says it's the loudest thing they've ever heard... I agree. Honestly, it's louder than I ever thought it could be and I need to quiet it down before I get a ticket. It sounds really good at WOT though... it scares people out here on the California freeways.

 

[MGosciewski]

MGosciewki,



My 5" straight pipe is ridiculously LOUD... I'd say almost twice as loud as my 4" system was. Everyone that hears it says it's the loudest thing they've ever heard... I agree. Honestly, it's louder than I ever thought it could be and I need to quiet it down before I get a ticket. It sounds really good at WOT though... it scares people out here on the California freeways.

Devil Black Diesel:

You have a CTD '01 from what it says. With my '94, won't a 5" system be too much? My diesel experts (former students of mine) felt 4" was plenty. Hey, I'm ALL about loud!! Right now with the exhaust dumping underneath it sounds pretty good. With the K&N and fuel plate shift tomorrow, I'll see where the sound goes. I'd like some smoke, too!! My buddy drove the truck around while I stood on a busy street corner and it is pretty sweet. Said car alarms went off when I left his neighborhood after I dropped him off. I can't believe that!! I need to get some sounds clips on here! :-laf

 

[WBraico]

Does any one know if the bullydog 5" is a glasspack or muffler, that doesn't have the scoops in it ,just the perforated holes like a glasspack ? I dont want to lose the deep tone or the turbo spooling sound,I just want to take the edge off.

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98. 5 Ram 3500 4x4 sport,Auto trans,3. 54's autometer,sport comp pyro,trans,boost,electric fuel press. w/snubber,warning light/chime. edge comp drag box,2nd VP-44 inj. pump,carter pusher pump,dual fltr. amsoil. Suncoast converter,valvebody,Built by Mike @ Inglewood Transmission,allum trans pan, Bilstien shocks,westin bars,push bar,custom 5" exhaust,BHAF, Silencer ring is where It's needed(at EX'S House).

 

[Forrest Nearing]

the louvered style is better than the glasspack if you want to hold onto the turbo sound out the pipe... I would just load up the interior with sound deadener

 

[Jrissler]

I have a 5" laying in the shop readyto go on my 01 as soon as I have time to get to it. . For now it is factory - the muffler. Can't wait!!!!!!! Let the big dog run!!!!!!!!!

 

[rivercat]

the louvered style is better than the glasspack if you want to hold onto the turbo sound out the pipe... I would just load up the interior with sound deadener

how do you turn it with the louvers turned in or out ? ? ?

 

[WBraico]

to the top

 

[bmoeller]

Wondered if I should have gone 5", but from what I've read the 4" sounds loudest and 5" is deeper.

Straight-piped 5" is still very loud. I thought it sounded like crap from the inside, and had a very bad drone @ ~2100-2200rpm range. Had to put a resonator on it, because even I didn't even like the sound of it. The reasonator didn't really quiet it any, but it did lower the tone, and got rid of the drone.



Dual straight-piped stacks are quieter, and sound better, IMO. Still plenty rowdy pulling a grade with a trailer. Oo.

 

[BillBrown]

how do you turn it with the louvers turned in or out ? ? ?

You can run it in either direction. With the holes to the front it is A little quieter but with the holes to the back there is less back presure.