I own a 2000 Z71 with low miles and only modification to exhaust at this point has been inexpensive magnaflow muffler replacement. Not getting sound I want and do not want to spend 400-500 bucks on custom dual system. Two catalytic converters on this truck that come out separately into single pipe at this time. I want to cut off in front of muffler and run dual straight pipes out to back. Will this affect performance (torque/back pressure)? And will the sound be too obnoxiously loud even at around town speeds of 40mph or less..Any and all advice would be appreciated. More replies the better, or email me and let me know...Thanks in advance..:rofl:

My advise to you is:

From after the pipes join after the cats, continue to run the single pipe back until the you get to about where the cab and bed meet. T
hen install a Y-pipe and split into two pipes out to the rear. You will get a nice deep throaty sound. it is not terribly loud at idle after it warms up, but people will notice when you step on the gas.. and I do not mean floor it. even when you step on it in normal drive conditions you will be able to hear it. plus it will not give that in-cab vibe noise that most muffs get. This setup will cost about $200-300, more if you want chrome or Stainless Steel tips.

This is the setup I had until the pipes rusted off and fell off onto the highway at 70mph. Now i have a 4" pipe that comes out the passenger side before the tire.. not bad but a little loud in the cab for long distances.

If you run straight pipes with no cat, it will be really loud. I had a s10 with a 4.3 and had straight pipes and it sometimes got way to loud. If will be loud at idle, regular driving and when your on it, really really loud. Will sound good tho, I liked the sound of my truck.

unfortunetly that setup is illegal in most states.

No system will still have cats...but setup i was looking at was basically as first answer to my question with y pipe and then duals going straight out to the back...Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated...

you will like that.. your cats will still give you the back presure you need but it will be freer flowing. You will like it.

i know im a couple days late, but i did the split before the pipes joined and put on 2 thrush turbos with no tailpipes and got a nice sound.it resonates some but its not bad.and to me theres nothing better than the sound of true duals.my z28 has a single with a decent muffler and it sounds like a boat motor.i personally want the truck louder, so im probably gonna replace the mufflers with something less restrictive, but i got the mufflers, pipe and hangers for about $80 altogether and welded it up in my driveway

I know if you take it into the shop for that kind of setup, they won't do that.
I know this because that is what I wanted. true dual exhaust. They told me that legally they were not allowed to touch the pipe connecting to the cats.
I asked several shops too, and got the same story.
I am glad that you were able to do your own welding :)

I installed a 40 series delta flow flowmaster 3". Just swapped stock muffler for flowmaster. Muffler $75 and install $20. Cheap and sounds good! Why add the extra weight, cost, and issues of extra tubing. :2cents:

2000 5.3 4x4

On my old Silvy I ran a set of Flowmaster 40series mufflers that were dumped right before the rear axle. It sounded awesome and gave me about 1-2mpg gain and a little better top end power

Super 40 mufflers are a great choice. I have one on my 01 Silverado and love it. Sounds great. I also have a El Camino with 3" cat and 40 series muffler dumped right before the axle. Sounds awsome.

I'm running Doug Thorley Long tubes, no cats, a magnaflow x-pipe, and dual magnaflows dumped. Mine is still pretty quiet at idle/low speeds, but all hell breaks loose when the pedal is smashed. :evillol: