I just noticed that Heath is offering a 4" inch exhaust system on his site. Is anyone using this system? If so, let me know what you think in terms of cost, noise, installation, etc... Thanks.

I noticed that today also and gave them a call. My main concern is how much louder the incab noise will be on my Burb once I install a new kit. Heath assured me that the muffler they use will only moderatley increase the incab noise. He said loosing the kitty would be where most of the increased noise comes from. He also said there was no problem with clearance of the rear heat and a/c lines. That seems to be my biggest concern/question with the SS Diesel exhaust kit I am also looking at. It sounds to me like the Heath system may be the way I go.

I have the SS Diesel Supply 4" exhaust on my Suburban. IT IS LOUD LOUD LOUD! The worst part about it is the mid-throttle drone. It vibrates your limbs and penetrates your head right through your temples.

Coasting, there is no increase in noise. Heavy acceleration, the noise isn't too bad. That mid throttle frequency though....that wears on you quickly.

Any straight through muffler design will produce the same results with 4" exhaust. I was looking at the Banks website last night. They offer a stainless steel 4" muffler that has an expansion chamber specifically targeted towards curbing the mid throttle resonance.

Problem is, they don't offer the muffler for sale by itself. Nor do they offer a 4" kit for the 6.5. I'm waiting for a reply from them to see if they'd sell
me one as a stand alone purchase.

Unless you're drag racing, there are no performance reasons to buy 4" exhaust over 3.5" exhaust. 4" is for those who want to be heard. I've tried sound dampeners to reduce the interior noise, with minimal success.

Bottom line, if you want to listen to your radio, talk to your passengers or talk on the phone, look towards 3 or 3.5 inch exhaust. Consider Kennedy's system.

Acutally,

I have a 4" Exhaust (straight pipes) that I had fabbed up at the exhaust shop and I don't think it is really very loud inside the cab at all. When you are accelerating you can hear and feel it but then it just levels out to a very quiet and steady rumble. I can listen to my radio and talk just fine...Just my opinion.

Those of you with pick-ups will hear a LOT LESS noise than those with the burbans. The cab on our trucks ends far short of where the exhaust finally ends...where in the burban...the exhaust comes out right behind the back seat. With that being said, I too have a 4" home built exhaust (no kitty and no muffler) and absolutely love it...It kinda has the neighbors a little upset with me, though. In the cab, the noise isn't too bad at all...total cost for 10' straight pipe...about $70 and it's thick enough to weld with a stick welder...much cheaper than Heaths' option...even if you decided to put a muffler in there...I'd go with 3 1/2 if I was going to do it again...It'd be easier to get into place. As for performance...a new downpipe and the 4" straight pipe are the best upgrades I've made yet...I can definately feel and see the difference in power and boost. Well worth the cost, and definately the best place to start with these engines.

3-1/2 is my suggestion too. Been on the dyno and know that it works...

Is there any decrease in power w/ the 4", or is it just overkill?

[quote=jimmyt83;706181]Those of you with pick-ups will hear a LOT LESS noise than those with the burbans. The cab on our trucks ends far short of where the exhaust finally ends...where in the burban...the exhaust comes out right behind the back seat. quote]

I've got loud exhaust on my pickup- dual 3" exhaust, headers, spintech sportsman mufflers. It's actually QUIET in the cab, but you can hear it coming a quarter mile away. The suburban with 4" exhaust, though....did I mention that it's too loud inside??

I don't think mine is loud at all):h

I think it depends on how long you have been driving with 4" exhaust. Eventually you will lose your hearing then it won't be too loud at all. lol

Huh? What??

I'm also deciding on which exhaust to buy. I keep going back and forth on which one to go with. How is the install for someone without a lift and just so-so on do-it-yourself projects?

I like the muffler delete option but I ran across a stainless 4" borla muffler at Summit.



http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&Ntt=BOR%2D40947&N=0&part=BOR%2D40947&autoview=sku&Ntk=KeywordSearch

4" exhaust with muffler no cat my on the Blazer turn down right before the rear axel. Yes it's loud when I take off but once I get up to speed I don't think it's loud at all. Both my kids (girl 4, boy 2) are able to go to sleep on road trips (353 mile one way) driving 65-70mph. Maybe loud is in the ear of the beholder? Just my 0.02

I've notice that my 'burb is quieter at 70 mph than it is at 40 mph. Unfortunately, most driving is 30-45 mph. I'm seriously considering the Banks 4" muffler that is targeted at the diesel drone. At this point, if it works, it's worth the $289.:eek: Almost as much as the whole exhaust kit!
At that price I'll install it with band clamps and keep it for every vehicle I will ever own henceforth.;)