Well after stewing about the exhaust question for a month or more, I finally narrowed it down to ATS or Banks.


Came down to price between those two. Got a price from Banks with free shipping. ATS didn't want to talk and it was a chunk more money. So I called Banks back the next business day, and the free shipping disappeared...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif


Now with me having to pay someone to install the Banks, the price difference wasn't so large anymore and ATS is local with install included in the price. I queried the guy at Banks about that and he said he'd check on it and get back to me the next day, he didn't.


He finally called three days later and after more monkey business they agreed to include the shipping, but couldn't tell me when it would be here. Maybe two weeks. So I ordered it last week, I asked for shipping info to be sent to me when it went. The Banks guy said to call him this week. My credit card got charged the next day and so I called Banks again today.The salesman told me he'd call back with shipping info, he didn't... Now this has all been with the same individual at Banks, so it's not like I had to tell someone else what had already been discussed.


I did get an e-mail later this morning from that gentleman, with tracking info, and low and behold the big brown truck showed up in my driveway this afternoon...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


I've made arrangements to get it installed tomorrow and I'll try to take some pics if anyone is interested. I've got the EGT guage installed so it will be most interesting to see if I can get a temp drop from just the CAT back system while keeping my truck legal for emission testing that we have here.


The pieces look good, but we'll see how they fit. So far I'm not impressed with Banks customer service and I've not had a significant problem with them.


I think I can definitely say that a Six Gun is not something I'll consider if/when it comes out for my LLY based on this exhaust buying experience.

Zeeb


I'm really interested to hear about your results on EGT's before and after.


I'm considering a cat back system as well, right after I'm done with the cowl hood and line X.


Broke but happy!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif





Rob

Update.


Well the system went on without a hitch since the guy who did it does exhaust systems. Only problem you'd have in your back yard with my install is the need to cut off about 12" of pipe since this particular kit fits the CC as well as the EC. All the pieces fit well and there wasn't even a concern about clearing the B&W turn over ball hitch.


We got the old system out in one piece in case I ever have problems with my less than helpful SM, but you couldn't do that without a lift.


EGT's look to be about 50 degrees cooler at idle stopped and in gear. About 125 to 150 degrees cooler at 70mph on the freeway with just the truck. Sorry, but I've not got a trailer big enough to load it, yet... So I can't tell what that might have been. Also, I wasn't able to get any WOT comparisons since there was too much traffic every where I tried to run it hard.


Noise; I'd be hard pressed to say it was any louder than before, maybe a little when you open it up some, but there's definitely no drone to it anywhere.


I'm sure removing the CAT would help, but this seems to have acheived the desired goal...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

We got the old system out in one piece in case I ever have problems with my less than helpful SM, but you couldn't do that without a lift.


I recently installed the TTS cat-back exhaust. It is actually possible to get the OEM exhaust out in one piece without a lift. You need to have a floor jack, several jack stands, remove the spare tire and passenger side rear shock. I removed the old exhaust by pulling it out just in front of the rear tire.


Its good to hear what sort of EGT improvement is netted by just removing the OEM muffler. Judging by what PeterT of Banks mentioned at the LA Dyno event, the OEM is fairly restrictive.

Its good to hear what sort of EGT improvement is netted by just removing the OEM muffler. Judging by what PeterT of Banks mentioned at the LA Dyno event, the OEM is fairly restrictive.





I'd say that's the case if you look at the heat discoloration of the OEM pipe in front of the muffler, and there's no heat discoloration of the pipe behind the muffler. Some of that would be due to the CAT, but it's all one color, like the whole thing was evenly heated. There is of course more area with the 4 inch pipe, but that muffler must have a bunch of restriction.


Now whenever the Juice shows up, I'll find out if it's sufficient airflow...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

I'd say that's the case if you look at the heat discoloration of the OEM pipe in front of the muffler, and there's no heat discoloration of the pipe behind the muffler. Some of that would be due to the CAT, but it's all one color, like the whole thing was evenly heated. There is of course more area with the 4 inch pipe, but that muffler must have a bunch of restriction.


Now whenever the Juice shows up, I'll find out if it's sufficient airflow...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif





I am not so sure about the restriction based on the front of the muffler being turned colors. I ran glass packs on my SuperCrew and they were pretty much wide open. The first foot of each of those had the paint burnt off after about a month.

The Banks rep indicated they had dissected the OEM muffler. There was a small pipe internally connecting two chambers. He mentioned the diameter of the internal pipe and it was substantially less than the 3.5 inch diameter stock pipe (unfortunately, I don't remember the dimensions that he mentioned). He said a large improvement can be had by just ditching the stock muffler. Like Zeeb indicates, going to a large 4 inch exhaust pipe also helps.


Zeeb - thanks for posting the EGT numbers. I was always wondering what the improvement would be.Edited by: OC_DMAX

Very interesting...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif


Sounds like a nice reduction. Keep us posted when you get to tow something.

Thanks for that info Zeeb





Rob