Thanks for straightening me out. I guess I'll be a guinea pig and let you know what I eventually decide on and it's results. Hopefully I'll have it done in the next week or two. Thanks for all the help!

Magnaflow makes nice low restriction cats and straight thru mufflers. Look for total stainless construction, screen over the perf holes in the tube of the muffler, and mineral wool packing. I seem to remember that the Magnaflow muffler flows better than a straight pipe of the same length. I am a believer in the theory that unless you change the harmonic properties of the exhaust (i.e., pipe length), diameter will not affect low end much at all. I think the 3.0 stock cam has minimal overlap, which will make the effect even less.

Just an update, I went with a generic turbo muffler after some discussion with the mechanic who has worked there for 15 years, and the 2.25 pipe. The mechanic I talked to said I would be wasting my money on anything high end (I tend to agree) and that the generic turbo mufflers they have there flow just as well for what I'm looking to do. The truck sounds absolutely great! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> As I expected, no real noticeable power gains, the engine does feel more lively and has better throttle response. I haven't notice any loss of power in the 1800-2000 rpm "dead zone" mentioned earlier. One thing to note though, an unexpected benefit of this better flowing exhaust has been a reduction in engine temp! My temp gauge needle has been sitting noticeable lower. It used to be near half guage and now is only a quarter of the way into the normal op zone! I'm assuming this is because of the backpressure on the exhaust has been decrease, thus heat is exiting the engine through the exhaust better! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> For 127 bucks for the pipe and muffler (I got an insider deal because my uncle is buddies with the owner!) I'm very satisfied! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good deal - glad it works better! I assume you left the catalytic converter as original, transitioned into the new muffler and used 2.25" pipe behind the new muffler only - is that correct?

Frank

The cat remains gutted and there is a 4 inch piece of 2.25 pipe between the cat and the muffler (pipe end was rounded to meet the cat opening), then the mechanic custom bent the the rest of the 2.25 pipe. I'll take a pic if anyone is interested.