2006 5.3 Trailblazer. Deleting DOD and cam upgrade. While I've got the top half of the motor apart (and heads off), are there any mild exhaust upgrades I should consider? Turning these wrenches again reminds me how much I do not enjoy it so while I'm in there I want to do all I can. The truck, SUV, is a daily driver so I don't need excess noise, fumes, etc and while we do not have emissions testing here, I'd just as soon keep it as 'legal' as practically possible. I'm going with 212/218 low-lift cam and mail-order tune, otherwise stock.

Any advice is most appreciated.

 

The most worthwhile thing on a stockish engine is a muffler, but longtube headers will also help some.

 

Long tubes...all day. Do everything at once...tune it once...enjoy.