Over the last year or so I have been researching and researching cams and mufflers and I am no closer to picking one now then I was 6 months ago.

When I first got the Tahoe I dumped right before the muffler. Loud, aggressive, and just obnoxiously mean. I bought a set of long tubes and an ORY way.... and I mean WAY too loud without a muffler. I put the stocker back on, which made me very sad how quiet it was. Settled on one nut in the flange to vent some sound. Doesn't sound terrible but I am sure a better muffler will sound.... well better. Not to mention the turbulence is probably jacking with flow.

On to a cam. I understand I will need to upgrade springs again for a better cam. As for the cam, sound isn't the most important thing to me. I like the chop but I just want mo' powah. I want something I wouldn't have to restall immediately but could in the future for even better driveability. This is my DD that I drive 300 miles a day or so, in residential neighborhoods as well as interstate split about 50/50

 

I have done both the supercharged and the HCI path. If I had a new project vehicle I would go supercharged again. No questions asked. The supercharged route was so much more drive-able and had no MPG loss when I was driving normally. The cam route hasn't been as nice to me. It doesn't always idle so great and sometimes stalls. I can tell I have less bottom end. And this isn't even considered an aggressive cam! Of course some of my problems are that I haven't gotten a stall yet. What about valve springs? I believe those need to be changed out every so many miles as well.

Just my two cents. Supercharged is more up front but less headache.

 

Only about 5k out of my price range :/

 

not trying to be rude but to me your goals are just too spread out to be able to narrow it down.

if you want a cam be prepared to replace lifters, valve springs, and pushrods, possibly timing set (not really necessary). there are plenty of cams that say you do not need converters to run, but dont do a cam then one day just throw a converter in it. its nice to always plan a build out so that every part works together, so its best to do all of it at one time.

 

Well we know he drives a lot so it is probably best to recommend keeping the stock exhaust. Headers maybe. But driving that much daily would mean even a "moderately" loud muffler could become annoying. When I had headers with the stock muffler it was a great balance of sound and performance. My wife still complained but oh well.

It would probably be best to go with a small cam like a GM hot cam or LS6 cam. That might not really reach the power levels in mind but at least it would be reliable with budget in mind. He also already has the matching valve springs. Like I said even a small cam like the one in my sig will lose some bottom end and require tuning. The LS6 cam shouldn't require any tuning.

The tricky part to remember is the more you modify the less reliable the vehicle becomes and the more probable breakdowns and unexpected repairs are. If the vehicle is the primary source of transportation and large amounts of cash can't be dedicated to the vehicle for future repairs it might be better to play it safe. If a second car is in play then modifying the truck makes more sense.

 

Merry Christmas everyone. I already have longtubes and an ory with a 1/2 inch gap between the y and muffler so no worries about it being to loud its louder than straightpipes with cats. I have a second vehicle so if the hoe goes down I can still drive.

Wick, my goals are an aggressive muffler with a good flow and a cam that doesn't require an immediate restall. I can retune no problem and springs/pushrods won't be a problem either.

212 218 I think would just leave me wanting more. I'm tired of my dad's damn hemi 1500 spanking me.

 

The combo you are looking for is pretty simple really.
Magnaflow big body muffler. I have the 8x11x24" case which is great. Go a little smaller if you want extra noise.
Cam wise you are looking at some trade offs. I would assume you have 3.42 gears and 29" tires to match the otherwise mostly stock drivetrain. I would go 212/218 or the trick flow 216/220 LSA114. You will lose a little bottom end and gain tons of mid to top range power. Below 3000rpm will feel a bit doggy, but it will wake up a ton above that range.

 

Yes to the 3.42 gears with 32" Tires. Ill be getting 4.11s sooner or later

 

I have the Texas Speed 224R cam and no stall (yet). They told me I was pushing the limits but could get away with it. I can feel the loss on the bottom end under certain conditions. Yes I tow as well.

 

I had 32" and 3.42s until 6 months ago. I swapped to 3.90s and plan on going with shorter tires. It is a lot better, but I often wish I had gone with 4.11s. Although I may change my mind when I go to a 30.5" tires. I would keep the duration under 220.