Hello everyone, hope I'm not beating a dead horse here.. I have a 13' Sierra Z71 ccsb w/5.3 so far I have an Airaid MIT & BB Tune. After doing my own reading I have decided to go w/ ARH 1 3/4" LT's w/cats cause I want to retain as much bottom end & not deal w/raw fuel smell. Also from what I have read this brand is one of the nicest for fit and finish.

I was wanting to know if these would bolt up to the factory cat-back system? I'm also considering an MBRP single exit system or any other brand that is stainless and full mandrel bend and was wanting to know if there would be any additional gains or would I just be paying for the sound? My concern is fit and finish for everything also and appreciate your input. One last thing, I was wanting to know if the GM manifold gaskets are the best as I will order them along with either retaining my stock manifold bolts or using the ones that come with the headers. Where is the cheapest place I can order the LT's? I will be purchasing this weekend. Thanks again.

 

Sounds like a good set up to me, rad lots of good feedback from ARH. Any name brand cat back should work fine, sound is a personal preference and mixing and matching never hurts. I have an MBRP cat back with a Magnaflow muffler just because I pieced it together at different times and it's what I could get a deal on at the time. Mandrel bends are worth the little bit of extra coin, the pinched pipes do reduce flow, look like crap, and affect sound as well. I think I have less than $300 wrapped up in my current set up and it's mandrel bent.

As for gaskets, yes use the OEM manifold gaskets and you'll be set. There is an old thread on the forum about using GM manifold studs from a 3.4 liter engine for the header fasteners. I used them on my 06 GMC when I did the Dynatech longtubes and install was a breeze and they were leak free for the 3 years I kept it after the install. Bolts are fine but the studs made hanging the headers to line them up by myself super easy and was worth the little wait from the dealer order. I think I spent $20 or so on them...

Good luck with the upgrades, it's a slippery slope but a fun one!

 

it will not bolt rite up because you have three converters. i went with kooks longtubes with catted y pipe and they look nice. and deleted the third cat.

 

Thanks for the info gents.

 

Welcome to the site good luck and thanks for posting about headers. I'm also in the market to pick a set up but have been stumped by all of the options. Not to mention working on mods for my other rides. LOL..

Thanks everyone as well for the replies.