Best Exhaust Systems for the Chevrolet Silverado

Why Install an Aftermarket Exhaust System?

Some of the most common benefits of an aftermarket exhaust include improved performance, increased sound, and enhanced aesthetics. Let’s dig deeper into how aftermarket exhaust systems impact these factors.

Performance

Aftermarket exhaust systems capitalize on the notion that more exhaust flow equals more power. In the case of your Silverado, this creates more room for fresh, dense air on the next intake stroke, thus optimizing combustion and increasing performance. Unfortunately, factory exhaust systems can be restrictive due to their use of small-diameter piping, restrictive oversized mufflers, and unnecessary bends. 

Instead, aftermarket exhausts utilize large-diameter mandrel-bent tubing and high-flow mufflers/resonators, ensuring unrestricted exhaust flow.

Aesthetics

Aftermarket exhausts are also aesthetic upgrades. Most factory exhausts feature aluminized steel piping and mufflers, which hold up fine in dry climates but corrode in cold, wet parts of the country. Not only does this corrosion negatively impact aesthetics, but it can also wear holes in piping and mufflers, creating exhaust leaks.

Most aftermarket exhaust systems on Real Truck utilize corrosion-resistant stainless steel, which resists corrosion due to its high chromium content for a long-lasting finish. Additionally, most aftermarket exhausts include a stylish exhaust tip, significantly improving aesthetics at the tailpipe.

Sound Quality

Naturally, most Silverado owners install aftermarket exhaust systems to improve sound quality. Aftermarket exhausts allow your Silverado’s Vortec engine to breathe, utilizing high-flow mufflers and resonators that significantly increase decibels without adding excessive drone. 

However, it’s important to note that every exhaust system is different; while some may produce tones that are too aggressive for daily drivers, others are quiet, composed, and only incrementally louder than factory exhausts.

Exhaust System Types

There are three primary types of exhaust systems on the market: axle-back, cat-back, and header-back. Each title refers to the furthest forward that an exhaust system stretches, but there is a bit more nuance to these distinctions.

Axle-Back

Axle-back exhaust systems are the shortest and least expensive exhausts on the market. These systems replace only the tailpipe and, often, the muffler, gradually increasing sound and performance. 

Cat-Back

Cat-back, or catalytic-converter-back, exhaust systems replace everything behind the primary catalytic converter, including the B-Pipe (mid-pipe), resonators, mufflers, and tailpipe. These systems are pricier than axle-back exhausts; however, they produce notable performance gains without altering emissions equipment, making them the most popular exhaust type. 

Header-Back

Header-back exhaust systems replace every component behind the cylinder heads–basically the entire system. These comprehensive exhaust systems include headers, Y-pipes, B-pipes, mufflers, resonators, and all necessary piping to construct an entirely new exhaust system.

Unfortunately, they’re getting harder to come by. Considering most header-back exhaust systems eliminate the factory catalytic converters, which is a federal offense, most header-back exhaust systems are gone from the market.

Top Silverado Exhaust Systems

With some background information under our belts, let’s get into our expert’s top exhaust system recommendations for the Silverado! These systems are hand-selected based on overall build quality, performance, sound quality, and aesthetics, ensuring only the best system ends up on your pickup.