Chevy's Silverado has been the Detroit-based manufacturer's largest ute. It comes with a redesigned cabin but not one that will make you squirm whenever you need to use the aircon controls as they are tactile turning knobs instead of touchscreen swipes. Although big, the Silverado actually feels like a much smaller vehicle when you're behind the wheel.
Easy to steer and with plenty of power torque almost everywhere in the rev range, the 2-tonne hauler has a superb towing capacity of 6,000 kg. You also get loads of legroom thanks to the long wheelbase as well as a digital gauge cluster as standard. What you can probably do on your Silverado is improve the exhaust.
Advantages of an Aftermarket Exhaust
Price
The main reason why you'd want to go for an aftermarket exhaust is because it's a lore more affordable than an OEM system. That's not to say that it's also of a lesser quality but it can be if you go for one. You can get a good quality Silverado Exhaust system for a much lower price than what you would spend on an OEM exhaust.
Performance
Probably an even bigger reason than their price tag is the fact that aftermarket exhausts can be a better solution for performance than an OEM one. That's because usually they are not as restrictive and you can choose how free-flowing they can be depending on the type of upgrade you go for.
Options
With aftermarket exhausts, there is no limit to how custom you can go. There are plenty of choices when it comes to individual components let alone whole systems. It's up to you what you want to get most out of your new Silverado exhaust.
Types of Exhausts for Utes
Axle-Back
The most affordable type of exhaust upgrade you can get for your Silverado is an axle-back system. Although it's not going to bring drastic performance gains or a boost in efficiency it will definitely be a bit better than your current exhaust as well as much easier to install than the other two that follow.
Header-Back
A header-back exhaust is the exact opposite of an axle-back Silverado exhaust system as it replaces every single exhaust component instead of the last two or three. This way you get the biggest improvement both in terms of performance and efficiency while you're also able to reduce exhaust loudness.
Cat-Back
If you don't want the mere lacklustre change from an axle-back upgrade but also don't like the price of a header-back upgrade, you can go for a cat-back system. This type of Silverado exhaust replaces components starting from the catalytic converter to the tailpipes. You get a significant enough improvement that won't go unnoticed but you don't have to brake your back installing a cat-back system.
What Matters in an Exhaust System
Bends
You can have a Chevy Silverado exhaust system made of either crush or mandrel bends. Crush bends make for a more affordable system but they also make for a more restrictive one. That's because crush-bent exhausts are not as smooth as mandrel-bent ones. Because a mandrel-bent exhaust doesn't have small ridges on each bend, they allow for better airflow and thus make it easy for the engine to produce more HP.
Diameter
The diameter of the bends as well as the rest of the exhaust piping also affects airflow and the effects of the system on the engine. Large-diameter piping is preferred especially on vehicles such as the Silverado as it allows more engine fumes to go by without suffocating the engine. On the other hand, you also don't want to go too big here as it can create too much backpressure which is worse than having smaller diameter piping.
Thickness
To eliminate exhaust drone and to have a more durable Silverado exhaust overall, you should go for one made of a thicker material. No matter what the material is, if it's thicker than most other exhausts, chances are that you will have a more long-lasting solution.
Material
There are 3 main materials you'll come across when searching for a Chevy Silverado exhaust system and those are stainless steel, aluminised steel and mild steel.
Mild steel exhausts are the lightest and not the strongest but that's why they're the most affordable out of the three.
Aluminised steel exhausts are the middle-ground option here as they are not as malleable or as prone to corrosion as mild steel ones but are not as expensive as stainless steel exhausts.
A stainless steel exhaust is your best option since it's extremely durable and can take on temperature changes like it's nothing. It's also the best at fending off corrosion.
You also have the option to go for a titanium exhaust but know that these exhausts are not as common and not as affordable as stainless steel let alone the other two. That's also why they are the lightest and the strongest whilst corrosion and heat are no slouch for them either.
