Well I bought a new truck wednesday...for those who didn't know I had a 2002 Chevy Silverado 1500HD...I came across a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500HD at an auction that was absolutely flawless. I guess I will be posting in the GMC forum now. So the Chevy will be up for sale. Anyway the GMC had some tubular "cherry bomb" looking mufflers that were LOUD!!!!! I took the truck over to a new muffler shop that I came across a few weeks ago. I got to talking with the owner about different mufflers. I had in mind putting a flowmaster 70 series to quiet it down. He didn't have one in stock, but had installed a few in the past. He said they were just a touch deeper than stock and a few people had come back for something louder after buying them. He showed me an XLERATOR muffler and it looked exactly like a flowmaster. He said that it would be along the same lines as a 3 chamber flowmaster as far as noise level and if I didn't like it he would take it back off and order a 70 series for me. Well I was very impressed with it and am definitely keeping it! It is louder than the 70 series for sure but not annoying. The best part is these mufflers are almost half the price. He charged me $125 installed! The 70 series was going to be $210. The only difference I see from the flowmaster is that these obviously don't say flowmaster on them. Other than that they are identical. Check out their site...http://www.apexhaust.com/products_performance.asp.
I got the VX4554 which has 2 - 2 1/4" in and out. This truck had true dual exhaust before so this was able to be welded right in place of the 2 cherry bombs and not affect the 2 tips coming out of the back. I would definitely recommend them!!!

 

OK well after a week or so of driving with this muffler I have come to the conclusion that it is still a little louder than I wanted so I went back to the muffler shop this past week and I had him order me a 70 series flowmaster. I was very surprised that the muffler shop just made me pay $85 dollars difference which was less than if I had put the flowmaster on there to begin with (I wasn't going to complain for sure!) The Xcelerator is a great sounding muffler don't get me wrong and I would recommend it to anyone who is considering a flowmaster. The 70 series is exactly as flowmaster advertises - perfect for those who tow. The day I got the muffler (friday) I had to deliver a motorcycle and was pulling my trailer and WOW what a relief not to feel like my truck was yelling at me the whole time. I also towed the boat yesterday and my whole family was appreciative of the muffler swap. We didn't have to yell at each other the whole day. So bottom line...if your not towing the Xcelerator is a great alternative to a flowmaster, but for towing the 70 series flowmaster is the one! It still has a nice deep tone, but is very quiet in the cab.

 

Good to know thanks.