My Experience Upgrading My Truck’s Exhaust with the Ultimate Muffler Kit
I drive a 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 truck that I use for both work and play. While I love my truck, I’ve always thought it was a little quiet for my taste. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want my truck waking up the whole neighborhood when I start it up in the morning. But I do want a bit more aggressive exhaust note to match the truck’s muscular styling.
So I decided it was time to upgrade my Flowmaster 817633 Outlaw Muffler Kit to get the sound I was looking for. If you’re looking to upgrade your truck, Jeep, muscle car or hot rod with a true performance muffler, keep reading to learn all about my experience with the Flowmaster 817633.
An Overview of the Flowmaster 817633 Outlaw Muffler Kit
The Flowmaster 817633 kit is part of the company’s Outlaw line of mufflers. It’s a complete kit with all the pipes and hardware needed to give your ride an aggressive exhaust tone.
The main components include:
- Two fully welded Outlaw Series mufflers
- Front and rear pipes with clamps
- 4″ slash cut polished stainless tips
- All necessary hangers, clamps, bolts and gaskets
This kit is designed to work with a variety of V8 applications from muscle cars to trucks and SUVs. Basically, if you have a V8 under the hood, this muffler will work to increase performance and sound.
Some key features that make the 817633 stand out:
- Aggressive sound – This is one of the loudest mufflers Flowmaster makes, really giving your engine some authority.
- Improved performance – The free-flowing design reduces backpressure for better horsepower and torque.
- Polished tips – The kit includes 4″ slash cut polished stainless exhaust tips for serious style points.
- Full kit – Comes with everything you need for a complete exhaust system upgrade.
So in short – the Outlaw kit looks great and will really make your V8-powered vehicle stand out.
How the Flowmaster 817633 Outlaw Changed My Truck
I had my Chevy Silverado truck for years with the stock, restrictive exhaust. It lacked the aggressive rumble I wanted, almost sounding like a family sedan.
After installing the Flowmaster 817633 Outlaw kit, the entire character of my truck changed for the better. Here’s an overview of the improvements I saw:
- Sound – This was the biggest change. The Outlaw mufflers emit a deep, eye-opening rumble at idle. When I get on the gas, it roars to life unlike anything from the factory exhaust.
- Performance – With the reduction in backpressure, my truck felt a bit quicker and more responsive. The power delivery seemed to open up, especially in the mid-range.
- Looks – The 4″ polished stainless tips look awesome. They fill out the rear valence perfectly. Get ready for compliments!
- Driving Experience – Overall, my truck just feels meaner and tougher to drive. The sound from the Flowmaster really enhances the V8 muscle truck experience.
I didn’t get a chance to dyno my truck to measure the horsepower gains. But based on Flowmaster’s claims and my butt dyno, I’m guessing it’s in the neighborhood of 5-10 HP. The improved sound and throttle response is the bigger change in my opinion.
To sum up my impressions – the Flowmaster 817633 Outlaw muffler kit made my Silverado sound and perform the way a proper V8 pickup truck should. The deep, loud exhaust tone puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
The Outlaw Sound Profile Explained
If you’re not familiar with Flowmaster’s Outlaw branded mufflers, they are designed to be on the extreme end of sound and volume. This kit is not for the faint of heart.
Here’s an overview of the sound characteristics:
- Idle – You’ll hear a very noticeable rumbling growl at idle and low speeds. It’s deeper than a stock V8.
- Acceleration – Roaring, aggressive sound under heavy throttle. Bystanders will definitely take notice when you get on the gas.
- Cruising – Settles to a loud but steady exhaust tone at constant highway speeds. Still louder than stock but not overpowering.
- Cold Starts – The first start of the day will have an angry, attention-grabbing bark before settling down.
Overall, this is one of the loudest mufflers Flowmaster makes. It’s ideal if you really want to turn heads and make your V8 known. But it’s not so over-the-top that it drones annoyingly inside the cabin on long drives.
If you want aggressive sound with some refinement, the Outlaw strikes a good balance. But those looking for a subtle change from stock should consider Flowmaster’s tamer Street Series or Delta Force line.
No matter what sound you prefer, Flowmaster’s quality construction ensures years of enjoyment from your muffler upgrade.
What to Expect from the Installation Process
Installing the Flowmaster 817633 Outlaw Muffler Kit is straightforward but requires automotive expertise and the right tools. Here are some tips on the process:
- Time Required – With the proper skills, the installation can be completed in 2-3 hours. Beginners may need 4-5 hours.
- Tools – You’ll need common hand tools like sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pry bars, etc. If removing the factory exhaust, a sawzall or hacksaw will help.
- Skills – Some basic mechanical ability is required. Removing exhaust components takes patience and strength.
- Professional Installation – Most muffler shops can handle the install for around $150-200 labor. Well worth it if you don’t want the hassle.
- DIY Approach – Advance planning before cutting the stock exhaust helps. Be sure to have all fittings, hangers and clamps on hand before starting.
- Break-In Period – It takes about 100-500 miles for the mufflers to break-in and emit their true sound. Some initial drone or raspiness is normal.
Overall, while totally doable for the driveway mechanic, it’s not the easiest or cleanest job. Unless you frequently get your hands dirty, professional installation may be worth the investment.
Where to Buy the Flowmaster 817633 Outlaw Kit
The Flowmaster 817633 Outlaw muffler kit is priced around $450-550 at most retailers. Here are some good options for finding the best deal:
- Amazon – Check here for current pricing and availability. Often the cheapest shipped options.
- Summit Racing – Reliable retailer with frequent sales and promotions. Worth comparing to Amazon.
- JEGS – Another trusted source for performance parts like Flowmaster. Competitive pricing and good service.
- AutoPartsWarehouse – Good source for affordably priced OEM and aftermarket parts.
- eBay – Search for new or used kits. Sort by lowest cost and read seller reviews.
- Flowmaster – Purchase directly from manufacturer. Full MSRP but reliable source.
There are often deals, rebates and sales around major holidays or auto events. With some smart shopping, you can likely save $50-100 on retail pricing for the Flowmaster kit.
Must-Watch Video of the Outlaw Exhaust Note
Hearing the Flowmaster Outlaw sound is crucial before you buy. Here is the best video showing the kit on a C6 Corvette:<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZMo1ULUWAG8″ title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” allowfullscreen></iframe>
This gives you a real-world perspective on just how loud and aggressive the Flowmaster Outlaw mufflers are. Listen with the volume turned up for the full effect!
Maintaining Your Investment in the Flowmaster System
Once installed, the Flowmaster kit doesn’t require much periodic maintenance. Here are some tips:
- Let the mufflers go through a break-in period of about 500 miles. Some initial drone or interior resonance is normal as the components seat.
- Check clamps after initial installation to ensure pipes have not slipped. Re-tighten as needed.
- Clean the 4″ exhaust tips periodically with stainless steel polish to keep their shine.
- Listen for any new vibrations or rattles after install. Address any new body or chassis vibrations promptly.
- Monitor for leaks around welds or junctions. Fix minor leaks with high-temp RTV gasket maker.
- Aside from polishing tips and monitoring for issues, no routine maintenance is needed.
With proper installation and letting the mufflers break-in, the kit should provide years of like-new performance.
Wrapping Up My Review of the Flowmaster 817633 Outlaw
If you’ve got a V8 powered truck, Jeep, muscle car or hot rod, I can’t recommend the Flowmaster 817633 Outlaw kit enough. The sound is exactly what I wanted – loud and aggressive without droning – giving my Silverado the muscle it deserves.
While not for everyone, if you really want to stand out and get noticed, this kit delivers. The roar under acceleration puts a smile on my face every time.
With some easy wrenching or help from a shop, you can transform your vehicle’s sound and open up some extra horsepower. Just be ready for all the admiring looks when you roar by!
For more details or to pick up a kit, check out the links above. Let me know if you have any other questions on my experience with this beast of a muffler kit!
