- Jul 22, 2015
- 2,724
The new (to me) Sierra has a Flowmaster installed. While it's neat-sounding (and encourages copious application of the go pedal!), I don't want to be listening to it drone for hours on end with the trailer in tow. Nor do I want to be waking up my neighbors with it, when I'm in a campsite. And with it on, it's difficult for my old ears to hear anything that might be going 'wrong' with the truck. (yeah, I've reached 'get off my lawn' status...my AARP magazine comes once a month, and I'm waiting by the mailbox for it... j/k!)
So... I looked up Midas & Meineke, to see what they were charging for mufflers, these days.
Hmm...neither one seemed to have that info (apparently, OEM stainless exhaust systems have caused them to focus on other things like brakes & tires). Off to Rock...where I find a Walker for my 6.0L, for about $140. But I can't weld it.
Next day, I take a run to the local Midas, with the truck. First question: Will they weld on a customer-supplied muffler. They will. Pleasantly surprised, as a lot of shops won't install any parts but the ones they source.
They offer to put the truck on the rack all immediate-like, and give me an estimate to replace the muffler. I figure, what the hell - if they're somewhat close, I'll just make it easy on myself. I ask them to include taking off the little 'applique' on the tailpipe, too (one of these days, I'll take a pic of it before I remove it - some real ghetto sh!t, IMO)
A few minutes later, they come in with the estimate - almost $750.
750 f*cking dollars - for a MUFFLER? WTF? 😱
Turns out they source their mufflers from NAPA, so there's two sets of markup on that Walker (yep, same muffler), and it runs $380. We're talking ONE muffler - it's not like I have duals (yes, I know the 6.0L trucks have dual to the muffler -- and maybe someday, I'll finish the job that GM started. But not now)
Welding is $175, the new (!) tailpipe is $100, and throw in 3 clamps at a few dollars each.
I'll be putting in my order with Rock shortly, and getting a new blade for my sawzall for that 'applique'. Not to mention shopping around for the welding service. Time to make the chimichangas... <bzzzzzzttt...> ✂✂✂
So... I looked up Midas & Meineke, to see what they were charging for mufflers, these days.
Hmm...neither one seemed to have that info (apparently, OEM stainless exhaust systems have caused them to focus on other things like brakes & tires). Off to Rock...where I find a Walker for my 6.0L, for about $140. But I can't weld it.
Next day, I take a run to the local Midas, with the truck. First question: Will they weld on a customer-supplied muffler. They will. Pleasantly surprised, as a lot of shops won't install any parts but the ones they source.
They offer to put the truck on the rack all immediate-like, and give me an estimate to replace the muffler. I figure, what the hell - if they're somewhat close, I'll just make it easy on myself. I ask them to include taking off the little 'applique' on the tailpipe, too (one of these days, I'll take a pic of it before I remove it - some real ghetto sh!t, IMO)
A few minutes later, they come in with the estimate - almost $750.
750 f*cking dollars - for a MUFFLER? WTF? 😱
Turns out they source their mufflers from NAPA, so there's two sets of markup on that Walker (yep, same muffler), and it runs $380. We're talking ONE muffler - it's not like I have duals (yes, I know the 6.0L trucks have dual to the muffler -- and maybe someday, I'll finish the job that GM started. But not now)
Welding is $175, the new (!) tailpipe is $100, and throw in 3 clamps at a few dollars each.
I'll be putting in my order with Rock shortly, and getting a new blade for my sawzall for that 'applique'. Not to mention shopping around for the welding service. Time to make the chimichangas... <bzzzzzzttt...> ✂✂✂