What's up gents,
I'm a new member to this forum, and I just bought a 05' Mada SE. A few days later, I dropped in a new air intake (TrueFlow / $200.00 / Self installed), Gibson SS Exhaust System ($590.00 installed), Fog Lights ($168.00 / Self installed), and LE Chrome Grill ($120.00 / Homie Hook-Up/ Self installed).

Everything looks/sounds/feels good, but I'm not happy with how the tailpipe looks from under the rear (weld/pipe/tip are different colors???). I will take some pics for yall to see; let me know if it looks like it's been installed poorly, as I thought this was a bolt on, but the guy was welding?.

Also, anyone else have a True Flow intake? The guys who sold it to me said it's the best, and they can't keep it on the shelves. I was originally planning on getting the AEM Brute Force, but the techs dissed it because it's made out of metel, which conducts heat, & a foam filter is better than the K&N type filters (plus the True Flow was on sale!)?

Your thoughts....

Welcome to ClubArmada. Looks you are off to a good start with your Armada. I installed the Gibson SS system on my Armada. It is a bolt on system, don't know why your installer was welding. I'll take a look when you post the pictures. I am happy with my Gibson.
I am not familar with the TruFlow intake. I haven't heard of anyone else installing it. It seems that most people here are using the Volant.
I also installed the fog lights on my SE.
Looking forward to see your pictures.

Whats your opinion of the TruFlow? Thats the one with the foam filter and the replacement pipe right?

Whats your opinion of the TruFlow? Thats the one with the foam filter and the replacement pipe right?

That's the one. You can notice the difference, mainly via *** dyno. The sound (w/o exhaust) is only noticable @ WOT. The install was super easy, since you maintain your factory air box. That was one of the selling points; cooler air thru factor box w/ high flow filter & 3'' tube (coated for less heat conductivity)

Tomorrow, I'll take pics of all I done.

Please take pics. From what I read about the intake, I don't see how it can pick up cooler air. If it does, please show how it does so!!! :)

Here the pics I promised. I don't like how the tail pipe looks, or is it just me?

I also don't like how the tip looks slid over the end, plus I thought the stainless steel would look better,,, it don't IMO. I'm starting to feel like I've been had! ;)

Please take pics. From what I read about the intake, I don't see how it can pick up cooler air. If it does, please show how it does so!!! :)

I was told that since the True Flow systems uses the factory air box, that was designed to pull cooler air. The AEM heat shield can't conceal the cool air as good as the factory box.

Looks fine to me!

I think it looks fine too. Probably the only thing I would do is paint that hanger
black so it doesn't stick out so much. He already painted that silver protective coating so I would just go over it with black. Other than that it looks great!!! :D

If you didn't bring it up, I probably wouldn't have noticed, but I think if was stainless or alum from muffler all the way to the end, it would look better.
BUt at least it's a true 3" or ?? all the way to the end. I see a lot of other SUV's that have a smaller diameter tube that has a 4" bolted to the end of it. That looks cheesy.

If you didn't bring it up, I probably wouldn't have noticed, but I think if was stainless or alum from muffler all the way to the end, it would look better.
BUt at least it's a true 3" or ?? all the way to the end. I see a lot of other SUV's that have a smaller diameter tube that has a 4" bolted to the end of it. That looks cheesy.

The entire system is supposed to be 3'' stainless steel tubing from cat-to-tailpipe.

I think it looks fine too. Probably the only thing I would do is paint that hanger
black so it doesn't stick out so much. He already painted that silver protective coating so I would just go over it with black. Other than that it looks great!!! :D

I'm sure this is something I can do myself (painting hanger). Is there a special type of paint to look for?

Your Gibson system is correct. It looks like all other installations I have seen. It is all stainless, including the clamps. The hangers came welded on the pipes from the factory, and all joints use clamps so I don't know why any welding was necessary. Don't worry about it - just enjoy it! Everything is fine. :)

Your Gibson system is correct. It looks like all other installations I have seen. It is all stainless, including the clamps. The hangers came welded on the pipes from the factory, and all joints use clamps so I don't know why any welding was necessary. Don't worry about it - just enjoy it! Everything is fine. :)
I was hoping to hear that, thanks. But you don't think it looks kinda cheesy that way the tip looks?

The tip would look better if you didn't see the pipe inside. You can loosen the clamp screw on the tip and reposition it as you like. You may have to cut off some of the pipe so it won't show in the tip.

If you didn't bring it up, I probably wouldn't have noticed, but I think if was stainless or alum from muffler all the way to the end, it would look better.
BUt at least it's a true 3" or ?? all the way to the end. I see a lot of other SUV's that have a smaller diameter tube that has a 4" bolted to the end of it. That looks cheesy.

The entire system is supposed to be stainless (minus muffler) :huh:

I'm sure this is something I can do myself (painting hanger). Is there a special type of paint to look for?

I would use at least some type of high temp paint you can get at the auto parts store. You could probably get away with regular Krylon paint from Home depot or something. I don't think the hanger gets that hot. The overspray the muffler person did on the weld got some on the pipe and sort of stands out. Now if your anal like me, I would probably shoot the visible pipe all black along with the hanger except the tip and leave that chrome. Others may differ about my idea but thats just my opinion and that I would do if it was mine. I don't know why the hangar was painted silver in the first place. Mine isn't, but like I said, they probably did it to stop any rust from forming at the weld. If you do decide to paint the visible pipe black, then I'd go with at least a 500 degree temp paint. I don't want to start a whole thread on a stupid hanger so I'm going to shut myself up. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the advise. I might replace the piping from the muffler back, & add a better 3'' tip, if i can find one.

I believe that tip should be pulled out a little further. Also you can go to a muffler shop and have them weld that tip on and get rid of that little ratcheting piece that tightens it down. It will make it look better.
M4ck

I just came back from the local muffler shop.

The bad news: if I cut the pipe, then re-attach the tip, the tip will likely turn gold due to the heat (currently the tip is shielded from the heat).

Good news: I bought a better tip (dual walls), cut the pipe, welded tip, and painted the entire rear section (minus tip) w/ blk 1,200 degree "High" Temp Paint. LOOKS A 1,000% BETTER, I will upload pics in about 16-hours.

You took my advice!!! Can't wait to see the pics. You're not too far from me either. I live in Temecula off the 15 freeway about an hour northe of San Diego. It'd be nice if all could get a meet together.

Worked like a charm, thanks!!!!

A meet would be cool, just imagine a convoy of 5-10 Armadas pulling into a near by "In & Out" for a "meet & eat".

You took my advice!!! Can't wait to see the pics. You're not too far from me either. I live in Temecula off the 15 freeway about an hour northe of San Diego. It'd be nice if all could get a meet together.

A meet would be cool, just imagine a convoy of 5-10 Armadas pulling into a near by "In & Out" for a "meet & eat".[/QUOTE]

No doubt on that!!! Double Double Animal Style!!!

Where's the pics!!!!

Fred

A meet would be cool, just imagine a convoy of 5-10 Armadas pulling into a near by "In & Out" for a "meet & eat".

No doubt on that!!! Double Double Animal Style!!!

Where's the pics!!!!

Fred[/QUOTE]

Sorry, I got alittle caught up with the 14,000-plus sold out concert I'm managing, A Taste of Chaos in Long Beach Arena. After I finish breaking the promoters neck, and a few of my staff members too, I'll snap those pics.

Here's a before & after shots. Let me know what yall think. And yes, I'm meant yall

I'm going to take better shots tomorrow, as I was rushed to snap these; I hate posts w/ upgrades & no frickin pics.

Some more b4 & after pics

Oh Yeah....Uh Huh!!! Much Better my freind, thats what I'm talkin'!!!
Hehe!!!

Marcellus - that updated pic rocks! I love that look. I have an '05 LE and want to get a chrome extension as well. I don't want it to look cheesy either. I have to admit - your first one sort of did. The new one looks totally custom. I love it and the black paint was the way to go on the rest. Could you provide any details on the manufacturer/model of that pipe? Also - what kind of cost did the muffler shop charge to weld it? I live on the East coast so noone will know we have the same exhaust tip :) Thanks for any info.

Your Gibson system is correct. It looks like all other installations I have seen. It is all stainless, including the clamps. The hangers came welded on the pipes from the factory, and all joints use clamps so I don't know why any welding was necessary. Don't worry about it - just enjoy it! Everything is fine. :)
Welding is done instead of clamps to prevent potential leaks. Not necessary but nice and the best way to do it. This does make it so you can't remove it and resell it later if you sell the vehicle and can cause the discoloration.

Marcellus - that updated pic rocks! I love that look. I have an '05 LE and want to get a chrome extension as well. I don't want it to look cheesy either. I have to admit - your first one sort of did. The new one looks totally custom. I love it and the black paint was the way to go on the rest. Could you provide any details on the manufacturer/model of that pipe? Also - what kind of cost did the muffler shop charge to weld it? I live on the East coast so noone will know we have the same exhaust tip :) Thanks for any info.

The Exhaust system is by Gibson (3'' piping), and the tip is by "Wicked" (over the counter part). The tip was $20.00, but the total out of pocket cost was $60.00 ($40-labor, $20-parts). 20-minute job.

Now I'm thinking about swapping the muffler that came with the Gibson system for MAGNAFLOW -OR- FLOWMASTER muffler.

Do you not like to sound flrom the Gibson muffler? I haven't heard it yet but I'm close to getting the Gibson cat back. I assume you want a louder exhaust sound with a flowmaster or magnaflow? I heard a Titan with a Magnaflow and it sounded great. Not sure which Magnaflow but a was a low big block sound.