Been looking at different catback systems recently. My goal is to keep things close to factory position, but have better sound and flow.

Three systems seem to fit the bill:

CherryBomb Vortex kit (300645)

and

Magnaflow 16996

and

Gibson 316601 (aluminized steel) or 616601 (stainless steel)

The cherrybomb kit cost $411, much cheaper than the magnaflow kit($531). And it also has a reputation of being loudest.

I'd appreciate if you can share some experience with cherrybomb system, especially on its construction quality. Thanks.

 

I think the best "flow" is going to come from the Magnaflow, but by far the best sound will come from that Vortex.
I purchased my first Cherry Bomb when I was 17 in the mid 80's, a classic glasspack and installed it on the '73 Nova SS I had at the time. Completely enjoyed disturbing the neighborhood every morning and evening.
I never even gave the company a thought when I purchased my truck and redid the exhaust, opting instead for a Flowmaster 50HD, primarily because they marketed that muffler at the time as "custom designed specifically for the new Dodge Hemi".
I've welded on the Cherry Bomb Extreme for a buddy with a Hemi about 2 years ago and was amazed at how much it sounded like the old "glasspacks"... The extreme would be the next "louder" series than the Vortex.
I've heard the Vortex on a Chevy Z71 with the old 350ci in it and it sounds very good, not quite the decibel level of the Extreme, but louder than my FM50HD without question. When my FM starts to show signs of wear, I believe I'm going to go to the Vortex myself.
The chamber design of the Vortex will not flow quite as well as the Magnflow or Gibson mufflers you are looking at, but for that classic sound, the performance trade off is minimal at best and probably not enough for you to even notice short of throwing the truck on a dyno.
Get the Cherry Bomb, save a few bucks, wake up the neighbors, I don't think you'll be disappointed...

 

I don't believe that Vortex kit is the actual cherry bomb open muffler that we are all so fond of. It's a normal looking muffler that does have a baffle or 2 in it. Also, I would never put anything other than Stainless Steel on my truck! Even if it's the cheaper 409 vs the better 304, it will last much longer for a little bit more upfont on the initial cost.
My Magnaflow set-up hs a muffler that is straight through, no restrictions.
If you buy from Summit, you'll have to pay for a handling fee of $11.95 and an oversized box fee of close to $40.
If you buy on Ebay, this place has taken offers as low as $490 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Magnaflow-Exhaust-06-07-08-Dodge-Ram-1500-5-7L-16696_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a10 Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQ hashZitem140292066426QQitemZ140292066426QQptZMotor sQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

That same place has the Vortex kits for pretty cheap as well, but nothing for newer Rams. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cherry-Bomb-Exhaust-System-2002-2004-Dodge-Ram-1500_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116 QQitemZ350146615643QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPar tsQ5fAccessories
I love the sound of my Magnaflow. I have heard others with a Gibson catback and absolutely hate that sound. It's gotta be the worst sound ever. I don't think I have heard one Gibson on any truck that sounds good???

 

yeah 'dog, magnaflows dyno pretty good, second only to a Dynaflow on the dyno's I've seen. But you can't make the neighbor have to replace his garage door windows when his dog comes over and craps in your yard. You could if you had a Cherry Bomb!!!

 

If loudness is key, then why not just cut out the muffler and have a classic style cherry bomb or just a straight pipe up in there? he still has a resonator,. I would just bank all that money and buy a straight pipe and have it welded. No sense of tearing out stainless steel and putting in mild steel for the same thing! I bet parts and labor won't be $100. My Silverado had a straight pipe the whole time I owned it right into trading it in. Sounded good, but it was only the 4.8L.

 

I have quite a lot of experience with exhausts. Here is what i can tell you about cherry bomb:They rust quickly because of poorer galvonization, they are not as restictive as flowmaster but are not the best for HP gains, poor to fair welding. They sound alright but sound is personal opinion.

 

Compare with stock, which one would you say will rust quicker?

 

the cherry bomb, the stock muffler actually has one of the longer life spans I have seen for a stock exhaust.

 

I have the Gibson too and love it, my brother got his from ebay but I wanted a valid warranty(the winter salt here destroys metal) so I got it here. gibson 316601, or you can try one of the vendors here on the forum, they are allways having sales/specials. Either way its a great system and very easy to install and for the price you give it a look.

 

I just installed a vortex on my truck this week. Took a flowmaster off and the truck runs and sounds great. I also just put a volant CAI in last week and the motor was bogging down at WOT, now with the Cherry Bomb it just SCREAMS!!! The Vortex is aluminized and painted so I guess we will have to wait and see about rust, but the 3 year old flowmaster was rusted through!!!