Are you wondering how to make L5P louder without deleting the DPF system so you can avoid a costly fine and retain the engine’s longevity?
You are on the right track. You can make the L5P louder by installing a cold air intake, upgrading its exhaust system, replacing the turbocharger, or installing a resonator delete pipe.
These modifications will significantly increase your L5P’s sound without affecting horsepower, fuel economy, and overall value.
Article Summary
How To Make L5P Louder without Deleting?
Deleting the DPF of the L5P engine isn’t the only way to make its sound more aggressive and louder. Below are some preferable ways to increase your L5P engine’s sound without hurting the engine or your pocket:
1. Install Cold Air Intake (CAI)
Installing a cold air intake can increase the L5P sound notably. It helps the engine get cooler air to burn more fuel while remaining cool for a long time. Hence, the engine will deliver more power, perform better, and produce louder noise.
You won’t have to replace the exhaust to install a cold air intake. It will cost between $100 and $500 to install a new cold air intake to make a louder and more aggressive sound.
2. Upgrade the Exhaust System
Upgrading the stock exhaust improves the engine’s power and sound. Adding a top-notch muffler exhaust system to the engine also ensures better gas flow through the exhaust.
Hence, the engine will deliver improved performance and more aggressive sound. Installing an exhaust system will also boost the engine’s longevity instead of impacting the factory emissions.
Though standard exhaust systems cost around $75 to $100, an advanced one can cost over $300. However, you must check the state’s law before changing the factory exhaust, as many states only allow a certain engine noise level.
3. Replace the Turbocharger
Replacing a turbocharger can’t directly make the truck sound louder. It increases the engine’s overall torque values and horsepower, making the exhaust louder.
However, replacing a turbocharger is time-consuming and tiresome and needs to replace plenty of other parts. So, it can cost between $450 and $2800 to change the turbocharger.
4. Install a Resonator Delete Pipe
Installing a resonator delete pipe can also be a possible way to make the L5P louder, particularly without deleting the DPF.
Installing a resonator delete pipe is also simpler and only requires some hand tools. However, you may experience louder cabin noise after changing the resonator.
5. Muffler Upgrade or Delete
The stock muffler can be replaced with a performance muffler to make the exhaust sound deeper and louder.
Some might be content with a straight-pipe muffler delete, which is allowed as long as the DPF and other emissions hardware stick around.
6. Aftermarket Downpipe
Installing a performance downpipe (retaining emissions equipment like the DPF) is a good way to increase exhaust flow and provide more sound.
Ensure the downpipe is EPA-approved if you’re in a state with strict emissions regulations.
Effect of Deleting L5P DPF
Though deleting the DPF can make the L5P louder, it’ll bring lots of consequences. Let’s understand some effects of deleting the DPF from your L5P engine:
Don’t Restrict Horsepower
Many people believe that installing a bigger intake and exhaust for the 2017 to 2020 L5P can make it more powerful. Though many forums convince them to believe so, it isn’t factual.
It can manipulate other critical commands in the engine like fuel, timing, and boost. so it won’t increase the horsepower notably.
Won’t Deliver Better Fuel Economy
Deleting the DPF can improve only a small fuel economy that can hardly be noticeable. Instead, you should remove the EGR to improve the fuel economy significantly. This will ensure a more free flow of exhaust gases to let the engine breathe easily.
Sound Enhancement
As a DPF deletion will remove a fabulously expensive muffler, a serious gas weed will never complain about the extra noise from an uprated exhaust, that’s what we want to hear.
In common with many other diesel owners, box-standard diesel power was out of the question when I rekindled my love of motoring.
Tuning Requirements
The ECM (the computer that controls engine and emission functions) will need tuning to keep the engine from triggering an engine light and going into limp mode after a delete.
You’re telling the engine to ignore emissions-related programming, which may or may not make it work with future ECM upgrades or scan tools.
Reduce the Trucks Durability
GM and other competitors upgrade their factory emissions components. The components they first used on their trucks, like EGR, DPF, and UREA, were very poor and required frequent repair.
But their upgraded components last forever and don’t harm the truck’s operation. Emission is a vital part of a vehicle. You should maintain and allow it to complete the full cycle instead of modifying it to make the engine louder.
Environmental And Legal Implications
Increased Emissions: As the DPF filters out this particulate matter, removing it leads to more of it being emitted into the air, degrading air quality.
Legal Consequences: The reason why it’s a bad idea is legality. In some areas, deleting the DPF is illegal. In many others, it’s against emissions laws.
Smog checks or other emissions testing can fail if you’ve removed your DPF, and fines for altering emissions systems can be severe. And if your vehicle is pre-1992, it may already have a system installed.
Warranty And Insurance Risks: DPF deletion invalidates manufacturer warranties and potentially affects insurance. The component or its software is altered and replaced by a different emissions system.
Reduce the Trucks value
If you delete the DPF system, the opportunity to sell or trade the truck to a dealer will be limited. You may even look for a new emission system to make the truck applicable for selling.
Though you can sell your truck to a third party without emission, you won’t get the desired money. So, if you don’t want to struggle to sell the vehicle, keep the emissions equipment and DPF with your truck.
Reduced Regeneration Cycles
The DPF needs to be regenerated occasionally to burn off the soot that accumulates within it. This is fuel-intensive and can affect the vehicle’s performance while taking place. Regens are no longer required without the DPF.
How Long Does L5P Last?
The L5P Duramax has proven itself very durable, with many lasting 250,000 miles or more and even a few going 500,000 miles or more with proper maintenance and operating conditions.
L5P engines still require consistent regular oil changes, quality fuel, and routine maintenance to the turbo.
Injectors having the engine properly tun L5P a are the emissions systems, specifically the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and the Exhaust Gas Recirculation system (EGR), which can manifest issues as the truck ages.
This equipment sometimes needs expensive service or even replacement. But with consistent care, they will run for a long time and can tow or otherwise work hard.
Though always influenced by the driving style and workloads you get from an engine and what you put into it, the L5P has a strong reputation among diehard high mileage users as one of the most long-lasting diesel engines.
FAQs on How To Make L5P Louder without Deleting
Why Does a Person Tend To Delete an L5P?
Many people believe that deleting the DPF system of an L5P engine can prevent tiresome maintenance and improve its performance. They think it can reduce the cost of repairs and ensure more power production.
What is the Penalty For Deleting DPF?
Deleting DPF is highly illegal. If you remove any emissions components from the diesel engine and install non-SMOG-complaint equipment, you can be fined up to $5000.
Does Increasing the Bore of the Exhaust Pipe Make Its Sound Deeper?
Yes, it should work. With wider pipes, sound faces fewer obstacles and increases. If you add some size to the exhaust pipe, it can help the vehicle to produce a roaring sound. However, you shouldn’t bore the exhaust pipe too much.
What Exhaust System Upgrades Can Make the L5P Louder Without a Delete?
A cat-back or an axle-back straight-through performance exhaust system will be louder but deeper and richer than stock with its sound and more responsive with airflow without removing emissions components.
How Does a Resonator Delete Affect the L5P’s Sound?
Eliminating the resonator makes the exhaust note throatier and more full and loud without interfering with emissions.
Final Words
Hope you understand how to make L5P louder without deleting. Though adding a cold air intake or exhaust system may cost a little money, this will provide you with much louder sound while improving the car’s overall performance.
Deleting the DPF system, on the other hand, isn’t a worthwhile decision in any case. It’ll make your car illegal on the road, cost you a higher fine, and reduce its durability and longevity. If you prefer a louder sound from the L5p engine, do it sensibly.
