97 Chevy z71 Rear End and Exhaust
 

Two things Im looking for advice on if anybody could help:

I just recently bought a 97 z71 and I noticed it has a 14 bolt rear end. I was first wondering if they put these in stock in this year and model and if anybody knows how I can tell what gear ratio is in it.

Secondly, I need new exhaust on it and need advice on what to do. It currently is straight piped other than the cats but has begun to rust pretty bad and is leaking. I have been told by my buddys that I will get more power with some sort of muffler on there but wanted some more advice.

Thanks

how do you know it has a 14 bolt? you can look up the option symbols and see what it came with from the factory. you might get a little more torque with mufflers. i would put duals with some magnaflows if it were me but that is just my opinion. depends on what you want it to sound like i personally like the sound of the magnaflows because they are quiet when your cruising and loud when your gettin on it..

rear end and exhaust
 

Yes they did put that rearend in some of 97's usually in the Z71 or the light 3/4 tons with six bolt axles. I find the best way to tell what the gear ratio is is to pull the diff cover off and get the numbers off of the crown gear. They are stamped into it example would be 11:41 which would be 3.73 to 1. As for the exhaust I would go duals as well. Myself I would put cherry bombs on it but that is just my preference. Good luck!

you get more power without the muffler. the less restrictions in the exhaust means the better the engine can breath which leads to better performance