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2019 Sierra To Offer Performance Exhaust From The Factory: Feature Spotlight

When it launches later this year, GMC’s all-new 2019 Sierra will offer a performance axle-back exhaust system from the factory. Here’s the low-down on the axle-back kit.

The System

The optional performance exhaust for the 2019 Sierra features 4-inch stainless steel tubing with an in-line muffler and round tip. GMC claims that the system “reduces restrictions in the exhaust pipes and expands the diameter of stock pipes, allowing your engine to breathe better.” The exhaust tip features an imprinted GMC logo.

2019 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 exterior - 2018 New York Auto Show Live 004

Availability

Assigned RPO code WBC, the cat-back exhaust is technically a Limited Production Option (LPO) feature – which means that it can be optioned on the vehicle during the order process and installed at the factory or shipped to the dealer as an official GM (GMC) accessory and then either sold to the customer or installed by the dealer on an in-stock vehicle. To get the system in the 2019 GMC Sierra, it must be equipped with either the 5.3L V8 L84 or 6.2L V8 L87 Gen 2 EcoTec3 engines. As such, the system can’t be optioned with the 4.3L LV3 V6, 2.7L L3B I4 Turbo, or the 3.0L Duramax I6 turbo-diesel.

It’s worth mentioning that the 2019 Sierra also offers an optional polished exhaust tip that is assigned RPO Code VQZ, but this particular tip cannot be optioned with the WBC performance exhaust, likely because it has a bigger outlet than the stock unit, fo which the standard tip is designed.

The system is available for both, the 2019 Sierra with the single exhaust as well as models with the built-in dual exhaust, which is new for the 2019 model year.

Price

The price for this 2019 Sierra exhaust from GM is $1,195 for single-exhaust models or $1,595 for dual-exhaust models, which is comparable to an aftermarket axle-back system from Corsa, Borla and the like. Installation is (obviously) included when the system is ordered with the vehicle (since it is installed at the factory). In this case, the system is covered by the bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Those opting to buy the system after the fact as an accessory will likely need to pay extra for installation. In this case, the system is covered under the “greater of either the balance of the vehicle’s bumper-to-bumper warranty or 12 months / 12,000 miles.”

Sound

Since the 2019 Sierra has yet to launch or arrive on dealer lots, a video of the 2019 GMC Sierra equipped with the optional exhaust simply doesn’t exist. However, we did come across the below video that provides a quick overview of the installation process of a cat-back exhaust system on the last-generation (K2 platform) 2014 GMC Sierra Denali 1500 equipped with the 5.3L V8 L83 engine, which is part of the Gen 1 EcoTec3 engine family. Though the 2019 Sierra features upgraded engines (the L84 and L87) that are part of the Gen 2 EcoTec3 family, the sampling at the end of this video should give us a pretty good idea of what a free (or free-er) flowing exhaust setup on the 5.3 V8 engine will sound like.

Hopefully we’ll be able to hear the real deal for ourselves in the near future.

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Comments

  1. Axle back, so a noise maker and not a performance gainer.
    Proper headers promoting scavenging and a catback exhaust would see gains, this ‘performance’ exhaust is manipulated performance.

    For $1200 you could do a custom catback. Hell you could likely do intake and custom exhaust for that price.

    Reply
    1. “noise maker and not a performance gainer.”

      … which describes 95% of today’s car-buying population, unfortunately.

      Reply
      1. Let’s be realistic on what a oem manufacture can offer and be 50 state legal. Also if exaust is like the k2 trucks there will be so excited engineering trickery into making it sound good and not drone or sound like a helicopter with the DFM is active.

        Reply
  2. WBC is considered an LPO (Limited Production Option), not an RPO (Regular Production Option). WBC can be placed on the order at the time the dealer configures it and submits the order to GM. When the truck is produced, WBC shows up on the window sticker for $1,195 and the exhaust is shipped to the dealer for installation. Dealer installation is INCLUDED in the cost of the LPO and is not additional. Looks like WBC is also available on some dual exhaust models (N10), but the price increases to $1,595.

    Reply
    1. That is correct, with one slight but important clarification: no one said that WBC is an RPO. The article mentioned that the system is an LPO with RPO code WBC. A particular LPO content/feature/item is still assigned an RPO code, which is what WBC is in the first place.

      Other than that, we have updated the article to reflect the details with single and dual exhaust.

      Reply
  3. Who anyone care about what the Sierra wounds like and if the exhaust system does not benefit overall performance then it’s a big waste of money.

    Reply
  4. Well let’s bring some real info over opinion here.

    The aftermarket exhaust offer here is not me. GM had one for last gen and even the mid size trucks had this as a LPO option. They treat this like floor liners.

    The HP increase is generally 10 HP give or take an HP per application.
    Not a big gain but a gain. Find another way for an real easy again.

    The factory exhaust cost is in line with most stainless systems in the aftermarket. Cheaper ones are ether just steel or cheaper Stainless.

    The sound should be better on the V8. The V6 not so much as we have found on the mid size with only a single outlet.

    If you don’t want it just do not buy it.

    If people want it this becomes added profit for GM and Dealers.

    Note exhaust like this tend to gain performance in the mid to upper range RPM.

    Now here is the opinion. This is a natural and smart move as GM should exploit any and all modifications for added profits. Ones like this can get lumped into the payment at the time of purchase.

    Anyone have a problem with GM trying to increase sales and income?

    Reply
  5. There is an inverse relationship between the size of the exhaust tips and the size of the driver’s manhood. Lol

    Reply
  6. Performance Exhaust in Ocala, Florida will replace exhaust from stock manifolds back with real dual exhaust with X pipe using 2&1/2 pipe and two Magniflow mufflers and tail pipes for $750. They reconnect O2 sensors and remove cats.

    Reply
  7. There are many options out there in the aftermarket some as good son not few better.

    The point of this is to give owners a little more sound with a few more HP and be able to tag it to the payment and loan.

    Many folks buying a truck will not go out and drop a grand on an exhaust after buying a new vehicle because they can not afford it.

    GM is in a position we’re they can pick up these folks. It is a money maker for them.

    Also GM can ship these out and not install them to pass the drive by sound regulation as it is an uninstalled LPO part. It is like the open chamber pipes years ago shipped in the trunk of a Camaro.

    Reply

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