tail pipes???

Just wondering how important the tail pipes past the muffler are? I have a flowmaster 40 series cat back dual exhaust. The two pipes come out of the muffler and turn down after the rear axel. The problem is that i'm trying to do the spare tire mod so I can fit a bigger tire in the spare compartment. The tail pipes get in the way. How much will it affect peformance or sound if I cut a few inches off the tail pipes. Or on the other hand how much will the performance and sound be affected if I cut the pipes off about a foot past the muffler?

 

It will grow louder. My buddies and I do this alot on our older cars usually just put a turn down directly on the muffler.

 

Run them out one side right in FRONT of the rear tire 'nascar style' you'll definately stand out here AND they'll give admirers the focal point where all that cool sound comes from

 

Turn them around and run them out of the FRONT of the truck! That's so different I'm surprised Nate hasn't done it yet.