This item is a heavy duty, shiny exhaust tip with an expansion slot and a strong welded stud/clip. It's far from 3", more like 3 1/4", and after cutting, hammering and crimping it was welded on. gaps and such. Not pretty, but reliable. If your 2014 GMC Sierra 1500, 5.3 V8 requires an exhaust tip that only works after assembly, compromises are at best. Shame on the owner who bought the HOOKER manifold set if that is the fuzzy measurement standard they use on other products.