Cat Back....Cost Effective?
03-09-2008, 05:56 PM
#1
JK Jedi
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Location: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
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Cat Back....Cost Effective?
Would like to hear from those of you who have installed a Cat Back exhaust system, and what you think of it? Was it worth the time and $$$??? If so, which system seems to be most popular?
Would also like to hear of anyone who has gone all the way and installed a whole new exhaust including headers. I'm sure this is probably the best route to take if you want performance, but for somebody that is really only wanting to get the best fuel economy he can, is it really worth the huge expense? I guess if gas is going to stay above $3.50 a gal, in the long run, maybe it WILL pay for itself before too darn long after all........ha!!!
Thanks for all replies....
Dave
Would also like to hear of anyone who has gone all the way and installed a whole new exhaust including headers. I'm sure this is probably the best route to take if you want performance, but for somebody that is really only wanting to get the best fuel economy he can, is it really worth the huge expense? I guess if gas is going to stay above $3.50 a gal, in the long run, maybe it WILL pay for itself before too darn long after all........ha!!!
Thanks for all replies....
Dave
03-10-2008, 08:16 AM
#2
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Location: San Diego,CA.
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Cat back
I installed the Cool Tech kit-comes with a Magnaflow stainless muffler, easy to install and don't have that ugly muffler in the rear anymore,can hear my engine now!
03-10-2008, 08:40 AM
#3
JK Freak
I had my local muffler shop install a s/s Borla under the cab. I wanted more power and got it. Not to sure I'm saving much on gas. definitely sounds good. And got rid of 22 ugly pounds hanging of the back. Spent $220
Last edited by pkdailey4; 03-10-2008 at 11:27 AM.
03-10-2008, 08:41 AM
#4
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Do you have a 4 door or 2 door?
I have a 4 door and made my own "cool tech" for half the price
$ 65 for a Magnaflow stainless muffler off ebay
$ 5 for two muffler clamps
$ 70 for a muffler shop to make and add a tail pipe from the axle back
$140 total
It only took an hour at the most to remove the stock muffler, cut a section out of the pipe under the driver side, and slip in the new muffler.
I even reinstalled the muffler heat shield above the new muffler.
The Cool tech kit has you do the same thing, except they give you a tail pipe
I have a 4 door and made my own "cool tech" for half the price
$ 65 for a Magnaflow stainless muffler off ebay
$ 5 for two muffler clamps
$ 70 for a muffler shop to make and add a tail pipe from the axle back
$140 total
It only took an hour at the most to remove the stock muffler, cut a section out of the pipe under the driver side, and slip in the new muffler.
I even reinstalled the muffler heat shield above the new muffler.
The Cool tech kit has you do the same thing, except they give you a tail pipe
03-10-2008, 10:36 AM
#5
JeepSWAG
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Warning: shameless self promotion ahead
If you are looking for mileage and power, then you don't want to go with a system that does NOT have true mandrel bent tubing. Mandrel bending is much more expensive, but is the best way to do it. Also keep in mind that the factory exhaust is Stainless Steel. You may as well match it, if you want it to last the longest. I've had a couple of guys tell me that they are seeing mileage improvements, after installing my kit.
I posted the following on some other threads, and though it made sense here also. My kit is $315 plus shipping. If interested, please PM or email me.
This kit works on a 2 door, if you relocate the Evap Canister.
We have tested 5 different mufflers. I've got video and sound for four of them. I'll post up video links as soon as I can.
We tested:
- Magnaflow 14377 14" X 4" X 9" Same side offset
- Magnaflow 10436 22" X 4" round Center in/out
- Magnaflow 11226 14" X 4" X 9" Center in/out and offset in/out
- Borla 40653 13.125" X 4" X 9.5" Center in/out and offset in/out
- Flowmaster 50 series 942554 17" X " X 9.75" Oval Same Side Offset
The following are our observations.
Both Magnaflow ovals, and the Borla sounded the same. I do not recall any difference at all. They all represent the most mellow deepest sound that I have heard on a JK.
The Flowmaster and Magnaflow round 4" both sounded very similar. Louder and and more ricey/tinnie/sharp sounding.
The Flowmaster is a very large muffler. The goal here was to see if a larger size created a deeper tone. Just the opposite turned out to be true... This muffler may be a good fit, if you wanted a louder muffler, and did not worry about clearance, or wanted to install in the stock location.
The Magnaflow and Borla with the Offset In, and Center Out would not fit in the location that I wanted to install the muffler. Both would be a good solution if you wanted to install the muffler in front of the Evap Can, on a 4 door.
Hands down the best muffler for the location where I wanted to install (just behind where the Evap Can was previously located) was the Magnaflow 14377. It has the best clearance, is well protected by the rear lower control arms and has as good a tone as any muffler that I've heard.
Picks of Magnaflow install
I posted the following on some other threads, and though it made sense here also. My kit is $315 plus shipping. If interested, please PM or email me.
This kit works on a 2 door, if you relocate the Evap Canister.
We have tested 5 different mufflers. I've got video and sound for four of them. I'll post up video links as soon as I can.
We tested:
- Magnaflow 14377 14" X 4" X 9" Same side offset
- Magnaflow 10436 22" X 4" round Center in/out
- Magnaflow 11226 14" X 4" X 9" Center in/out and offset in/out
- Borla 40653 13.125" X 4" X 9.5" Center in/out and offset in/out
- Flowmaster 50 series 942554 17" X " X 9.75" Oval Same Side Offset
The following are our observations.
Both Magnaflow ovals, and the Borla sounded the same. I do not recall any difference at all. They all represent the most mellow deepest sound that I have heard on a JK.
The Flowmaster and Magnaflow round 4" both sounded very similar. Louder and and more ricey/tinnie/sharp sounding.
The Flowmaster is a very large muffler. The goal here was to see if a larger size created a deeper tone. Just the opposite turned out to be true... This muffler may be a good fit, if you wanted a louder muffler, and did not worry about clearance, or wanted to install in the stock location.
The Magnaflow and Borla with the Offset In, and Center Out would not fit in the location that I wanted to install the muffler. Both would be a good solution if you wanted to install the muffler in front of the Evap Can, on a 4 door.
Hands down the best muffler for the location where I wanted to install (just behind where the Evap Can was previously located) was the Magnaflow 14377. It has the best clearance, is well protected by the rear lower control arms and has as good a tone as any muffler that I've heard.
Picks of Magnaflow install
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03-10-2008, 11:32 AM
#8
JK Freak
Do you have a 4 door or 2 door?
I have a 4 door and made my own "cool tech" for half the price
$ 65 for a Magnaflow stainless muffler off ebay
$ 5 for two muffler clamps
$ 70 for a muffler shop to make and add a tail pipe from the axle back
$140 total
It only took an hour at the most to remove the stock muffler, cut a section out of the pipe under the driver side, and slip in the new muffler.
I even reinstalled the muffler heat shield above the new muffler.
The Cool tech kit has you do the same thing, except they give you a tail pipe
I have a 4 door and made my own "cool tech" for half the price
$ 65 for a Magnaflow stainless muffler off ebay
$ 5 for two muffler clamps
$ 70 for a muffler shop to make and add a tail pipe from the axle back
$140 total
It only took an hour at the most to remove the stock muffler, cut a section out of the pipe under the driver side, and slip in the new muffler.
I even reinstalled the muffler heat shield above the new muffler.
The Cool tech kit has you do the same thing, except they give you a tail pipe
03-10-2008, 12:12 PM
#9
JeepSWAG
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03-10-2008, 12:20 PM
#10
JK Freak
I used that exact dyno result to determine my setup. actually I copied it. It works for me and that's all the proof I needed, Used a Hypertech insted of the jet chip.
Last edited by pkdailey4; 03-10-2008 at 12:24 PM.