Hey guys,
from website:
These kits are made of 2-1/2" Aluminized mandrel bent tubing and include a 2-1/2" turbo muffler, 2-1/2" tailpipe, hangers and clamps. Some vehicle applications also include plain steel reducing adapter bushing to install the 2-1/2" muffler to the smaller converter. *Fits systems with flange after catalytic converter.
price: just under 150.
I got the 4WD aluminized 2.5 cat back kit with the turbo muffler. The kit comes with adapter flanges to meet up with the factory cat, muffler, clamps, tailpipe and of course instructions. I opted to weld this kit on and here are the steps I took:
Here in town we have a good array of muffler shops and our local jeep club is sponsored by a local Midas and they give 15% off so I tried them out.
The reason I wanted it welded was piece of mind. I also am going to be installing a banks header soon and wanted everything firm and buttoned up. Also having the jeep on the lift gave me a chance to check out the under carriage.
The kit is a full 2.5 mandrel bent pipe. Very smooth bends and the fit was spot on. A little fabrication and the old factory exhaust was taken off and the new one on in an hour! We trimmed the rear tail pipe so it fires down to the ground like OEM. All the tabs/ hangers were right on with my 2001 TJ. I reused the rubber hangers but had to modify one - I like the rubber hanger for vibration purposes. If you were to DIY the kit with clamps it really would take under 2 hours. I had no major fitment issues at all.
According to the instructions, the muffler is center in and offset out. I called 4WD to get the manufacturer of the muffler because it fit great backwards (off set in and center out). Heartthrob is the company that makes the kit. I got their number and spoke to a very nice fella on the phone and these turbo type mufflers can be installed either way with very little difference in flow. So we buzzed it up and called it good!
Notes on install:
I opted to put on a flex pipe for my header install which is going to be soon. I put it near the bottom of the down pipe - tons of room to put it wherever you want.
I also opted to install a 2.5 in/out hi flow cat by Magnaflow. Fit like a glove BUT you need to have a o2 bung welded in unless you get the direct fit (my universal 2.5 in out was like 50 bucks - hard to beat!) - direct fit is like 150 I think.
Ok now the good stuff!
Sound: so glad I did not go flowmaster with the 4 banger. I have read a lot on muffler choice and I did not want loud but i did want noticeable. The sound is plush and mellow. In 1,2,3 gear you can really notice the new set up over stock and then it almost disappears in 4,5 gears. No drone, no loud flowmaster rasp. Low enough to know it is there but silent enough to let mom drive it - even with softtop. In cab noise is minimal by my standards. The hi flow cat might have a hand in this but i can not wait till the banks header is on. Overall, it sounds really good through out the entire RPM range.
Performance: Smoooooth idle. WOW! Just with these components the jeep seems so much happier! Throttle response is slightly increased and a little more punch in the mid RPM range. MPG --- time will tell. I do have a cold air intake and 4.0 bored tb so now i feel like there is good amount of air in / air out. Also the jeep seemed to run slightly cooler and the floorboards were not as hot so I think the motor is breathing a little better.
Final thoughts:
Durability --- I have heard of these kits rotting out and rusting out in a year, etc. Again, time will tell. Everything is tucked nice and high so banging it around will be minimal. I dunno - I have faith. The stainless kit is twice as much and this jeep is on a budget. I feel good with the purchase. It really complements my other performance mods. I will keep an eye on the rust.
Really good price, easy install but a local shop could do this for ya for the same price (kit price + installation price) - maybe even cheaper.
Links:
http://www.heartthrobexhaust.com4 cyl cat back in 2.5
http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?jeep-sid=20&plID=810&partID=3504Magnaflow Cat - I have used this vendor 3 times. Zero issues.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Carsound-MagnaFlow-Catalytic-Converter-2-5-HF-FS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem20b17a605bQQitemZ140416540763QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesPics:
