Topic: Need advice on choosing exhaust upgrades.

[dwtaylorpdx]

We're talking about a 16yr old with little to no experience.   

Heh well there is that!   

Dave

[countryboy15]

Thanks for the help. YOu are right about the experience part. I only have the interior, electrical, and exterior body repair type of experience. I also can do just about any minor mechanic work as long as I have some type of instructions with some sort of pictures.

[dwtaylorpdx]

My exhaust is :

Doug Thorley Header
Random Tech Metal matrix cat
2.5 inch pipe front to rear.
Spintek muffler (Too loud. and its the one they call quiet.)
Cost about 600 installed.

Dave

[Jeffy]

My exhaust is :

Doug Thorley Header
Random Tech Metal matrix cat
2.5 inch pipe front to rear.
Spintek muffler (Too loud. and its the one they call quiet.)
Cost about 600 installed.

Dave

Random Tech's cats are way over priced.  Magnaflow (was Carsound) is just as good and $80-ish for a 49 state and $200-ish for CA ( ).

[dwtaylorpdx]

The random tech at the time had a LOOOONG warranty and since this was cat #5 on my jeep,,,I went long... :)
3 years so far, a new record for me....

The criteria was 100% metal, no ceramic anywhere. There are a lot more options now than when I did  mine...

Dave

[Jeffy]

The random tech at the time had a LOOOONG warranty and since this was cat #5 on my jeep,,,I went long... :)
3 years so far, a new record for me....

The criteria was 100% metal, no ceramic anywhere. There are a lot more options now than when I did  mine...

Dave

Best you'll find is a 5 year 50K miles usually.  I think that's mandated by the Feds.  I think it's dumb that CA has to make it such a PITA with all this liability crap they put into law in '09.  Now you can't put just any cat anywhere and it has to be by model number or you could get fined.  Seller can get fined, installer can get fined and owner can get fined.  Everyone has to keep stupid paperwork for 2 years.

Funny thing is my Jeep passes find with the 49-state cat which for a while was their only cat.

[dwtaylorpdx]

Mine was 60K miles no time limit back then ,, now its less.

Dave

[OH-YJ]

Minus the header, what would be the best route for someone who isn't looking to spend much money?

[Jeffy]

How much is too much?  If you spend a bit more for a quality exhaust you'll never have to buy one again. (ie. warranty)

I'd go with a Magnaflow Direct-Fit Cat and a Borla or maybe Banks exhaust.  That will be around $100 for the cat and $250-300 or so for the exhaust, IIRC.  All stainless steel and you'll be able to install it so there is no labor and it can be removed/repaired on the trail without having to cut anything.  Borla has a no nonsense warranty.  Contact them, use a CC and send back your old parts after the one ones arrive.  Then the CC is credited.

[OH-YJ]

How much is too much?  If you spend a bit more for a quality exhaust you'll never have to buy one again. (ie. warranty)

I'd go with a Magnaflow Direct-Fit Cat and a Borla or maybe Banks exhaust.  That will be around $100 for the cat and $250-300 or so for the exhaust, IIRC.  All stainless steel and you'll be able to install it so there is no labor and it can be removed/repaired on the trail without having to cut anything.  Borla has a no nonsense warranty.  Contact them, use a CC and send back your old parts after the one ones arrive.  Then the CC is credited.

I would be willing to pay the money for a lifetime warranty, but I looked and couldn't find a Borla exhaust for the 2.5, only the 4.0 and 4.2.

[sharpxmen]

I would be willing to pay the money for a lifetime warranty, but I looked and couldn't find a Borla exhaust for the 2.5, only the 4.0 and 4.2.

i'm almost certain that except for the downpipe, so starting with the cat they're the same - maybe someone else can confirm this or otherwise

[Jeffy]

i'm almost certain that except for the downpipe, so starting with the cat they're the same - maybe someone else can confirm this or otherwise

Yes, they are all the same.  Mine has the part number for the 4.2L.  There is one difference I think but it's not really that important.  Mine has an offset rear output.  There is one that has a straight output, which I had before.  It fit a little better but really it doesn't matter.  My original Borla also had the offset rear output, too.