Topic: Need advice on choosing exhaust upgrades.

[countryboy15]

I am a 16 year old and I have a 1991 jeep wrangler S 2.5 L. I thinking about doing an exhaust upgrade
(from the headers to the muffler) but I don't know what type of exhaustxsetup to get. Need advice.


I was thinking about going with the Dynomax Blackjack Header(from Jegs) followed by a Magnaflow Performance direct fit Catalytic converter(from O'reilly) and a Dynomax Thrush Turbo muffler(from autozone). I was thinking this setup because it is a cheap performance exhaust setup, and I don't want a noisy Jeep that sounds like crap and makes you go deaf.

Does Anyone Know If The Dynomax Blackjack Header is worth $243 + shipping? If it isn't, could you recommend me a good header?
The Link is: http://www.jegs.com/i/Dynomax/289/88741/10002/-1

Does anyone know if the Magnaflow Performance direct fit Catalytic converter is worth $98? If it isn't, could you recommend me a good Catalytic converter?
The link is: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MFL0/23229.oap?year=1991&make=Jeep&model=Wrangler&vi=1185049&forcedVehicle=true&pt=02404&ppt=C0022

Does anyone know if the Dynomax Thrush Turbo muffler is worth $38? If it isn't, could you recommend me a good Muffler?
The Link is:  http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accessoriesShelf.jsp?categoryDisplayName=Performance&fromType=accessories&fromString=search&parentId=8-10&filterByKeyWord=dynomax&currentPage=1&navValue=100537&categoryNValue=100008&fromWhere=&itemId=537-10&displayName=Performance+Exhaust+Muffler


If none of the above is worth anything, Could you recommend a good exhaust setup?

[smashcoast]

The Magnaflow Cat is a good deal for $98 i have it and it works great.

I had a Banks header that cracked 2 times. So i went back to a stock replacement and it works like a charm for half the price. My advice is get a stock replacement if yours needs to be changed.

The cheap Thrush should be ok. I swapped out my banks Cat back muffler with a $28 cherry bomb from pep boys because the Banks was to loud and a lot of gurrgling. The Cherry Bomb is way quiter than the Banks.

Again one mans opinion!

[stan98tj]

I used to have the dynomax cat back in mine. the in-cabin noise was way too loud. the slightest bit of throttle produced a ricer howl and an unbearable drone on the inside. The pipes also rusted through. i switched to banks (both header and cat-back) and ive been satisfied. Its much quieter on the inside, but the tone is pretty nice. Just my opinion though....i do have a thread in the poseur section providing pics and videos of the header and exhaust upgrade. if you want, search "domeslacker" on youtube for the rest of my videos-both with the dynomax and now with the banks.

[Jeffy]

You're spending a lot on the header but cheaping out in the muffler.  I'd leave the stock exhaust manifold on and then go with the Magnaflow cat and a cat-back like a Borla.  That's currently what I run.  It will also be a lot easier to install since you won't have to take the intake off the engine.

[dwtaylorpdx]

?? I have had my header in and out several times and I did not
have to remove the intake, I just leave it hang in place and the
header threads out the bottom.

Dave

[countryboy15]

Alright thanks for the advice on the headers and the catlytic converter.
SO this is what I have left to choose from that is actually worth the money:
1)Magnaflow Performance direct fit Catalytic converter
2)A decent muffler like a Borla or a Banks.  

SO what type of muffler should I go with.

[Jeffy]

?? I have had my header in and out several times and I did not
have to remove the intake, I just leave it hang in place and the
header threads out the bottom.

Dave

Ok, not complete out but you have to loosen it and then get it lined back up so it doesn't leak.  Not to mention, there is the possibility of the stud breaking off.

Alright thanks for the advice on the headers and the catlytic converter.
SO this is what I have left to choose from that is actually worth the money:
1)Magnaflow Performance direct fit Catalytic converter
2)A decent muffler like a Borla or a Banks. 

SO what type of muffler should I go with.

I have been happy with Borla since I have dealt with their customer service many times.  I've gone thought 3/4 mufflers and this last time I had them replace everything.  No problems.  It's paid for itself several times over.

I have never delt with Banks.

[countryboy15]

What type of borla muffler should I get If I dont want the cat back system but instead just a cheap turndown tail pipe.

[Jeffy]

What type of borla muffler should I get If I dont want the cat back system but instead just a cheap turndown tail pipe.

If you're willing to spend $243+ on a header why not spend it on a cat-back?  I hate turn-down's as the exhaust gets sucked back into the cabin.  Oh and it also changes the tune of the exhaust since you have very little back pressure which will cause a loss of some low end torque.

If you're looking at just a muffler then it would be either a 40981 or 40652 depending if you want center/center or center/offset.  Both will work.

[countryboy15]

I have a one of the two dual exhaust pipes off of my last jeep that isn't damaged, If I decide to go with the full tail pipe system. But for me a piece of crap muffler with no exhaust pipe  coming off of it doesn't bother me so I figure a turn down would be good.

[countryboy15]

Thanks for the advice. I decided to go with the Borla 40652 because of the center/offset deal. I don't know why but I like that type setup.
I ending up with the: borla 40652 and maganaflow direct fit catalytic converter.

[sharpxmen]

?? I have had my header in and out several times and I did not
have to remove the intake, I just leave it hang in place and the
header threads out the bottom.

Dave

for the 5 min extra you have to work to take out the intake would make it lot easier not to mention cleaning the cyl head gasket seating area - you could probably do it but i think it's easier to remove the intake first

[dwtaylorpdx]

Well to each his own, I found no reason to remove it,
I use a dry gasket from the early 2.5 TBI YJ and no cleaning is required.
I also avoid opening the fuel system. Never had a exhaust or intake leak so far... KNock on wood. :)

Dave

[Jeffy]

Well to each his own, I found no reason to remove it,
I use a dry gasket from the early 2.5 TBI YJ and no cleaning is required.
I also avoid opening the fuel system. Never had a exhaust or intake leak so far... KNock on wood. :)

Dave

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

[sharpxmen]

Well to each his own, I found no reason to remove it,
I use a dry gasket from the early 2.5 TBI YJ and no cleaning is required.
I also avoid opening the fuel system. Never had a exhaust or intake leak so far... KNock on wood. :)

Dave

actually i forgot about the power steering bracket - that has some bolt or bolts that go into the intake so it's not just 5 extra min - when i said that i only thought of the extra nut/bolt on in the cyl head, the fuel lines (which come off pretty easy) and the bolt holding them under the intake, 3 connectors (tps, iac and iat) and the vac lines. I remember the p/s bolts to be a pain  so i take back what i said about 5 more min.