Exhaust Upgrade Help for 4.0

[ZildjianDevil]

Hey guys,

I’m interested in upgrading my stock exhaust, but not sure what brands are worth purchasing vs avoiding. Also, is it worth replacing from catback down? This is really tough since I can’t test out exhausts to see what brand or series would sound best with a stock tj 4.0l straight 6.

I’ve been reading tons of posts about this, but they all seem to be older from 2013 and earlier, which I wanted to get a take on something more current for 2018. I’ve noticed that it seems like most guys say the best exhaust is the quietest on the straight 6. In my opinion, I want something deep, and a little throaty, but not over the top where it is laughable loud. I’ve read to stay away from certain exhausts that have “drone”.

I just wanted to get a good idea of what brands of exhaust to go with, and how far back should I go with the removal of stock exhaust?

I was looking at FlowMaster Super 40 (delta).

Thanks in advance!

-Zildjian

 

[59 wagon man]

walker dynomax plus they have a $50 rebate so its about $115

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Forget all the pretty but EXPENSIVE cat-back systems sold in catalogs and online. They're WAY overpriced and what recourse do you have if you don't like the sound of what the UPS truck delivered?

Save some significant $$$ and go visit your local independent old-school muffler shop. That means avoid the chain muffler shops like Meineke who all have quotas to meet and will gouge you on the pricing. Go talk to the muffler shop that has been in your town for 25-50 years and tell them the sound you want and ask them what they'd go with. They can install the same fancy stainless steel tip in the catalog ad and they can avoid replacing all of the cat-back piping if it's in good enough condition to continue using.

My local muffler guys will install equal quality to the catalog cat-backs for half the cost. And if you don't like the sound the first muffler makes, they can change it to one more in line with what you want. That's what I did on my last muffler install.

 

[Chris]

Forget all the pretty EXPENSIVE cat-back systems sold in catalogs and online. They're WAY overpriced and what recourse do you have if you don't like the sound of what the UPS truck delivered?

Save some significant $$$ and go visit your local independent old-school muffler shop. That means avoid the chain muffler shops like Meineke who all have quotas to meet and will gouge you on the pricing. Go talk to the muffler shop that has been in your town for 25-50 years and tell them the sound you want and ask them what they'd go with. They can install the same fancy stainless steel tip in the catalog ad and they can avoid replacing all of the cat-back piping if it's in good enough condition to continue using.

My local muffler guys will install equal quality to the catalog cat-backs for half the cost. And if you don't like the sound the first muffler makes, they can change it to one more in line with what you want. That's what I did on my last muffler install.

X2 to this. This is the best advice you will get.

Your local exhaust shop can build you a great system at a fraction of what you'll pay for one of those cat-back systems you see online.

That's what I had done for mine. Cost me about $260, whereas the cat-backs online were all upwards of $500.

 

[saharapaul]

first of all great advice from Chris and Jerry! i will tell you i installed a Quadratec competition cat back system by magnaflow for $279.99 stainless steel with a lifetime warranty and am very happy. So get a quote and look around and then do it! 2003 Sahara.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

first of all great advice from Chris and Jerry! i will tell you i installed a Quadratec competition cat back system by magnaflow for $279.99 stainless steel with a lifetime warranty and am very happy. So get a quote and look around and then do it! 2003 Sahara.

A muffler shop up by Blaine's house quoted me something like $180-190 for Magnaflow system with a new tip. That was too much $$$ for me so I'm going back up to get his $130-140 Thrush muffler system which will be fine for my TJ. That's what I had in my previous TJ and it sounded awesome... not too loud either.

 

[59 wagon man]

walker dynomax complete with clamps and super turbo muffler $112

 

[tworley]

Local muffler shop years ago charged me $150 for a new true dual exhaust system on a half ton pickup. 2.5" piping and two 3.5"x18" stainless steel tips. I see that same option online and its close to $500.

Recently I had a different local shop cut my tailpipe on my jeep, re-bend the shape to clear a shock and weld back on. Cost me $40

 

[mots]

I have often had exhaust shops customize systems for my cars due to cost, but with the TJ I went a different direction. To my surprise, I was able to install a complete manifold-back exhaust for my 2005 X (including 3 cats, muffler, and pipe) for less than $500 (links below). The diameter from the cat-back is now now 2.5" instead of 2.25". Not really providing any performance benefit, but the beefier exhaust looks better for my 99% street TJ and the sounds level is barely louder than stock with the 3 cats as a baffle.

If you can do it yourself, no labor costs will apply and you will have a proper system that can be properly connected/disconnected with stock location clamps etc. (some shops don't care about this detail and will weld things together if your not careful). Also, for 2000+ TJ's with the 2 pre-cats and 3rd unmonitored cat, most pre-cats have broken up substrate (rattling) or are partially clogged after 100k (harder to flow after 3000RPM and hotter engine temps). The pre-cats often break up and then clog the 3rd larger cat. My Jeep runs so much better now with the new cats, and the bolt-on cat-back was icing on the cake to replace my old rusted out stock system.

• Flowmaster directly bolt-on mid-pipe w/ 3 cats ($230) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUT0383/?tag=wranglerorg-20
• Banks Monster cat-back ($230) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITKZ6/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Just my $0.02...

 

[skrelnik]

I have often had exhaust shops customize systems for my cars due to cost, but with the TJ I went a different direction. To my surprise, I was able to install a complete manifold-back exhaust for my 2005 X (including 3 cats, muffler, and pipe) for less than $500 (links below). The diameter from the cat-back is now now 2.5" instead of 2.25". Not really providing any performance benefit, but the beefier exhaust looks better for my 99% street TJ and the sounds level is barely louder than stock with the 3 cats as a baffle.

If you can do it yourself, no labor costs will apply and you will have a proper system that can be properly connected/disconnected with stock location clamps etc. (some shops don't care about this detail and will weld things together if your not careful). Also, for 2000+ TJ's with the 2 pre-cats and 3rd unmonitored cat, most pre-cats have broken up substrate (rattling) or are partially clogged after 100k (harder to flow after 3000RPM and hotter engine temps). The pre-cats often break up and then clog the 3rd larger cat. My Jeep runs so much better now with the new cats, and the bolt-on cat-back was icing on the cake to replace my old rusted out stock system.

• Flowmaster directly bolt-on mid-pipe w/ 3 cats ($230) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUT0383/?tag=wranglerorg-20
• Banks Monster cat-back ($230) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITKZ6/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Just my $0.02...

Like Jerry and Chris mentioned, if you can find a shop that has the skillset to build an exhaust then go for it.

I've also been pondering this and read that Borla made an OEM exhaust for the TJ. Went searching for it and found one for sale on Ebay. Anyone know about this exhaust, opinions or anything? You need a different tip if you have the towing package, which I do, so curious to know if anyone else has this one.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=322977359028

 

[Mike_H]

I hunted Craigslist and picked up a Magna flow cat back for 150 bucks. It wasn't as shiny as new, but I don't really care about shiny. Sounds good, no drone. I get just the right amount of burble while down shifting too.

 

[MaloStapalo]

I hunted Craigslist and picked up a Magna flow cat back for 150 bucks. It wasn't as shiny as new, but I don't really care about shiny. Sounds good, no drone. I get just the right amount of burble while down shifting too.

Love a good burble.

 

[mots]

Like Jerry and Chris mentioned, if you can find a shop that has the skillset to build an exhaust then go for it.

I've also been pondering this and read that Borla made an OEM exhaust for the TJ. Went searching for it and found one for sale on Ebay. Anyone know about this exhaust, opinions or anything? You need a different tip if you have the towing package, which I do, so curious to know if anyone else has this one.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=322977359028

That’s a good price for the Borla. It is a great exhaust for the TJ. I have a good exhaust shop I have used in the past many times. I can go cheap or expensive with them, I’ve done both. But for $230, the fit and finish you get from the Banks is going to be tough for a shop to beat, unless they would barely charge anything for labor. My guys would get $60-80 in labor plus tax on the labor for a simple job like this. And I wouldn’t get 5% back on my Amazon card. If you can install that Borla yourself, no shop will beat that quality for that price. It’s a $400+ system normally. Sure they can build one with a Borla muffler and SS pipe, but they can’t beat the quality or price, if you install it yourself.

 

[mots]

Like Jerry and Chris mentioned, if you can find a shop that has the skillset to build an exhaust then go for it.

I've also been pondering this and read that Borla made an OEM exhaust for the TJ. Went searching for it and found one for sale on Ebay. Anyone know about this exhaust, opinions or anything? You need a different tip if you have the towing package, which I do, so curious to know if anyone else has this one.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=322977359028

That’s a good price for the Borla. It is a great exhaust for the TJ. I have a good exhaust shop I have used in the past many times. I can go cheap or expensive with them, I’ve done both. But for $230, the fit and finish you get from the Banks is going to be tough for a shop to beat, unless they would barely charge anything for labor. My guys would get $60-80 in labor plus tax on the labor for a simple job like this. And I wouldn’t get 5% back on my Amazon card. If you can install that Borla yourself, no shop will beat that quality for that price. It’s a $400+ system normally. Sure they can build one with a Borla muffler and SS pipe, but they can’t beat the quality or price, if you install it yourself.

P.S. that Borla says it only fits the LJ...I didn’t catch that at first and wasn’t sure if you have an LJ? Not sure if they have that right or not. Good deal though!

P.S.S. This isn’t the high quality Borla system I thought it was. This is the high dollar one:
https://www.borla.com/products/tj_wrangler_catback_exhaust_touring_part__14924.html

 

[KMG]

Summit Racing's brand muffler is a Magnaflow copy. I purchased their stainless muffler and had a local shop install it and new exhaust. I went with a 2" shorter muffler to gain clearance around my larger fuel tank and skid plate.

 

[Mike_H]

Ohh...be careful with that borla...As many times as I've drug my bumper over the rocks, I don't think I'd want my exhaust tip there. The magnaflow is tucked up nice, kinda behind the bumper, so you barely even see it.

 

[mots]

Ohh...be careful with that borla...As many times as I've drug my bumper over the rocks, I don't think I'd want my exhaust tip there. The magnaflow is tucked up nice, kinda behind the bumper, so you barely even see it.

Yeah, for you guys that go over rocks etc. I’d go for the clearance before I’d go for the look and finish. Magnaflow has a stubby offroad one that is really tucked up in there, but the price for a new one is just insane! An exhaust shop could do a system like this for really cheap.
https://www.extremeterrain.com/magnaflow-pro-series-catback-tj-17122.html

 

[robsjeepin]

I installed this system to replace the previous owners Magna-Flo cat back (to loud) with a Dynomax # 19391 cat back system. (my TJ is a 04) I purchased it from Amazon for $154.99 back in 2015 and installed it myself
using band clamps from AP store. Easy install,good fit, and better sound (good tone/ not to loud). Same price
now on Amazon.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I Installed this system to replace the po's Magna-flo cat-back (to loud) with a
Dynomax 19391 Exhaust System (my TJ is a 04). I purchased it from Amazon for $154.99 back in 7/2015 and put it on myself using band clamps from O'reilly's AP. Easy install and better & sound (good tone /not to loud). same price now on amazon.

Why the need for the huge font?

 

[skrelnik]

P.S. that Borla says it only fits the LJ...I didn’t catch that at first and wasn’t sure if you have an LJ? Not sure if they have that right or not. Good deal though!

P.S.S. This isn’t the high quality Borla system I thought it was. This is the high dollar one:
https://www.borla.com/products/tj_wrangler_catback_exhaust_touring_part__14924.html

Thanks for looking out, but yes I do have an LJ. That cheaper Borla was a factory option so my assumption is that the quality and fitment will be spot on. What do you think the difference would be between the more expensive one and the Mopar Borla considering Borla only offers one? Product numbers for the LJ and TJ are in the picture.