Do most of the aftermarket JK exhaust kits relocate to the middle of the Jeep? Is there that much more clearance or does it help with peripheral damage?

Thanks in advance...

 

Most aftermarket exhaust systems (MBRP comes to mind) will relocate the muffler to the middle of the Jeep. Any muffler shop you visit will probably do the same. Less pipe bending in the rear = less cost for everyone. As for saving damage off-road unless you're doing some serious entry angles over rocks, or backing up into a rock the chances are pretty slim of puncturing something in the stock location. I believe Gibson and a couple other manufacturers do not change any of the piping and offer drop in replacements for the rear muffler (unless it's a cat-back system).

I just took my muffler off and installed a 45deg elbow and hacked a slant pipe, then sprayed it with some VHF high temp. Yes, there is a definite improvement of clearance, there's no longer a suitcase sized muffler hanging below my bumper. If you want to get an idea of how much clearance you'll gain just take off the muffler from the hangers and loosen the connector. Shouldn't take more than an hr to get on/off.

 

I don't want to run without a muffler. Just not the suitcase sized one that comes stock. Most modern engines run better with some back pressure.

I want to get a cat back system and hopefully gain some HP/performance - just not sound like a Japanese vehicle.

Was wondering about the muffler though, since smaller seems to be better (equaling more ground clearance).

 

I definitely lost back pressure from removing it, but found it pretty negligible as far as performance.

I spent some time researching most cat-backs out there before chopping and MBRP's systems (IMO) are by far the best. T304 Stainless and/or coated with a reasonable price tag. They relocate the muffler and the tips are tucked away to avoid snags. If I had the money that's where I would spend it.

Jeep Swag just put out a kit that looks (and sounds) pretty decent too.

 

Gibson has an exhaust thats is smaller than factory but similar location with dual tips.

 

I just had one custom made to sit in the OEM location using an 18" glasspack. Cost a whopping $140. It might be a little loud and if it turns out I don't like it I'll have my guy change out the muff for something quieter. And if I still don't like that I can put the OEM stuff back on, which is exactly why I didn't want anything hacked up.

 

Mine is being done next week, and they're relocating the muffler to the rear passenger area (a Vortec). Hopefully I'll get some performance gain out of it.

 

Northridge installed a standard MBRP cat back exhaust for me when they were doing my gears. The muffler remains in the stock position but is half the size or smaller and not noticeable. They also painted the entire exhaust and muffler black with high temp engine paint for me....looks and sounds great.

Not sure about performance gains...nothing noticeable really, however I had it installed at the same time as my gears. With gears, superchip, exhaust, and CAI, auto unlim on 35's, im at 16 mpg.

low note, not ricey!