OK, I am wading into the first modifcations on my '07 Unlimited Rubicon. Not ready for the money needed to add a lift, tires and wheel, so I am going to start with the exhaust.

Interested to hear recommendations on which mfgs. offer the best components.

My plan is to add a cold air intake, new headers (have heard rumors that Jeep headers are inherently weak), and a cat-back system.

Right now, I am looking at Banks and Borla for the headers and cat-back system. Are there other I should look into?

For the CAI, I am looking at AEM, AFE, or K&N.

Any thoughts, recommendations, or personal experiences would be appreciated.

 

I'm interested to know what you heard about the factory headers being weak. Weak about what, exactly?

 

I don't remember exactly what I read, but it was something about them being prone to cracking. Maybe it was the ones on the 4.0L I6 and not the ones currently used now. I will have to review my mags and stuff to see what I read and where.

 

how about the cooltech exhaust. Everybody seems to love them.

 

I have them and love it...There are several write-ups in this forum as a DIY that cost a lot less than if you were going to buy the system, if cost was a factor. Other than that no complaints...

 

So, is this Cooltech exhaust a DIY project or can you purchase the system at a place where they do the install? I don't have the means to do the install myself. I am a mechanical novice.

 

I ordered the kit....You can install the CoolTech exhaust yourself, as I have done at my own garage. At the least, you will need a 15mm or 5/8 socket or wrench and a hacksaw or another cutting tool (I already had a Saws-All)to cut the middle pipe when you install the Magnaflow muffler. IMO if you purchase this kit & have it installed by a proffesional, you will be spending too much $$$ (if cost was a concern). It would be cheaper to purchase the muffler alone and have a shop install it. Before even purchasing the CoolTech exhaust, if I had known that I would still have to cut my exhaust pipe, I wouldnt have purchased it and just purchased the muffler and do it myself. I was thinking it was a complete bolt on with all new pipes

 

any sound clips?

 

About the weak headers, it was a common problem with the old I6 4.0L. I don't know about the new 3.8L though.

 

Well, it is worth it to add the cold air intake and cat-back exhaust without changing the headers? It would obviously be a lot cheaper just to add the intake and exhaust without changing the headers. That money could then be spent other places!