Performance exhaust
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,142
Likes: 2
From: Rockwood, TN
Having dual exhaust on a truck or any V8 for that matter does help it with performance. Not so with these JKs. They are dogs and the only thing you really get from exhaust is sound, hence why a $50 muffler does the exact same job as a $400-700 full exhaust system. Welds don't rust if done right and our flowmaster is in the rear but tucked up higher than the stock and it's half the size so it's really out of the way of rocks.
If you take off the muffler on these JKs they run like crap. They require back pressure to run at peak HP/TQ. It's usually best to keep the stock piping or slightly larger on these, but from what I've seen as there are no gains in power by larger piping. I've seen decreases when running open systems though since there's no back pressure.
Also if they say a 10HP gain that's most likely at the fly wheel, so by the time it gets to the ground it's maybe 1-2HP. If you are getting 10HP at the ground, then that exhaust is adding 40+HP and that's VERY unlikely..actually it's impossible on these Jeeps hahaha
Best to find a system that tucks up high with a small muffler if you do any rock crawling. If you don't do rock crawling, there's no point at all to be honest other than to say you have it or for looks of course and sound. But I'll say our Flowmaster 40 with stock piping, sounds deeper and has more rumble to it than that clip posted above.
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
The general consesnus on this forum and all the others is that both are a waste of money in terms of performance. The 3.6L Pentastar seems well tuned from the factory, and 285 HP is respectable from a normally aspirated V6. Swapping to lower gears and the new RIPP blower are about the only things that will give you any real gains. Programmers with lean tunes that require you to run high octane gas, conical air filters that increase your risk of hydrolocking, and droning mufflers aren't worth the compromises.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 4
From: missouri
Have a volant cai and dynomax ss exhaust. Only paid like 500 for both after rebates. Feels like it revs a bit quicker / sounds a ton better and looks much nicer as well so to me it was worth it. The donaldson filter that comes with the volant is good for 100k or 4 year and has better flow and filtration rating.then stock.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
I have an afe stage 2 cold air intake and I noticed a difference right off the bat. You can actually hear the engine sucking the air in now. It also made the jeep a lot more peepier. I would definately recommend it. I also put a glass pack on yesterday in place of the muffler. I can't really comment on that yet besides it sounds better than it did. Honestly you are not going to make the jeep sound really loud.
JK Super Freak
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I have an afe stage 2 cold air intake and I noticed a difference right off the bat. You can actually hear the engine sucking the air in now. It also made the jeep a lot more peepier. I would definately recommend it. I also put a glass pack on yesterday in place of the muffler. I can't really comment on that yet besides it sounds better than it did. Honestly you are not going to make the jeep sound really loud.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: New Haven, MO
I have an afe stage 2 cold air intake and I noticed a difference right off the bat. You can actually hear the engine sucking the air in now. It also made the jeep a lot more peepier. I would definately recommend it. I also put a glass pack on yesterday in place of the muffler. I can't really comment on that yet besides it sounds better than it did. Honestly you are not going to make the jeep sound really loud.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
From: BC
Thank you for posting this. Seems like a lot of members misunderstood my original question. I'm not looking for tire shredding horsepower, because I realize I'm not gonna get it from simple bolt ons. More or less looking for better throttle response and peppiness. As far as exhaust, want a little noise with less drone, throaty tone, and HP gain would be a bonus. Just wanted to see if anyone noticed ANY power difference or just sound with their intake and exhaust. And yes, once the warranty is up and I have $7,000 burning a hole in my pocket, RIPP supercharger will be under the hood.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: New Haven, MO
Not going with an LS swap for the reasons that RIPP lists...V8 is added weight, possibly poor (or the same) fuel mileage, and it wouldn't pass safety and emissions inspection here in MO. I'm a licensed inspector so I could slip the safety part through, but as far as emissions, we plug a computer into the OBDII port and let it do its thing (no way of cheating the system). Plus if I did a V8 swap, it'd have to be a Hemi, putting an LS in a Jeep is like putting a 5.0 Ford in a Camaro.