I want to have a better sound to my jk but dont want to spend a fortune on a new cat back system. Is there a way to do something to the stock system without just taking the muffler off

 

The cheapest way to get more sound is to replace the stock muffler. You can do it with clamps, (assuing you don't have access to a welder) but I'd just go to a few muffler shops and ask what replacing the muffler will cost. You'll get about the same performance as a full catback system (if you go for a quality low restriction muffler) for a lot less money. If you look at the cat backs, most of them pretty much follow the same pattern as the stock exhaust, with possibly less restrictive bends. A little research on this site will give you some idea of that to expect sound wise. You want to avoid resonances that will drive you nuts cruising on the freeway, or along the trail.


This is a six cyl motor so don't expect to sound like a hemi: mine sounds somewhere between a 60's Jaguar sedan and an old GMC pickup. It's pretty much inaudible at freeway speeds with a minor resonance at around 2 k. I like the sound it makes around town on acceleration and it's not noisey on the trail, typically making a low rumbling sound. I have a full review of my muffler swap elsewhere and there are also clips of JK sound with various mufflers on You Tube.

 

What muffler are you running?

 

Any good muffler shop will offer to do your welds for $50 or less and throw in a 45degree elbow and some scrap for another $10. Bring them this> summitracing.com/parts/MPE-11216/ or a similar stainless muffler for ~$80 and you have a nice set-up and sound for less than $160. When they offer to sell you a $50-75 exhaust tip politely say no, unless you're into that. Tell them to relocate the muffler wherever you would like (about 10" behind drivers side seat) and use all the stock piping. You basically have a cat-back minus the glorified piping, coating, and price. If you want to run a dual out instead of a single out add another $30-50 for the labor of bending/welding/material.

 

I have a Rusty's high-tuck exhaust kit... $159 plus shipping. Basically, its a heavy-duty Cherry Bomb (patterned after a Flowmaster 50) . I could have easily bolted it on myself but, I paid a muffler shop $35.00 to weld it on. Nice rumble (coupled with a Banks Ram Air CAI) without sounding silly. With the hi-temp black paint job, you can't see it under there.

 

I can't find the model number but it's rectangular witha length of 14".

 

cheapest way to modify stock exhaust? ....crack out the drill

 

If you do that, you risk breaking the drill bit, and that might cost a dollar to replace.

Do like I did:



Find a hidden rock in a mud hole, and hang your muffler up on it.

Now she purrs like a kitten and growls like a tiger. (And probably added 10HP; the butt-dyno never lies! )

Now I'm off to figgure out how to fix this...

 

I'm liking this idea...is it bad if i get stuck and water flows in there?

 

Well, I spent two hours pulling it 80 ft through a bog with a Tirfor, and I'm sure it got plenty wet; no problems so far. I can't say for sure, but I doubt it would cause any more damage than leaving the tip of your tailpipe underwater for a while...

That said, I was being a bit facetious with my post; I wouldn't recommend just punching a hole in your muffler, as you may not get the same results that I did. I'm planning on installing an in-line muffler further up the exhaust line, cutting the OEM muffler off, and clamping an extension on to clear the bumper. I've looked at quite a few of the muffler relocate threads - it doesn't look all that complicated, and a basic cherry-bomb can be had for cheap (I found one at a local Parts Source for $45 today that would do the job).

Most people who have done their own muffler re-locations seem to be reporting a significant improvement in "noise", although nothing like a V8 rumble. I'll be starting a questions thread in regards to my muffler relocation plans shortly, and will post a link to it here for you to follow.