looking into getting a performance intake and cat back exhaust system for my 2012 jeep jku 3.6-liter V-6 on 2.5 bb teraflex lift "35" 12.50 18 tires daily driver with some light trail riding on the weekend i live in socal i want my exhaust to sound like it has some balls and not a rice rocket also looking for good performance any suggestions ?

 

IMO CAI's are a waste of money. Little return for the money invested. Since you go off road in SOCAL with all the dust would recommend just sticking with the stock box unit. I switched to a panel filter from K&N and while some will argue its merits I like that it is reusable and saves money on that end.

As for exhaust, have yet to hear one that either doesn't drone or sound like a ricer. Not only that, we really like the quietness of the jeep on the trail. We have friends that have a dynomax and we can hear them about 1/4mile out from the trailhead. That drone would drive me nuts.

If you want power and to sound like a badass, supercharge it.

 

I chose the K&N FIPK kit and a Borla cat-back exhaust system for my 2013 JKU. I'm extremely happy with both. Quadratec sells that pair as a kit, but I think I got mine cheaper on Amazon. Here's the Quadratec kit.

 

I agree with the comment about avoiding a louder exhaust--which most aftermarket exhausts are. But, I also agree with your sentiment to not want to sound like a ricer. I found the JeepSWAG/Dominion Off-road exhaust the perfect answer. Here's the thing: Brett, business owner, has not made one for the 3.8s. Well, he has but he is extremely fussy about getting the perfect sound, and when you take a muffler for the 3.8, which I have, and mount it to the 3.6, it sounds entirely different. And, in his opinion, pretty unsatisfactory. He tried a variety of aftermarket exhausts and they all were also unsatisfactory to his standards. He is willing to make one for the 3.6s, but only if there's enough interest--people call and ask about it. But, sadly, most folks are impatient, or claim to want the best but are unwilling to pay for it. His products are 100% stainless steel. Every bracket, nut, washer, bolt, weld is stainless. Period. Most aftermarket mufflers don't offer 100% stainless even though they say they do. Just check out for welds, for example, on one of those "100% stainless" mufflers and see if they're not rusting. And, at least on the 3.8, Brett's kit requires relocating the evaporative canister because the muffler will be moved there--no unsightly muffler exposed to off-road hazards hanging down below the rear bumper anymore. Not sure what he has in mind for the 3.6s, but if you truly want the best, consider calling Brett and discussing what he has--maybe he's had enough calls to start producing one.

JeepSWAG Muffler Relocation Kit

Meanwhile, here's a video I shot where you can hear what it sounds like with top on, doors on, GoPro mounted to my windhshield in a skeleton housing (makes it more sensitive for audio recording). Skip to 0:35 to hear the exhaust if in hurry, and this audio is HD with high quality sound, so it's best experienced on a real TV with a real speaker system ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A77-7i5DrpE

 

Ditto the lack of ROI on CAI kits (which is a misnomer for most), but I do have the Dynomax 39522 kit w/ custom tailpipe section. I couldn't use Dynomax's tailpipe as my rear diff is moved back an ".

I bought it to eliminate the rear muffler and make room for a trunk (didn't like the way it sounded stock with it removed), otherwise I wouldn't have bothered really. But I like the sound (it's louder, no drone) and I get a ton of compliments on how it sounds fwiw.

Dynomax also has that 90 return if you don't like it deal and they're priced right imo.

PS, I'll second Mark's endorsement of JeepSWAG's stuff.