The exhaust system on my CJ-7 (straight six, 5-speed) is pretty much completely rusted through, and needs to be replaced. Basically I need everything from the exhaust manifold back.
I'd like to find a pre-bent, bolt-on system--does anyone have any recommendations? I'd prefer stainless. Not really interested in minimum back-pressure, just looking for something that a factory might install if they were making new CJ's.
Happy with my banks system. They make the header and downpipe. The ZJ uses a Gibson cat-back. Didn't go stainless, just aluminized. Still there and holding up well to rocks. The U clamps are in need of replacement however.
The bottom fell out of the Turbo City aluminized muffler in my Wrangler, "guaranteed for life". The stock aluminized muffler fell apart in my Honda Civic. It's supposed to be rather dry where I live too. Stainless is good, especially if you have a small engine, don't run the vehicle every day and it rains now and then where you live. I got six years out of it. I think the new one is a Borla.
IMHO, the piece from the manifold to the muffler (or to the cat) stays sufficiently hot so you might expect to get ten-fifteen years from a stock aftermarket part. Stainless would be overkill here, and it might develop cracks from heat and flexing anyway.
Earle
** Posted from
years out of it. I think the new one is a Borla.
The big problem isn't outside humidity/salt/etc, it's the moisture the engine generates in the exhaust. The gibson has a life-time waranty but what else would you expect from a piece of 6" x 3ft welded drillpipe. :) That thing was HEAVY to install.
Some of the stamped muffler makers I think expect you to trade in your vehicle before the muffler falls apart. The Gibson has taken on large rocks (and the occasional bit of concrete) with no damage apart from a shiny spot where the rust got rubbed off.
That is pure water if you get lost in the desert and want to drink some. ;^) I do like stainless because by the time that muffler rusts out I will still have the vehicle and will have long since lost the receipt or even any memory of where I bought it.
Cheers,
Earle
** Posted from** Posted from
Aw, Earle is tough. He drinks dilute nitric acid for a chaser from the sulfuric acid.
Jo Baggs wrote:
That's why the smiley. It's "pure water" mixed with something else. Still, in the desert...
Earle
** Posted fromJust my .02 here... I'm thinking my next mod will be exhaust. I've been cruising youtube listening to sound clips.
I found a few with the Gibson, and Borla, and even flowmaster. The Gibson and Borla both sound a little -0 err - ricey - to me. The Flowmaster, a buddy of mine has and it is the same model I have - his almost sounds like a V when he drives past you.
My choice so far is the Banks Monster exhaust - cat back. Sounds really good with deep rich tones.
Your mileage may vary.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required