Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Is aftermarket exhaust necessary at my level?

[VIPERBLUELX]

I have a 2000 Ram 4x4 daily driver (rarely tows anything). My mods are few, just a Edge Comp I usually run on 3X5, BHAF, straight pipe in place of the stock muffler, and I have a Vulcan pusher pump system. Do I need a 4 or 5" exhaust to make this setup safe as far as EGT's or will the factory 3" minus muffler be sufficient?

 

[KLockliear]

You need gauges more than exhaust. With gauges, you can tell where the limit is. Just having exhaust doesn't mean you'll be able to use 5x5 without worry.

 

[Hahn007]

Like KLockliear said, gages are a must. As far as exhaust is concerned, my truck is less modified than yours and I noticed a nice improvement in performance with the 4" exhaust. After the install it became apparent just how restrictive the stock muffler is. The "free flow" muffler really "un-corks" the motor making it more responsive to throttle setting changes and seems to rev more freely over 2K while accelerating on the freeway.





Hope this helps,

Chris Hahn

 

[Mark Craig]

VIPERBLUELX,



Without gauges there is not way to tell where you are at and if you're safe or not. Get'em you'll be glad you did!! We preach and preach this at DPPI and it's so tempting to get the HP mods first, but the gauges should be the first thing on everybodies list that are going to do any minimum mods!!



Mark @ DPPI

 

[MBFARMS]

Gauges- then set a baseline and go from there. When I did the exhaust on my truck I was able to see faster spoolup and a little decrease in EGT.

 

[Double J]

Just straight pipe it for now. I ran that way for the longest time with my current setup and only until recently move up to a 5" exhaust. If you can feel a diffrence between the stock straight pipe and a 5" exhaust then you have one hell of a SOP meter. EGT's may have been a little lower but I noticed nothing in the SOP department. I mainly bought it becuase of upgrades I plan on doing this winter which would require the 5".

 

[johncameron]

I agree, your truck will sound stronger but there is no increase in the SOP meter.

You don't "need" a bigger exhaust at your level, a straightpipe with resonator will be plenty. Now, if you want... ... ... heck yes do it!



John

Just straight pipe it for now. I ran that way for the longest time with my current setup and only until recently move up to a 5" exhaust. If you can feel a diffrence between the stock straight pipe and a 5" exhaust then you have one hell of a SOP meter. EGT's may have been a little lower but I noticed nothing in the SOP department. I mainly bought it becuase of upgrades I plan on doing this winter which would require the 5".

 

[VIPERBLUELX]

what is a good replacement for the stock muffler/resonator? Dynomax bullet work ok?

 

[MBFARMS]

Dynomax, MBRP, Walker, or really any straight through design muffler. Just depends on the sound and cash you want to spend.