Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Need opinion on aftermarket exhaust systems

[SSkinner]

Here is the situation. My factory exhaust system is rusting out on my 97. I replaced the muffler two years ago with a straight pipe. It has served it's purpose but I'm tired of the cab drone. I'm looking to upgrade to 4" system. I have been reading the old threads but not getting the answer to my question like cab drone issues. Will the aluminized hold up as good as ss? I do not care what it looks like under the truck as long as it will not rust out. I would like to another 11 year on the next system. This is what I'm looking at Silverline T409 ss, Hearthorb aluminized or ss, MSBR ss, or maybe Banks ss. Does anyone have this on their trucks? I have a extended long box truck. I would appreciate your input on your experiences with the above systems.

 

[JHenry]

Here is the situation. My factory exhaust system is rusting out on my 97. I replaced the muffler two years ago with a straight pipe. It has served it's purpose but I'm tired of the cab drone. I'm looking to upgrade to 4" system. I have been reading the old threads but not getting the answer to my question like cab drone issues. Will the aluminized hold up as good as ss? I do not care what it looks like under the truck as long as it will not rust out. I would like to another 11 year on the next system. This is what I'm looking at Silverline T409 ss, Hearthorb aluminized or ss, MSBR ss, or maybe Banks ss. Does anyone have this on their trucks? I have a extended long box truck. I would appreciate your input on your experiences with the above systems.

When you refer to MSBR, I assume you meant MBRP. I have a 4" MBRP straight piped on my '98 12v and a 4" Banks straight piped on my '06. When I bought both systems they came with their own muffler which I never used. I gave the Banks to my older son for his '04 and the MBRP to my younger son for his '03. I like the serious bark of the straight piped 4" in both of them, but the '06 is the loudest and my favorite. Anyway, both systems are holding up well and were easy to install. JH

 

[Dave M]

My truck is a 97 CC 4x4 5spd LB 3500. I put the MBRP T409 SS on my about 4 years ago. The downpipe weld failed a month ago where the short adapter piece was welded to the 4 in downpipe where it necks down to the 3 1/3 inch exhaust flange. I called MBRP and they replaced it free of charge. At the time my warranty was 5 year but if you buy now its lifetime. They stand behind there product.



I love the exhaust. I noticed a little drone at about 2,000 RPM but its not bad. My wife thinks it's fine and she drives it daily. You need to buy a new hanger for the last pipe and you need to drill holes in the frame to mount it. It was no problem for me. Your existing rear hanger is not used but will be removed. I like the fact that the OEM type rods are welded to the MBRP exhaust and therefore fit into the stock OEM exhaust hangers and rubbers (except the last hanger I just mentioned. The replacement hanger can be bought from Dodge for a 98. 5+ or buy it from where you get the MBRP for about $30. I can provide pics of my exhaust and the location of the rear hanger if you are interested in MBRP.



The cheapest price I found was Xtreme Diesel Performance - XDP Diesel Performance Parts (plus Free shipping) for about $475. Here is a current link:



MBRP Stainless Steel Turbo-Back Dodge Exhaust System



I put SS band clamps (you will need 3 clamps... I got them from NAPA for $10 apiece) in place of the stock exhust pipe clamps it came with... . so it is way easier to remove later... as I have done several times. The stock exhaust clamps crimp the overlapping pipes making it impossible to remove... . not so with band clamps. Since I have an 8 ft bed CC I did not need to cut any of the 3 pipes.



Reuse or buy 2 new downpipe bolts. The bolts from MBRP did not fit. Use plenty of PB Blaster before. Also your best friend for removing the old exhaust is a SawZall. Your stock system with the stock exhaust pipe clamps will have crimped the pipes together and 16 gage is hard to remove... . I tried other methods that I would not try again.



I also bought an MBRP 12 in X 5 inch T304 SS exhaust tip and it sure looks mean. I would recommend considering a T304 SS system if you live in the rust belt. The T409 may not hold up otherwise. In California I don't need T304 SS.



Dave

 

[edgeman]

I have 4" straight from turbo back. Got it from a muffler shop. the 4" runs to 4" stacks and i get barely any cab drone..... same with my bros 95 and my dads 96. I paid right around 245 for the whole system and yes the bark of 4" is awsome but I would like to go bigger!

 

[SSkinner]

Thanks for the replys guys. JHenry yes I did mean MBRP. You mentioned your exhaust systems with no mufflers but how is the cab noise? Edgeman stacks won't work becuse I use a crossover box and need the box space. Dave thanks for the link. I went to xterme diesel performance and read the reviews posted on their sight. The prices are good and a good source of info. I'm leaning more towards the MBRP and silverline so if others have helpful info please let's hear it. Thanks again for the posts!

 

[BigEasy]

I just put on a Silverline 409... absolutely love it. Can barely hear it in the cab with the windows up, just the way I wanted it. I had to 'adjust' the hangers a bit with a big hammer for the install, but, all in all, I feel I got my money's worth

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I wouldn't waste your time on a 409 system... aluminized looks better longer and is cheaper. If you want stainless, go 304

 

[MAllen1]

I've got 50000 miles on my aluminized MBRP and it still looks good ( when it's washed off). I have the muffler on mine and isn't much louder than stock. What I did on my 99 is ordered the elbow from Banks that goes from the turbo to the exhaust and the downpipe that came with it was a straight through 4". I can't tell if it was all the elbow or how much the 4" helped, but, the turbo seems to spool a good bit quicker.

 

[JHenry]

Thanks for the replys guys. JHenry yes I did mean MBRP. You mentioned your exhaust systems with no mufflers but how is the cab noise?

Some would say it's too loud. I like the sound of it. I have made some 10-12 hour trips with it over and down hills in British Columbia as well as from Idaho to Seattle Washington. The only time it really sounds off is when I get on it hard. The straight pipe definitely seems to improve power and response in the truck. I calculated my mileage on the last trip into Canada and averaged 21 mph, with the modifications mentioned in my signature.

That being said, I guess the best thing for you is to try and find someone who has a straight piped truck and go for a ride with him if you can. If you are thinking the sound will be a problem, then it might be.

JH

 

[BigEasy]

I wouldn't waste your time on a 409 system... aluminized looks better longer and is cheaper. If you want stainless, go 304

Well, when you move to PA and start signing my paychecks, I'll take that into consideration. While 304 may stay pretty, 409 will last just as long, though it will have a surface patina. I don't own a show truck, I own a real truck...

 

[Forrest Nearing]

it won't last just as long... I guess if you live in an area that uses salt, then yes go with some sort of stainless. thankfully I don't have to deal with trucks rusting away



aluminized stays looking better longer where I live

 

[rluft]

I have been really happy with the aluminized pipe from Rip Rook. Has good sound in the cab and can really roar when outside the cab. Won't last like stainless but is much cheaper.

 

[NavyDoc]

I have an MBRP 4" turbo back with the included muffler - sounds awesome, but does not have too much noise - just a nice low growl to it. When towing a 20 ft trailer, I don't have any droning problems. In my old F-350 that was striaght piped, drone was clearly audible throughout RPM range.

I would recommend the 4" MBRP as it comes in the box - and in 409 - best of both worlds. The 304 will look like crap - just like everything else under a truck in the salt belt - but won't rust through for many moons - unlike aluminized. My previous F-350 spent many winters in northern Vermont and my aluminized barely held up 6 years.

My two cents.

 

[BDaugherty]

I had a Magnaflow pro series on my 2000 2500. It was 409 stainless, no tip, and 4" turbo back... well, 3. 5" at the turbo and then up to 4" at the bottom of the downpipe. It was VERY reasonably priced, fit well, and barely louder than stock.

 

[Darmeisner]

MBRP 409. It went on twice as fast as the old stuff came off! Sound is ok towing 10 K trailer, however, my truck is 2001. Quality stuff

 

[R.Merritt]

Very satisfied with 4" aluminized with straight-thru muffler from Rip.

 

[fest3er]

My tuppence: I installed Jannetty's 4" aluminized turbo-back exhaust back in '00 or '01, at around 90K miles. The Walker muffler rotted out a couple years ago. Actually it was the 4" pipes that rotted out; the muffler was still in good shape. I replaced it with a gift scratch-n-dent Silverline SS. The rest of the aluminized piping was, and still is, in good shape 7-8 years and 165K miles later. And it's seen plenty of road salt around here and around the country.