Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) What is 97 Turbo Downpipe Torque and fix exhaust drone?

[Dave M]

What is 97 Turbo Downpipe Torque?.. and fix for exhaust drone.

I just installed my MBRP SS T409 turbo back 4" exhaust on my 97. I looked in the Dodge manual for the torque value for the Turbo downpipe to the Turbo exhaust elbow and couldn't find it. I torqued it to 30 FT-LBs. Anyone know what it should be?



I love the sound of this exhaust but I do notice the drone when accelerating under a load like up a hill. I could see where it could get annoying on a long trip. My wife loves the sound so far. She drives it more than me.



Otherwise it sounds good. It's got a meaty sound to it. Anyone with this system recommend a solution that is not too expensive to help with the drone? Otherwise I'll just get a resonator ($113) from Diesel Performance Parts. I bought the system from xtremediesel.com because shipping was free. They are affiliated with DPP.



The MBRP is a great system. All the hanger rods are welded to the exhaust pipes and muffler in the correct spots to hang on the stock hangers. I didn't even have to cut the extension exhaust pipe, everything fit with no cutting.



I Had to cut out the old exhaust, the worst part of the job. I tried for 3 hours to seperate the pipes and finally gave up and hacksawed in front of the cat. I replaced the exhaust pipe clamps with Easy Seal band clamps from NAPA ($10 each) after seeing how difficult it was to remove the stock exhaust. All the pipes were crimped because of the exhaust clamps. Also, I had to get a new rear hanger for the tailpipe and had to drill holes in the frame to mount it.



Thanks,



Dave

 

[bmoeller]

I just snugged it up good by hand. Didn't bother with a torque wrench on the bolts for the down-pipe.



A resonator should fix the drone. Put it as far forward as possible. My resonator is right behind the t-case. I don't have a muffler on my truck.



$113 seems a bit steep. I bought a Dynaflex resonator (5" inlet/outlet) for around $50 at a truckstop.

 

[Dave M]

BMOELLER:

Yeah, I thought I probably tightened them enough, but I didn't want to strip threads or gawl the sealing surface on the elbow. If it leaks I'll tightenen it more.



I haven't checked around on other prices for a resonator but I want stainless, so that may be why the price is higher. I'll keep looking. Just wondering if anyone else has found a similiar problem with the MBRP system from DPP.



Thanks for input. Keep em coming boys.



Dave

 

[AWray]

I've had the same system for about 8 months and have never noticed a drone. I wonder if it has anything to do with your truck being a ext cab?

 

[WaynesWorld]

exhaust fix

DaveM,

I went with the MBRP system & it had a muffler. My exit noise is easy on the ears. The neighbors remarked that it sounded good. Oo.

I found the clamps were easy to remove & still adjust the pipes. I moved the rear pipe out farther.

I like your idea of the band clamps .

Bmoeller advice would be your alternative to cranking up the radio.

Or just enjoy the new sound

WAYNES WORLD

 

[Dave M]

AWRAY: Glad to see you like the MBRP exhaust. I guess it depends on how loud, loud is to you. I do like the sound of the exhaust. I noticed when I hear the drone (it's not real bad but if it can be eliminated easily I will try), if I roll down the passenger side window I don't hear it coming from outside. It's like a resonation coming thru the cab and its not the muffler. It could be my long bed EXT Cab contributes to it. . I don't know.



I haven't taken it on a long trip yet to see if it gets annoying after hearing it awhile. My wife likes the sound so far and I've noticed a difference in power since everything is stock still... ahem... . for now... but... ... he he he... . my #10 plate is on the wayand boy buddy ... howdy padner and . . YEEEHAAA . It spools up faster in 1St, 2nd and 3rd... but defuels too quick in 4th. If I could just mash my foot deeper thru the floor board on the go pedal. :-laf



WAYNESWORLD:: Good to hear you like your MBRP exhaust also. After fighting the exhaust pipes to get the old ones apart, they won and I neutered them. I then decided the exhaust bands were the way to go. Hopefully they won't leak and will be easy to remove if the system needs to come apart... well worth an extra $30 for 3 clamps to cut down on the bad language for anyone in earsight and save on knuckle skin. The band clamps were nice shiny SS steel to match the SS exhaust too



Dave

 

[RAndrae]

drone fix

get a Dynomax race muffler from Jegs or Summit. they are straight through ... a 4" one has only about a 6" OD. and they come in many differeny lenghths. 50-75 $$$

 

[Dave M]

RAndrae: JEGS and Summit $50-$75 sounds good. Are they SS? If you have PN's for them for 4" let me know. Size?... bigger is better right ? I guess the longer it is the more quiet just like with a muffler.



If anyone has used one that you are satisfied with then chime in. I don't want to get one that I won't do the job. I still like the exhaust sound and don't want to eliminate it but the drone can go. Will a resonator effect performace or power much?



Thanks,

Dave

 

[LOtero]

i have a bullet muffler from summit, its a dynomax but i havent installed it just because i dont believe it will help, is there anyone out there that has one installed? did it help with drone?

 

[bmoeller]

Bmoeller advice would be your alternative to cranking up the radio.

Or just enjoy the new sound

WAYNES WORLD

LOL!



Wish was that simple. The drone gave me a splitting headache at 65mph. Had to run 60 (too slow) or 70 on the interstate to get the RPMs such, that wouldn't drone. Above or below that wasn't a problem. Also, soetimes pulling a trailer would do the same thing. :{



Stainless would explain the price of the resonator, then. Mine aluminized.

 

[Rdunkin]

Borla makes SS mufflers in 4" in and out they are called the "shoot-out" series. They can be viewed at Summit or Jegs online catalog. They are about ZERO restriction race mufflers. I ran them on a blown NHRA S/G car and they made a BIG difference. We even drove it to town on weekends for some get-togeathers.

Richard

 

[Hammer]

I thought the MBRP exhausts were designed to be put on 2 different ways. The one way the muffler is a tad quieter(exhaust baffles facing the turbo) and the other way a tad louder(exhaust baffles facing away from turbo). If you look down the center of the MBRP mufflers which are straight thru you will see what I mean. One way the muffler catches the exhaust and routes it thru the baffles and the other way it minimizes the flow thru the baffles and sends it straight out. I know the 5" systems are made that way and I would assume the 4" is also. I have their 5" system on mine with the muffler installed and its sound is impressive... ... ... ... Andy

 

[bkroupa]

My 409ss MBRP system drones like crazy 1850-2200. If you'll call MBRP directly they give you a better price than that on thier SS resonator, after all, it is thier system you're trying to fix. Mine is supposed to be here today.

You can not reverse the muffler as someone posted earlier because the hangers are welded to it.

 

[Dave M]

Thanks guys for all the good info. Yeah. . I can see if you were able to reverse the muffler it could help. I noticed when I installed the exhaust, the muffler baffles are in the least restricted position (facing away from the flow). But as Bmoeller indicated, there is a hanger rod welded onto the muffler so that it cannot be reversed without re-welding the hanger :{ .



I know what your talking about Andy, but with the rods welded in place they cannot be reversed without modifications and I'm not willing to do that right now. I'm sure reversing the muffler would fix it it it could be done.



Bkroupa: I noticed the drone at aroud 1800-2400 as you said. I will be going from Fresno to Ventura/Ojai (290 miles one way) Saturday and up the grapevine grade so I'll see how bad it can get.



I'll talk to DPP and see if they can give me a break on their resonator. I'll check out the Borla ones also.

You know, the kicker is... my wifes loves Oo. the sound . . so far. I married a cummins girl at heart. . right . I feel like a big crybaby . . :{ :{ :{ :{ We haven't given it a good road test yet, so I'm looking for solutions ahead of trouble.



Thanks all for input. . keep em coming if you have any more ideas.





Thanks,

Dave

 

[bkroupa]

I forgot to mention, the kit I installed on my truck last week had the wrong headpipe bolts. The originals are 10MM/1. 5 the ones they supplied are 3/8 NC with 9/16" heads. The bad part about that is they are close enough that the 3/8" will thread in & tighten up, but they will damage the threads in your turbo elbow. Before you crank down on them you might check & make sure they are not standard bolts or they may strip.

 

[Dave M]

BKroupa: Yeah. . I wondered what those bolts were for because they looked nothing like the stock bolts. I just used the stock bolts.



Dave

 

[Dave M]

Update: MBRP 4 " Exhaust Drone

Well... I drove about 700 miles from Fresno to Ojai using HWY 101 and I can report the exhaust drone was not that bad on the trip. I was driving for about 13 hours in one day. I drove most of the way at 70 MPh in 5th gear at about 2000 RPM.



The drone was most noticibly if I was in 4th gear pulling a hill at between 60-65 MPH at 2400 RPM, but I can live with it for now. It wasn't as bad as I expected. I'm going to hold off on worrying about it until I put in the #10 plate and 3K GSK. I don't know if it will get better or worse. Anyone know how those mods will effect the drone, chime in.



I've got to say, the 4 " exhaust noticeably improved my power and woke the truck up alittle. I enjoyed driving it. I can't wait for the #10 plate . First come the gages and then I want to get a fix on what normal EGT and boost values are prior to the #10, to get a baseline on what the mods will do. I also want to check timing and adjust vales before the #10.



EGT and boost gages are next.



Dave

 

[bkroupa]

I installed the MBRP resonator today & it cut the drone about 70%. It's still there but more livable now.

 

[Dave M]

Bkroupa: Was that MBRP a 14 inch SS resonator? Where did you install it? My wife drove over 100 miles and uphills and did not mind the drone. She likes the sound. If she didn't I would get the resonator. Does the resontor efffect performance any that you can tell? Are you stock or do u have power mods. When I add the #10, if its gets worse I'll get the resonator.



thanks for the info.



Dave