Any automotive exhaust gurus in the house?

[Homerr]

I'm looking at a custom Gibson 'Cat-back' system for my Ford Ranger. This is a DIY direct bolt-on.<br /><br />Are these worth the $300 they ask, or can a local shop do the same thing for less?<br /><br />H.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Any automotive exhaust gurus in the house?

I have always felt that a good local shop can do the same. That is if you have a good shop that you are familiar with.<br />Also I have always felt that "Cat back" is a bad name, because it implies the catalytic converter will be replaced. It is not replaced in those systems. So they should be "Aft of the Cat" systems!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Any automotive exhaust gurus in the house?

Originally posted by TilliamWe:<br /> I have always felt that a good local shop can do the same. That is if you have a good shop that you are familiar with.<br />Also I have always felt that "Cat back" is a bad name, because it implies the catalytic converter will be replaced. It is not replaced in those systems. So they should be "Aft of the Cat" systems!

Hmmmm? Howsa 'bout 'AftCat' Systems.<br /><br />Homer, I'd ask a local muffler shop about comparative restriction in factory vs aftermarket hi-flow cats. The factory cat might be a bottleneck causing anything behind it to be no more than window dressing.

 

[Homerr]

Re: Any automotive exhaust gurus in the house?

Thanks guys... <br /><br />H.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Any automotive exhaust gurus in the house?

They are worth it if you want the few exta horse, sometimes better fuel economy, and a more agressive sound. For $300, I would check to see if its stainless. If not, it will have a 3 to 5 year life. The major brands usually deliver a quality product. But I have seen one of the polished stainless systems require a lot of work to fit the VW sedan it was designed for while I was waiting for the bay to open. So it can be hit or miss. I would still stick with the big brand names regardless.<br /><br />Mark

 

[Homerr]

Re: Any automotive exhaust gurus in the house?

Yes, the Gibson system for $300 is stainless.<br /><br />They have a lesser quality aluminized steel for around $230.<br /><br />I would definitely get the stainless.<br />My truck is just over the 60k mark, so an exhaust job is probably coming up soon.<br /><br />Gibson offers quite a few systems for my truck, but I'd like to get some opinions from the pros first.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Any automotive exhaust gurus in the house?

The Gibson is very popular on the Rangers. Which engine do you have? Be careful as many report that Rangers lose torque if you oversize the exhaust. I think the rule/thumb is no larger than single 3".<br /><br />That said, I put a 3" Dynomax after catsystem on my 3.0 Ranger 6 years ago and love it. I will have to replace it in another year or two due to tailpipe rot, but I only paiod $75 for it at Jegs back then. I noticed slightly increased throttle response, no fuel economy help, and a nice non-intrusive sound. When everything is at operating temp, I really like the sound. The first time my brother, who is a car guy, heard it, he turned to see who was pulling into his driveway witha 5.0 mustang. The sound is very close to the exhaust sound of a fox body 5.0.