Local muffler shop gave me an estimate of $560 for a custom magnaflow y pipe dual exhaust system (including installation) for my 2wd dakota.

Is that a good or bad price?


Catalytic converter is still rattling and my mpg's are going down, don't want to pay for a new one until this spring

Would gutting it be the best option untill then.

 

As long as your state doesn't have our stupid CA laws then yea, I would gut it.

I had to replace mine not long ago at all. Was about $200 part and labor for me.

Exhaust, just cheery bomb it. $22 for me and not bad sounding at all. Needed a new muffler too and figured why the hell not.

 

Yea, the cherry bomb probably would be the best option.

Here is a different question,
Say I really scratched the instrument cluster panel glass with steel wool, how would I replace the glass. or would I have to replace the whole instrument cluster?

 

Yes that is a good price. Yes you can gut the cat. It is Illegal in most states.

As far as the instrument cluster, it is a plastic cover not glass. You can just replace it but they are not reproduced. You will have to find a used one in the junkyard.

 

how would i go about gutting the cat mine is rattling too and my mpg is getting horrible i cant afford to get a new one or even take it to a shop someone guide me lol

 

Take the Cat off and find you a long pipe to put inside the cat and use the laws of gravity to finish the job.

 

Thats exactly what I'll be doing. I heard a fella with a Glasspack on a 5.2 dakota and sounded NICE! Although I do need to replace the Y pipe and tailpipe. The PO backed up into something and bent the tail pipe and sold it cause it wouldn't run. When the exhaust pipe is pinched, of course it won't run. DERRRR.... LOL

 

mine seems to be welded on....... could a sawzall peice of rebar and a arc/stick welder do the job?? or no?

 

Depending on when your next inspection is due. I would just cut it off and put a piece of straight pipe in there for the mean time. Just make sure you cut the pipe in between the weld and the cat as much as you can. cause if you cut it in between the Y pipe and the weld, you may come up short with room before that bend that goes up to the Y. You'll see what Im saying. Thats why I need a new Y

 

When I bought my 95 Dak a few months back, the PO had ripped the cat off and welded in a larger straight pipe to the back bumper and that pipe was broken off just in front of the right rear wheel. Sounded like a piece of construction equipment with no muffler, just straight exhaust. I had a muffler shop chop off the old pipe and weld in new pipe with muffler and tail pipe. Sounds nice and throaty. So far no issues when I go for a yearly inspection...but we don't have the tail pipe sniffers/exhaust police here in Tejas.
You can use a sawzall to cut your cat off, then take a long rod and beat the core honeycomb out of it...then have someone with a welder tack it back in for a few bucks or beers. Chances are the inspection guys will look under your truck, see the cat shell and pass you as long as nothing else is wrong. I may put a generic cat in later, but haven't decided yet...I'm a cheapo.