I have a 2001 dodge ram 1500 4x4 5.2, the truck is from California so it has Cali emissions. I now live in Ohio so I do not have any type of emissions inspections. I have three catalytic converts one right after each exhaust manifold with o2 sensors before and after each one. Then at the very bottom a third catalytic converter right before the muffler it's a good size one too. I found a muffler guy who will cut that third one out and replace with a pipe along with a new flowmaster 60 series muffler single side exit after the rear tire just the the stock muffler did. He said he would also put a crime tip on. Would this hurt my low end, would I gain anything from this mod? So far I have put the 1.7 Harland sharps in and got an SCT tuner from Hemiefever. Thanks for the help guys

 

Since you have three cats on there it shouldn't hurt your low end and will probably help a little with acceleration since you'll have a less restrictive exhaust...there are better mufflers for performance out there than flowmaster, but the muffler really makes no difference anyway. What really will affect it is the cat delete...it's a crying shame what they make people do to their trucks out in cali....I guess your truck must have a different computer tune and wiring harness since you have 4 o2 sensors...there's only 2 on mine.

 

Put some headers on and it will help even more...stock manifolds are pretty restrictive from what i've read...

 

Surprising you found a shop that will put their jobs in jeopardy by cutting out federal emissions equipment. Ones around me wont touch converters other than to replace them.

 

Third cat is Cali Spec. Not required in Ohio. After all, there are still two cats on there.

 

id cut the two first cats out.

Every other dodge ram in the states just has that big one before the muffler.

 

Yeah this whole Cali emissions is really a pain, I have double the parts to replace. What muffler would you suggest? I don't want anything super loud just something with a nice rumble and improve the airflow. I am averaging 12 mpgs per gallon which isn't bad, I have the factory 4:10 gears. I am just trying to get some more out of this 318, I know it will never be a performance monster with serious upgrade but every little bit helps. It is a night and day difference with the mods I have already done. Thanks for your help.

 

The guys who is going to do does custom work out of his barn. It will be done strictly under the table.

 

HSA knows now...

 

4.10 gears were only factory in the 1500s in the offroad editions...so you must have one of those! As do I...

Anyway, the best mufflers are magnaflow or gibson stainless...the magnaflow will be a little louder i believe but gibson makes a sweet side exit kit that I'm gonna kit to replace mine eventually. Stainless too....nice stuff. Some people like the thrush mufflers...it varies. I think there's a sticky in the FAQ/DIY section with a poll there for users.