Ive got a 1998 Ram 1500 5.2 2wd. Been wanting to do a full exhaust system to really open it up and get a nice rumble. Want to keep sound on the tamer side, but also have nice deep sound, so middle grounds. Ive already got short tube headers on there. I also have a flowmaster series 40 muffler on there which is perfect.

Then kinda the technical side:
Still need to pass Illinois emissions so im not too sure what i can get away with.
Duals would be cool, but overall it'd be nice to maximize airflow, so Im not sure about whats better and not.

Much thanks

 

If you have to pass emissions, then you are gonna need cats. (removing them radically alters the sound, quite a bit louder. ) I would be tempted to get an off-road Y-pipe, 2.5 inch pipes into single 3", and cut the 3" section for the cat. Weld in some O2 sensor bungs, and then full 3" all the way back and out wherever you want. Should give a nice deep, throaty rumble.

 

Cool thanks for the info. Do high flow cats change much? Can that effect emissions?

 

The high flow fellers aren't as efficient, but, for the most part, I think they will still pass emissions testing, depending on how **** they are about. Read the warranty on the cat, see what it says.... I seriously doubt you would be able to send it back for failing emissions though... I am sure they would blame it on something else you did wrong... Quite honestly, not sure how much difference in flow rates there are between stock, and 'high flow'....

 

Got it, yeah that makes sense. So it sounds like my best bet is taking a look into the offroad Y pipe, and then pretty much doing a cat back system with larger pipe?

 

I think magnaflow makes a direct bolt-in high flow cat, that already has the O2 bungs, and is 3" outlet...... I seem to remember someone saying they stopped making those.... but, might be worth looking into. Should bolt to your shorties just as easily as the stock manifolds.

 

I upgraded my exhaust system on my truck with a 5.9 magnum engine many years ago with JBA shorty coated headers and a 3" exhaust system from the catalytic converter back using the following parts:

Dynomax UltraFlo 3" In/Out Welded Muffler - 17233

Magnaflow Converter - 99047HM (dual 2" inlets, 3" outlet, front O2 sensor port) - still made - was commonly used on Chevys..

3 - 3" band clamps (back of cat, front + rear of muffler) or have the pipes welded up

1 - bung for rear O2 sensor (added to the 3" exhaust pipe behind the converter)

Length of 3" exhaust pipe (between the converter and muffler and from the back of the muffler to form a tailpipe)

I went to a local muffler shop with my parts and they fabricated the exhaust system from the catalytic converter on back. The system flows great and isn't overly loud unless you really bury your foot in the accelerator. With the cat on it, I have no doubt that it would pass emissions, but we're not subjected to emissions test in this area to-date.

 

Magnaflow bolt on one is part # 23285. You can run true duels but will either need to use two cats or get one with 2 in's /out's.