The $95 Dynomax 3VZECat back exhaust.....
11-11-2005, 06:05 AM
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The $95 Dynomax 3VZECat back exhaust.....
I was surfing the other day and came across a Dynomax Super Turbo Cat back for $95 at Summit Racing.
A little research led me to believe that the Super Turbo mufflers are relatively quiet and efficient. A 4x4 mag had used one and got 8 hp and 12 lbs ft on a 4 litre Jeep. It is a 2" system which is the same as stock and although some folks think that big is powerful, with this engine, 2 1/4" is reckoned on being the biggest you should go if you don't want to lose torque. So, 2" should be fine.
I had thought of a custom cat back using a magnaflow muffler but was quoted around $150 to $200 to have a muffler specialist build and fit one. On my previous vehicles, I have paid up to $500 to have SS systems but it makes no sense on the 93.
So, last night I installed the Dynomax Super Turbo cat back in about 45 mins. I had soaked the old bolts in PB blaster but one attempted turn had me reaching for the angle grinder and a cut off wheel which took 30 seconds.
I ordered a couple of other parts (cat gasket, new hanger) and a Walker standard intermediate pipe that goes from the cat to the muffler as the kit does not come with one. I could not use my stock pipe as the previous owner had welded the intermediate pipe onto the cat.
First problem was the hanger that bolts onto the muffler does not line up with the rubber donuts that hook onto the frame mounts. It looks like some model years have the hangers on the front (engine) side of the rear cross member and mine has the hangers on the rear side of the cross member.
No probs...as the supplied hanger bolts on to the muffler , I quickly fabbed a steel plate to extend the hanger back to where it needed to be. I also used a slightly longer rubber donut on one side as the mufffler did not sit level without.
I have contacted dynomax who tell me they have one other complaint about this but do not have a fix in the system yet (how many have they sold since 93 ???) so I guess there are not many vehicles impacted by this..... I will follow up with Dynomax as I consider this response unnaceptable. I am lucky enought to be able to fab a plate but others would be SOL.
Anyway, the rest of the install was a breeze, the tail pipe tucks nicely out of harms way and comes out exactly in the stock location. No rattling or fouling the frame or axle and it is well clear of the spare.
A quick road test revealed it to the quitest aftermarket system I have ever used. The exhaust note is a little louder and deeper at idle and has a nice muted roar under acceleration but is comparable to stock at cruising speeds.
No ricer esque tone or wake the neighbors, kill your conversation boominess.
Seat of the pants dyno tells me that the throttle response seems a little crisper ( a subjective issue on the 3VZE) and that I can hit 5k revs in 2nd and 3rd a little easier. I was pleasantly surpised that there is no loss of low end torque at all, it feels strong.
What does that mean ? Probably 5hp at the wheels, not 10.
Overall, it is a well made aluminised system that has to be more effiecient than what was on there and at around $125 fitted with the other pieces I bought, I am very happy with the value of this upgrade which does improve the driveability of the vehicle.
Summary :
Value : $$$$$ (out of 5)
Quality : $$$ 1/2
Fit : Overall $$$$$
Fit : Muffler hanger $
Sound : $$$$ (if you want loud or ricer, go elsewhere)
Performance : $$$ 1/2
Overall : $$$$
David
A little research led me to believe that the Super Turbo mufflers are relatively quiet and efficient. A 4x4 mag had used one and got 8 hp and 12 lbs ft on a 4 litre Jeep. It is a 2" system which is the same as stock and although some folks think that big is powerful, with this engine, 2 1/4" is reckoned on being the biggest you should go if you don't want to lose torque. So, 2" should be fine.
I had thought of a custom cat back using a magnaflow muffler but was quoted around $150 to $200 to have a muffler specialist build and fit one. On my previous vehicles, I have paid up to $500 to have SS systems but it makes no sense on the 93.
So, last night I installed the Dynomax Super Turbo cat back in about 45 mins. I had soaked the old bolts in PB blaster but one attempted turn had me reaching for the angle grinder and a cut off wheel which took 30 seconds.
I ordered a couple of other parts (cat gasket, new hanger) and a Walker standard intermediate pipe that goes from the cat to the muffler as the kit does not come with one. I could not use my stock pipe as the previous owner had welded the intermediate pipe onto the cat.
First problem was the hanger that bolts onto the muffler does not line up with the rubber donuts that hook onto the frame mounts. It looks like some model years have the hangers on the front (engine) side of the rear cross member and mine has the hangers on the rear side of the cross member.
No probs...as the supplied hanger bolts on to the muffler , I quickly fabbed a steel plate to extend the hanger back to where it needed to be. I also used a slightly longer rubber donut on one side as the mufffler did not sit level without.
I have contacted dynomax who tell me they have one other complaint about this but do not have a fix in the system yet (how many have they sold since 93 ???) so I guess there are not many vehicles impacted by this..... I will follow up with Dynomax as I consider this response unnaceptable. I am lucky enought to be able to fab a plate but others would be SOL.
Anyway, the rest of the install was a breeze, the tail pipe tucks nicely out of harms way and comes out exactly in the stock location. No rattling or fouling the frame or axle and it is well clear of the spare.
A quick road test revealed it to the quitest aftermarket system I have ever used. The exhaust note is a little louder and deeper at idle and has a nice muted roar under acceleration but is comparable to stock at cruising speeds.
No ricer esque tone or wake the neighbors, kill your conversation boominess.
Seat of the pants dyno tells me that the throttle response seems a little crisper ( a subjective issue on the 3VZE) and that I can hit 5k revs in 2nd and 3rd a little easier. I was pleasantly surpised that there is no loss of low end torque at all, it feels strong.
What does that mean ? Probably 5hp at the wheels, not 10.
Overall, it is a well made aluminised system that has to be more effiecient than what was on there and at around $125 fitted with the other pieces I bought, I am very happy with the value of this upgrade which does improve the driveability of the vehicle.
Summary :
Value : $$$$$ (out of 5)
Quality : $$$ 1/2
Fit : Overall $$$$$
Fit : Muffler hanger $
Sound : $$$$ (if you want loud or ricer, go elsewhere)
Performance : $$$ 1/2
Overall : $$$$
David
Last edited by nrgetic99; 11-11-2005 at 06:08 AM.
11-11-2005, 06:10 AM
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Originally Posted by ebelen1
Nice review. Makes me want a 2nd gen even more. There's so much more stuff at cheaper prices than the 3rd gens.
David
11-11-2005, 06:54 AM
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good review...i just installed a pacesetter to the tune of $200 for the complete cat-back.
I had the same muffler hanger issues which were solved by a second set of rubber hangers and 2 steel pre-drilled plates(pics soon). But over all i found that i have the same low end and more mid range.
It seems like it only enhanced what little powerband the 3.0 has...lol. If i would have known about the setup you went with...i would have been sold...
I had the same muffler hanger issues which were solved by a second set of rubber hangers and 2 steel pre-drilled plates(pics soon). But over all i found that i have the same low end and more mid range.
It seems like it only enhanced what little powerband the 3.0 has...lol. If i would have known about the setup you went with...i would have been sold...
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11-11-2005, 10:24 AM
#8
I have this exact system. It is garbage - sorry to burst your bubble. I had the same fitment issues. I got the system 5 years ago. It has fallen completely off now.
Here are the issues I have had.
The crimp weld into and out of the muffler leak all the time. This started within a year of the system being on.
The mounting brakets are very weak and have broken 3 times.
The tail pipe rusted off and fell off where the mounting braket is.
The pipes are rusted half way through.
The muffler has 3 holes in it already.
My truck is always garage parked. I only put on 10,000 mile a year. I have only started taking it off road this year. I now have my truck sitting there with no pipe from the muffler back, front weld on muffler (factory) is toast and I can move the muffler back and forth on the intermediate pipe. I didn't notice any gain in MPG or power with this setup.
The factory pipes when I took them off were still in very good shape but I originally changed the exhaust system because I wanted a new cat and the OEM ones are pricy. It was cheaper to get the whole "Bolt on" dynamax exhaust. that was a bad idea.
Matt
I am probably going to get the flowmaster done this time.
Here are the issues I have had.
The crimp weld into and out of the muffler leak all the time. This started within a year of the system being on.
The mounting brakets are very weak and have broken 3 times.
The tail pipe rusted off and fell off where the mounting braket is.
The pipes are rusted half way through.
The muffler has 3 holes in it already.
My truck is always garage parked. I only put on 10,000 mile a year. I have only started taking it off road this year. I now have my truck sitting there with no pipe from the muffler back, front weld on muffler (factory) is toast and I can move the muffler back and forth on the intermediate pipe. I didn't notice any gain in MPG or power with this setup.
The factory pipes when I took them off were still in very good shape but I originally changed the exhaust system because I wanted a new cat and the OEM ones are pricy. It was cheaper to get the whole "Bolt on" dynamax exhaust. that was a bad idea.
Matt
I am probably going to get the flowmaster done this time.
maybe it is good i didn't get that system....lol
11-11-2005, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by celica
I have this exact system. It is garbage - sorry to burst your bubble. I had the same fitment issues. I got the system 5 years ago. It has fallen completely off now.
Here are the issues I have had.
The crimp weld into and out of the muffler leak all the time. This started within a year of the system being on.
The mounting brakets are very weak and have broken 3 times.
The tail pipe rusted off and fell off where the mounting braket is.
The pipes are rusted half way through.
The muffler has 3 holes in it already.
My truck is always garage parked. I only put on 10,000 mile a year. I have only started taking it off road this year. I now have my truck sitting there with no pipe from the muffler back, front weld on muffler (factory) is toast and I can move the muffler back and forth on the intermediate pipe. I didn't notice any gain in MPG or power with this setup.
The factory pipes when I took them off were still in very good shape but I originally changed the exhaust system because I wanted a new cat and the OEM ones are pricy. It was cheaper to get the whole "Bolt on" dynamax exhaust. that was a bad idea.
Matt
I am probably going to get the flowmaster done this time.
Here are the issues I have had.
The crimp weld into and out of the muffler leak all the time. This started within a year of the system being on.
The mounting brakets are very weak and have broken 3 times.
The tail pipe rusted off and fell off where the mounting braket is.
The pipes are rusted half way through.
The muffler has 3 holes in it already.
My truck is always garage parked. I only put on 10,000 mile a year. I have only started taking it off road this year. I now have my truck sitting there with no pipe from the muffler back, front weld on muffler (factory) is toast and I can move the muffler back and forth on the intermediate pipe. I didn't notice any gain in MPG or power with this setup.
The factory pipes when I took them off were still in very good shape but I originally changed the exhaust system because I wanted a new cat and the OEM ones are pricy. It was cheaper to get the whole "Bolt on" dynamax exhaust. that was a bad idea.
Matt
I am probably going to get the flowmaster done this time.
Interesting although I am not sure it can be same system as I do not have a mounting bracket on the tail.
This set up uses a clamp bracket that wraps around the tail pipe and uses the factory hanger.
Other than that, thanks for ruining my weekend
When should I put a reminder in diary to buy another system ???
David
Last edited by nrgetic99; 11-11-2005 at 11:37 AM.
11-12-2005, 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by toddowaddo
Hey David, does it make any popping or gurgling noises when you let off the throttle? My Flowmaster does that and it's pretty annoying.
NADA !
I just did a 250 mile round trip and all I can really hear is the engine...
David
11-12-2005, 04:03 PM
#13
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I have the same system also. No change in performance what so ever. All the Super Turbo mufflers are bigger diameter and little less packing of fiberglass. I know this cause the first one I bought rotted apart and I could see what was going on 
I bought another one for my other truck as well. Why? Because I got it cheap and the first one lasted me 4 years through NY weather. Other than that I wouldn't buy another one. I put a 3 chamber Flowmaster on my truck as well. Sounded cool, but it was loud as hell and it attracted the police. Both of the trucks were 22r's.
James
I bought another one for my other truck as well. Why? Because I got it cheap and the first one lasted me 4 years through NY weather. Other than that I wouldn't buy another one. I put a 3 chamber Flowmaster on my truck as well. Sounded cool, but it was loud as hell and it attracted the police. Both of the trucks were 22r's.James
11-12-2005, 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by toddowaddo
Hey David, does it make any popping or gurgling noises when you let off the throttle? My Flowmaster does that and it's pretty annoying.
11-12-2005, 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Randomness
Most "high-flow" exhaust systems do that. Especially if you stay in the same gear while the RPM's drop, right?
11-14-2005, 07:56 AM
#16
Originally Posted by nrgetic99
Interesting although I am not sure it can be same system as I do not have a mounting bracket on the tail.
This set up uses a clamp bracket that wraps around the tail pipe and uses the factory hanger.
Other than that, thanks for ruining my weekend
When should I put a reminder in diary to buy another system ???
David
This set up uses a clamp bracket that wraps around the tail pipe and uses the factory hanger.
Other than that, thanks for ruining my weekend
When should I put a reminder in diary to buy another system ???
David
Dairy - about 4 years from now.
Clad to see that you had a good week-end trip. I need to do a little more research into the flowmaster before I put it on.
Matt
Last edited by celica; 11-14-2005 at 07:58 AM.
11-14-2005, 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by toddowaddo
You're right on the money!
That's my technical explanation...
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