Maybe more than the muffler but apparently it failed for this as well.
I am putting together options for exhaust and it kind of depends what happens with the frame situation. My exhaust options range from do nothing, junk truck (seems unlikely as I have zero prospects for replacement) to a full manifold back system. In that category I could add some performance parts (like a Dynomax Ultraflo SS muffler and stuff) or keep it aluminized.
99 Ram: muffler rusting
Re: 99 Ram: muffler rusting
Cat options.
Fortunately this truck has federal emissions. A CA compliant Walker cat is $940 though I see some other CARB options for half that (which is still way too much). Federal emissions are more in the $200 range. Here are some. This will make the truck sound better, smell better and not throw the CEL on highway trips. It will pass emissions as it is as long as I don't take a highway drive.
$190
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 08&jsn=467
$193
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 08&jsn=468
$200
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 08&jsn=469
$210 with some kind of more modular design with the Y pipe.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 08&jsn=473
$228
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 08&jsn=474
$242 and looks coated which could be worth the extra. If the aluminized Y pipe of the others fails, I have to replace the whole thing again. The O2 sensor design sort of prevents using a universal cat (easily).
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 75&jsn=475
Fortunately this truck has federal emissions. A CA compliant Walker cat is $940 though I see some other CARB options for half that (which is still way too much). Federal emissions are more in the $200 range. Here are some. This will make the truck sound better, smell better and not throw the CEL on highway trips. It will pass emissions as it is as long as I don't take a highway drive.
$190
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 08&jsn=467
$193
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 08&jsn=468
$200
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 08&jsn=469
$210 with some kind of more modular design with the Y pipe.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 08&jsn=473
$228
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 08&jsn=474
$242 and looks coated which could be worth the extra. If the aluminized Y pipe of the others fails, I have to replace the whole thing again. The O2 sensor design sort of prevents using a universal cat (easily).
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 75&jsn=475
Re: 99 Ram: muffler rusting
For cat-back options:
Walker Quiet-flow kit with stainless muffler. $197 kit with everything.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 27&jsn=462
I could also attempt just the muffler (same Quiet-flow stainless) for $82. I would need to inspect the rest of the cat-back though and with exhaust, sometimes you can really waste time trying to piece part it. Cat-backs are usually really easy, especially on the truck.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 53&jsn=453
3" Ultraflow SS muffler but requires the other 3" components to work. This is just the muffler (at $97 which is quite reasonable) but also has the Walker exhaust parts diagram for reference. Rock Auto doesn't seem to carry the rest of the kit, even by component.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 51&jsn=451
Cheapo SoundFX kit at $161. Definitely the disposable option but if I wanted a little sound.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 27&jsn=459
Super Turbo kit with dual rear exits. $277. Probably no additional quality to the SoundFX kit but just fancier. Mandrel bending but again probably no better material quality.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 27&jsn=464
Putting together an Ultraflo SS kit.
$97 muffler (linked above)
Post-cat pipe, $95, ships in a month.... https://www.jegs.com/i/Dynomax/289/5405 ... 2F+318+%29
Tailpipe with polished T-304 tip, $247. https://www.ebay.com/itm/234867723550?e ... R6bgidPMYQ
Plus some 3" clamps and various hangers but those are cheap enough. $2.50/ea for 3" clamps at Rockauto (need two). Add another $8 for two more hangers.
So total cost to do a Dynomax Ultraflow SS: $452 plus some shipping for the Rockauto items.
That one is a definite maybe IF I get a good frame report.
Walker Quiet-flow kit with stainless muffler. $197 kit with everything.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 27&jsn=462
I could also attempt just the muffler (same Quiet-flow stainless) for $82. I would need to inspect the rest of the cat-back though and with exhaust, sometimes you can really waste time trying to piece part it. Cat-backs are usually really easy, especially on the truck.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 53&jsn=453
3" Ultraflow SS muffler but requires the other 3" components to work. This is just the muffler (at $97 which is quite reasonable) but also has the Walker exhaust parts diagram for reference. Rock Auto doesn't seem to carry the rest of the kit, even by component.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 51&jsn=451
Cheapo SoundFX kit at $161. Definitely the disposable option but if I wanted a little sound.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 27&jsn=459
Super Turbo kit with dual rear exits. $277. Probably no additional quality to the SoundFX kit but just fancier. Mandrel bending but again probably no better material quality.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 27&jsn=464
Putting together an Ultraflo SS kit.
$97 muffler (linked above)
Post-cat pipe, $95, ships in a month.... https://www.jegs.com/i/Dynomax/289/5405 ... 2F+318+%29
Tailpipe with polished T-304 tip, $247. https://www.ebay.com/itm/234867723550?e ... R6bgidPMYQ
Plus some 3" clamps and various hangers but those are cheap enough. $2.50/ea for 3" clamps at Rockauto (need two). Add another $8 for two more hangers.
So total cost to do a Dynomax Ultraflow SS: $452 plus some shipping for the Rockauto items.
That one is a definite maybe IF I get a good frame report.
Re: 99 Ram: muffler rusting
Did this yesterday. Cat y pipe removal was extra work for two reasons: 1) I wanted to save the now out of production NTK O2 sensors without killing the threads so that took a lot of heat and a lot of patience, and 2) I don't have a compact cutoff wheel so removing the exhaust manifold flange nuts was very difficult because it was hard to hold the bolt from turning (yes they are bolts nut studs, with a crappy sheet "lock" device that is really only good enough for original installation). The factory y pipe is stainless so I guess if I keep the truck long enough I may have to do this job again...
After fighting the cat y pipe off the rest was pretty simple. New one went on pretty easily.
The O2 sensors still work and it even set the catalyst readiness monitor already. I have nothing past the cat so it's really loud. I need a shop to make me a mid pipe connecting the cat to the 3" Dynomax muffler. The Dynomax tailpipe is also missing a hanger so I guess the shop can take care of that, too. I'm just going to ask them to hang the entire cat back. It'll be more than $80.
The factory muffler is huge.
128k
After fighting the cat y pipe off the rest was pretty simple. New one went on pretty easily.
The O2 sensors still work and it even set the catalyst readiness monitor already. I have nothing past the cat so it's really loud. I need a shop to make me a mid pipe connecting the cat to the 3" Dynomax muffler. The Dynomax tailpipe is also missing a hanger so I guess the shop can take care of that, too. I'm just going to ask them to hang the entire cat back. It'll be more than $80.
The factory muffler is huge.
128k