Sooo...I traded in my 2 week old 2001 Dodge Dakota QC SLT+. Here is what
happened - After researching a new exhaust system to put in, I decided
to take the truck up to a highly recommended muffler shop for a full
cat-back. I had decided (based on this list and recommendations from
Nick at the shop) to get a Flowmaster 50 series with 2 1/4" dual exit,
leaving the pipe between the cat and muffler at the stock 2 1/2". Nick
also offered up some 3" chrome slash tips.
The wife followed me up to the shop and we dropped off the truck and
then went to get some breakfast. We went back to the shop a little
earlier than the scheduled pick-up time so I was able to watch the final
touches, etc. As we pulled onto the lot, the truck on the lift looked
just like the one we dropped off. The wife and I watched as Nick
measured and positioned and re-measured and then measured again from 4
different angles and re-positioned till the tips and everything else was
just right. After the final positioning and welding and cleaning up, the
truck was lowered and I was asked to get in and test it out.
Upon starting, I immediately knew there was something different. As soon
as the engine started, there was this mean roar coming out the back that
settled down into a low menacing rumble. After revving it up and taking
it for a spin down the empty street next to the shop, I knew this was
not the truck I had dropped off earlier that day. The meek and shrouded
Dakota QC ("family truck") I had once known was now replaced by a beast
begging to be let loose upon all mortal beings.
So, enough of the story :) The short of it is this - to anyone looking
into getting a new cat-back installed, GO FOR IT!!! The transformation I
explained above is incredible. Now I have even more of a reason (or
excuse, depends on who you ask) to get more power under the hood. Cant
have the growl under the bed if you dont have the extra ponies to back
it up!! Nick did an excellent job on all the welds and the bends and
also gave me what I figured to be a very fair price for such a great
job.
For anyone interested in any actual performance gains, I'll be honest -
I havent really had a chance to pay attention to it that much. I did
notice a slightly smoother idle, but with the weather yesterday, I was
required to run the A/C almost all the time. I did fill up at my
favorite Exxon right before taking it in, so we'll see about any mileage
gains sometime next week. I never really had any hesitation upon opening
her up before, and it seems the same now. Now to get the Z-tube, Fastman
TB, etc. installed to help match up the front and rear of the truck!!
Thanks to all the guys who helped me and suffered thru my numerous
questions on this. I was able to get a great base of information to make
a decision I was comfortable with.
-adam
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:04:41 EDT