Exhaust system cost

Been a long long time since I had to have an exhaust system done on a vehicle. The 2002 3.7 Hunt camp KJ needs a new exhaust system and I'm wondering what the going price is these days.

Well what is the problem? Is it just a muffler or do you need a whole cat back or worse.

Bad cats throwing codes? Or just too loud?

Bob

I started noticing rust holes in the muffler, but the pipe was fine... so I got a muffler I liked and cobbled it in with some zip cutting and welding. I think I have $60 into it.

If you like loud and cheap go with flowmaster, I have a flowmaster and I love the sound but my neighbors do not.

Just cat back. Was wondering how much the average shop charges these days.

I'm at;
Cat-to-muffler pipe $35.00
O.E. style muffler $55.00
Tail Pipe $35.00
---- ---------------------
$125.00

But most shops will be double that.

Bob

I just stuck a new system under the wifes KJ a few months ago. Went with a stainless Walker Quietflow muffler and the plain steel Walker tail pipe (because they don't seem to make a stainless tailpipe). Sounds about like stock and doesn't use any adapters up front. I would suggest not using a conventional clamp on the tail pipe, use the band clamp instead, that way you can replace the tail pipe when it rot's off.

I had used an AP muffler and tailpipe and the muffler rotted through in 19 months, on a "lifetime" muffler!!!
At the time Walker had a 50.00 rebate on that muffler, but if it lasts as predicted (5-6 years) I'll be happy.
Worked out to 93.50 for the muffler, 38.02 for the pipe and 11.00 for a stainless band clamp (which will likely outlast the vehicles life!)

Thanks M38! I'll call a couple shops around me and see if I can keep it under $200.00. I gotta crawl under there this weekend and check the front drivers side to see where an exhaust leak is. I'm hoping it's behind the cats.

Likely the attaching bolts if you're in salt road country. The OE pipes are decent grade of stainless steel, but bolts are regular carbon steel and rot away (same as S Will's band clamp's bolts). If you're lucky you can get all the old corroded bolt pieces out and replace with a hardware store bolt, nut, and lockwasher.

Bob

I think the prices will vary in your area but I had paid $180 for mine but I had a section of pipe cut, and rewelded from a bad pinch that cost $60 and I paid $120 for a StreetMAX muffler and had the OEM one cut with the new one rewelded on.

If you want the best price at a shop on your exhaust go to a shop that can bend tubing... Don't know if you have Muffler Man in your neck of the woods but they give the best prices around my area.

M38 Bob said:

Likely the attaching bolts if you're in salt road country. The OE pipes are decent grade of stainless steel, but bolts are regular carbon steel and rot away (same as S Will's band clamp's bolts). If you're lucky you can get all the old corroded bolt pieces out and replace with a hardware store bolt, nut, and lockwasher.

Bob

Click to expand...

I'm gonna check tomorrow but I do remember looking at the flange bolts and they were rusted really thin. Do you think that's most likely where my drivers side leak is? I was just gonna take it in but will repair it if it's just a little cutting and bolt replacement. Sounds like a duck taking off right now!!!!

How the hell would I know, what patch of "the woods" are you living in?:happy175:

If it's been exposed to heavy salt conditions it's very likely, though.

Bob

M38 Bob said:

How the hell would I know, what patch of "the woods" are you living in?:happy175:

If it's been exposed to heavy salt conditions it's very likely, though.

Bob

Click to expand...

Well I was kinda hoping you would drive to the cabin in Michigan and help me out!!:icon_lol:

Just crawled under there and found the leak. It's just behind the flange on an upper seam. Called around and got some quotes: $160.00 to $180.00 for a cat back and $40.00 to $60.00 for a patch job. Since it's all stainless, I'm gonna try to get away with the patch. I'm also gonna have them look at the skinny/rusty flange bolts. Thanks for everyones help!!!!

Cut sock muffler off a couple of inches in front of the muffler, ( if muffler is bad) exhaust at that point it 2.5 inches, slide new muffler up over and clamp on

tommudd said:

Cut sock muffler off a couple of inches in front of the muffler, ( if muffler is bad) exhaust at that point it 2.5 inches, slide new muffler up over and clamp on

Click to expand...

Ya, good point... seems the muffler is only 2.25", but the rest of the exhaust pipe is 2.5". :gr_grin:

Got her patched up and the four flange bolts and springs replaced. 87 smackers and I was out the door at a Muffler Man. They told me the old hunt camp Jeep should stay nice and quiet for many more years.

tommudd said:

Cut sock muffler off a couple of inches in front of the muffler, ( if muffler is bad) exhaust at that point it 2.5 inches, slide new muffler up over and clamp on

Click to expand...

Thats what i did replace it with a flowmaster super 40. Then i went to my buddys shop had them weld it in there no problems. Except a little surface rust. I use some rust reformer and high heat spray paint keeps it looking fresh.

Cost: $100