[2011RamCC]

How restrictive is the oem muffler, and why? I would think that, in the interest of better fuel economy and such, that a good flowing exhaust system would be attractive to the manufacturer.

Also, is there a muffler out there that fits without any modifications? I have the dual rear exhaust. It has a nice rumble at idle, and the sound inside the cab is not too annoying. I understand that there is more than one dual rear exhaust system from the factory, the one for the Sport models being more "aggressive" sounding. Never hearing one of those, I can't compare.:4-dontknow:

 

[TNC]

It's more than fuel mileage and power that the manufacturer has to worry about. One of the biggest for them is sound level. Federal sound regs for new vehicles is pretty strict for manufacturers.

 

[danhalen]

Mufflex makes a direct, bolt-on replacement. They offer 3 sizes (14", 18" and 22") from aggressive to mild. There are tons of YouTube videos of these on our trucks as well.

http://www.mufflex-performance.com/2009_1.html

 

[hyperlitejacko]

I put the 18" mufflex kit that is a direct bolt on. It sounds great.

 

[New2Ram]

The stock muffler is very restrictive. I saw a pic on here somewhere that showed what it looks like cut open, but I can't find the pic on this site now. The exhaust comes into the body, then has to bounce off the rear of the case, then doubles back and to an internal pipe that comes out the back...if that makes any sense... You might try doing a search for the stock muffler cut open. My Magnaflow 14" required two pieces of pipe to be added between the new muffler and the existing tailpipes. No big deal, had it installed at a local shop for $160 including the muffler. No increase in gas mileage tho...can't keep my right foot off the floor now!:SHOCKED:

 

[gsxrken]

I have not heard that the sport got a different exhaust.
Can anyone confirm or deny?

 

[2011RamCC]

I'm not sure if the exhaust is what I would say is different, but I believe the resonators are different. I like how mine sounds, but never having heard a Sport, I can't compare.

 

[2011RamCC]

Can anyone here offer more info on this exhaust thing?

 

[dig]

Mufflers

Just talked to my buddy today about my muffler and tailpipes. He laughed, He does race cars and is doing a 600hp chevy right now. He says that he is installing 2.5" pipes and that is as big as you need for 600hp. So why do you need more then what you have stock for 390hp. He also got a good laugh about the Y pipe. He said people think just because it is louder it is more powerful. He has been doing this for a lot of years. So I do have to consider what he says. I'm just quoting him. No let her rip.

 

[2011RamCC]

Thanks for the input, dig. I'm sure that a more free flowing muffler would be in some way benefitial, but I don't want any more interior noise than I already have. I only have just under 15,000 miles on this truck.

Now, can anybody shed some light on the difference between the dual rear exhaust on the Bighorn as opposed to that on the Sport?

 

[TNC]

Just talked to my buddy today about my muffler and tailpipes. He laughed, He does race cars and is doing a 600hp chevy right now. He says that he is installing 2.5" pipes and that is as big as you need for 600hp. So why do you need more then what you have stock for 390hp. He also got a good laugh about the Y pipe. He said people think just because it is louder it is more powerful. He has been doing this for a lot of years. So I do have to consider what he says. I'm just quoting him. No let her rip.

Your friend's use of the 2.5" pipes...separate pipes...is reasonable for a 600hp engine with headers and such...but you don't think he's going to use a stock, OEM style muffler, do you?

 

[mk3barti]

I think the exhaust on the Laramie and Sport are the same.

 

[2011RamCC]

Oh, I was under the impression that the resonators on the Sport were different, for a more "aggressive" sound.

Is the Laramie and the Bighorn the same thing?

 

[jmr]

The Sport muffler is a different part number than what is used on the BigHorn, Laramie and Express. I swapped the Sport muffler in my 2010 Bighorn back when I had owned it and it does have a nice rumble to it.

I'll have to check when I get home for the part number for the Sport muffler.
I don't think there is a HP gain but it does have a nice rumble to it. That being said the muffler on my Express sounds really good but it's not the same part number as a Sport (I checked). Maybe in 2012 they changed the baffle design or maybe it's louder because the Express is a reg cab compared to my 2010 Bighorn quad cab.

 

[2011RamCC]

Oh, so it's just the muffler itself, and not the resonators?

 

[snrusnak]

I would guess resonators are the same. The mufflers are probably just different lengths. I know my brother's big horn has a muffler that is like a million feet long lol and it is extremely quiet. You can hear the engine fan over the exhaust. Aftermarket (straight through) mufflers should give a decent performance increase.

 

[2011RamCC]

Well, mine is definitely not that quiet! It has a nice rumble, but not too loud in the interior of the truck.

I'm sure the truck would benefit from a straight-through muffler, but wouldn't that be a great deat louder inside?

 

[snrusnak]

I'm sure the truck would benefit from a straight-through muffler, but wouldn't that be a great deat louder inside?

Depends on how much volume it has. And everyone seems to hear differently. I believe they have some that are as long as 30", that'd be pretty quiet, maybe as quiet as oem. Most seem to say the 18" long mufflers or 21" or so one's sound like oem at cruise...

 

[jmr]

Yes it's just the muffer that is different the rest of the system is the same.

The part # for the Sport "Aggressive Note" muffler is 52122529AB and the Laramie/BigHorn/LongHorn/Express muffler is 55398327AF.

Oh, so it's just the muffler itself, and not the resonators?

 

[FireWire]

The brochure says the Sport exhaust has aggressive tone.
I think it sounds OK, but have caved in to forum pressure.
I am getting 18" Magnaflow installed Friday.
It has taken a few months of reading here and listening to poor quality sound clips to finally decide.