My daughter just bought a new 2002 Dodge Dakota she asked me what kind of dual exhaust system she should install. I have no experience with this kind of vehicle, so I decided to ask you folks here. Is there a brand / model of aftermarket system that you have had good luck with? I’m not even sure Dodge offers this as an upgrade for trucks after the purchase. In short, “What’s the best dual exhaust system for a 2002 Dodge Dakota?”
Are you talking about straight dual exhaust from the engine back?
This means two of everything, two converters, two mufflers, two times the labor. Or do you just want to have the look of dual exhaust (just two tail pipes), or possibly a Y pipe after the converter and two mufflers. Are you going for a performance enhancement, for sound, or for looks?
Are you talking about straight dual exhaust from the engine back?
This means two of everything, two converters, two mufflers, two times the labor. Or do you just want to have the look of dual exhaust (just two tail pipes), or possibly a Y pipe after the converter and two mufflers. Are you going for a performance enhancement, for sound, or for looks?
Are you talking about straight dual exhaust from the engine back?
This means two of everything, two converters, two mufflers, two times the labor. Or do you just want to have the look of dual exhaust (just two tail pipes), or possibly a Y pipe after the converter and two mufflers. Are you going for a performance enhancement, for sound, or for looks?
Easiest (and IMHO the best solution):
Go to a neighborhood exhaust shop (prefferebly not a big chain) and run it by them. They can custom bend and install the pipe in a jiffy. I’m a pretty mechanically inclined guy but I would not want to install a set of duals myself. Leave it to the pros.
My .02
Dang! I didn’t realize how complicated this could be. I guess she is interested in a little performance boost and that nice, deep rumble that comes with dual exhaust systems. After the pipes are in, she’ll probably add some chrome end pieces for looks. If it was my truck and I was gonna spend the bucks, I might have the pipes come out just forward of the rear wheels, but she doesn’t like that idea.
Well, I just learned a few things when talking to a neighborhood exhaust shop, as bernse suggested. First off, I can’t run separate pipes back from the engine exhaust manifolds. It is against the law to bypass or modify the existing system forward of the catalytic converter. I have to leave the exhaust manifolds, the wye pipe and the cat converter alone. According to him [and another shop - I checked just to make sure], I would be subject to a heavy fine [$20,000.00!] if I made any alterations to the emissions controls equipment. And I would be sure to get caught when I took the vehicle for its periodic emissions test. He suggested that I have a dual exhaust system installed that adds mufflers and pipes downstream from the cat converter. He said I can expect a small gain in performance and a great “rumble” sound. He figures he can do the deed for around $500.00.
Sounds like you’re on the right track and the price is right, too.
It is so difficult to legally increase performance on new US vehicles via the exhaust system because most modern exhaust systems are already tuned for good performance/quietness in the design stage of the vehicle.
It’s not hard to make a new vehicle louder but from what I have read in the enthusiast mags, aftermarket exhaust mods, as often as not, don’t make a big difference, and all of that at the high end which is often unexplored in the US.
If your primary interest is a cool look and a low pitched rumbling exhaust note, you cannot go wrong for $500.