I have a 2014, all drive line components are stock at this point.
Looking for input on doing an exhaust upgrade, my questions are pretty specific to the list below. I am looking to get some nice sound out of the vehicle, not window/ear shattering, but I want to be able to hear/feel the almost 500 HP under the hook I paid for :wink2:
> I have heard a lot of back and forth on the axle-back versus cat-back... I am having a hard time for the 2014 finding a cat-back, lots of back and forth on not eliminating the inline valves and pulling codes - Can anyone give me some straight up input on this?
> Brand ... I have looked at Borla, Corsa, Magnaflow, etc.... What is the input on this? I am not looking to spend $3K on a system, which some of the high ends are up in that range, but I don't want to cheap out either.
> Alignment - I have heard some talk about some of the systems not lining up with the rear bumper profile - If I am spending a chunk on an exhaust system and it doesn't line up, that would royally piss me off... So any input on this would be appreciated.
> Install - I am fully capable of installing, having re-built a few cars from the ground up, but I have read that some of the catback on the 2014 require cutting of the stock pipe - Any input on this would be awesome.
I went with the AFE Cat Back on my '14 ( part # 49-48053). Install was a breeze. Everything lined up perfectly. It took about 5 minutes of adjusting the 2 rear muffler sections until i was happy with placement and ready to tighten the clamps all the way down.
Price for the AFE is a no brainer. Install took about 1.5 hours for me and a friend using his 2 post lift. It comes with all necessary hardware to install.
Sound is amazing. It's one of the louder options compared to an axle back, but in my opinion it's PERFECT. Doesn't get raspy until high in the rpm range. The videos i watched, i was afraid it would be raspy most the time, but this is not the case.
No cutting of the stock pipe, all comes out in 1 piece. There are 2 hanger bushings in the rear and one in the middle on each side. Pop those out, unbolt the 4 bolts holding the stock system to the cats and it literally falls right out. Took less than 20 minutes to remove the factory exhaust. The tips took a few minutes to get off, but wasn't a big deal.
Hope i answered all your questions. It's fresh in my mind since i just did the install this past Sunday. Loving every bit of it so far.
Thanks! That was very helpful, prior to your post I had not even looked up AFE... Based off the videos I have seen it is a nice system and they sound great. I like the headers they have too, so if I go with that system that may be an upgrade a little down the road.
With that said, you will throw codes at some point due to headers (if you get them) and/or the catback (low backpressure). Better buy a used DiabloSport while you're at it and get a tune and an intake. Both are really worth it IMO.
I have had it for almost two years. Haven't thrown any codes due to my exhaust. I threw one, but it's because I left the O2 sensor wire rubbing against the driveshaft. Soon as I taped it up, code went away.
For just a catback, the code only exhibits itself during certain situations. A WOT run is the particular moment mine came on that made me get it tuned out. It will disappear on its own over time, but will come back just the same. Maybe the MRT had higher backpressure - all I know is that it can happen for sure.
Been looking at exhausts for mine lately too. Really like the sound of the stainless works chambered cat-back. Haven't heard the afe system yet. Stupid work computer. Definitely grabbing the afe intake though. I'll be following this post because you're sitting about where I am and want the same thing. Mine is a 15 though. I'd also like to add that highway drone is a big concern. This is my daily and I use it for family trips too. Just don't want it to be so loud on the highway that it keeps everyone awake.
If you haven't been sold on aFe yet, check out my youtube channel. I've put on about 16k of HARD miles on the afe system. Only issues I've really had are cheek pain from the grinning.
aFe WILL Drone. I have this setup on my 2014 and I hate it. Sounds great on WOT but for cruising and hwy driving (which I do as its my daily) man it drones, and at different tones as well, guess thats the reason why its priced well not much R&D. Will be looking into something else.
As you grow older you will want NO loud exhaust lol. With my bone stock 2012 i was out running stock jeeps with cat back exhaust and cai with stock tunes.
I know it's not loud compared to the exhausts with cut-outs but the Kooks headers, green cats & 3" pipe and mufflers is plenty loud and sounds deadly at WOT. It's not overly loud but I'm chronologically challenged like Jim so I had a shop add resonators. Resonators will only lower volume a bit which is what it did for mine. I don't have what I call drone, resonators won't help drone. Tim has driven mine maybe he'll add a comment. My mechanic says I don't have drone. I was able to get into high 10s with this exhaust and I haven't had Tim, Joel or anyone tell me my exhaust is restrictive and holding me back. I would consider doing what Eskle or Wink does (maybe both, but I can't remember which guy told me they do it) and get a pretty quiet exhaust for around town and then cut-outs for waking the dead and at the track! I know exhaust is personal taste and there are lots that sound nice. I love the sound of the Kooks. It sounds like old school muscle rumble to me. I prefer that over raspy, foreign car sounding exhaust but a lot of guys like that too.
Just to clarify, high 10s, Forged motor & F1A & CAI...lol. Good for even better times but this is about all the transmission software will allow without losing her marbles. Tim nicknamed her 'Nasty Woman' lol