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2003 4.0L Exhaust Sound

Discussion in 'Cherokee' started by SpartanRouge, Nov 24, 2017.

  1. Nov 24, 2017 at 3:09 PM
    #1
    SpartanRouge

    SpartanRouge [OP] Member

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    so I took my GC to the exhaust shop (cause I can’t weld) and told them I wanted it to sound really deep/bassy/throaty but not be too rediculosly loud and hardly drone on the highway because it is being used as my baby wagon right now. And sound fairly close to what most of the 5.0 Mustangs sound like. Anyway, he suggested they put on a magnaflow muffler rather than a flowmaster because he said he thought flowmaster was too loud for what I was describing. So I had them put a magnaflow on (single pipe exhaust btw).
    When I went to pick it up he said for $50 more they could take off the rear (unmonitored) cat and put a straight pipe on to make it louder (but not much more) so I was thinking “cool, it’s loud now and if I wanted I could go louder.” But I when I started it up... it barely sounded different than stock and I’m kind of pissed.
    Has anyone experienced this situation before? How was it fixed to sound “right” I’m thinking about going back and having them put a flowmaster on instead for free since I already paid for a muffler job and didn’t get even close to what I wanted even though he said the muffler they put on was pretty much straighten through. I know taking the two bigger monitored cats off would make it louder but I don’t want it to smell or put check engine light on (I live in Florida with easy emission codes)

    Please help, any experience would Be much appreciated!
     
    Gideon_Rah likes this.
  2. Nov 24, 2017 at 3:29 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    Well, the six cylinder isn't going to sound like a V8. That being said, The loud sound mostly happens when you get on the throttle. How is it when you get on the gas?
     
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  3. Nov 24, 2017 at 4:30 PM
    #3
    Offroad798

    Offroad798 Well-Known Member

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    IMO I would listen to videos online for the exhaust note your trying to achieve. Like chris4x4 said its not a v8. I put on a magna flow off road exhaust. Doesn't sound like a mustang but it sounds good but its kind of loud when you get on it. If you know anyone or part of a jeep club maybe you could listen to the different exhausts. There are lots of jeep events and clubs in Florida you could go to to listen to exhaust. The 4.0 was also in the TJs and LJs and XJs so you got lots of chances to hear different exhaust. Also changing you stock exhaust to a header will change the sound and performance depending on intake, muffler and mods that you may have done. But since this is your baby wagon I would try to listen to other exhausts before you spend your cash. Remember everyone has an opinion, but it comes down to what you like and can and willing to afford. Good luck
     
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  4. Nov 24, 2017 at 4:46 PM
    #4
    LYFZGOOD

    LYFZGOOD members

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    If he puts a header and duals on maybe it would get him closer to what he’s looking for. Or better yet just drop a v8 in it and be over with it
     
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  5. Nov 24, 2017 at 6:13 PM
    #5
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    Yeah, a header helps for sure.
     
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  6. Nov 24, 2017 at 6:19 PM
    #6
    LYFZGOOD

    LYFZGOOD members

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    What about the V8 do you think that would help ?
     
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  7. Nov 24, 2017 at 6:28 PM
    #7
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Drop a V8 in it and be over it. :rofl:. To good dude.

    But as stated above. It's an inline 4.0. You will not get that 5.0 Stang sound. As close as you can get is as was mentioned. A header, with a decent exhaust system and a magna flow or a turbo type muffle. You might get close. But never the 5.0 V8 sound your looking for. And I'm with you dude. Hate the fact my JK sounds like a mini van.
     
    LYFZGOOD likes this.
  8. Nov 24, 2017 at 7:57 PM
    #8
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    FlowMaster, Gibson, MF have cat-back systems available for the GC 4.0 that usually don't require welding. Not a fan of removing cats and these exhaust systems might have been what your looking for. There are so many different types of magnaflow mufflers and perhaps the shop chose a very mild quiet muffler as the typical GC owner likes quiet. My JK runs the cat-back MF 15160: touch louder at idle, much louder on acceleration with no drone on hwy . As much as I like the sound, it ain't no V8 sound.

    For the GC check out: http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts-mufflers/10A50209.aspx
     
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  9. Nov 25, 2017 at 7:27 PM
    #9
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    As aggrex said. Even with his mods. "It ain't no V8". You may have to settle for the sound your getting. Or make some major mods. :annoyed:..
     
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  10. Nov 25, 2017 at 7:47 PM
    #10
    LYFZGOOD

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    Well I’ve been thinking about this issue and maybe he could record a Hemi and when he wants to hear that BIG V8 sound just play the recording no welding and cheap I’m a freaking Genius. Well I can’t take all of the Credit I did see this on the red/green show☹️One time.
     
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  11. Nov 25, 2017 at 8:08 PM
    #11
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    I just posted in another thread. I think our members are suffering from Turkey hangover.
    Here's that excample. Lolll. Record a Hemi V8 exhaust and play it as he leaves a stop light. LYFZGOOD. I love it. Lolll. But, now that presents other issues. He's going to have to upgrade his sound system. Better mids, tweeters, and sub woofer. To achieve that sound. He's probably better off dropping a V8 in that bitch. :rofl:Not to mention. It's a baby buggy. Kids not gonna get any sleep. :smack:
     
    LYFZGOOD[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Nov 26, 2017 at 7:47 PM
    #12
    OFFGRID

    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

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    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    I disagree with all of ya'll. The 4.0 and 4.2 are big inline 6s and have a very throaty exhaust. The key to getting the sound is larger diameter exhaust. When I go wheeling I hear many jeeps with 6s that sound like LS swaps, so much so that I quit asking if they had an 8, and embarrassing myself with getting the, "nope its a 6 response." My CJ has header to 2.5in exhaust all the way out with a simple Dynomax OEM style (not a turbo) muffler. I am always asked if I have a V8. In the above case the 2 biggest culprits of sound rob are the double cats and likely 2 in exhaust. You don't need a header to sound good, the cheapest way for the above setup would be to cut one cat off, and do a 2.5 or 3 inch cat back exhaust. The best way and more expensive would be to start fresh at the exhaust manifold flange and run 2.5 in pipe all the way out using a high flow cat with your choice of turbo muffler being Banks, dynomax, flowmaster, magnaflow, etc. Flowmaster 2 chamber mufflers are the loudest without going to glasspacks, but are considered race only applications and some shops won't install them. For future reference you don't have to weld your exhaust together. There are many ways to clamp your exhaust together for a clean look like band clamps.
     
    JKBob 25 and chris4x4[QUOTED] like this.
  13. Nov 27, 2017 at 5:32 PM
    #13
    SpartanRouge

    SpartanRouge [OP] Member

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    its funny you guys mention playing the V8 sound through the sound system. As stated this is my baby wagon so my fiance is the one that drives it most of the time but i drive a 96 saturn SL2 and i have a sweet sound system in it with subs and everything. One time i went up to daytona for thanksgiving and they were doing the famous turkey run car shows all over the place so there where TONS of old muscle cars with straight headers just driving around and i felt embarrassed driving my fully Stock (besides the stereo) 127 max hp FWD Saturn ... so i youtube'd a video of an old Challenger with a loud exhaust at idle with a few revs and played that thing for at least an hour while driving around..... it was great, i got so many stares... then my ears started to hurt
     
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  14. Nov 28, 2017 at 6:29 AM
    #14
    OFFGRID

    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

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  15. Nov 28, 2017 at 8:08 AM
    #15
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    Wow! I,take it back! That straight six sounds tough!
     
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  16. Nov 28, 2017 at 7:24 PM
    #16
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Agreed. But if any one can do it. OFFGRID can and will..Nice. So Aaron.....there is hope. Baby wagon won't last forever. 18 years at best. Hang tight dude. 18 years goes quick. Lolol. :ballchain:
     
  17. Dec 4, 2017 at 2:16 PM
    #17
    Chillmo

    Chillmo Well-Known Member

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    03 grand cherokee loredo, 4.0 straight 6 Family jeep. Just keeping her running slowly upgrading parts
    I put a thrush muffler on mine... Sounds awesome
     
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  18. Dec 4, 2017 at 9:16 PM
    #18
    UrbanCowboy

    UrbanCowboy Well-Known Member

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    I had a 40-series flowmaster on my old TJ and it had a great rumble to it. It still wasn’t TOO loud, but definitely louder than throatier than stock. My current TJ has a 50-series flowmaster and it isn’t loud enough for my taste. I’ll be doing a super 44 flowmaster and rear cat delete at some point in the future. It may end up being too loud, but one one way to find out!

    As others have stated, use YouTube. You can just type “Jeep 4.0 exhaust” and watch anything from wranglers to cherokees to Grand cherokees to get the feel for different exhaust setups.
     
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  19. Dec 5, 2017 at 7:49 AM
    #19
    OFFGRID

    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

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    Cats act like mufflers. I knew a guy who in order to comply with Cali's emission standards would run 2 cats on his hotrods and no muffler. They always sounded great and not too loud. Try cutting your muffler out. You can always reinstall it using band clamps. You will need a straight piece of pipe found at most any autoparts store as well as 2 band clamps to fill in the space where the muffler was.
     
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  20. Jun 1, 2018 at 9:21 AM
    #20
    Gideon_Rah

    Gideon_Rah Active Member

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    I see to have a 2000 Grand Cherokee 4.0
    I put banks headers on it, left the two pre cats, magnaflow cat, flowmaster original 40 that was single in dual out and two 3 inch magnaflow chrome tips that came out the side right after the passenger door cutting several feet off the total length.
    Sounded epic.
    It didn't sound the SAME as a V8 but it was low and powerful sounding.
     
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