Junking Magnaflow cat back for new tow requirements

[pmw2tua]

I just bought a boat and after reading the increasing low end torque problems associated with an after market larger diameter cat back exhaust system, I want to replace the magnaflow 3" exhaust. I was thinking about going with JBA headers with either a gibson 2-1/2" cat back (since the old stock sytem is long gone), or a JBA 2-1/2" cat back system. The headers I have pretty much decided on, but I am having trouble picking between the gibson or the JBA exhaust. Any preferences between the two? Any experiences? Will this set up work well towing?

Thanks for any input?

Oh ya- 2001 Tundra TRD Excab 4X4

[Xtrema]

Perhaps you can just rev the engine to develop enough torque and maintain the 3 inch system? I have been learning to adjust my expectations on torque vs. rpm as I transition from American to Toyota truck.

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by pmw2tua

I just bought a boat and after reading the increasing low end torque problems associated with an after market larger diameter cat back exhaust system, I want to replace the magnaflow 3" exhaust. I was thinking about going with JBA headers with either a gibson 2-1/2" cat back (since the old stock sytem is long gone), or a JBA 2-1/2" cat back system. The headers I have pretty much decided on, but I am having trouble picking between the gibson or the JBA exhaust. Any preferences between the two? Any experiences? Will this set up work well towing?

Thanks for any input?

Oh ya- 2001 Tundra TRD Excab 4X4

Both the Gibson and JBA will probably be roughly equal for peak torque, though I (and several others) have found the peak torque RPM with a Gibson seems to be lower than the published numbers for JBA's Evol catback...and reaching peak torque at a lower RPM is better. Specifically, JBA's published numbers for the combo of their headers and exhaust show a peak torque around 3800 RPM (400 RPM higher than stock); with JBA headers and a Gibson muffler installed in the stock exhaust pipe, my peak torque is around 3200 RPM (200 RPM below stock) and I get noticeable torque onset as low as 2500 RPM. My headers/muffler combo has essentially made my truck perform more like a turbo diesel than a typical gas powered truck...so it's really great for towing.

The JBA system uses a traditional design glasspack muffler; the Gibson muffler has a pair of parallel perforated pipes (one on the inlet side, one on the outlet side). The Gibson's design flows very freely yet leads to it becoming increasingly quieter the more you open the the throttle (and wide throttle openings are common in towing); the JBA will become increasingly louder the more you open the throttle.

So it boils down to how much noise and drone you can stand for extended periods. I personally have no tolerance for sustained noise because I find it very fatiguing after an hour or so. Therefore I chose a Gibson because it provides excellent torque at low RPM for towing but no added noise.

[2000LtdKen]

Originally Posted by pmw2tua

I just bought a boat and after reading the increasing low end torque problems associated with an after market larger diameter cat back exhaust system, I want to replace the magnaflow 3" exhaust. I was thinking about going with JBA headers with either a gibson 2-1/2" cat back (since the old stock sytem is long gone), or a JBA 2-1/2" cat back system. The headers I have pretty much decided on, but I am having trouble picking between the gibson or the JBA exhaust. Any preferences between the two? Any experiences? Will this set up work well towing?

Thanks for any input?

Oh ya- 2001 Tundra TRD Excab 4X4

pmw2tua,

I followed RockyMtnRay's advice on my truck (2000 Ltd 4x4) because I tow also. I put on the JBA Headers and had a Gibson Muffler welded into my stock exhaust and my truck runs beautifully. Got a nice torquey feel down at low RPM's where you can feel it. I towed my small trailer with quads and motorcycles on it and you can tell the difference in towing power. I can't wait until later this year to tow my big trailer to see what that is like.

Also on the noise thing. I work with a guy that put the Magnaflow's on his truck. It was annoying riding around. Too much sound. When I put the Gibson on my truck it is in between stock and a Magnaflow and does get quieter the faster you go. Around town it rumbles really nicely at idle and low rpm.

Ken

[cleanb13]

I was in the same boat that you're in now. I tow snowmobiles and I had a 2 1/2" Gibson w/o headers. I lost all my low end torque so I took off the Gibson and bought a Spintech muffler, welded it to the stock pipes and got my torque back. (I also took off the K&N cold air kit too) I got tired of the drone at 2k rpms so I cut the spintech off and bought a Magnaflow muffler and I couldn't be happier now. No drone, nice sound and got my torque back. I also installed the JBA headers which made a big difference too.

[Big_Al1]

Originally Posted by pmw2tua

I just bought a boat and after reading the increasing low end torque problems associated with an after market larger diameter cat back exhaust system, I want to replace the magnaflow 3" exhaust. I was thinking about going with JBA headers with either a gibson 2-1/2" cat back (since the old stock sytem is long gone), or a JBA 2-1/2" cat back system. The headers I have pretty much decided on, but I am having trouble picking between the gibson or the JBA exhaust. Any preferences between the two? Any experiences? Will this set up work well towing?

Thanks for any input?

Oh ya- 2001 Tundra TRD Excab 4X4

what are you doing with old exhaust

[Tundra Guy]

Originally Posted by cleanb13

I was in the same boat that you're in now. I tow snowmobiles and I had a 2 1/2" Gibson w/o headers. I lost all my low end torque so I took off the Gibson and bought a Spintech muffler, welded it to the stock pipes and got my torque back. (I also took off the K&N cold air kit too) I got tired of the drone at 2k rpms so I cut the spintech off and bought a Magnaflow muffler and I couldn't be happier now. No drone, nice sound and got my torque back. I also installed the JBA headers which made a big difference too.

Which model of Magnaflow did you go with? Thanks.

[Tundra Guy]

Sorry. "Which SPINTECH muffler did you go with...???" <not which Magnaflow> - obviously not enough coffee!

[Kevo]

I've had no problems with my custom Magnaflow setup. 2.5" piping with 14" Magnaflow muffler...it yanks my boat around wherever I want it, sounds damn good too!

Boat is a 2006 Tahoe Q6 (around 21ft.)