Well, I took the plunge today and got a local shop in Whittier, CA (Anthony's Muffler Shop) to fab me up a custom 2WD Cat-Back System utilizing a Flowmaster 70 Series muffler, Flowmaster Y-Pipe, and Flowmaster Chrome Tip.

The entire system is mandrel bent and is straight off the cats. It replaces the resonators with straight 2.5" aluminized pipe with flanges at both ends and new bungs welded in for the O2 sensors. It continues on to a high flow Flowmaster Y-Pipe which is dual 2.5" in and single 3.0" out. It goes through a Flowmaster 70 Series muffler which is offset 3.0" in and center 3.0" out. It goes over the axle and exits in the stock location with a 3.0" Flowmaster embossed chrome tip. IMHO, this is the system Flowmaster should have built.

They left the battery disconnected through the entire install which took about 5 hours because they were extremely busy. I'm hopping this reset the ECM. Pulling out of the parking lot was an eye opening experience. Throttle response is now precise and instantaneous and it pulls hard on the top end. The sound is awesome as well.

I now have to decide on an intake to get the full effect. Here are a few bad pics. They were taken in the dark. I plan to finish off all the welds with some high temp paint tomorrow.

More Pics . . .

Now that's what I'm talking about.......Cool looking setup. Enjoy.... :notworthy:

Now that's what I'm talking about.......Cool looking setup. Enjoy.... :notworthy:

Thanks! I do have to track down an annoying vibration though. I believe it is one of the heat shields. Otherwise, I'm loving it.

Correction, sorry. The Y-Pipe is from Magnaflow.

You should notice a BIG difference now that the factory resonators are removed. Good for you man, it will make you a believer in shedding the resonators the first time you start it up, more bark and BITE!!!

I've been wanted to take my resonators off to, but was afraid I'd get too much drone. How does it sound in the cab? Is your vibration a chirp??? I still have a chirp in mine somewhere. My shop can't find it. He thinks he finds it, then a couple of days later it comes back.
Looks good :thumbsup: Hope you enjoy.

Looks way cool. Is there a drone at high speeds in the cabin?

Looks way cool. Is there a drone at high speeds in the cabin?

Very little. I was very pleased. It is, however, louder outside than I thought it would be (not annoying though). I would attribute this to the removal of the resonators.

I've been wanted to take my resonators off to, but was afraid I'd get too much drone. How does it sound in the cab? Is your vibration a chirp??? I still have a chirp in mine somewhere. My shop can't find it. He thinks he finds it, then a couple of days later it comes back.
Looks good :thumbsup: Hope you enjoy.

The vibration sounds like a loose piece of sheet metal. I am almost positive it is a heat shield. I will track it down tomorrow and let you know. The drone is slight. About twice the factory but no where near a 40 series. With my windows up I can still listen to the radio on the same volume level with no problem.

Looks very nice. I like the simplicity of the whole set-up. I hope you get a chance to do a sound clip, otherwise, I'll just have to keep my eyes (and ears) open for you here in So Cal.

Looks very nice. I like the simplicity of the whole set-up. I hope you get a chance to do a sound clip, otherwise, I'll just have to keep my eyes (and ears) open for you here in So Cal.

Simplicity was exactly what I wanted. I love Flowmaster products and when I heard the American Thunder Kit for the Titan, in your sound clip I think, I fell in love. Then I found out it was only in a dual exit and it didn't replace the restrictive resonators. After feavorishly trying to locate an old JBA setup which included the resonators to no avail I decided to have what I wanted fabbed. They also completely unbolted the old exhaust so if need be I can switch back to stock with wrenches. I'm happy with it. I will see about getting some sound/video clips.

Well I found the vibration/rattle. It was a loose O2 Sensor. Easy fix.

The entire system is mandrel bent and is straight off the cats. It replaces the resonators with straight 2.5" aluminized pipe with flanges at both ends and new bungs welded in for the O2 sensors.

I had this as a part of my total exhaust system plan but wasn't sure of the effect of the removal of 2 catalytic converters out of 4 (in a 4x4?) on the computerized fuel delivery system. Maybe JetTech could educate me on this. My second option was replacing the 2 cats with straight flow "ricer" resonators with built in bungs. What do you guys think?

BTW, nice set-up TitanHauler. Please give us an update on your engine performance as you rack in more miles.

The entire system is mandrel bent and is straight off the cats. It replaces the resonators with straight 2.5" aluminized pipe with flanges at both ends and new bungs welded in for the O2 sensors.

I had this as a part of my total exhaust system plan but wasn't sure of the effect of the removal of 2 catalytic converters out of 4 (in a 4x4?) on the computerized fuel delivery system. Maybe JetTech could educate me on this. My second option was replacing the 2 cats with straight flow "ricer" resonators with built in bungs. What do you guys think?

BTW, nice set-up TitanHauler. Please give us an update on your engine performance as you rack in more miles.

Removing the rearward cats and installing straight sections with bungs is what I have planned next for my exhaust. Still debating whether or not to wait until warranty is up, though. Since I'd be messin with the rear cats, and not the foreward ones, I'm thinking there shouldn't be an issue since the 4X2's don't even have these to begin with.

From what I understand, the rear O2 sensors are there only to monitor whether or not the foreward cats are doing their job, in reducing emissions. The O2 sensors in the exh manifolds are the ones used to monitor a/f ratio for fuel trim at the ecu.

I may try to get a pressure drop reading across the rear cats, to see if there is even much drop at all. I don't know if there is as much drop as the oe resos have, or not.

Titanhauler....Nice job on the exhaust!

I had this as a part of my total exhaust system plan but wasn't sure of the effect of the removal of 2 catalytic converters out of 4 (in a 4x4?) on the computerized fuel delivery system. Maybe JetTech could educate me on this. My second option was replacing the 2 cats with straight flow "ricer" resonators with built in bungs. What do you guys think?

BTW, nice set-up TitanHauler. Please give us an update on your engine performance as you rack in more miles.

You'll be fine replacing your cats or resonators. The only time I had a code come up, as well as slurppie was when I had a leak. After I fixed it the code cleared and hasn't returned since. Same thing with Slurps truck, his code hasn't returned either. Go for it, there's a LOT to be gained when replacing either the cats or resonators!!

I had this as a part of my total exhaust system plan but wasn't sure of the effect of the removal of 2 catalytic converters out of 4 (in a 4x4?) on the computerized fuel delivery system. Maybe JetTech could educate me on this. My second option was replacing the 2 cats with straight flow "ricer" resonators with built in bungs. What do you guys think?

BTW, nice set-up TitanHauler. Please give us an update on your engine performance as you rack in more miles.

You'll be fine replacing your cats or resonators. The only time I had a code come up, as well as slurppie was when I had a leak. After I fixed it the code cleared and hasn't returned since. Same thing with Slurps truck, his code hasn't returned either. Go for it, there's a LOT to be gained when replacing either the cats or resonators!!

Jet,
Now I'm wanting to replace my resonators. What kind of gains are we talking about here? Also, did it add more noise to the system?

Jet,
Now I'm wanting to replace my resonators. What kind of gains are we talking about here? Also, did it add more noise to the system?

I don't know of exact gains because I've never done a before and after dyno run without the resonators. All I can tell you is that there IS a noticeable seat of the pants gain and the sound gets deeper with more bite to it. Of the two Titans I did this to neither one experienced more cabin drone so it was a very favorable thing to do on both of them. I'm a believer in doing this, if you do it, you will be too!!

Jet,
Now I'm wanting to replace my resonators. What kind of gains are we talking about here? Also, did it add more noise to the system?

I don't know of exact gains because I've never done a before and after dyno run without the resonators. All I can tell you is that there IS a noticeable seat of the pants gain and the sound gets deeper with more bite to it. Of the two Titans I did this to neither one experienced more cabin drone so it was a very favorable thing to do on both of them. I'm a believer in doing this, if you do it, you will be too!!

Good to hear! I will get this done then. The only thing I was concerned about was more drone or raspiness, which I do not want. Thanks for the info!

I'm not sure which series flowmaster you're running but it will make it much deeper and bark like hell when you stomp on it. I had a 50 series on my last truck and it really sounded better without the resonators. It's not for everyone, but if you like more power and a deeper sound, then it surely is for you..

Here's a pic of the ones I had made.

http://www.pixagogo.com/S5pn7fpBdAC557md2beTLdaSAJ3iTC!HvaCSvjPy8Crr6vC0iU bX4l8sR!lB8oVXJK1dxXhd2a-Q8veZ!tPWonkllNTj1u7mrlqXmuOqhZA7UW4Yn3YCbc0Q__/Straight_Pipes_02.jpg

I'm not sure which series flowmaster you're running but it will make it much deeper and bark like hell when you stomp on it. I had a 50 series on my last truck and it really sounded better without the resonators. It's not for everyone, but if you like more power and a deeper sound, then it surely is for you..

I have the 70 series which ismore tame. My brother had a 5.0 with 2 chambers and off-road h pipes and that thing sounded mean, except for the unbearable drone in the cabin.

[quote="TitanHauler"]Well, I took the plunge today and got a local shop in Whittier, CA (Anthony's Muffler Shop) to fab me up a custom 2WD Cat-Back System utilizing a Flowmaster 70 Series muffler, Flowmaster Y-Pipe, and Flowmaster Chrome Tip.

The entire system is mandrel bent and is straight off the cats. It replaces the resonators with straight 2.5" aluminized pipe with flanges at both ends and new bungs welded in for the O2 sensors. It continues on to a high flow Flowmaster Y-Pipe which is dual 2.5" in and single 3.0" out. It goes through a Flowmaster 70 Series muffler which is offset 3.0" in and center 3.0" out. It goes over the axle and exits in the stock location with a 3.0" Flowmaster embossed chrome tip. IMHO, this is the system Flowmaster should have built.

I've talked to my muffler guy a couple of times about removing the resonators. Now, after reading about yours, I made an appointment for Friday to get mine done. I think with the custom system I already have and the Volant I put on Fri, this would be a great improvement over the restriction I still have on my exhaust system.
Now, for a dumb question!!!!!!! "new bungs welded in for the 02 sensors" What does this mean??? I seam to be the only one that doesn't know what a bung is. :beating: Can you post a pic of that part?

A bung is nothing more then a welded in nut that the O2 sensor screws into. You can see them in the straight pipes I had made.

Well this morning I was getting on the freeway and on accelerating up the on ramp I got the SES light. Once I leveled out on the throttle a bit I heard a weird noise. Turns out I blew out the gasket between the front drivers side pipe and the Cat on that side. I'm sure that's what threw the code. I proceeded back to the shop who did the work and they appologized profusely and promptly installed a new gasket and all was well. I suspect the couple of heat/cool cycles loosened the bolts. I will get under there tonight and tighten everything down again. I did notice today that when I really get on the throttle on a hard launch the sound gets up there in pitch and is kind of raspy. But it sounds mean! :twisted: I pulled up next to a Hemi Ram today and gave him a few raps of the throttle and I could tell he was jealous. :notworthy:

Well this morning I was getting on the freeway and on accelerating up the on ramp I got the SES light. Once I leveled out on the throttle a bit I heard a weird noise. Turns out I blew out the gasket between the front drivers side pipe and the Cat on that side. I'm sure that's what threw the code. I proceeded back to the shop who did the work and they appologized profusely and promptly installed a new gasket and all was well. I suspect the couple of heat/cool cycles loosened the bolts. I will get under there tonight and tighten everything down again. I did notice today that when I really get on the throttle on a hard launch the sound gets up there in pitch and is kind of raspy. But it sounds mean! :twisted: I pulled up next to a Hemi Ram today and gave him a few raps of the throttle and I could tell he was jealous. :notworthy:

The computer doesn't like leaks as you've found out. You can clear it yourself or it should clear within a few starts. I believe there is a how to clear codes in the "how to" section.

Jet,
Now I'm wanting to replace my resonators. What kind of gains are we talking about here? Also, did it add more noise to the system?

I don't know of exact gains because I've never done a before and after dyno run without the resonators. All I can tell you is that there IS a noticeable seat of the pants gain and the sound gets deeper with more bite to it. Of the two Titans I did this to neither one experienced more cabin drone so it was a very favorable thing to do on both of them. I'm a believer in doing this, if you do it, you will be too!!

Good to hear! I will get this done then. The only thing I was concerned about was more drone or raspiness, which I do not want. Thanks for the info!

I don't have a before and after to compare drone or raspiness but I did have a buddy who recently added just a Flowmaster 70 Series to his Chevy 2500HD. Mine is significantly louder both inside and out. You are welcome to come have a listen to mine anytime. I think your local right? So Cal?

Well this morning I was getting on the freeway and on accelerating up the on ramp I got the SES light. Once I leveled out on the throttle a bit I heard a weird noise. Turns out I blew out the gasket between the front drivers side pipe and the Cat on that side. I'm sure that's what threw the code. I proceeded back to the shop who did the work and they appologized profusely and promptly installed a new gasket and all was well. I suspect the couple of heat/cool cycles loosened the bolts. I will get under there tonight and tighten everything down again. I did notice today that when I really get on the throttle on a hard launch the sound gets up there in pitch and is kind of raspy. But it sounds mean! :twisted: I pulled up next to a Hemi Ram today and gave him a few raps of the throttle and I could tell he was jealous. :notworthy:

The computer doesn't like leaks as you've found out. You can clear it yourself or it should clear within a few starts. I believe there is a how to clear codes in the "how to" section.

I figured it would clear in time. I will check the "How to" section. Also JT, don't you have an OBD II interface for your laptop that works on the Titan??? Which one is it? I want to get one.

I figured it would clear in time. I will check the "How to" section. Also JT, don't you have an OBD II interface for your laptop that works on the Titan??? Which one is it? I want to get one.

Yes I do have a cable and software that I use. Go here http://www.obd-2.com/ for more information.

I figured it would clear in time. I will check the "How to" section. Also JT, don't you have an OBD II interface for your laptop that works on the Titan??? Which one is it? I want to get one.

Yes I do have a cable and software that I use. Go here http://www.obd-2.com/ for more information.

Did you do a bunch of research before purchasing this software or was there a specific reason you chose it?

My research was done on what was available at the time which wasn't much. The ultimate cable to get is one that would allow you to change the settings and not just look at them like this one. I believe slurppie knows where you can get a cable like the one I just mentioned if that interests you.

My research was done on what was available at the time which wasn't much. The ultimate cable to get is one that would allow you to change the settings and not just look at them like this one. I believe slurppie knows where you can get a cable like the one I just mentioned if that interests you.

Ahh! I like that! So you could technically alter the fuel and air intake etc? If this is availabe why no programmer yet do you think?

Hi TH, I'm not sure that one is out yet for the Titan, I just remember slurppie saying something about one. PM him and get the straight scoop but I could be having a bad flashback from being a crack baby.... :roflmao:

:?: I don't recall...it being mentioned by anyone who has had the CATs removed during their exhaust modifications if they are still able to pass the Emissions tests?

I do recall that the resonators have been remove and that should only affect sound but did anyone pull the CATs themselves?

TIA

:?: I don't recall...it being mentioned by anyone who has had the CATs removed during their exhaust modifications if they are still able to pass the Emissions tests?

I do recall that the resonators have been remove and that should only affect sound but did anyone pull the CATs themselves?

TIA
That would be nice to know as NJ is also not an easy state for emission testing.

I don't see why it'd be an issue, since the primary cats are what do the bulk of reducing emissions, and they're the same as the 4X2's primary cats. If a 4X2 has no problem passing, then a 4X4 should do equally as well when tested with only 2 cats. As far as the visual part of the inspection, I doubt most emission techs would even know that the 4X4's have 4 cats. Even if they did gig ya on it, it's easy enough to remove the straight sections and bolt in the rear cats again. I won't have to worry about emissions testing for like 4 yrs, I think, so I think I'm gonna have this done on mine. Just be sure to save the old cats.