My 97 LX450 is due for exhaust replacement from the cat back. The truck is really clean as it spent most of its life in the southern US. The factory downpipes are still good and I had a Magnaflow 2 -1 cat installed a couple years ago. All the flanges after the cat are leaking / warped. Trying to decide whether to go mild steel custom system after the cat and have it go over the frame rail or go with Otramm’s SS system. I drive it maybe 5000 miles / yr and it doesn’t see winter road conditions (I store it away for the winters). If I go regular steel / custom bent, I’m thinking the only thing I may have to replace in next 20 years is the muffler (and possibly the original downpipes) Is my thinking off? Any advice from forum members is appreciated.
Exhaust Advice
- Thread starter Indiana80
- Start date
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Aluminized steel works great.
No need imo to go over the frame, I didn't. Just had the bend tighter...
Haven't hit it on a rock...yet.
I also went with an OBX racing packed style muffler and new cat and new resonator. I wanted my 80 as quiet as possible.
No need imo to go over the frame, I didn't. Just had the bend tighter...
Haven't hit it on a rock...yet.
I also went with an OBX racing packed style muffler and new cat and new resonator. I wanted my 80 as quiet as possible.
Again, what’s an obx racing muffler?
That's just the brand "OBX Racing" that's the company.
Then the muffler I got from them is a packed style. So that means it has fiberglass like the factory one, made to be quieter..
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks. I’m just trying to decide if stainless is overkill for my situation, or if I’m money ahead to go with it.
I'll say @OTRAMM just because that's the way I finally went after much deliberation. If ypu are planning to keep it long term, you should never have to worry about it again. I also had a hard time finding any recommendations for a good local exhaust shop, and the OTRAMM exhaust is "only" a few hundred more than the other aftermarket systems available once everything is purchased, I owe them that for all the videos that have helped me out. At least those are all the excuses I used to talk myself in to what I really wanted. I just ordered it a couple weeks ago, hoping they don't have any supply problems with the supply chain crap going on recently.
Jason
Jason
For the cost difference on a cat back system why even mess around with anything but stainless?
I did the bosal solution with Magnaflow down pipe and promptly smashed it on some rocks. Makes a good a argument for not spending too much on stuff that you’re gonna beat up. Very happy with my choices. Happy to provide part numbers and pics if needed.
- Thread starter
- #10
Otramm is great. I think I owe them an order for a stainless system, as well. At least that’s how I would justify it in my mind.
Just installed the OTRAMM exhaust on my 80 with new header bolts, exhaust manifolds and MagnaFlow downpipe. Previous exhaust was the original factory exhaust and had broken off exhaust hangers with cats that I'm fairly certain were clogged to some degree and limiting outflow.
The OTRAMM exhaust has made a world of a difference. Took a few adjustments to get it positioned so that it wasn't hitting the frame anywhere but now that its dialed in it is amazing. Sounds so much better and truck barely vibrates at all now having the exhaust hangers. I had rigged up a cheap temporary hanger solution for the old exhaust. It could just be in my head but it feels like power and acceleration has improved as well. The over the frame solution is nice as well. Clearance is so much better. Have to get down pretty low to the ground to even seen it.
Very glad I went with OTRAMM.
Out with the old. Tailpipe not shown in pic. I had to cut it into pieces with an angle grinder because parts of it were so rusted together and inseparable. Also may be wondering why I replaced the manifolds. Several of the heat shield bolts had broken off within the manifolds and were not coming out.
In with the new.
The OTRAMM exhaust has made a world of a difference. Took a few adjustments to get it positioned so that it wasn't hitting the frame anywhere but now that its dialed in it is amazing. Sounds so much better and truck barely vibrates at all now having the exhaust hangers. I had rigged up a cheap temporary hanger solution for the old exhaust. It could just be in my head but it feels like power and acceleration has improved as well. The over the frame solution is nice as well. Clearance is so much better. Have to get down pretty low to the ground to even seen it.
Very glad I went with OTRAMM.
Out with the old. Tailpipe not shown in pic. I had to cut it into pieces with an angle grinder because parts of it were so rusted together and inseparable. Also may be wondering why I replaced the manifolds. Several of the heat shield bolts had broken off within the manifolds and were not coming out.
In with the new.
So THAT'S what ones of these things like like when it didn't get crappy undercoating and have ignored oil leaks for years. And I assume doesn't live in the rust belt. Can't here for the OTRAMM exhaust, amazed by how clean that truck is under there.
Jason
Jason
I scrubbed the entire undercarriage really well a few months ago and have coated the undercarriage with WD-40 a couple times since. Seems like the WD-40 has helped dissolve some of the surface rust that was there before and leaves a nice black sheen.