Rigs with EMS exhaust and those thinking about it - issues/problems/general report

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LCAdvocate

LCAdvocate

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Threads
68
Messages
326
Location
W., N.C.
Try and make this quick. Had the exhaust and mids in my garage since last year. Haven't done anything with it waiting for the new-mids and headers. Bought my rig a while back with the exhaust on the verge (very rusty). Took a trip last weekend and hit some washboard and rutty roads. Got back and noticed that some clamps had fallen apart (vibration finished off the bolts/nuts I guess). Decided to put the exhaust on and ran into some issues. Anyone had these?

Clamps - positioned the exhaust every way possible but could not get the clamps to cinch down completely at the end of the flange section at the muffler. Bolts are bottomed out. Probably 1/8" gap around one and smaller on other. Worried about dirt, water, and exhaust leak.

Clearance - have barely a 1/2" over driveshaft section. Is that common? Moved it all around before tightening it up and that's the most I could get.

Welding - has anyone installed this exhaust and welded it up completely? Thinking about having that done when everything is in.

Sound/noise - the walls are not as thick as the factory system and I've heard people talk about the drone. Would a thicker wall reduce the drone or resonation in the system.

For those thinking about buying the system - it is noticeably louder than the stock. I like it just fine. Just get the resonator or two if you like the sound close to stock.

Overall, I am super satisfied with the system and the additional power is noticeable, even with just the exhaust. Just interested in knowing if my issues are common.
 
No problems on my end with any of the installation issues you mentioned (catback with resonators, no mids). The sound, however, is quite a bit throatier than stock even WITH a resonator. I like the sound, but I fear it may have put me in a a corner with wanting to add header and mids. Any louder would not be acceptable, so I don't know if a header with twin cats in the mids would keep sound from increasing from where I already am.
 
No regrets on my purchase. My exhaust was on it's last legs and I'm happy to report that the upgrade was worth it. Installation was straightforward. Pictures are in this thread.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/617693-100-series-cat-back-exhaust-16.html

I had no issues with the clamps. I loosened them up completely prior to putting them on in order to have them slip on and be move around to the correct position. If they aren't loosened up far enough it makes adjusting them harder.

For clearance I thought I would have issues until I tightened everything up. Once tightened up it wasn't going to move anywhere. I didn't measure the clearance but haven't run into any issues with exhaust hitting anything. It's been a few weeks of driving. I don't foresee any problems other than having to tweak the hangar at the back to clear the rear ARB bumper. Minor fix with a prybar.

Haven't welded it up nor would I want to have it welded. Clamps are working just fine and if I need to move the exhaust I would still be able to. Never know when a brake line or A/C line will fail and have to move the exhaust out of the way.

The noise is something I was concerned about going to an aftermarket exhaust. I didn't want it annoyingly loud. There is a 'tone' to it but it's not loud. It sounds like performance exhaust. If you want it whisper quiet then stick with the stock exhaust. Again this is something that I don't regret buying especially with the ease of install and the HP gains you get.
 
LCAdvocate said:
Try and make this quick. Had the exhaust and mids in my garage since last year. Haven't done anything with it waiting for the new-mids and headers. Bought my rig a while back with the exhaust on the verge (very rusty). Took a trip last weekend and hit some washboard and rutty roads. Got back and noticed that some clamps had fallen apart (vibration finished off the bolts/nuts I guess). Decided to put the exhaust on and ran into some issues. Anyone had these?

Clamps - positioned the exhaust every way possible but could not get the clamps to cinch down completely at the end of the flange section at the muffler. Bolts are bottomed out. Probably 1/8" gap around one and smaller on other. Worried about dirt, water, and exhaust leak.

Clearance - have barely a 1/2" over driveshaft section. Is that common? Moved it all around before tightening it up and that's the most I could get.

Welding - has anyone installed this exhaust and welded it up completely? Thinking about having that done when everything is in.

Sound/noise - the walls are not as thick as the factory system and I've heard people talk about the drone. Would a thicker wall reduce the drone or resonation in the system.

For those thinking about buying the system - it is noticeably louder than the stock. I like it just fine. Just get the resonator or two if you like the sound close to stock.

Overall, I am super satisfied with the system and the additional power is noticeable, even with just the exhaust. Just interested in knowing if my issues are common.
Click to expand...

The clamps may not be tightened enough if there is a gap. Or if they were overtightened, then removed and reinstalled they may have stretched. Send me a PM with your first/last name, or order number and we'll ship you a new set of clamps free of charge.
 
LCAdvocate said:
I could never get them tight enough to stretch them and they are bottomed out now. I will shoot you an email. Thanks for the offer.
Click to expand...
3 new clamps coming your way sir.
 
I am having major issues having enough clearance between the pipe and the drive shaft. It was rubbing so we've made it driveable by cutting and welding one of the rods.

I still hear it grind over bumps.. will have to deal with it.

fvGdyTd.jpg
 
yuji said:
I am having major issues having enough clearance between the pipe and the drive shaft. It was rubbing so we've made it driveable by cutting and welding one of the rods.

I still hear it grind over bumps.. will have to deal with it.
Click to expand...
Even on 100% stock trucks we have not had issues with rubbing. Are you sure that it is installed correctly and that all the OEM hangers are positioned properly? There is a little bit of room for rotational adjustment in the pipes during install. Can you email me a few photos of how the pipe is lining up (photos from further away would be better), baktasht@emspowered.com
 
baktasht said:
Even on 100% stock trucks we have not had issues with rubbing. Are you sure that it is installed correctly and that all the OEM hangers are positioned properly? There is a little bit of room for rotational adjustment in the pipes during install. Can you email me a few photos of how the pipe is lining up (photos from further away would be better), baktasht@emspowered.com
Click to expand...


Thanks for the response Bak. I'm now under the impression the shop broke something while removing this... I wonder if the AHC lines or height sensors easy to mess up while removing exhaust. I now notice the rear is sitting WAY too low which is most definitely the cause of this.

It was fixed earlier today by the welding / forcing it away from the drive shaft.

Now, it's hitting again, and I'm bottomed out. This is not going to be fun.

Will do a full report later.. so far I like the sound, but fear it may be too loud at 2k. It sounds great above and below!
 
yuji said:
I am having major issues having enough clearance between the pipe and the drive shaft. It was rubbing so we've made it driveable by cutting and welding one of the rods.

I still hear it grind over bumps.. will have to deal with it.

fvGdyTd.jpg
Click to expand...

I had the same issue. I took a wood block, about 1/2-3/4" thick, and wedged it above the driveshaft to help hold the pipe there. The block actually held it higher than a 1/2", but I figured that would only decrease after removing the block. I then positioned everything to get the best alignment and fit and proceeded to tighten things up. By positioned, I mean moving the muffler around, tweaking pipes, blocking/stiff legging the muffler, sliding back and forth in the hangers.... whatever it took to get it worked out. It ended up working just fine and left me with about a 1/2" over the shaft. I haven't had any rubbing issues so far, but I have only been on the highway. As Bak stated, each of these vehicles varies some and I think that is exactly what is going on here.
 
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