Should I upgrade my exhaust?

[slingblade16]

Greetings all once more tonight.
So something that rubbed me raw, was during the 2 inch lift, the mechanic gave me crap about the "ghetto" exhaust I have on the fj60.
He thought I could get more performance by upgrading it to a larger pipe.

I bought this about 2 years ago from the original owner, but there definitely have been some "non-standard" or non OEM mods here and there.
Here are some picture of the small exhaust pipe.

Thoughts?
Thanks, Matt

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Won't make it any faster

 

[sodafeld1]

Big tubes are lovely and often sound great!

 

[SQRRRL]

Run it as is.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

“More performance”.
Why mess with the exhaust if it ain’t broke?

 

[micruz60]

I’m getto
Have been for years.

 

[Mark W]

You *can* gain performance with freer flowing exhaust. Even on a stock 2F. Not much. And the main upgrade is tubular headers over the cast iron exhaust manifold.

Changing out the rest of the system by itself will not gain you enough to even discern.

Can't tell how "ghetto" you system may or may not be, but the pipe size is appropriate for a stock setup. making an exhaust system louder just to be louder is, at best, pointless.

Mark...

 

[OSS]

I removed the catalytic converter on the stock exhaust assembly & installed a straight pipe in its place. No cat. The performance increase was very noticeable. The engine was much happier above 2000 RPMS and it felt much less restricted. The stock cat with stock exhaust definitely chokes the engine.
With the modified exhaust (no cat) the engine was happy at 2700 RPMs and even up to 3200 on a high rev before upshifting, while with the cat it felt like it was fighting excessive back pressure.

That’s my experience anyway.

The stock exhaust system is too restrictive.

 

[MoaByte]

The tail pipe routing on the stock system is vulnerable to getting crushed between a rock and the bumper. I sprung for the MAF complete system (with test pipe) when I desmogged and I have no regrets. It's not loud and it at least sounds faster . It's kinda reassuring to hear your RPM's when slipping the clutch on a steep shelf road, up hill at 13,000ft and the 2F is gasping for air.
It was pricey but its quality warrants it. Do you need it? Well no, but you can tell the Mrs I said you did. You know, Safety first !

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I've heard that exhaust leaks at the manifold with the 2F/60 series are common. If it's not leaking there presently, then probably best to leave well enough alone.

 

[cps432]

I've heard that exhaust leaks at the manifold with the 2F/60 series are common. If it's not leaking there presently, then probably best to leave well enough alone.

This.

If you’re chasing leaks in the engine bay and are pulling your hair out then the upgraded system is warranted, but I’d leave everything as is until that day comes. It does help performance a little bit, but it’s still a tractor engine. It’s not going to be a Ford Raptor. Ever.

 

[dbbowen]

I ran my 2f with headers with a cat, without a cat, with oem pipe, with 2.5 inch all the way back. Literally made no discernable difference in driving feel. YMMV

 

[zeeklafreek]

I ran my 2f with headers with a cat, without a cat, with oem pipe, with 2.5 inch all the way back. Literally made no discernable difference in driving feel. YMMV

Makes me happy. When Edwin installed my headers 25 years ago in Austin, I could only afford a 'ghetto' exhaust. Good to know it didn't really matter.