[DrTaz]

OK, this Nitro has got me hooked, gives me the same (or better) thrill as my first car ~ over 25 years ago! Don't remember cruisin' the Internet forums back then though . . . but then again, my 'computer' was a digital calculator with ultra-modern LED display!
I've been looking thru this forum looking for sweet stuff like a kid in a candy store. So, the question is ... Other than dropping in a K&N filter (already done), what is the next best mod for the dollar? Looks like the Jet chip at $210 or so gives a boost, but then you need to move up in octane. The exhaust mods are interesting too. If a guy were to put some extra coin into one of these Nitro beauties, which would be the best way to go?

 

[nitroheel]

Not sure about the best bang for the buck but...I replaced the stock muffler with a flowmaster 50 series and I couldn't be any happier. The difference in sound is truely amazing. The Nitro looks so aggressive; however, it sounded more like a mini-van. I've noticed a slight improvement in MPG (1-1.5 mpg) but, it's the beefy sound that has added to my love of the Nitro. I had a co-worker stop me at work today to ask if my Nitro had a Hemi engine, When I said no it's just a v-6, they didn't believe me.

This is the first time I've ever replaced the factor muffler (in 27 yrs of driving) and it may be the best OEM replacement I've ever made. Improvements made by filters, AEI, or performance chips can be hard to measure, but let me assure you that as soon as you turn the key over you WILL notice the improvement of a performance muffler. Just my 2 cents worth. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I've been enjoying mine.

 

[BearlyNitro]

Exhaust

Replacing the stock exhaust with a better breathing pipe and muffler is usually the "Best Bang For Your Buck" you can get on most all vehicles.

 

[Pshrynk]

The catback is by far the biggest bang for the buck.

To be perfectly honest I don't think the chip really does much at all on a normally aspirated engine.

Jet claims 21 RWHP on the 3.7 with their chip-- and thats just simply bull-pucky :i_rolleyes:

 

[BLKNitro]

Not sure about the best bang for the buck but...I replaced the stock muffler with a flowmaster 50 series and I couldn't be any happier. The difference in sound is truely amazing. The Nitro looks so aggressive; however, it sounded more like a mini-van. I've noticed a slight improvement in MPG (1-1.5 mpg) but, it's the beefy sound that has added to my love of the Nitro. I had a co-worker stop me at work today to ask if my Nitro had a Hemi engine, When I said no it's just a v-6, they didn't believe me.

This is the first time I've ever replaced the factor muffler (in 27 yrs of driving) and it may be the best OEM replacement I've ever made. Improvements made by filters, AEI, or performance chips can be hard to measure, but let me assure you that as soon as you turn the key over you WILL notice the improvement of a performance muffler. Just my 2 cents worth. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I've been enjoying mine.

hey quick Q how much did that cost u and did u install it or did u have it done

thnxx

 

[AirJunky]

hey quick Q how much did that cost u and did u install it or did u have it done

I paid $180 installed by a welder at a local muffler shop for the Flowmaster 70 series. Not sure how much different the 50 & 70 sound but the 50 is a bit shorter so I would imagine the 50 is a bit louder.

I think Slug paid about $100 plus shipping & clamps for his & he did the install himself.

There are audio files on the Flowmaster website so you can hear for yourself. Definitely a worthy investment. Better acceleration & mileage & sounds cool.

 

[HighVoltageNITRO]

DrTaz

Definitely do the muffler upgrade. Now I am not telling you that you have to find your high school letter jacket or anything, but it will definitely take you back.

Go for it!

 

[DrTaz]

50 or 70 series?

Thanks, all. Muffler is the way to go ... the growl will fit the car. Now I just need to decide to go with the Flowmaster 50 or 70. I want it to growl, but I don't want it so loud to annoy the neighbors if I happen to be coming home at 2AM from a jobsite! Ideas?

 

[HighVoltageNITRO]

I almost want to ask a question here, but instead I will try to expound a little with my thoughts.

Single-in single-out muffler - and reusing all the remaining stock exhaust system will only be slightly louder than stock. Removing the resonator at the rear will unleash quite a lot of sound. So, now, asking to go with a 50 or 70 series?, you now have four scenarios to choose from, if you keep the single exhaust.

Single-in dual-out - and dual tail pipes. This obviously removes and discards all of the stock exhaust from the stock muffler rearward. Now ask, do I go with a 50 or a 70 series? Going with duals will reduce the overall sound volume somewhat because you are dividing the exhaust gasses in half. This adds two more scenarios to choose from.

So, not being able to limit my response to one of your six options, and you thought it only two, I guess the best thing to do would be to make a list from quietest to loudest. Now this is just my opinion, so take it for what it is worth.

• Quietest
• Stock
• 70 Series, single tail pipe, keeping your resonator in place
• 50 Series, single tail pipe, keeping your resonator in place
• 70 Series, dual exhaust
• 70 Series, single tail pipe, no resonator
• 50 Series, dual exhaust
• 50 Series, single tail pipe, no resonator
• Loudest

Now, what I have is a 40 Series Flowmaster with dual exhaust.

Turn your volume up a little, and listen. This is what mine sounds like. Again, this is an R/T, so it will be slightly different, but not much. After all, they are almost the same displacement. What you are about to hear is at cold start up. The exhaust quietens down some when hot.




So, now considering all of this. If yours makes plenty of engine torque to drive around at about 1500 rpm on your tach., then you can drive around at night pretty quietly, even with my dual exhaust. I have scared the crap out of people by coasting up to them with their backs turned and with my engine at idle, then when I am right behind them, revving the engine. The never heard me drive up. I try not to do this, but it has happened twice already so I took full advantage of it. They started laughing, right after they finished cursing! So far so good.

 

[nitroheel]

50 series

Of course I have the 50 series so, I'm going to say go with it. The muffler may be shorter than the 70 series; however, it doesn't sound over the top. In my opinion it couldn't sound any better, beefy but not loud. I'm 43 and trust me the last thing I wanted was for my Nitro to sound like a tricked Civic or a monster truck. Honestly based on the postive comments regarding the 70 series, you really can't go wrong with either as long as it a flowmaster 50 or 70 series. I just got lucky and my friend had the 50 series and he basically only charged me for the install labor. If I wasn't happy he was going to order the 70 series but, I just can't image it sounding any better than what I already have. I did want to mention that the 50 series is shorter that the stock muffler; however, it you have it professionally installed it only requires a small extention pipe to make a perfect fit.

 

[nitroheel]

Chrome tip question for High Voltage

I was considering extending my pipe beyond the rear bumper but, was afraid the heat might damage the plastic bumper. Did you have to take any special precautions when you extended your pipes and installed chrome tips?

 

[HighVoltageNITRO]

I was considering extending my pipe beyond the rear bumper but, was afraid the heat might damage the plastic bumper. Did you have to take any special precautions when you extended your pipes and installed chrome tips?

Negative. These tips are dual wall stainless. The outside gets hot, but not so much to burn if you accidentally touch them.

Some may want to know the same thing about the exhaust crossover pipe near the spare tire. My tire shop said 1/2" of space is all you need clear of the spare.

 

[nitroheel]

High Voltage another ?

Are you tips made by Flowtech?

 

[HighVoltageNITRO]

Are you tips made by Flowtech?

I do not know who made them. They were on display and I liked them. They were the only ones like them they had. I do know they were designed for the '05 and up Mustang GT to fit in the cutouts in the rear fascia.

 

[DrTaz]

Thank you for the level of detail, HV!

Very descriptive and thorough answer! I see why you are one of the kings of this forum!
I checked out your other video showing the speedo and tach. Very impressive. With the 40, I assume that you are getting even more growl than the 50 or 70? Your ride sounds really good, by the way.
A neighbor has a new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, and out of the box it sounds very sweet. I guess it should though at 420 HP! Too bad that it doesn't look as good as it sounds. Then again, I'm an extremely biased Nitro owner, with a serious addiction for all that is Nitro, even though I only have half the horsepower as the SRT8!

 

[KenCary]

OK, this Nitro has got me hooked, gives me the same (or better) thrill as my first car ~ over 25 years ago! Don't remember cruisin' the Internet forums back then though . . . but then again, my 'computer' was a digital calculator with ultra-modern LED display!
I've been looking thru this forum looking for sweet stuff like a kid in a candy store. So, the question is ... Other than dropping in a K&N filter (already done), what is the next best mod for the dollar? Looks like the Jet chip at $210 or so gives a boost, but then you need to move up in octane. The exhaust mods are interesting too. If a guy were to put some extra coin into one of these Nitro beauties, which would be the best way to go?

Moving up in Octane is not a big factor. It is about 10 cents to jump a grade. This equates to only about $ 9.00/ month at 18-19 MPG and 20Km miles/year. If you can't handle 9 bucks a month, don't bother with any hot-rodding as it is more costly than the gas once you are hooked.

 

[DrTaz]

Good point about the octane. I know that I can pour more money into the tank and get more performance, but I know now that I am really looking to improve MPG, get the Nitro to sound as good as it looks, and ultimately have a way to get a little more HP when passing somebody on the highway when going up a hill. Overall, I'm quite happy with the performance, but looking to squeeze a couple of HP (and MPG) more out of the 3.7 in my SLT.

 

[WhiteNitroCA]

Well you can't really compare the ones you mentioned.

With any vehicle Stage 1 is always CAI/Intake/Chip/Exhaust. Each one of these components is dependant on the other.

the CAI will work by itself but will work much better when used with better programming for air/fuel ratio and trim adjustment. the chip will increase engine power and overall performance, but will work best with a free flowing system. The exhaust would be best to do with a intake as it'll create a vacuum and the engine can also take in more air.