Exhaust Parts on a '96 Dakota?

Question

I've recently decided to get some performance exhaust parts for my truck. I have a 1996 Dodge Dakota, 3.9L, RWD. Entirely stock exhaust currently. I was looking at napaonline.com, they have a store in my town and it would be the most convenient to purchase it through them.

First of all I'm looking at a new muffler:

http://www.napaonline.com/masterpages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=SMU&PartNumber=18454&Description=Muffler+-+Direct+Fit+-+Soundmaster

http://www.napaonline.com/masterpages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=SMU&PartNumber=18456&Description=Muffler+-+Direct+Fit+-+Soundmaster

Second I'm looking for perhaps a new tail pipe:

http://www.napaonline.com/masterpages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=EXH&PartNumber=45333&Description=Tail+Pipe

Third, I'm either considering purchasing this through napa and having them install in in their shop, or purchasing it online and having a friend do it. Regardless I'm pretty sure I'm going to have my friend take off my catalytic converter, another friend of mine recently had it done and I've only heard good things (it sounds nicer, 2-3 more mpg's, and about 15hp more).

So my question to you... do these parts look like a good deal? Are there any better ones that you recommend for around the same price? Are there any other exhaust parts that you would suggest I get/need while I'm at it? And is there any reason you would strongly suggest to not get the catalytic converter taken off? (Yes I know what it does I don't need a lecture on that).

Answer 1

it's a 3.9 just leave it alone. your better off swapping a 360 in it if you pre formance. I  have dusted 3.9 v-6 dakotas with  preformance parts on them.  and all I have is a 03 dakota quad cab 4.7 l v8 4x4 totally stock. os  save your money and put it twards a 5.9 swap or a 5.7 hemi swap. that way you can make serious preformance upgrades.

but to  supe up a 3.9? your just wasting your money.

you  want preformance mufflers? why looking at that c**p. you need flowmaster or spintec. plus you  want headers also to  see any real increase in  preformance.  but in the end its a lil 3.9 and all the money you sink into it. a person  can  drop in to a 5.9  or a 4.7  and make more power than you.

just leave it alone and save your money. its not worth it.

Answer 2

you can make that one sound better without removing the cats from it,if you do that you may wind up with a permanent check engine light on,and it may not perform the way you want it to,you can get more performance from it by adding a performance exhaust system and still leave the cats on it,its up to you on what you do with it,if it was mine id leave the cats and go with the performance system,they do make a big difference in the way one runs,good luck.

Answer 3

Your better off having a muffler shop do the work, you save money in the long run.

Removing the cat is illegal and if your state has emissions testing you will fail that also. You might consider a performance cat though, bigger inlet and outlet can get you some power.

Answer 4

don't mess with cats

unless want to see if your engine check light works

Answer 5

thrush has a high flow muffler with same dimensions for 20 bucks, which also delivers the sound your looking for. have you considered an msd ignition kit?. an k&n filter kit would also improve your power numbers. personally i have had good luck with bosch platinum +2 sparkplugs. removing the cat wont affect the truck,the computer simply doesnt care, ( at least mine doesn't as ive never had the check engine light come on for cat related issues,and yes the light works)