A cat back system greatly improves performance, even with the stock downpipe and cat. With that line of thinking, why do a downpipe and cats without going to long tube headers. Why do long tube headers without getting better breathing heads. Why get better heads without a larger engine. Why use just one engine when you could use 2. See what I mean? Each component is a part of the puzzle, they all add performance. A cat back is PROVEN way to make more power.

 

Proven by who? People selling cat back systems?

Try a real test. Put your truck on the Dyno BEFORE putting the cat back system on.

Then, Dyno it again after the system install. With NO other mods, you will NOT be impressed with the results.

 

Oh. And on your line of thinking... I can maximize the HP of a stock engine by replacing (in most cases) the exhaust manifolds back. But, just doing that doesn't open up the full potential. Need to have more air in. Case and point, I can force a 5.0L engine, stock @ 230 HP to push over 300 HP with proper breathing intake and exhaust. If I force induction, I can make over 450 HP, with mods to the engine, I can push well over 1200 HP. I don't NEED a BIGGER ENGINE to get more HP. I just need to BUILD it right.

I was just at the Dyno the other day. Watching some more SERIOUS boys play with their toys. Good stuff.

 

You dont sell catbacks, do you? So lets see the results youre talking about, since you are unbiased, we will believe your charts

 

I think im confused on the point your are trying to prove.... Do you have a cat back system on this perfectly built car you are referring to, or are you running stock piping?

So you are either saying: Stock piping is fine, or power wont be maximized with just a cat back.

Nobody said you would maximize power with a cat back system, but you also couldnt deny that it makes more power. Ideally, headers, cats, and full exhaust would be perfect, but not everyone may be as rich as your "SERIOUS boys" It would be foolish to start the mods with headers using the stock exhaust, so a cat back is a good place to start

 

I'm saying, Cat Back doesn't increase your power nearly to the potential they advertise. Still too much bottle neck in the exhaust system alone. if you achieve 5HP on a 300 HP 5.4L engine, you'd be par. 10HP, you'd be feeling lucky. Better get a lottery ticket.

I don't believe in doing a half *** job. When the time comes for me to Get more HP from my truck, it'll be started with a full exhaust, headers back. Since Cat Back systems do not address the main source of the exhaust bottleneck, they are a waste of $$$ for the low HP gain.

My truck is currently un-molested. I intend to start my build with a trip to the dyno and document every step of the way. Unfortunately for y'all (and me), I will not start my molestation until I pay off my truck. Which should be in a little over a year and a half. IF things go my way. But, I start my planning NOW so when the time does come, I don't sit around twiddling my thumbs wondering what I could be doing.

If all goes as planned, my truck will sit closer to 500/520 HP when I'm done.

 

Well for someone who doesnt have $2500 to spend on the perfect exhaust for these trucks, a cat back is a great place to start. The factory down pipes are 2.5" anyway, more than enough for an N/A engine. If i thought that most of my customers wanted to spend thousands of $ on an exhaust, i wouldnt be telling them about cat backs. For a budget minded person, $400-500 is a great buy for a mandrel bent, stainless steel, bolt on cat back system. You can spend more money on things that add less power, and its not the best bang for the buck, but its an essential step in modding a truck.

 

I agree, Exhaust is important. The only way I'd start with a Cat Back system is if I knew I could add to the system later when I do replace my manifolds and downpipe. They would have to integrate perfectly with my cat back. Otherwise, I'll save my $500.00 and apply it to my $2000 full Exhaust and not have to spend that $$$ twice.

On a seperate note, I wouldn't go around trusting every sales persons "beliefs" either. If someone else had already tested the system and proved the 20% HP Gain the manufactures claim, then, I'd be less resistant to accepting the sales persons pitch.

 

HUH? When using a well designed catback system, it is proven to reduce back pressure, and increase exhaust flow. Sound is increased also as you stated, but that is normally due to the design of the system (free flowing). Some different than others.

 

Like I said... Dyno your truck Before and After with making NO OTHER MODS. Then come tell me this is "Proven".

 

Lets try this approach. You are watching TV (say the power block), or reading a magazine that is doing un-biased test on performance mods. They test exhausts, chips, and most bolt-ons for real world numbers for people that want to see them. Do they count in you opinion? Or is that different than you or I running on a dyno. Because with my experience in performance mods, from turbos/sc's to simple intakes, the gains are there 9 times out of 10, even on the dynos. Most of the manufactures numbers are in controlled environments and are normally best case numbers, but still.

 

I don't believe a Magazine gives "Un-Biased" opinions on most stuff. I'm not saying it's not possible. But, magazines tend to lean towards providing more support for whomever spends the most $$$ on their advertisements.

So, if I knew someone who personally had a dyno test done, I'd believe that above and beyond any magazine article.

 

Fair enough, we are all entitled to our opinions.

 

You guys are brutal!!!

Mr. Jusnes appeared to be giving an honest, opinion based on practical experience. Since he is "in the business" he likely has had occasion to benefit from the experience of others also.
Just because he sells parts doesn't mean his opinion is biased. It could be, but judging from his posts, I don't think so.
Cut the guy a break. If you are looking for real-world experiences, consider them all.
I have never met, nor do I know Mr. Jusnes. But from the tone of his posts, I certainly would consider his "experience" to be relevant.

 

H20boy...I totally agree! I'm just keeping my mouth shut so I dont get stones thrown at me! Im guessing Lawson is just like the rest of us normal joes, and wants more performance without breaking the bank, and he wants his truck to actually sound like it might have a V8 in it. A custom Bama chips tuner like bob sells, or Edge evolution tuner like we sell everyday is going to make a great differance in his truck. Many of people on here will testify to that. A good catback exhaust is going to sound great, and I bet it will help out performance also. Lawson since you dont drive on a dyno everyday, Im sure you will be happy with what ever decision you make.


Ok throw the stones!