best gas mileage/power exhaust setup?

[generalchaos]

Well I have a 93 explorer now and like everyone else am looking to get some more power and gas mileage out of it.

I ordered the KKM intake, and now im wondering about exhaust. It sounds like I have a small leak somewhere, im guessing its the headers, but I wont know untill I crawl under the truck and see.

But anyway, what is the best setup for gas mileage? I see a lot of guys just buying catbacks...does this really help? I know I can remove/gut both cats, or install a high flow cat, but im not sure if new piping all the way through would help that much.

Id also like a little more horsepower to make towing cars easier and for the added pickup

So should I get a full system, or just a catback, or just gut/remove both/one cat and replace the headers with stock ones if I cant fix the leak?

Thanks in advance

 

[aldive]

I ordered the KKM intake, and now im wondering about exhaust. It sounds like I have a small leak somewhere, im guessing its the headers, but I wont know untill I crawl under the truck and see.

But anyway, what is the best setup for gas mileage? I see a lot of guys just buying catbacks...does this really help? I know I can remove/gut both cats, or install a high flow cat, but im not sure if new piping all the way through would help that much.

just gut/remove both/one cat and replace the headers with stock ones if I cant fix the leak?

I would definately get a cat back. Pick the muffler that you like and go to your local exhaust shop and have them make a cutom cat back for you.

2 1/4" pipe will probab;y be the best for your motor.

Leave the cats alone.

Good luck .....

 

[davidmmm69]

If you are in a state that does inspections Leave the cats alone as AL said in the above post. when I was in Florida that did not happen but up in Mass. definatly inspect everything every year.


let us know how it turns out..

 

[aldive]

Inspections or not, its doubtfully that you would gain anything by messing with the cats.

 

[davidmmm69]

I have heard many times before that people do that. that is all i meant. Just do not unless you are having a problem with them or they are faling off.

 

[davidmmm69]

and welcome to the site

 

[generalchaos]

so just get a catback? Dont think im really having any problems with the cats as I only have 72k on this thing, but I know cats decrease airflow a LOT, but N/A engines need back pressure so maybe they should stay?

I live in michigan so they wont inspect anything.

 

[aldive]

, but I know cats decrease airflow a LOT

Do you have data to prove that statement?

 

[generalchaos]

no hard data, but in most performance applications they are removed to get rid of restrictions. Maybe it doesnt matter on the ex.

But if I have an exhaust leak from the headers that requires replacement, are stock or aftermarket headers recommended?