I am looking to get a new exhaust on my 02. I am wondering what the difference is between the turbo back and the cat back. I know that cat back means from the catalytic converter back, but I was crawling around under my truck and only really saw a muffler right before the rear axle. It is definitely a stock exhaust. Can anyone get me pointed in the right direction?

 

The only dmax's that have a catalytic converter between 01-04 are the dmax's that were shipped and bought in California. I have an 01 and there is no cat, it is common not to have one. Turbo back is the complete exhaust system from the down pipe off of the headers, but you have to be careful because many of the exhaust makers label their exhaust systems turbo back but they only go from the exhaust joint right in front of the muffler back to the tip. I would research it a little more, maybe the call the company that you're planning on buying from. Also, if you want more power/torque you should go with a turbo back not catback, the catback robs your truck of power/torque.

 

Thanks for the reply. It looks like it would be pretty tough to get a new downpipe on. Is it possible to do without removing anything?

 

The down pipe is pretty hard to do. You can do it with some patience. I didn't bother with mine because I have a single 4" stack, and there's really no point. What size/type of exhaust are you planning on running? Do you have a programmer or turbo work done?

 

"turbo back" are from the turbo down pipe back to the tip, cat back are from the 'front pipe' back

the front pipe isnt that hard to do, you can reach the clamp for the exhaust from the passenger side wheel well, just remove the plastic wheel well when undo the clamp, and it should come off easily, unbolt the three bolts that hold the front pipe to the back pipe and it should be pretty easy to slide out

the back pipe with the muffler is a pain but if you jack up the back of the truck you can get the suspension to droop and you can wiggle it out

Cat back exhaust are pointless unless you are concerned with keeping your truck emissions friendly, but most LB7's didnt come with cats so a turbo back exhaust is what you should look for

 

If the pipe on my LB7 has no restriction other than the muffler, why not just weld in a muffler delete pipe? I guess I don't fully understand the reason for spending that much money for a turbo back other than larger diameter tubing. Or is that what makes all the difference?

 

Pretty much, they stock exhaust has a lot of kinks and pinches down to 3" that the aftermarket systems don't, Diamond Eye exhausts can be had for about $350, 4" aluminized(which will last as long or longer than 304ss)

 

Thanks for the help. I think right now I am going to weld in a delete pipe which is a task me and my pop will be able to handle easily, and then see how things go.

 

Im running a 01 front pipe with a flex-pipe in where the muffler once sat and it has been working for me for about 1 1/2 years with no problem, but I think i will get a 4" in the near future, just to help keep egt's down