10 Best Jeep JK Exhaust System – Review and Complete Guide

If you own a Jeep Wrangler JK, you must also have thought about increasing your vehicle’s HP, mileage, as well as the sound of the engine, like every other owner.

Well, all these things could be easily achieved by installing an effective exhaust engine.

However, if you ask me, the looks of the exhaust engine are as important as the performance, innit?

So, today we will be looking at the top 10 picks for the best jeep jk exhaust system to help you find the most suitable one.

Why Best Jeep JK Exhaust System?

Even though a Jeep JK is a pretty powerful and heavy sounding vehicle in itself, if you are a true Jeep fanatic, you might want to make your Jeep achieve its true potential.

For this purpose, getting the best Cat Back exhaust system for your Jeep is the ultimate solution. Not only will it considerably increase the performance of your Jeep, but it will also turn heads wherever you pass from through its thunderous sound.

Comparison Table of Top 10 Jeep JK Exhaust

Our 10 Picks of the best Jeep JK Exhaust System

I have gone through some of the top-rated models from the most famous manufacturers out there. After doing my personal review on them and reading the customer ratings as well, here I will tell in you detail about my top 10 picks and why I like them.

Moreover, I will mention their pros and cons as well, so you can easily spot what you’re looking for.

1. Flowmaster 817674 American Thunder 409S Exhaust System

If you are looking for the best Jeep jk exhaust system, no matter which review you opt reading, you will always find this product in the top picks. Let’s see why.

First things first, the frame of this product makes it stand out from the rest, not only does it provide a very durable stainless steel construction, but it’s also the most reliable when you consider it in the long run.

So, even if you are a rough driver, it will not have a very hard time won’t wear off anytime soon, making it perfect if you often find yourself off-roading.

Another thing which makes it pretty suitable for off-roading is the high clearance it comes with. It will not take a hit easily and is far better when you compare it with similar models.

Another thing that I admired a lot is laminar flow technology. Now it might just sound merely a technical term to you, but when put into use, it actually makes a whole lot of difference by increasing the airflow to a very optimal level. This is something that you hardly see on any exhaust system.

However, there are some concerns as well, which you should be totally aware of. Firstly, the installation is not the easiest with this product, and if you don’t have prior experience or don’t know a lot about Jeeps, you might even get have to consult a technician or someone with better knowledge as the manual didn’t really do it for me.

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Bottom line

If you’re an expert in installation and don’t rely on manuals, this is honestly one of the best picks since it provides everything ranging from durability, engine efficiency as well as loud clearance.

2. Gibson Performance 17303-B Cat-Back Dual Split Exhaust System

Gibson 17303-B is another top of the shelf product, which impressed me to my core. There are a few things which I didn’t really like as well. Let’s see.

First off, unlike the previous product we saw, Gibson actually offers you a very detailed manual, which makes it incredibly easy for the person installing it to follow all the instructions and achieve the installation completed without any issue.

At least, I did not require any external help, and I hope the same is the case with you, given you have a bit of know-how.

Secondly, the sound. Man, the sound of this exhaust system really gave me goosebumps, and once you install it, driving your Jeep would never be the same anymore. You will know of the difference when the people passing by would notice you driving around with this exhaust system.

However, you need to be aware of the fact that after installing this exhaust system, the vehicle you own will completely lose its lower-end torque, and it is something everybody should know before they install it.

Now, one thing that really confused me is that even after installing this exhaust system, I hardly noticed any change in the acceleration of my Jeep.

Now, even though all the other purposes of installing it were being fulfilled perfectly, I certainly expect increased acceleration after installing an expensive exhaust system as well.

If I have to choose my best pick, this probably would be the reason why Gibson won’t make the cut. But everyone has different needs, and it might not be as important to you.

Lastly, due to the system being overall a bit more compact than the other fancy exhaust systems, I did not find it the most appealing one to the eye. So, I would suggest this product if you are not going for great looks and acceleration but cannot compromise on the sound.

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Bottom line

Gibson 17303-B is a master of providing sound and improving mileage, however, it might not be the best pick if classy looks and increased acceleration are something you need.

Read Also: Best Exhaust System Review and Complete Guide

3. MagnaFlow 15160 Exhaust System Kit

MagnaFlow 15160 is amongst my favorite products, and it’s frankly hard to criticize a product much with such outstanding quality.

If you go around looking for the best exhaust systems, you will often end up on this product, as this is the best pick for most specialists out there. Let’s see what makes it worth all the attention!

First things first, durability is something that we can never ignore while buying anything, let alone an exhaust system.

Since these exhaust systems don’t come in cheap, you can’t just go and buy anytime soon again, so durability should be the priority while making a choice and with a very sturdy build, MagnaFlow provides you amazing long-life.

When it comes to installation, you will be very pleased to know that the manual is great with this product as well, just like the last one we saw.

However, the installation gets further simplified as you will only be requiring a couple of tools throughout the whole process, which are not usually available in everybody’s home. In my case, I only had to buy a torque wrench and a WD-40.

Now comes the best part, the MagnaFlow comes with this top-grade CNC manufacturing, which is very precision effective. No other product will provide you such exact measurements that this product does.

As a result, the product will sit exactly fit your vehicle, and you won’t have to bother yourself with any loose connection issues.

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Bottom line

MagnaFlow 15160 is not the one for off-roaders. However, the performance is greatly increased along with perfect fitting, in case they’re on top of your priority list.

4. Dynomax 39510 Axle-Back System

If you don’t have a good budget and need to go with something which won’t make a huge dent in your pocket, but you’re not in the mood of compromising on the quality as well, I would highly recommend this model to you. Let’s see why!

First and foremost, I am really impressed by the heavy-duty body of the Dynomax 39510. At such an affordable, you don’t always get to see something which is very durable and vibration absorbing.

In fact, the latter is what really surprised me. The product is designed from amazing fiberglass matting technology, which again is not just a term.

But an astonishing technology which makes the vibration drop down to a minimal level where they’re almost unnoticeable, at least to me. It doesn’t look that good on paper, but trust me, once you get used to that, you won’t find comfort with any other exhaust system.

The kit also comes with a much-improved airflow system that makes use of a large tube that flows internally and helps with the airflow to bring it to an optimal level. This tube, in addition to the betterment of the airflow, also provides better backpressure.

Installation is also a major thing that I pay close attention to in every product. Because, if someone is not able to easily follow the instructions and needs to call an expert, it obviously costs a lot of money.

Fortunately, this one doesn’t require a lot of sweat to get installed; however, it’s not also the easiest one.

The manual is pretty much all that’s required, but if you are a complete beginner, you might need to find some help online using tutorials, mostly on YouTube, which is the most you will need.

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Bottom line

Highly recommended for the people looking for something heavy-duty and efficient in an affordable price range. However, there are some tradeoffs in terms of long-life.

Read Also: White Smoke from Exhaust on Startup

5. Rough Country 96002 Dual Exhaust System

Next up, we have another very affordable and great value for money product by Rough country. The company has built itself pretty much of a name when it comes to vehicle parts, and they have proven their excellence with this product once again.

First off, this dual exhaust system comes with a very attractive matte black color, making it very appealing to the eye.

The 409 stainless steel makes it very durable and long-lasting, so you never have to worry about how the body will hold up in the long term, which is the topmost preference for people like me who don’t want to risk their money.

Secondly, the installation process seemed to be pretty straightforward to me when compared to some other products.

The manual was detailed and explained in a very easy and intuitive way, and even if you get stuck somewhere, you don’t need to consult any third-party as the support provided by RC does the job. Moreover, the design is made to fit perfectly, and you will not need to do any cutting or drilling jobs.

Talking about performance, I really liked the high-flow design with this. Not only does it improve the flow within the exhaust, but the sound is also improved by a lot and makes heads turn wherever you pass by.

The chambered muffler is the thing that should be given credit here for the amazing sound.

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Bottom line

RC 96002 is a great performance booster suggested for the people who don’t have a lot of budget but want heads turning towards them everywhere they go.

6. aFe Power 49-48055 Mach Force-XP Cat-Back Exhaust System

aFe Power is a well-known company, and its products, especially the exhaust systems, never fail to satisfy the customers, and this one is no different. If you are someone who likes off-roading a lot, this one might be a pretty good deal for you. Let’s see how.

First things first, as I mentioned before, if you often have to go through rough patches or hilly areas.
I would highly recommend you having a look at this product since it comes with a Hi-Tuck design, which is specifically made to combat the issue of the off-road clearance. The height is quite high, which won’t let you face any problems.

Designed from high quality 2 ½ mandrel stainless steel tube, you should not have to worry about any kind of durability issues since no reviews claimed about any issues in the long run, making this product a great value for the money.

Another thing that I really came to like about this exhaust system is that you feel like the transitions are very smooth after installing it, and riding your Jeep just doesn’t stay the same, and you become addicted to the luxury.

It easily fits most of the skid plates out there, and you generally don’t have to go through any cutting or welding processes, which is very convenient.

However, one thing which bothered me is that many a usual number of customers claimed to have leaking issues, which were later resolved using a mere band clamp. Even though it’s not a deal-breaker, you should keep this mind just in case.

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Bottom line

I would readily recommend this product given its amazing performance as well as off-roading benefits with a great airflow, the claims of defective leakage arrival makes me have second thoughts.

Read Also: 10 Automotive Smoke Machine Review and Complete Guide

7. Borla 11834 Rear-Section Exhaust System

If you are a loyal fan of the classic designs, this one is definitely the best pick for you. The looks on this are simply unmatching and incomparable to any other. However, it’s not all that it’s good for. Let’s see.

Borla 11834 has a 304 stainless steel constructed body that showcases a very smooth and eye-catching exterior.

The shape is quite and adds a lot to the beauty of your Jeep after installing it; I hardly came across any customers who were not satisfied with the looks, and in fact, It was amongst the biggest reasons why people chose it over others.

Talking about the performance, I found this exhaust system to be very useful in terms of increasing the productivity of your engine.

In the very short duration that I used it for, I noticed quite some differences in my gas mileage, acceleration as well as horsepower. This is not something usual as many models out there don’t provide looks and performance side by side.

Now, coming to the sound quality, well, it wasn’t the best, but still, it exceeded my expectations since the product was already excelling in the other two areas.

The mufflers coming with this thing are custom made and provide a good quality of sound, which makes you feel better while driving your Jeep.

However, if a heavy sound sits on the top of your priorities, you should know that there are other exhaust systems that will provide you better and louder sound than this thing.

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Bottom line

Borla 11834 is a top rated pick with top of the shelf durability along with unmatched performance, I would suggest you to only go for it if loudness is not the primary thing you’re looking for.

8. Red Rock Dual Outlet Axle-Back Exhaust

This is another top of the line product which caught my eye as a great all-rounder being available at a very budget-friendly price. Let’s see why this could be a great pick for you.

First off, as I already mentioned, it has pretty much everything that one might expect from a top-quality exhaust system at a very affordable price.

Most of the time, people don’t really have a huge budget but don’t want to compromise on the specs. So, if you are one of them, I have great news for you.

Firstly, the installation. As for me, who is nearly an expert and has a lot of practice, it took me 15 minutes at most to get done with the installation part without needing any external help.

The manual alone did it for me; however, I needed to have a couple of tools that are not so usual, like the WD 40 and a lock wrench. So, even if you are a beginner, you can expect to get done with the installation under an hour.

Now, the sound. Well, I never knew what optimal level of sound meant before I used this model. Some products are too quiet that they go unnoticed while some I tested before were too harsh for the ears of the family you might be sitting with.

However, with this system, the sound is just perfect, and while you can boast all you want, you will not be disturbing or annoying anyone with the sound,

Lastly, it comes with a very durable and heavy-duty stainless steel build quality, which totally won’t bother you in the long term. The finishing makes it further resistant to any kind of corrosion and rusting as well.

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Bottom line

If you have a family Jeep, honestly there is not a better product out there, in all aspects. You just have to put in some time fitting this thing perfectly.

Read Also: 10 Best Air Hose Reels and Complete Guide

9. Pypes Performance Exhaust SJJ21R Cat-Back Exhaust System

Although it might not probably be the best pick for if you are very much interested in something to enhance the looks of your vehicle.

It’s one of the best options available out there if you are a fan of high clearance, which is the best selling point.

However, there are other reasons as well, which make it an excellent product.

Pypes SJJ21R is so convenient to install that the hardest part you will face while installing this device will most probably be removing the old exhaust system. Once you are done with that, the rest of the work will be smooth and easy.

Even if you don’t have much experience installing parts on your Jeep, it will take you an hour on max to get done with this, without needing to call any mechanic or anything.

Another thing I really admire about this product is the deepness of the sound it features. While it’s certainly not the deepest sound that it provides, it provides one of the loudest sounds in the market.

No matter how much fast you are going, you will always be able to easily identify the increased sound you are getting with this thing.

So, you better take your vehicle out quietly after installing this system, or you will be waking the whole neighborhood!

The product also increases the performance of your Jeep, and you might not be able to spot the increased mileage when driving within the city, you will definitely get a whole lot better experience on long journeys or highways.

As a whole, this is an amazing all-rounder, which provides a great sound along with a high-clearance, making it the perfect pick for your adventurous trips.

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Bottom line

This product by Pypes is one of the loudest I have ever seen. With amazing clearance, it’s great for rough drivers who like attention, however, you certainly won’t be getting the best looks.

10. ECOTRIC Matte Black Dual Catback Exhaust Muffler

Last but certainly not the least, this amazing Cat-Back exhaust system by ECOTRIC is as good the previous products we have discussed, if not better. Let’s see how.

First off, this is one of the most durable build qualities that I have ever come across. The hiten steel is very heavy-duty, and no matter how rough you treat the body, it will not wear off anytime soon.

Moreover, the product comes in an all-welded form, which makes it easy to install it onto the Jeep.

Now that we are talking about the installation, you will not believe how easy it is to follow it. The manual which comes with it is as good as it could get.

The instructions are crystal clear, and I ran into no ambiguities whatsoever. You will not need to use any additional tools as no welding or cutting is required.

Now coming to the sound and the looks, well, it carries both, and if you are someone who likes to boast, this could be a great pick for you.

With a show-off body and a throaty sound, you will get all the attention you need from wherever you are passing from.

However, there was a small problem regarding the vibration I faced, and since I’m very sensitive to that, it was hard for me to ignore it. Making it the only reason why I won’t have this as my next pick if I had to choose. But, if that doesn’t bother you, then there are no problems, and I don’t see any reason to not go with this product.

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Bottom line

Ecotric muffler is one of a kind which provides you a great combo of classy looks and a lot of sound. However, you will have to make some tradeoffs in terms of durability.

Read Also: 12 Obd2 Scanner Review & Details Guide

Things to consider when buying Jeep JK Exhaust System

Before you lock onto your choice, there are first some points that you should never forget considering if you want the most suitable product for you. Make sure you go through all of them and access your needs according to them.

Performance

Undoubtedly, enhancing the performance of your vehicle is one of the most important reasons why people choose to buy exhaust systems for their jeeps.

While the stock systems are also not bad, they are not really good in making the vehicle achieve what they are really capable of.

Choosing a good exhaust system will not only increase the mileage of your Jeep, but it will also have a significant effect on the acceleration and HP of it.

So, make sure you put enough stress on this and don’t choose something which leaves your Jeep to as it was before.

 Sound

The sound of the exhaust system is another major aspect which you need to inspect thoroughly before deciding to buy it. While people generally look for the loudest sound, sometimes it’s better not to go for the loudness only and look at other aspects as well such as the depth.

Moreover, exhaust system louder than a certain threshold value could become a nuisance, and very hard to drive with unless it’s a highway and you are going on high speed.

So, make sure you choose carefully, after putting in enough research.

 Road Clearance

I have come across many models out there which are great all-rounders and don’t lack anything except a good road clearance.

Now, people don’t really notice this at first but later it becomes one of the biggest issues since you cannot go off-road even a little, doing so would only result in a very quick wear off of your expensive exhaust system.

As you know, there is no fun driving a Jeep if you can’t drive off-road without any worries. So, make sure the exhaust system hangs high enough.

 Durability

Lastly, I want to talk about the durability and the construction. I would highly recommend you to not compromise upon this point, even if its not a good trade-off. Durability doesn’t seem to be an issue in the first year or so.

However, after that, the materials used in construction start showing their age pretty quickly, which is a big issue since exhaust systems don’t really come in that cheap.

Read Also: 10 Jeep Foot Pegs Review and Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. How long does it take to install an exhaust system on Jeep JK?

Well, it depends upon the specific product. But, the average time revolves around 1 hour if not drilling or cutting is involved.

• 2. How much does an exhaust system increase the mileage of a Jeep?

Frankly, it’s not a lot to be noticeable while driving inside the city but you will feel the difference on the long journeys.

• 3. How much do exhaust systems cost?

Well, the prices fluctuate according to the manufacturer and the model, but generally, you can expect to get a good one under $500.

• 4. Can I install an exhaust system on my Jeep without any external help?

Yes, definitely. You just need a little know-how of your jeep and the manual that came with the product.

• 5. What material should a good exhaust system be made up from?

Opinions vary on this, but I personally like the Stainless steel build as it is rust and corrosion resistant.

• 6. Do Cat Back exhausts need tuning?

No, fortunately, they don’t, which is one of the best things about them.

• 7. Are loud exhausts illegal?

No, they are not illegal based on the loudness.

• 8. Does installing an exhaust increase the performance of Jeep?

Yes, exhaust systems certainly add a lot of power to your Jeep.

• 9. What does Cat Back mean?

It means the type of exhaust systems which are attached to the end part of the catalytic converter in your Jeep.

• 10. How much HP boost should I expect after installing a Cat Back exhaust system?

It varies by product, but generally you should expect a boost by almost 5HP.

Read Also: 10 Lockers For Jeep JK Review & Details Guide

Wrapping Up

We have seen how Cat-Back exhaust systems are quite helpful in letting your Jeep JK achieve the true potential it carries. However, it’s not that easy to get your hands onto the best exhaust system out there since there is a large pool of options to choose from.

However, I hope that after going through the top picks listed above and going through the buyer’s guide, you won’t have a hard time finding what you really need. Good luck!