Exhaust performance boost?

[hancockr]

2002 Ranger, 2.3 L, 5 speed, 62,500 miles

I have had this truck since new, and finally needed to replace the exhaust system. Leaks at the flange gasket and beginnings of a noisy hole in the muffler. Easier to do it now than in November here in Michigan. So, as I am laid off, I wanted a less expensive system and found one from AP for just over $100. The interesting thing happened after I completed the installation. For the last few years, I have noticed when driving my Ranger with the air conditioner on at about 70 mph going uphill, no matter what, I would either have to downshift to 4th or I would be down to 63 to 65 mph. Also, launch from a traffic light was a bit sluggish until the revs came up. I happened to be on the freeway immediately after I completed the new exhaust installation and noticed on several of the same uphill grades where I used to bog down, I could even accelerate to 75 if I wanted while still in 5th gear! Also, no more sluggishness when starting up at a traffic light. Now I realize there is only one muffler on this system (original also had a small resonator just before the muffler), but I find it hard to believe that the factory exhaust sapped so many more horses from the engine output. Is it at all possible that a resonator or muffler could have gotten clogged with internal rust or debris?? Only time I have ever had anything like this happen before was with a catalytic converter failure, never a muffler!

 

[RangerFabWorks]

yes its possible. the baffles in the muffler can break down from corrosion and clog the outlet of the muffler. also now im sure you have a free-er flowing muffler and no resonator. you probably free-d up 3-4 horsepower. your mileage should go up. about 2 mpg.

 

[hancockr]

Thanks, BW

I think you just confirmed my suspicions...I have to admit, I had forgotten how fun that truck was to drive before! And I had noticed I was down to about 24-25 MPG where I used to get 26-28 on a regular basis. It will be interesting to see if that comes back too (of course, if I'm having that much fun accelerating now, it may not for a while)...

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

everyone should note that this isnt a performance boost, its a repair. you replaced broken/malfunctioning devices with properly working devices and regained previously lost power. same as replacing worn out spark plugs or a plugged up air filter.

but im glad the truck is running better for you. im sure your enjoying the smoother, quieter sound as well. if theres one noise i cant stand its the fluttering of a downstream exhaust leak

 

[hancockr]

I would tend to agree with you that it is a repair, but still wonder whether the lack of a resonator prior to the muffler would allow for a slight performance gain over stock. That having been said, things that "go wrong" over time have an insidious way of being undetectable since they happen so slowly, then when the repair is made the results are more noticeable.

I also happen to agree with you on the exhaust noise. If there is one thing on a vehicle which screams "I don't maintain my truck" it is a leaky exhaust...