NOTE: IF YOU PURCHASE THIS SYSTEM YOU COULD HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS I DID! BE FOREWARNED!
In fairness to Mopar we all know they do not manufacture the parts they sell through their Dealers. Also of note, I was one of the very first to place an order for this item. I am not sure if this item has a design fault, quality control, defective workmanship, or if this part has been redesigned, since my order was received and installed in February 2009. This item is guaranteed by Mopar, but I chose NOT to return it since the replacement could have been built and designed the same, needing modification.
Picture of Mopar P5155110 Nitro 4.0 Stainless Steel Cat-Back System (List
Cat-Back Stainless Steel Exhaust System, Single Rear Exit With Dual Square Tips, 2.5" Pipe, 2007-2009 Nitro, 4.0L, V6 (List price $799.99)
In the Thread:
http://www.dodge-nitro.com/dodge-nit...resolved-3249/
I discussed how the low RPM “Whistling” engine noise had been resolved with installing re-designed replacement head gaskets under Warranty. However what appeared to be another Screaming high RPM engine noise remained. Both Chrysler and the Dealership could not resolve and had no previous complaints on this. They did feel it could be in the Dealer installed Mopar exhaust system.
I contacted my Dealership’s Assistant Service Manager and asked if I could have the three muffler strap/clamps removed on this Mopar system if need be, to have the system welded to eliminate any possible leaks that might be causing this “Screaming Noise” that has driven me crazy! I told him I wanted to have the exhaust checked out by an expert and would pay for it, but wanted their approval first so I would not void my Factory Warranty. He told me no problem, and if need be in the future, he could always cut the system to remove it for engine or transmission service. (See Below: this was not needed)
This past Friday I took my
“Screaming Nitro” in to a shop that specializes in custom exhaust systems and even advertises themselves a
“Problem Solvers”. Boy are they!
The owner took the Nitro out for the first of what became many test drives. Since their shop is located on a State Highway he said he heard the noise right away under hard acceleration (something the Dealership seemed not to be really understand was offensive). He first ran a Smoke Test on the system and found the clamp on the front of the Mopar Cat-Back muffler had a small leak and corrected that, but did not solve the Screaming Noise.
He then removed completely all of the Cat-Back Exhaust and test drove it.
The sound was gone! He then installed a factory type muffler only and found the sound was still gone! The Mopar HP muffler you can look right through with its 2 ½ inch inlet and outlet, but the stock muffler takes a path through baffles.
He told me that the muffler must the cause, but looked brand new with the Mopar Medallion Stamped into it. He could not find anything wrong inside it and after a long discussion (he said this looked like a special designed system for Mopar from
Borla and was all stainless steel even with Mopar chrome stainless steel tips, and would last a lifetime) we decided to have it replaced under warranty from Chrysler, and if the replacement made the same noise he would add his own muffler and solve this issue. DONE?….
Not so fast.
When he put it all back together and took it for another test drive the
noise reappeared! He then said it had to be in the exhaust pipe or tips! He used a lighted scope to check the welded outside mounting bracket on the inside of the exhaust pipe, and found no obstructions.
He gave my Nitro a Colonoscopy! He prove it by cutting off the one-into-two welded section (with my permission) just before the chrome Mopar tips and we took it for another test drive, and the noise was gone, again.
He had several options that included installing ONE new exhaust tip from about 150 they had in stock, but keeping to stainless steel and being 2 ½ diameter reduced the selection and he said keeping the special Mopar twin chrome imprinted tips would look the best and I agreed. Next he found a stainless steel one-into-two chamber that would work to replace the poorly designed and built Mopar adapter. The picture below shows the inside overlapping of the pipes, alignment, and welding that caused a sound that for some reason appeared to come from the front of the vehicle NOT the very back.
This resolve involved Orifices of improper size or alignment, just like the head gaskets that caused the “Whistling” engine noise. ( like blowing over an empty coke bottle with your mouth)
He welded all the stainless steel connections on the exhaust pipe (front & rear) and then checked the inside with the scope again to make sure there were no gaps. The twin exhaust tips look about the same (picture below).
Now my Nitro R/T has a rich engine sound and exhaust that a 260HP Chrysler high performance V6 overhead cam, 24 valve, 10.3:1 compression, aluminum block and heads deserves. WOW am I now happy! What do you think?
Just to add to my excitement, their charges to “Problem Solve” my Nitro was just over $200 including parts, after several hours of work, not the $500 my Wife expected, being there the better part of one day. I understand some exhaust shops cannot weld stainless steel as they did in my case. Best $200 spent yet on my Nitro.
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