Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler YJ engine mounts

1992 Jeep Wrangler YJ 4.0 (Manual) – Exhaust Recommendations

SquareFace

SquareFace

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Joined
May 21, 2025
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57
Location
Illinois
Hey Everyone,

Looking for some advice from those who’ve lived with different exhaust setups on a YJ 4.0.

My setup:
  • 1992 Wrangler YJ
  • 4.0L HO, manual
  • Currently being regeared to 4.56s
  • 31” tires now, likely moving to 32s down the road
  • Mostly stock drivetrain otherwise

I’m deciding between Flowmaster FlowFX, Flowmaster Force II, and Borla Touring, but I’m open to other suggestions if there’s something that really fits the bill.

What I’m looking for:
  • A sound that matches the personality of the YJ and the 4.0
  • I want it to sound right for an inline-6 — not trying to make it sound like a V8, because it isn’t one
  • Something I won’t get tired of, especially with the higher RPMs from the 4.56 gears
  • Minimal drone at cruising speeds is important
  • A little character under throttle is fine, but daily-drive livable matters more than raw loudness
Right now, I don’t have a working stereo, so the exhaust will be the only “music” for a bit — but I do plan to add a sound system eventually. With the top down, I still want to be able to hear my music without the exhaust overpowering everything.

I know any new exhaust will sound great at first, but I’m trying to choose something that stays true to the YJ’s character and holds up long-term.

For those running any of these (or something similar):
  • How’s the drone, especially with gears and larger tires?
  • Any regrets after living with it for a while?
  • Would you pick the same setup again?

Appreciate any real-world feedback. Thanks
 
IMO any 6 banger sounds crappy with anything but a stock muff. Droning sucks and will tire you out eventually. Don't even think of removing the cat or gutting it as its a complete waste of time and effort and will yeild 0 on HP gains. That being said one mans idea of good might be anothers suckage. You might also try youtubing muff sounds on the 4.0, there is likely a bunch for ever thats worth.
 
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I've had the Dynomax Super Turbo on my 92 forever. It's not stainless, so maybe not the best for IL. With the soft top, 3.55s, and 30s, you can hear the exh up until the point the wind noise takes over. :ROFLMAO: Mellow low tone at idle. Great burble on decel.

I've got a stainless Banks for the TJ, but it's not installed yet.

Check YouTube for videos of various exh systems. Most are on TJs, but it's gonna sound the same on the YJ.
 
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JKP said:
I've had the Dynomax Super Turbo on my 92 forever. It's not stainless, so maybe not the best for IL. With the soft top, 3.55s, and 30s, you can hear the exh up until the point the wind noise takes over. :ROFLMAO: Mellow low tone at idle. Great burble on decel.

I've got a stainless Banks for the TJ, but it's not installed yet.

Check YouTube for videos of various exh systems. Most are on TJs, but it's gonna sound the same on the YJ.
Click to expand...

Thank you! The Dynomax Super Turbo was another one I was considering. I’ll add it to the list. I hear it’s not too loud and the drone isn’t too noticeable. On the You Tube samples, it seems to be one of the quieter performance exhausts.
 
Turbo mufflers are similar to factory, but are built with less internal resistance. Usually shorter paths, larger tubes, more places for pressure to shortcut the path. Dynomax:
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The Banks is a straight through design. You can look through it.
 
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I have a 92 with the 2.4L and replaced my exhaust with a Walker brand from RockAuto. I like the sound and the fitment but was disappointed with the downpipe construction. I think they flattened the pipe too much to weld the O2 sensor and there was a lot of MIG wire and weld splatter inside the pipe in that spot.

I returned it and they sent me another which was just as bad. I cleaned it up the best I could and kept it.

Good time to replace the O2 sensor too.

I also bought a new smaller catalytic converter, not the one that meets California requirements, but at least the exhaust doesn't smell bad like going with a straight pipe.
 
I have a 4.0 with a Banks header, JBA mid pipe (TJ style) and a Walker stainless muffler. You can see what I did in my build thread regarding the exhaust. Since I live in FL, I decided not to install a cat and just ran a straight section from the mid pipe to the muffler (would be easy to swap out for a cat later, if I wanted). This setup has been installed for about 1.5 years. The Jeep has a nice low rumble but doesn't drone nor bother me at cruising speeds (45-70). I think it sounds good at idle and accel but nothing loud or crazy. The only issue I have is on occasion, I smell the exhaust at idle or decel with no cat. I don't own a full top for it, so the cab is open year round here. It doesn't bother me as I have had many cars with no cats so it's nothing new for me.
 
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