I know there's tons of exhaust threads out there and I think I've read them all! Anyway I need a little advice. Looking to add one of these to my CRD and I'm having a hard time choosing the right one. I see that #12226 is by far the most popular model, although it's smaller than the stock unit. 12256 and 12286 are the longer models with the same 5x8 profile, and in fact I believe that the Magnaflow cat back exhaust uses the polished 14286. So I figure any of these would fit fine.

When I measure my stock muffler it's more like 5x11 and Magnaflow has one of these available, model 12586, 2.5 in, center/offset configuration. This seems like the most direct replacement but I haven't seen anywhere on this (or other forums) where someone's used it in a KJ. Since all of these get me a straight-through 2.5 in, I assume that the performance gain would be similar. My next assumption is that, for mufflers, bigger = quieter. (Mopar history - ever seen the 'Silver Bullet' Hemi street racer running 4 cadillac mufflers?). Or, with the turbo, are the larger units just overkill? I'd prefer quieter since this is my daily driver, also my #1 rule at the boat ramp is no shouting.

Anyone run one of these larger ones that can tell me if it is, in fact, quieter?

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2008 GC CRD Laredo

I ordered the full catback kit, so I have the 14286. It is longer and narrower than the stock unit, but fit just fine - the hardest part of the install was getting the old one out. I got the kit from an Ebay dealer for $350.

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In this war of lines, so many have been crossed. Where will it all stop?

2006 Deep Beryl Green CRD Sport *SOLD 1/22/12*
Provent, V6 Airbox, Fumoto, Samcos, GDE ECO & TCM Tune, Euro JK TC, Magnaflow Catback
245/70/16 Destination A/T's
Boiler's Radiator Skid Plate
Jeepin' By Al 2.5 inch Adjust-A-Strut Lift, JBA Gen 4.5 UCA's (6/5/10)

because of the Turbo - the diesel isn't 'Loud' without a muffler.
so I can't see any of the Magnaflow's being a problem - unless you get something totally hollow so that it's an echo chamber.

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

I am running a large magnaflow muffler. It was essentially the largest one I could fit under the jeep, but I am not sure of the number. It is a non polished stainless unit about 24" long by 9" wide. Its a 2.5" center to center muffler, and it fit quite nicely in the stock location. This was done in conjunction with a CAT delete. The larger the muffler, the deeper the tone and the smoother the sound from my experience. My exhaust is definitely audible just cruising around, and the tone is nice at full throttle. You can definitely hear the turbo now, but this has probably more to do with the lack of a cat. It doesnt drone, and the noise level is confortable at highway speeds as well. Overall, its still pretty quiet in my opinion. I also installed a 3" gibson stainless steel turn down exhaust tip for a little bling.

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Time wasted having fun is not wasted time!

-Gold 2005 Jeep KJ CRD:
GDE hot tune, Euro TC, Cat delete with magnaflow stainless muffler, AFE P.G. 7 air filter, 245/70/16 General Grabber AT2's, EBC dimpled/slotted rotors with Greenstuff 6000 pads,
-Blue 1998 BMW 540i Sport
-Polaris Metalic 1985 BMW M635csi
-Black 2004 Moto Guzzi V11 Lemans