AWE exhaust problem

[JRock]

Has anyone had an issue with an AWE exhaust install? I had heard that you have to extend the suspension to install the exhaust correctly, so I took it to a shop. I had the system installed by a reputable shop and after the install we found that the H-Pipe hanger is touching the chassis. AWE told me that the shop didn't know what they were doing so I took it to a Dodge SRT dealer which works in almost all the TRX's in the area and they told me the same thing...we can't do anything, and the exhaust just doesn't fit. Called AWE and they wanted me to take it to another shop. So I went to a custom muffler and exhaust shop that ONLY does custom exhaust. They make exhaust systems in house and know everything about fitment etc. I was told that they system didn't fit well and that its touching the chassis. I called AWE and they told me they would work with me and that the RD side will examine the photos I sent. Well, y'all take a look and tell me what you think. I'm asking for a new H-pipe when honestly, I think the company should give me a refund or fix the issue asap. I don't like how this exhaust is sitting against against my frame, for over $2k this damn exhaust should be perfect.

 

[T-bone]

Thats a bummer. Looks like hanger is just too long? If you just cut an inch or two off would that fix it or does somethimg else not line up?

 

[Gfam-TRX]

Does this help?
Post in thread 'What did you do to your TRX today?'
https://www.ram-trx.com/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-trx-today.2783/post-297498

 

[JRock]

We talked about shortening the hanger but the issue is that the H-pipe is angled improperly and that the right tip is sitting an inch lower than the driver side. It's clearly an issue with the weld but I would have to remove it and send it back to AWE before they would identify and fix the issue. The hanger is solid stainless steel so cutting it wouldn't be easy but if I get stuck with the exhaust came to the conclusion that I'm just going to have a custom H-pipe made.

I'll post it in that thread, I appreciate it!

 

[RobR651]

We talked about shortening the hanger but the issue is that the H-pipe is angled improperly and that the right tip is sitting an inch lower than the driver side. It's clearly an issue with the weld but I would have to remove it and send it back to AWE before they would identify and fix the issue. The hanger is solid stainless steel so cutting it wouldn't be easy but if I get stuck with the exhaust came to the conclusion that I'm just going to have a custom H-pipe made.

I'll post it in that thread, I appreciate it!

Watch this video. Did your installer loosen the cats prior to installing the H pipe?

 

[Gfam-TRX]

Thanks Rob, that’s even better. I was trying to show OP what @JC posted:
Finished the install of my AWE 0fg exhaust. Make a note, unless you're a very lucky person, you'll really want to loosen the CAT to exhaust manifold ball flange before trying to get everything aligned otherwise the 1st passenger side pipe that attaches to the CAT will most likely push the 180 tech can into the passenger side frame rail. It will take some adjustment/twisting of that CAT ball flange to make room for those big 180 anti-drone cans.

 

[@JC]

Yep, that was my exact issue. I got assistance from @Josh/AWE via PM who advised me to loosen the CAT ball flange. Now it fits perfectly, also note the factory nuts on the ball flange are only 24 ft-lbs so don't over torque and snap them when you're tightening them back up. I also only needed to loosen and rotate the passenger side but if it's still not moving enough you might need to loosen both sides.

AWE needs to put a full step about the CAT in big bold letters in the instructions instead of just a little note.

 

[tvj2015]

Mine isn't touching the frame but it is angled upwards and that makes it very difficult for it to stay connected. I actually found that the rubber mount slid off at one point and I had to push with all my might to get it back on the frame side. Maybe this cat adjustment would help me. Unfortunately the shop I took mine to didn't do a great job and all the clamps were fairly loose and they forgot to put the ground strap back on... luckily I still had it in the old exhaust that I took back from them.

 

[@JC]

Mine isn't touching the frame but it is angled upwards and that makes it very difficult for it to stay connected. I actually found that the rubber mount slid off at one point and I had to push with all my might to get it back on the frame side. Maybe this cat adjustment would help me. Unfortunately the shop I took mine to didn't do a great job and all the clamps were fairly loose and they forgot to put the ground strap back on... luckily I still had it in the old exhaust that I took back from them.

This was direct from @Josh/AWE ...

The minimum is 60 ft-lbs for the clamps in our kit. They can take a beating. Impact away.

My stock exhaust went to the scrap yard cuz I put about 5 sawzall cut through it to get it out without removing the axle shock. I did keep the stock tips though, so if anyone goes off-roading with the stock exhaust and bashes up their tips feel free to PM me...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Mine seemed pretty straight forward. We did it on a lift so I guess we did extend the suspension.

I was with my buddy who owns a shop and he loosened the cats before we did anything else. I do feel like one of the mud pipes hangs down too much but AWE said it was normal. We did have to zip tie the passenger back hanger to get the tailpipe as high as I wanted. My buddy said it is common to compress hangers using a ziptie.

I did run it buy a custom exhaust company a couple of weeks afterwards. Before he lifted it to check it for me, he stated that he didn't like bolt-on cat-backs as they are never done right. He lifted the truck, looked around the Cat-back and said it was the best cat-back he has seen. When I asked him about the ziptied hanger he stated it is very common.

I love the sound of it. My next-door neighbor has a Corsa cat-back on his TRX and one of my buddies has the Borla cat-back and mine sounds the best...to me.

Attached is the pipe that makes me uncomfortable.

 

[dweisser83]

Has anyone had an issue with an AWE exhaust install? I had heard that you have to extend the suspension to install the exhaust correctly, so I took it to a shop. I had the system installed by a reputable shop and after the install we found that the H-Pipe hanger is touching the chassis. AWE told me that the shop didn't know what they were doing so I took it to a Dodge SRT dealer which works in almost all the TRX's in the area and they told me the same thing...we can't do anything, and the exhaust just doesn't fit. Called AWE and they wanted me to take it to another shop. So I went to a custom muffler and exhaust shop that ONLY does custom exhaust. They make exhaust systems in house and know everything about fitment etc. I was told that they system didn't fit well and that its touching the chassis. I called AWE and they told me they would work with me and that the RD side will examine the photos I sent. Well, y'all take a look and tell me what you think. I'm asking for a new H-pipe when honestly, I think the company should give me a refund or fix the issue asap. I don't like how this exhaust is sitting against against my frame, for over $2k this damn exhaust should be perfect.

How do you like the exhaust sound? Much better than stock?

 

[@JC]

How do you like the exhaust sound? Much better than stock?

My wife said she thinks it might be too loud... Mission Accomplished!

In all seriousness though, there is 0 drone on the highway and you can't really hear it in the cab over the S&B intake SC whine unless you really get on it. Outside though it's just awesome, the H pipe rules and the cold starts shake the neighborhood.

 

[dweisser83]

My wife said she thinks it might be too loud... Mission Accomplished!

In all seriousness though, there is 0 drone on the highway and you can't really hear it in the cab over the S&B intake SC whine unless you really get on it. Outside though it's just awesome, the H pipe rules and the cold starts shake the neighborhood.

Awesome! I was thinking I'm going this route but its hard to hear the tones well and differences online...

 

[Jakerx]

How do you like the exhaust sound? Much better than stock?

The exhaust sound is great. No regrets; however, on the highway between 70 and 74 mph, there is a tiny bit of drone (or at the very least, slight uncomfortable resonance within the cabin).

 

[@JC]

The exhaust sound is great. No regrets; however, on the highway between 70 and 74 mph, there is a tiny bit of drone (or at the very least, slight uncomfortable resonance within the cabin).

You really hear some? In mine, cruising between 1500-2000rpms, there's none at all and there was some annoying harmonic hum with the stock pipes.

 

[Jakerx]

Unfortunately, I do hear a tiny bit. It's by no means a deal breaker. Just a tiny drone at that specific MPH range on the highway (whatever RPM range that equates to).