Mufflex delete, backpressure, and towing performance

[Hawki1cr]

I have a 2014 1500 4x4, 3.21 gears, 8 speed transmission.

A few years ago, I added a Mufflex delete. I love the sound and didn’t really notice and decrease in performance.

I just bought a 27 foot travel trailer. I noticed that when pulling it with my RAM, it feels like the truck is struggling to accelerate from a stop. The trailer itself is well within the trucks towing capacity. I’m sure having 3.21 gears is not ideal for towing. I also get horrible fuel economy (8-10 mpg average).

My question is this: does the mufflex delete really hurt low end torque? Would replacing it with a Carven competitor be better for performance? Or would adding a tuner with custom tune help more for towing? Obviously, upgrading to a 2500 would be the best fix for towing performance but that isn’t an option right now.

I appreciate the help!

 

[bran101010]

I have had a 2011 ram 1500 and 2013 ram R/T, the tuner makes the biggest difference.

 

[Hawki1cr]

Which tuner did you have?

 

[Hanover Fiste]

does the mufflex delete really hurt low end torque?

No. A lot of people think a certain amount of backpressure is needed for torque; this is not true. You want the least amount of backpressure for maximum torque. Less restriction = less backpressure = more torque.

An exhaust that's too large can be just as bad as one that's too small. A properly tuned system will help scavenge the exhaust gasses in the most efficient manner possible.

From a Road & Track article: "Basically, when people claim that a certain amount of backpressure is beneficial, they're mixing up backpressure and scavenging. The latter is a phenomenon where the movement of gases through the exhaust system creates a partial vacuum that can actually suck the exhaust out of the cylinder. A properly-designed exhaust system maximizes this effect across a wide RPM range, efficiently evacuating spent exhaust gases using a precisely tuned and shaped exhaust system."

 

[crackerjack1957]

You would benefit more from a gear change than anything else.......add a tune for best power.

 

[Nick_rp]

No. A lot of people think a certain amount of backpressure is needed for torque; this is not true. You want the least amount of backpressure for maximum torque. Less restriction = less backpressure = more torque.

An exhaust that's too large can be just as bad as one that's too small. A properly tuned system will help scavenge the exhaust gasses in the most efficient manner possible.

From a Road & Track article: "Basically, when people claim that a certain amount of backpressure is beneficial, they're mixing up backpressure and scavenging. The latter is a phenomenon where the movement of gases through the exhaust system creates a partial vacuum that can actually suck the exhaust out of the cylinder. A properly-designed exhaust system maximizes this effect across a wide RPM range, efficiently evacuating spent exhaust gases using a precisely tuned and shaped exhaust system."

To build off this, basically, the faster the exhaust escapes, the better. The issue with changing pipe sizes and adding/removing parts is that it can create turbulence. So instead of the exhaust gases pouring straight out, its now bouncing up and down with the pipes which reduces escape velocity etc etc back to work now

 

[Hawki1cr]

I’d love to regear but I know I’d need to regear the front as well and I assume the cost of regearing the front and rear would be crazy expensive.

 

[crackerjack1957]

Not as much as that 27 foot travel trailer......LoL