When you are talking bolt-on performance parts, an increase of 20 lb-ft of torque is pretty good. Not until you slap on a forced induction or a nitrous kit will you see gains above 30 out of one modification. Once in a while, all the planets align and something amazing happens, a modification blows our minds. That is exactly what happened when the guys from Tube Technologies Incorporated (TTI) swapped out the complete factory exhaust system on an '06 Dodge Ram with a 5.7L Hemi for a set of pipes they built. TTI has spent the last 19 years perfecting exhaust systems on Chrysler A-, B-, C-, and E-body musclecars and has now moved into the truck arena with this kit. Once TTI had its kit on the truck, the dyno showed the results: a gain of 42.9 lb-ft of torque!
What makes the TTI system different from some of the others out there is the length; TTI only makes the long-tube style for Ram pickups. In exhaust theory, the longer the exhaust pulses from each cylinder stay separate the better. Not only are the tubes much longer than the manifolds they are replacing, but they also feature a larger 1-3/4-inch diameter. A CNC mandrel machine is used to keep the inner diameter of the pipes even and consistent for a great fit and improved exhaust gas flow. Each set of headers is manufactured from 304 stainless and has laser-cut 3/8-inch flanges.
Since we are talking about a complete exhaust system, the headers are just one component in the recipe. The company also gives you a whole new Y-pipe setup, along with two high-flow cats to really let the exhaust flow freely. After all those gases escape the headers and Y-pipe, they flow into another length of 3-inch stainless pipes and TTI's high-flow muffler. This muffler features a straight-through spiral core design with fiberglass packing to quiet down the exhaust note to a healthy growl. From the muffler, the exhaust travels through another mandrel piece of stainless tubing that is capped off with a nice 3-1/2-inch stainless tip.
The whole system is made to bolt right into the truck, retain all the factory hangers, and requires no modifications to fit, so put the prybar away. To validate all of these claims, the truck was strapped to Westech Performance Group's chassis dyno and tested against the stock numbers taken earlier that day.
Check out the stock manifolds...
Check out the stock manifolds and Y-pipe that came out of the '06 Dodge Ram. Compared to the TTI setup, it's pretty easy to see how much better of a path the exhaust has to flow within the TTI pipes.
Below is the headers and Y-pipe...
Below is the headers and Y-pipe setup from TTI. It is made out of 304 stainless and features 3/8-inch laser-cut flanges, high-flow cats, Grade 8 hardware for installation, and all of the proper O2 sensor bungs welded in and ready to go.
Here is the factory's merge...
Here is the factory's merge area of the Y-pipe. The ultra-sharp turn the driver-side pipe makes right before the merge is making that side of the motor work harder than the other, which can't be good. Not only that, but the pipe crushes down in the middle, hindering flow a little bit more.
TTI's merge area of the Y-pipe...
TTI's merge area of the Y-pipe has a much smoother transition for increased flow and balance.
Here is the factory's answer...
Here is the factory's answer to taming the mighty Hemi-three mufflers. If you look at the tailpipe section, it has six bends in it, which does not help with flow. The exhaust gases want to flow straight, and every time the tube bends, it takes a little more force to move the gases out.
Well, TTI constructed a muffler...
Well, TTI constructed a muffler that not only out-flows the three-muffler setup, but it also keeps the exhaust quiet. By eliminating two of the mufflers and one of the bends in the pipe, the exhaust gases have a less restrictive path to travel in.
The stock manifolds are not...
The stock manifolds are not built for the best flow possible; they are made to last a long time and take up as little room as possible. Because we, as mechanics, would rather have more performance and a little less room, we tend to not feel bad about swapping them out.
Look at the long, smooth lines...
Look at the long, smooth lines that each tube has. This will evacuate the exhaust much better than the manifolds where each cylinder's exhaust is commingling almost instantaneously. The 3/8-inch laser-cut flanges will ensure a leak-free seal as long as you get back in and tighten the hardware after a few heat cycles.
The TTI system fit right...
The TTI system fit right into the same area as the factory exhaust.
All of the factory hangers...
All of the factory hangers were used, as well, for a modification-free install.
Just in case you were thinking...
Just in case you were thinking that a long-tube header will hang too low, check out this picture. The headers hang lower than the manifolds, but they are still above the transmission crossmember, so there is no fear of smacking your bitchen stainless headers on the ground.
To properly install the system,...
To properly install the system, hang everything before you tighten the hardware. This will allow you to get the proper clearance and set the tailpipe in the appropriate place.
AND THE WINNER IS...
After fours rounds of intense head-to-head competition, the TTI system is a clear winner over a stock exhaust setup. When the install was complete, the truck was tested on Westech's in-ground chassis dyno, and the numbers speak for themselves. The truck got 42.9 lb-ft of torque shot in the arm at 3,400 rpm, and as we all know that is right where you need more power. Now when the truck downshifts during a passing situation, you really feel the power pulling you back in the seat.