SpinTech Exhaust Install - Truckin Magazine

SpinTech True Duals for the Dodge Dakota are available in 2 1/2- and 3-inch exhaust tubing. Features include SpinTech's patented mufflers, head pipes, an X-pipe, dual side-exiting tailpipes, and stainless-steel tips. The system installed here is the 3-inch setup.

SpinTech True Duals for the Dodge Dakota are available in 2 1/2- and 3-inch exhaust tubing

Like so many other car or truck projects that begin with just a few trick items to make a simple statement, Scott Quaranta's '00 Dodge Dakota R/T became a proclamation. His R/T went from everyday driver to a power-hungry drag strip racer. Scott began with a very nice-looking truck with a good lowered stance that he built to compete in local truck shows, but ambition soon took over. Along the way to making the bright-blue Dakota look trick down to the slick Intro 22-inch wheels, Scott decided to make the truck run a little faster while he was at it. First, it was a few performance items, then "how about a supercharger," and when that was still not enough, it was time for a bigger motor. After the 408 went in with a variety of add-ons, the exhaust system seemed antiquated.SpinTech offered a solution. The company developed a new 3-inch X-pipe exhaust system that provides the Dodge truck a noticeable increase in horsepower. Scott's truck picked up more than 40 horses by changing to the big tubing and the radically different muffler design. For a drag racer to obtain that much more power by bolting on an exhaust system is outrageous. Scott has dyno sheets as proof. The system from SpinTech is strictly not for street use, so Scott has taken his R/T off the street and onto the drag strip.

Take a look at the inside of these mufflers. There's no packing, just a series of spin traps to capture the sound vibrations and turn them into a cool sound with maximum horsepower. The orange represents the hot exhaust entering the open chamber that contains the spin traps and the blue denotes it exiting the muffler.

Take a look at the inside of these mufflers. There's no packing, just a series of spin tra

For street truckers, SpinTech makes after-cat 2 1/2- and 3-inch exhaust systems that are completely street legal and give Dodges a jump in power. The big advantage for SpinTech's systems is the X-pipe and patented muffler. The design is so different and works so well that many race car builders have begun to use them. On the West Coast, nearly every circle track requires the use of a muffler, and most tracks recommend using a SpinTech unit. SpinTech's kit includes its SuperStock race muffler. Scott's truck is testimony to the difference in performance and e.t. gain.

SpinTech not only manufactures an exhaust system but does custom installations as well.
The downpipes were bolted to the header but not tightened up at this point.
The connection between the header and the downpipe uses a ball-and-cone adapter setup.

For a true dual setup, the downpipe on the driver side must be routed across the bottom and brought up close to the other pipe.
For a true dual setup, the downpipe on the driver side must be routed across the bottom an
Here, SpinTech mufflers have been welded all the way around the X-pipe and placed up over the crossmember. After that was done, the crew worked the unit forward into the downpipes.
Here, SpinTech mufflers have been welded all the way around the X-pipe and placed up over
A&B They worked the downpipe pieces into the X-pipe, making sure that both were worked all the way up into the flared area.
A&B They worked the downpipe pieces into the X-pipe, making sure that both were worked al

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A hanger bracket has been welded to the topside of the mufflers. This bracket lines up with the stock hanger bracket on the body. The muffler doesn't look like any muffler we've seen. Notice the small holes in the spin traps.
A hanger bracket has been welded to the topside of the mufflers. This bracket lines up wit
The Dakota kit can be ordered with either a dual side-exit setup or a dual right-rear-exit setup. Both pipes extend side by side and exit close together at the rear.
The Dakota kit can be ordered with either a dual side-exit setup or a dual right-rear-exit

This is a true 3-inch system all the way through, with the two side-exit pipes connected together.
This is a true 3-inch system all the way through, with the two side-exit pipes connected t
They were worked into place and the installer checked to see that there was good clearance around them.
They were worked into place and the installer checked to see that there was good clearance
SpinTech uses SuperStock mufflers for its Dakota R/T kit. The mufflers are very compact and their flat design helps them fit easily under a vehicle.
SpinTech uses SuperStock mufflers for its Dakota R/T kit. The mufflers are very compact an

The downpipe is fitted with an 02 sensor fitting, shown here. This fitting can be used as a port to measure exhaust temperatures and air/fuel ratios as well.
The downpipe is fitted with an 02 sensor fitting, shown here. This fitting can be used as
There are four 02 sensor fittings in this system, one on each downpipe and one on each side further back. This system is able to monitor both banks near the motor and again further back, which allows you to check air and fuel readings.
There are four 02 sensor fittings in this system, one on each downpipe and one on each sid
After the system is in place, everything must be checked to make sure there is no contact with other body parts. The front portion does not need hangers, since it bolts directly to the headers.
After the system is in place, everything must be checked to make sure there is no contact

After the entire system has been carefully scrutinized, the bolts on the header flange need to be tightened.
After the entire system has been carefully scrutinized, the bolts on the header flange nee
A&B Clamps can be used to hold the system together, but SpinTech strongly recommends welding everything in place.
A&B Clamps can be used to hold the system together, but SpinTech strongly recommends weld
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Our installer started at the downpipes and welded them together.
Then he tack-welded the rear tailpipe assembly and checked the pipes to see that everything still had good clearance around the tailpipe unit.
Then he tack-welded the rear tailpipe assembly and checked the pipes to see that everythin
Then he welded the rear tailpipe assembly.

Here, the system has been completed and looks good. It is tucked up along the framerail, out of the way. The side-exit setup provides the best ground clearance.
Here, the system has been completed and looks good. It is tucked up along the framerail, o
Bolt-on stainless-steel tips are furnished with the kit. Our installer worked the back tip up onto the tailpipe, setting it at an angle that looked best in relation to the body.
Bolt-on stainless-steel tips are furnished with the kit. Our installer worked the back tip
Here is a good look at the system's stainless-steel tips.

They are the clamp-on type.
Here's the street-legal 3-inch after-cat system. The OE catalytic converters are still used; the new system connects to the back of the main cat. Dual 2 1/2-inch pipes exit out of the side of the SpinTech muffler. The system, which can be either clamped on or welded, provides good sound and a gain of about 15 horsepower.
Here's the street-legal 3-inch after-cat system. The OE catalytic converters are still use