If you're looking to make that 6.4L Hemi scream, finding the right 2014 jeep grand cherokee srt exhaust is basically priority number one for any owner. Let's be real, the stock setup is okay for a daily driver, but it doesn't quite do justice to the monster living under the hood. When you've got nearly 500 horsepower on tap, you want people to hear it coming, and more importantly, you want to feel that deep, guttural rumble every time you remote start it in your driveway.
The 2014 model year was a bit of a turning point for the Grand Cherokee SRT. It was the first year they introduced the 8-speed transmission, which changed the driving dynamics and, interestingly enough, how the exhaust sounds through the gears. Because it shifts so much more frequently than the old 5-speed, the exhaust note becomes a huge part of the experience. You're hearing those "barks" between shifts constantly, so picking a system that sounds refined but aggressive is key.
Why the Stock Exhaust Just Doesn't Cut It
The factory exhaust on the 2014 SRT is designed to be "polite." Jeep had to make sure it passed noise regulations and didn't annoy the average suburban dad. It's heavy, it's restrictive, and it's surprisingly quiet once you're cruising. The biggest crime, though, is how it handles the Cylinder Deactivation (MDS).
When the Jeep drops down to four cylinders to save gas, the stock exhaust does its best to muffle that awkward "helicopter" sound. The problem is that many cheap aftermarket systems make that 4-cylinder mode sound absolutely terrible. That's why choosing the right setup is about more than just being loud; it's about being loud in the right way.
Finding the Right Sound: The Major Players
There are a few brands that basically own the SRT market. Each has its own "personality," and depending on how much you like your neighbors, you'll probably lean toward one or the other.
Borla: The Enthusiast Choice
Borla usually offers two main flavors for the 2014 SRT: the S-Type and the ATAK. The S-Type is the "middle ground." It's deep, rich, and sounds like a classic muscle car. It's loud when you get on it but stays relatively chill at highway speeds.
Then there's the ATAK. This stands for "Abruptly Take All Kind" (well, technically Abruptly Tuned Applied Kinetics), and it's basically a megaphone for your engine. It is incredibly loud. If you want everyone within a three-block radius to know you're headed to the grocery store, this is the one. It's crisp, raspy, and mean.
Corsa: The Drone Killer
If you spend a lot of time on the highway, you probably fear "drone"—that annoying humming sound that makes your head vibrate at 70 mph. Corsa is famous for their Reflective Sound Cancellation (RSC) technology. Their 2014 jeep grand cherokee srt exhaust options are designed to be totally silent while cruising but absolutely howl when you floor it. It's a very "high-tech" sound compared to the old-school rumble of a Borla.
Magnaflow: Deep and Mellow
Magnaflow is for the guy who wants a smooth, deep bass. It's less "raspy" than the others and has a very smooth tone. It's usually a bit more affordable too, which is nice if you've already spent your whole budget on tires (which these Jeeps eat for breakfast).
Cat-Back vs. Axle-Back: What's the Difference?
When you're shopping around, you'll see these two terms constantly.
A Cat-Back system replaces everything from the catalytic converters all the way to the exhaust tips. It usually includes new piping, mufflers, and sometimes resonators. This is the way to go if you want the most performance gains and the most significant change in sound. It's more expensive, but it's a complete transformation.
An Axle-Back is just what it sounds like—it replaces the parts from the rear axle back to the tips. On a 2014 SRT, this is mostly just changing the mufflers. It's a cheaper way to get more volume, but you aren't going to get much in the way of performance, and you're still stuck with the heavy factory mid-pipes.
The MDS Struggle
I mentioned this earlier, but it's worth repeating: the Multi-Displacement System (MDS) is the enemy of a good-sounding exhaust. When the engine shuts off four cylinders, the exhaust note changes from a V8 growl to a weird, unbalanced drone.
Some guys solve this by buying a tuner to disable MDS entirely. If you don't want to do that, you have to look for an exhaust system that specifically mentions being MDS-friendly. Systems with high-quality resonators are usually better at masking that 4-cylinder "farting" sound. If you go with a straight-pipe setup or a super cheap kit, be prepared to hate your life every time the "ECO" light pops up on your dash.
Performance Gains: Reality Check
Let's be honest here. You aren't going to bolt on a new 2014 jeep grand cherokee srt exhaust and suddenly have a 700-horsepower Trackhawk. On a naturally aspirated 6.4L, a good cat-back might give you 10 to 15 horsepower at the wheels if you're lucky.
The real performance gain is in the weight reduction and the throttle response. The stock exhaust is incredibly heavy—switching to a high-quality stainless steel aftermarket system can shave off 20 to 30 pounds. Plus, by reducing backpressure, the engine feels a bit "snappier" when you're rowing through the gears with the paddle shifters.
Tips for Installation
If you're handy with a wrench, you can totally do this in your driveway, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
- PB Blaster is your friend: The bolts on the factory exhaust have been through a lot of heat cycles since 2014. They're probably rusty. Spray them down the night before you plan to work on it.
- Get a buddy: The stock exhaust is a single, massive piece of metal once you get it unbolted. It's awkward and heavy. Having someone to help you guide it out while you're under the car is a lifesaver.
- Check the tips: Aligning the exhaust tips is the hardest part of the job. There's nothing worse than finishing a three-hour install only to realize your left tip is an inch higher than the right one. Take your time adjusting the hangers before you do the final tightening.
- Jack Stands/Ramps: Please, for the love of all things holy, don't trust a floor jack while you're yanking on a rusty pipe. Get some sturdy jack stands or use high-quality ramps.
Maintenance and Longevity
Most high-end systems (like those from Borla or Corsa) are made from T304 stainless steel. This stuff is basically bulletproof and won't rust out, even if you live in the salt belt. If you go with a cheaper T409 stainless or aluminized steel system, expect some surface rust over time.
Every few months, it's a good idea to hit your exhaust tips with some metal polish. The SRTs tend to run a little rich, and you'll get carbon buildup on those nice shiny tips pretty quickly. A little bit of Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish goes a long way in keeping that back end looking sharp.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, picking a 2014 jeep grand cherokee srt exhaust comes down to what you can live with every day. If it's your weekend toy, go loud and go proud with an ATAK or a custom straight pipe. But if you're dropping the kids off at school or taking clients to lunch, something like a Corsa or a Borla S-Type is probably the "adult" choice.
Whatever you choose, it's going to make you smile every time you tunnel-blast or cold-start it in a parking garage. The 6.4L Hemi is one of the best-sounding engines ever made; it's about time you let it speak up.