Truck is a 2004 F150 XLT Heritage Flareside

I drove/called around getting quotes on a single in dual out muffler install, and have some pipes bent and everything welded up. I already have 2 exhaust tips(MBRP 5142 $6 a piece new) and a Flowmaster Super 10 3inch in dual 2.5 out. Quotes ranged from 170-250. Is that a decent price?

One shop told me that I cannot run 2.5" pipes because I'll have to remove my spare tire and they are too hard to get over the rear end. I'm about 98% sure I can do 2.5" duals without removing spare tire, I can put a heat shield if need be. Also he told me that my stock pipe size is 2.75", which again I am about 98% sure is 2.5"....a 2.5" exhaust tip fits on good, and it is 2.5 Inches lol.

Is it true that I can't run dual 2.5" pipes? From looking around most kits for single in dual out are 2.5", and say you don't have to relocate the spare tire.

The shop that told me this is supposed to be one of the best around, so I am doubting myself in thinking that I bought the right stuff.

So far I am into it $90 in tips and the muffler.

 

Duals with the spare in place can be done, allot of guys here have them.

This proved to be too much for the shop I had do my first set of duals though. After years of having my springs hit my exhaust I took it elsewhere and had the whole system redone with it dumped right before the rear end to save any further hassles.

 

I really like the look of the pipes coming out the back.

The shop that told me this is the only one open on Saturday around here. I have one that all my friends told me to go to, about a mile from my work. They gave me the best estimate, and were friendly. To do it there I would have to drop it off in the morning before they open, if they would let me, and have someone pick me up on the way to work. The problem is getting back down there. I was just put on 5- 8hour shifts, while everyone else that i halfway know in the plant is on 4- 10hour shifts.

I would have to have some random person drop me off, or walk.

Worst comes to worst, and I have to run 2-1/4" piping. Can I still use the 2.5" tips I already have, and the dual 2.5" out muffler? Can they just neck it up a little?

This is only the second time I have had a shop touch my car. The last time was a heater core for my Camaro, and I now have a dash that is broke in half.

 

2-1/2 inch pipes are do-able, You have to know what you are doing, & it is tight.

I would recommend 2-1/4 inch pipes as you really do not have enough motor for the larger diameter pipe, so it is a waste of money, & sounds like Poop.

The shop can expand the pipe to fit the muffler.

 

I have 2-1/2 all the way back right now. Would pipe size matter that much after the muffler? Also, wouldn't a crush bend 2-1/4 be small? I am not sure if ill enough up at a shop that does mandrel.

 

Here's my thoughts...

-There's a ton of trucks on here with 2 1/2 all the way out the back. A good (great) exhaust guy can do pretty much whatever you want. Just may have to shop around to find him.

-That price is pretty descent. I paid ~$200 for my exhaust work and it doesn't even go all the way out the back; and I supplied the muffler and tips. But, this guy is awesome and did exactly what I wanted so I'm OK with the price. I'm not a "shop for the cheapest quote I can get" kinda guy when it comes to my vehicles.

-Do some additional homework; Flowmaster is crap. Magnafow is where it's at. I replaced a Flowmaster with a Magnaflow (same SIDO) and could not believe the noticeable difference in how the truck ran and drove.

-$6 a piece for exhaust tips?? Don't expect much. If they're supposed to be stainless, the color will turn on them in a week or so. Spend the money for a quality piece and it'll last forever.

-Mandrel bent stuff is nice, but if you find a shop that'll even do it, it's probably going to double your price for zero performance gain...but it does look great!

 

I like flowmaster.

Tips are mbrp 7142 or something. They are $30 a piece new, I got them open box unused. They are from Amazon.... someone ordered them and returned them because they were the wrong size. It says 2-1/4" when you buy it, but they were just put in the wrong box.

My wife said if I let her get a new kitchen, she will let me get exhaust. Here budget was $10,000.... mine is $350. So I'm trying to come out cheap.

 

I learned with my mustang Exhaust system are truly an art. You need a guy who is an artist in his expertise. Check around your area the really good guys might charge a little more but they are worth every cent.

 

EXACTLY! At least someone thru this in here.

If you run TD's @ 2.5" with that engine, you may want to talk with a tuner first. You'll have to tune, if you want to maintain performance. Which effects the way it will sound as well.

2.25's TD's are definitely the smarter choice, for more than just one reason it looks like lol.

Flowmaster.... Oh Boy lol.

 

Not true duals. Single in dual out muffler.

 

That's different, - yea I thought you were going TD's.

Check out the exhaust forum on this site. It's good.

 

I only called shops with a good reputation. The one that told me I couldn't do 2.5" id supposed to be good. I guess the guy wanted me to pay $150 for his muffler to make some profit.

I am hopefully getting a Friday off soon, so I will drive to a shop and sit while they do it.

Mbrp tips any good? I figured at $6 its worth a shot.

 

For $6, it doesn't hurt to try, but you really want polished stainless steel (304 preferably) for tips because they look like crap after 2 days and SS won't ever get tarnished, just wipe it off. Cheap tips will rust out in 3 or so years too. Material is more important than manufacturer, but Magnaflow tips aren't a bad value. I have $75 a piece Roush/Borla ones that came in a kit and they're great, but too expensive.

 

They are 304 stainless. I was amazed at how much "just the tip" cost.

I am going to attempt to stop by the most recommended place after work, and see if they can do it in 2hrs.

 

Really? What the hell? They should cost more than that just in materials! Definitely let me know how those turn out being.

Ohhhh you got them open box, that's right. Most are at least $50-55 new, at a minimum. So even $30 a pop is a good deal