Originally Posted by minus_13

I normally stick to legal advice, because it is what I know, but I am going to suggest something here that others might disagree with, but here goes nothing. If what you are looking for is a slightly less restrictive exhaust system that unleashes the true sound of your truck, there's is absolutely no reason to be getting some $600.00 Cat-back system when all you really need to do is take it to a local muffler shop and have them drop in a new Magnaflow muffler and weld on a new tip. You can get that done for less than $150. Seriously... are you trying to enter some racing competition? Are you trying to have the world's fastest F-150 (which, even if you were, you would need to get yourself some custom split headers to have true duel exhaust)?

Something that is often overlooked by this board when we are discussing exhaust is that while exhaust can be tweaked to get more horsepower and speed, those benefits generally come at the expense of torque (specifically, low-end torque). By only changing out your muffler, you are less likely to mess with the torque characteristics of your truck. But be aware of the fact that a larger, more free-flowing exhaust will generally decrease back pressure, in turn decreasing the low-end torque of the vehicle.

Of course, there are great exhaust systems out there that take torque characteristics into account, but the benefits you will receive are usually not commensurate with the cost of the exhaust system. Hell, it can be down right fun to put a new exhaust system on. If those are your motives, then go for it. But if you are cost conscious and are really only looking for better sound and a moderate increase in performance, you may only need a new muffler and some badass tip welded on. Good luck!

Here's an excerpt of something I found after typing this up. It lends credence to some of my suggestions. It's from
Magnaflow's site:

Originally Posted by FX4&EXCURSION

Magnaflow, say it with me....... Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow Magnaflow. Borla is a very quality piece, but it's a little more expensive, plus Magnaflow quality is on par with Borla, and has been proven to provide the most HP/Torque gains on our stock 5.4's (SISO version). Troyerperformance offers them for 459 bucks plus shipping, Summit, I think, offers the same price. Love my Magnaflow, killer sound!

Originally Posted by hwm3

The SISO Magnaflow system has been DYNO proven to provide INCREASES in HP and TQ, so there goes your theory that you lose performance with a catback system.

Here's something from Magnaflows site that might interest you.


By the way, you can get the SISO Magnaflow catback delivered to your house for a little under $400, not $600.

Originally Posted by minus_13

Something that is often overlooked by this board when we are discussing exhaust is that while exhaust can be tweaked to get more horsepower and speed, those benefits generally come at the expense of torque (specifically, low-end torque). By only changing out your muffler, you are less likely to mess with the torque characteristics of your truck. But be aware of the fact that a larger, more free-flowing exhaust will generally decrease back pressure, in turn decreasing the low-end torque of the vehicle.

Of course, there are great exhaust systems out there that take torque characteristics into account, but the benefits you will receive are usually not commensurate with the cost of the exhaust system.
Magnaflow's site:

Originally Posted by CrAz3D

Drop the muffler & just a pipe out

Originally Posted by minus_13

You really should be more careful with your reading. Opinion. Opinion. Opinion. Opinion. Blah. Blah. Blah.

Originally Posted by minus_13

Something that is often overlooked by this board when we are discussing exhaust is that while exhaust can be tweaked to get more horsepower and speed, those benefits generally come at the expense of torque (specifically, low-end torque). By only changing out your muffler, you are less likely to mess with the torque characteristics of your truck. But be aware of the fact that a larger, more free-flowing exhaust will generally decrease back pressure, in turn decreasing the low-end torque of the vehicle.

Originally Posted by minus_13

I normally stick to legal advice, because it is what I know, but I am going to suggest something here that others might disagree with, but here goes nothing.