Hi Mike,

>The local shop put in an Identical Length muffler that was in there.
>I believe it was a 14" Magnaflow muffler.

Sounds about right as the original is about 13" or so.

>It sounds much better, but I'm curious about the 22" muffler you have.
>Did the shop recommend something smaller? or did you want the 22"?

I am "the shop" :-) and mainly went with 22 because it was the only polished one from Magnaflow that had the identical spacing between the dual outlets as I didn't want to have to adjust or change anything else. It was a direct matchup as far as pipe to pipe spacing (6"). The smaller ones are only 4" spacing and would require "tweaking" in other areas to get the same Tip "exit" locations.

At first I was concerned that it would be too quiet and even delayed installing it for a month. But after my last long 6 hour trip I just couldn't take it anymore! After installing the 22 it still has a nice deep idle and still roars deeply when you really get on it. However, the truck now feels much more refined and smoother than before and it worked out perfect for me. I am sure they will be times when I will miss the very loud original system, but not very often.

This is the one I got....





>I'm used to the hood.....it took a while..

Me too!

 

>hey ftx, i noticed in one of your albums that your 4x4 selector switch lights up.
>mine doesn't, did they change this from '04? does anyone know?

Mine light up also.

Here is a funny story about the interior switch lights and shows that there are some bored (but smart) engineers at Ford.

I installed the new interior trim overlays on my door window switch panels during a recent road trip and I couldn't wait till dark to see how the lighted window switches looked in the dark with the new overlays. (FYI, I popped each switch panel off the armrest and removed/unplugged them to install the trim as my wife pumped gas :-)

After an hour or so up the road it was finally dark enough and the lights came on, I looked at the drivers switch panel all lit up and it looked great! I then looked at the other 3 door window switch panels and they were NOT illuminated!!! I know I darn well plugged those connectors back up when I reinstalled them and wondered what the heck I had done to them. I pulled over, got out walked to the passenger side popped up the assembly and they were definitely plugged up OK. For a moment I was totally confused and then my wife said "maybe this is the problem" and flipped the window lock switch off.... they all suddenly lit up like a Christmas Tree!! Call me dumb, but I don't remember any other vehicle that turned off the window switch illumination when you turned on the window locks, actually a pretty cool feature!

I was curious and went out and checked my 01 Screw and they all stay lit all the time regardless of window lock position.

 

Dave,

That's funny about the door window switch lights! I never noticed that, I guess tonight i'll go out there and try it.

I'm not sure if the length of the muffles will give you more or less "groan". Is it even noticable from a 14" inch to a 22"? Just wondering. There are only marginal gains in HP. The Flowmaster from what I hear is just for sound and no performance gains what so ever.

Since you are "the shop" ever thought about adding a Super Charger? You seem very hands on and you know what you are doing......

 

>I'm not sure if the length of the muffles will give you more or less "groan". Is >it even noticable from a 14" inch to a 22"? Just wondering.

Noise level overall would be about 25% less???

>There are only marginal gains in HP.

True,

>The Flowmaster from what I hear is just for sound and no performance gains >what so ever.

Bad info, Flowmaster has always won every "apples to apples" HP shootout that I am aware of. BUT, for me the interior drone is not worth it. If you want a loud muffler that performs as well as the Flowmaster but without the drone then SpinTech is THE one. Unfortunately they aren't normally made in stainless and are rough looking like the Flowmaster.

>Since you are "the shop" ever thought about adding a Super Charger?
>You seem very hands on and you know what you are doing......

I am on the waiting list at Saleen for this bad boy coming out after July (4.6 version shown in pics)

 

Did I mention that I REALLY dislike you right now!!!!!!!!

 

This is funny. I'm not going to mention any names................but a very prominent sponsor of this website told me over the phone that Flowmaster is junk.............

 

I never said they will last 10 years without rusting out, but look at almost every winning (pro and amateur) drag car etc. (that have mufflers) and see what they are running..

Also of note, there is a difference between making the most HP and giving the best overall power curve for "street" vehicle. Sometimes (especially for trucks) having too much of a free flowing muffler can reduce back pressure to the point you lose low end power and torque.

I feel the Magnaflow is the best overall for sound, quality, power and cost. It is what I use in systems I currently design/make now and in the future for the "furen" sports cars I deal with.

 

Have a great weekend,