Is it better to go with a full cat-back exhaust system from a retailer or to purchase the muffler, only, seperately and have the pipes custom bent? I am wanting to go with a magnaflow, flow-master, banks, borla..etc. and have side exit tips. I was wondering about cost and that sort of thing. If I were to order a muffler only, what would be my best choices?

 

It's cheaper to have your exhaust made by a shop than to buy a brand name cat back. The quality might suffer for the price. Magnaflow uses full stainless steel on there cat backs while shops only (usually) have aluminized steel and crush bent pipes. Depending on how long your truck is will determine the cost.

 

Ive got an 04 Screw 5.5 Bed. I just want to get the best sound for the cheapest price(me and everyother yayhoo). If Im going to order the muffler only I need some opinions because the local shop we all use tries to persuade you to order flowpro exhaust and I want something to take in and tell him what I want. All your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Last exhaust I had done was a dual chamber flow master SI / DO with side exit exhaust, cost me about $300.00 w/ install

 

I was in a pretty similar boat to you about 3-4 months ago before I made my decision. I went back and forth on my decision for premade catback or taking it to an exhaust shop.

I ended up with the Roush Off Road Exhaust and here's why

1. Cheapest I could find someone around here to make an exhaust for me was around 400 or so with crush bent aluminized steel and some bottom of the line Flowmaster.

2. I got the Roush delivered to my door for $540 brand new. Full stainless, mandrel bent, guaranteed to fit and I know exactly how it will sound before I order it.

3. If I ever decide to go another route w/ the truck or sell it, it all used factory hangers and didn't require moving or removing or relocating anything. Some exhaust shops will make their own hangers or just put things where they want them.

Granted some of these problems may not be an issue for you, but for me, the extra 100-150 bucks was well worth it. I do everything myself on the truck and trust no one with it unless I absolutely have to. I was able to get it all installed and done in under 2 hours. Well well worth the wait and little extra money for something proven and of excellent quality to me.

 

I suggest you go on youtube and look up some exhausts on F150's (magnaflow, flowmaster, borla, etc...), then buy the muffler that you like plus the tips that you think look good, and have a shop fab up you side exit setup. If you do go that route, demand that they use smooth bent pipes or mandrel bent pipes. Also, since you more then likely will have aluminized steel pipes, paint them immediately so they won't rust as fast.