I have a 1997 F150 2WD with a 4.6L, she is stock at this point. I am looking to increase her HP, Torque, and what have you hopefully via exhaust system change, switching the airbox to a high flow system and a possible chip upgrade. So starting at the exhaust first, what is a awesome setup not costing big $$$? Can't be broke ya know... I have read about Gibson, Flowmaster, and Borla and I am looking for a recommendation. What will give it the nice sound and increase HP, Torque, etc...? Thanks

silverback

 

Silverback, go the exhaust systems thread and just start reading. You can search back for the last six months or year and read all week. There are as many different opinions as there are systems. Word of advice, don't go too big, you will loose low end.

------------------
98 Nascar Edition, Superchip, Airaid, Flowmaster 70 series, bedliner, in bed tool box, Profile bug deflector and window vents, Class III receiver hitch.

 

silverback I went from the other end first a K&N filter no mod to the intake, added a Super chip and last Friday installed a 3" single sweptside exhaust. I went with a Gibson knock off called Rapidflow from RV Performance for $229.00 that included shipping. I too was concerned about low end loss and didn't get a very concise opinion from this site. I must say I like the 3" exhaust I noticed just a little loss below 2k rmps, but from 2k up look out she really breaths fire. At highway speeds she cruises nice not too loud and no more dropin out of OD like it use too. Just my .02 worth I know it's tough trying to decide.



------------------
99' F-150 XLT SC 4X4 ORP LS 4.6L K&N Air Filter, Suuuuperchiped, A.R.E. Cover, Duraliner, 3" single CatBack

 

ive read about flowmaster which seems to be the favorite among alot of people. Every thing ive read about them makes me believe that it is one of the more restrictive mufflers around, after many moons of considerations I opted for a thrush glasspack and dual pipes after the pack. sounds great, runs great. I find it hard to believe anything could beat the straight thru design of a glasspack, there is literaly a 2 1/2 un-obstructed channel. Any comments either way? (14.00$ at auto zone). I had the glass pack put on with clamps so every to years and 14 dollars, I slide a new one on. good thing about a glass pack is they age, the longer you have one the better they sound.

 

I have noticed that everyone here calls the Flowmasters a very restictive muffler. I don't belive they are as restictive as many believe, they are designed to use the last exaust pulse to SUCK the next one out not put a restriction on it. Though I have no muffs on my truck, it really isn't that loud. No muffs are the big thing here in WV and the Dodges and Shovies with no muffs really sound horrible, loud cracking and popping and just down right nasty. The Ford 4.6 has a sound all of its own with no muffs. It really sounds sweet to me.

------------------
99 F-150 XLT Sport, Black 4x4 4.6L , 3.55 LS,Manual Tranny, K&N air filter, No Muff Exaust system,.999 tuned TPS,Pioneer CD Player,Pioneer GM-X332 Amp,8" Rockford Fosgate Punches, Custom(self done)pinstriping,Wrap around bugdeflecter

 

There is an article in Truckin' this month on a new Borla cat-back system. True duals. This is the way I would do it if I had it custom built. It's a nice piece of engineering. It also has some cool carbon fiber tips.
Check it out!

------------------
'98 4.6 5-sp F-150
We've come for your Tundra.

http://www.mcmullenargus.com/gallery...ge=1165&pub=12
trixters-playground@excite.com
www.truckinweb.com

 

Where in the **** did someone come up with the idea that a Flowmaster is restrictive?

I hardly think that all those NHRA bracket racers would be using a restrictive muffler to quicken their 1/4 mile times...c'mon guys and gals...think about it !!!

------------------
1999 F250 SD CC, LWB, 5.4L, Auto, 3.73, 4x4, Power TT mirrors w/ marker lights, White, Full Tint, PendaPro SR, Flowmaster Delta 40 series, K&N filtercharger, Superchip (Airbox removed for a second try, maybe in the winter it will be advantagous?) Lund Elite soft tonneau

www.angelfire.com/pa3/spaceace/index.html

 

99 superduty v10 borla..............BAAAAAAAD, and I don't mean bad, no sound, got rid of it.,course all v10 sound likea sewing machine, going back to the V8 5.4 stright thru xhaust brum , bruuuuuuuuum, and awaywe go................................................ .................................................. .................................................. ............................

 

Had my stock muffler replaced with a Flowmaster 50 series today. Great way to go and not too expensive only $92.00. Sounds great! Not too loud but a real nice rumble.

 

I put a gibsom 3 inch on my 98 4.6l. I verified that there was NO performance gain. Also it is starting to rust heavily (internally). I guess aluminized means outside of the pipe only. I would suggest a stainless steel dynomax ultraflow 2.5 inches. and a short section of stainless pipe to fill in the gap due to the shorter muffler. If you do this you will have an all stainless sys that will last for years with all the performance of the expensive systems.

Chris

------------------
98 SC 4.6L stepside, Gibson headers, Gibson single exhaust, superchip, Intake mods, Piaa's, high end audio stuff.

 

I'm with you PS398! Just put a Flowmaster 50 on mine too. I was hesitant having read about reported drone between 65-70. Not the case on my rig. Nice sweet note but fairly quiet in the cab at all speeds. Just loud enough to remind me that there's a Ford under the hood!
Otherwise my exhaust is stock with pipe exiting in front of tire.

 

BillyB, Got the same setup on my 97. I hesitated to do this because of exhaust exit location and drone but now that it's done I really haven't found it to be that bad. To each his own I guess.

 

Anyone have a Series 40 FlowMaster exhaust. I was looking in that dirrection but I don't want it too loud.
This is for my 99 F150 5.4L

thomas

------------------
TommyRox
99' 5.4L F-150 XLT White

• Towing Package
• Extended Cab
• 3.55 LS
• Kenwood 3011 CD Player
• MTX 2-way speakers
• Keyless Entry
• Ford Bug Deflector
• K&N FIPK

tlmullenix@yahoo.com

 

tommy,
stay away from the 40 series unless you want it loud.i loved the rumble (especially with my std trans),until i took a long road trip..the drone just killed me..i planning on switching to the 50 series. i want to manitain as much of the performance that i can ,i just need to bring the noise decibals down a notch. i know my neighbors would appreciate it..

ps398 & billy boggs.. i see that ya'll have the 50 series on your trucks and from your comments ya'll are very happy with it..do ya'll have the delta technology 50's or the standard 50's ?????

------------------
99 f-150 xlt,black,s/c flareside,4.6 v8,5-speed manuel,3.55,17" sport rims w/bfg 275's,k&n gen II fipk,flowmaster 2-chamber 40 dual exhaust, kenwood kdc-s5009 cd player,kenwood kac-x646 multi channel amp and stock speakers (for now),viper 800 alarm,mobil 1 user, superchip wont work (houston,texas)

 

i have standard 50 series. Rest of exhaust is still stock right down to tailpipe in front of rear wheel and no excessive drone at highway speeds. like I stated earlier whole deal came to $92.88 installed. (Here's another one of those wide pages)

[This message has been edited by ps398 (edited 12-14-1999).]