I enjoy this site and would NOT try to take any business away fom it. I own a 1998 F150 XLT 4x4, ex-cab, with the 4.6. I was on the verge of spending $300.00 or more on a new cat-back system. I had no idea the dual exhaust out the back was COSMETIC ONLY!! You get NO performace benifits at ALL!! I had no idea because I'm not an experienced engine person. I went to a local muffler shop and they were great. They cut off my exhaust and held up 5 or 6 different mufflers for my wife and I to listen to. I thought I wanted a flowmaster 50 series. The guy said you have to be carefull with too much noise. He said it sounds good in the beginning but it gets to be bothersome after awhile. You want to be able to talk in a normal tone while on your way to the lake. We ended up going with a Dynomax 14" muffler with a 3" stainless tip. The total cost for everything was $167.99. I was afraid the Dynomax wouldn't have the performance of a flowmaster. I was wrong. There were 5 mechanics on site and 3 owned Dynomax and 2 owned flowmasters. We enjoy the new sound and performance. The sound is perfect for us. We can defenitly tell it sounds mean but not too loud we have to scream at each other while driving. Hope this helps. I also installed the K&N Generation II air filter kit. It looks good and was easy to install.

 

I had the 40 series flowmaster installed, you can here it with both windows rolled up, but talking at normal tone is no issue, its not that loud at all. on the freway I cant here at all, I think I here the wind and tire noise more.

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Don W
97 F150 4X4, ORP, Tow Package,
CD-Changer, K&N, B&M shift improver,
PIAA fog lights, Weld Rims 17", 265 70LT AT/S.
f1504x4.hompeage.com

 

I made a mistake on my post. I purchased the 14" Magnaflow muffler not a Dynomax. I think the Dynomax doesnt have the performance of a Flowmaster or Magnaflow.

 

glad you love your exhaust..I was looking at the gibson,then I heard it souns pretty much stock..I went with the flowmaster 40 ser and 3in pipe out the rear side and it sounds great not to loud and really sounds awsome..total cost with tax $225 installed at local muffler shop

 

Do you have two mufflers? Or just one? Those with flowmaster or other than glasspac types, will two fit in? thanks!!

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J Randall
jbirddog@uswest.net
Arizona F150 4x4 SC '97

 

I strongly considered Gibson but me being a total newbie at exhaust systems I decided to start simple and experiment. Instead of going with a catback system right off the bat, I installed a Flowmaster 50 with delta tech. It has a nice deep tone, not too loud but loud enough to sound like 5.4L V8 that has some *****. Very quiet in the cab of the Expy too. Can't hear it except when accellerating and that's just the tail pipe noise coming in from the back. No muffler drone which I understand is common with other Flowmasters.
I left the factory 2.5" pipe in place. Can't tell just yet if its hurting performance, but it sure sounds sweet. I also had a 3.5" tip welded on to finish the look. I had the whole thing done at Midas too. Labor was only $25! $140 total!! Sure beats the prices 4 wheel parts was qouting me for Gibson. I probably would have picked the Gibson despite price if I could have heard one first. I just couldn't in good conscience plunk all the money in something on spec how it would sound. I will post pics and a wave files soon.


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