ok, ive been reading all these posts of people talking about all their different setups for their exhaust systems and i just have one question, which is the best way to go? what would be the absolute best exhaust system i can put in my truck for horsepower? how about for sound? i dont care about cost, i just want to put the best in my truck. i always thought that headers and true duals were the best way to go, but i've been hearing so many people talking about loosing back pressure and power. so what is the best? thanx in advance...

 

Donate54: You should tell us what your truck is 4.6L 5.4L ???

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1997 4x4 XLT 4.2l ORP 5-speed
For more details and pics please see my site...Thanks
www.eph1fifty.cjb.net

 

its a 99 xlt sport, 5.4, AOD, 3.55ls, reg cab

 

If you arent concerned with cost, BORLA. I was so I went with glasspacs...

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

 

Well, for me, money is not an issues as much as getting what I want at a price I feel is worth it. As far as the best exhaust, what you may like and what I may like could be very different. I like to hear the sound of the truck, I don't care what it looked like, I went with the 40 seriers flowmaster with 3" pipe. I have a guy that works at a muffler shop and he put it on. If I didn't like it, he would let me try another. I think thats the best way to do it. Find a shop that will work with you.

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Don W
97 F150 4X4 XLT, ORP, Tow Package,
CD-Changer, K&N, B&M shift improver,
PIAA fog lights, Weld Rims 17", 265 70LT AT/S, Flowmaster 40 series 3" cat back.
f1504x4.hompeage.com

 

I was recently confronted with the same situation and read every thread on this board and then called every muffler place in town. I heard one shop trash flowmaster and recommend Bassoni (for $400) and another shop trash Gibson and recommend flowmaster, etc. etc. I finally found a muffler shop that had Magnaflow, Flowmaster, Gibson, and Dynomax and talked to the guys that worked there - they all said that Flowmaster was the best sounding muffler and that all of them would give fairly similar performance. I just (this morning) had them install a Flowmaster 40 series with 3" pipe and chrome tip for $300. It took them about 1/2 hour, even with pipe bending, welding, the whole works - I stood in the garage and watched them do the whole job - it really looks nice and sounds great. You can definitely hear the difference when you hit the throttle. I don't know if if increased HP or not - I just added the superchip last week and it definitely made a difference - I'm going to unhook the battery tonight and let the computer "re-learn" the truck - I'm a little suspicious as to whether that's needed, but I'll give it a shot. I had a few muffler shops tell me that just going to 3" pipe would cause me to lose all my torque and ruin the engine - there's a lot of bad information out there and I think you just have to find someone you trust, who has experience, and go with what they recommend. Good Luck!

Mod's in the last week: Flowmaster 40 series with 3" pipe and chrome tip, superchip, K&N Filter, Leather Upholstery.

Coming soon: Rancho RSX shocks, Superwhite headlights, clear turn signal lenses, fog lights.

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1998 Ford F-250 LD XLT, 5.4 4X4, Midnight Blue/Grey 2-tone, Line-X, Leather, Kenwood Excelon, Rockford 600a5, JL Audio 10", 285/75/R16's, Bassani Exhaust, Superchip

 

OOPS - I need to change my signature - I was going to go with Bassani exhaust and then changed my mind...

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1998 Ford F-250 LD XLT, 5.4 4X4, Midnight Blue/Grey 2-tone, Line-X, Leather, Kenwood Excelon, Rockford 600a5, JL Audio 10", 285/75/R16's, Bassani Exhaust, Superchip

 

what about headers? see before this truck i had an 89 F150 with a 5.0 and a 5 spd. when i bought the truck the previous owner had already installed a cat back exhaust from flowmaster (series 40, single inlet dual outlet, 3" chrome tips). i wanted to add headers but the muffler shops i went to told me that i needed to take that whole exhaust off to add headers and then replace it with a new one. i went to 2 different places and they both told me the same thing. so if i want headers, should i do it all at the same time then? anyone out there have headers that could tell me how much im looking to pay for them (including installation, jet coated prefferably)? thanx again...

 

Do you want great off-the-line torque or high-rpm power?

Headers and "big" pipes are good for screaming-high rpm HP, while a more restrictive system will give you a better low-end takeoff. Be sure to convey your wishes when speaking to the vendor so that you get exactly the results desired.

 

ohh, ok i see. so if i want more off the line torque its better to keep the stock exhaust manifolds then? ok thanx again for the info...