Is there going to be a major difference if I go with a custom exhaust with creased bends or would it be worth it to spend twice as much $$$ for mandrel bent cat-back system??
Both would use aluminized pipe and name brand mufflers.

Thanks,
Andy Spargo
2000, 5.4L, SC, 4x4, XLT, 2500 miles.
Bone stock, K&N filter kit on its way.

 

Welcome Spargo 2,

I'm sure mandrel bent has a better flow, but don't feel it's worth twice as much though. Mine are not mandrel bent and I like it just fine. Maybe someone will be along shortly to fill us in on the true value of "Mandrel Bent"

Good Luck

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2000 F-150 XLT Supercab 4x2. Bright red clearcoat w/gold two tone.5.4L, 3.55LS, class III towing, keyless entry, overhead console and captain chairs.
Ford bug shield and vent shades, Ford(duraliner)bedliner, Extang Black Max soft tonneau, Westin platinum SS nerf bars. Helwig rear sway bar, Flowmaster 2 chamber dual out the sides catback, Airaid FIPK, Superchip

 

Mandrel pipes are better flowing then normal bent because of less restriction. But I'm not sure if most of us will notice much or any of difference b/n the 2.

I think that some mods just aren't worth the cash on a stock motor. They may show some improvement but not to much, like if I put a larger throttle body on my near stock engine I won't notice the difference as much as say someone who puts a supercharger and then adds a larger TB. So I'll have wasted $200 on a tiny improvement where they would have spent 200 on a noticable difference.

So with the exhaust just go with whatever makes you happy. I went with the Borla split rear b/c I liked the tips and wanted stainless steel b/c of jersey weather and salty roads.

Anyone disagree with me?

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black 97' x-cab 4x4, 5 speed 4.6, black westin nerf bars, 6 cd changer and a 12 premier sub, pilot ground searchers, borla SS split rear exhaust


soon: rear window covers, fipk, chip, rims

 

I agree! It's all a matter of how much money you want to spend and how much horsepower you're going to gain. Unless your engine is constantly turning 8000 + r.p.m. the extra expense is probably not worth it.

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Member: Never trust a person over 40 who drives a Chevy club
Flatheads ain't so bad!
Certified backyard mechanic I & II

 

Good point captainoblivious, installing a larger throttle body actually costs you some power on a stock motor, Emac, would you say that your chip was the best bang for the buck mod you have done so far? I am interested in getting one but i am too concerned about having to run even more expensive gas. Thanks for the help.

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92 reg cab flareside 302 w/8.8 rear. Custom cat back exhaust with glasspacks and dual chrome tips. Summit performance headers, K&N air filter. Performance accesories 3" body lift, 33x12.50 sport kings on 15x10 chrome mod rims. Better built diamond plate toolbox. Aiwa cd player with JBL amp to two 6-1/2's and two 10" subs in boxes. NEW: Ford the best never rest floor mats (pretty sharp) Best mod to date: taking off the huge egr hood deflector.
Check out my truck at http://geocities.com/fattron/jb.html

 

JordanB,
Yeah, I do recommend the Superchip. I like the way my trans shifts now, its much firmer. I can feel more power in all the gears. I've only had my chip for three weeks(about 400 miles) and it keeps getting better. The price of 93 octane is back down to $1.29 gal in my area now. Hopefully it will continue to fall !! Have you read here about the flip chip ? It will allow you to run on 87 0ctane by fliping a switch inside your cab then back to the performance program ( 93 0ctane )

Hope this helps. Good Luck !!

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2000 F-150 XLT Supercab 4x2. Bright red clearcoat w/gold two tone.5.4L, 3.55LS, class III towing, keyless entry, overhead console and captain chairs.
Ford bug shield and vent shades, Ford(duraliner)bedliner, Extang Black Max soft tonneau, Westin platinum SS nerf bars. Hellwig rear sway bar, Flowmaster 2 chamber dual out the sides catback, Airaid FIPK, Superchip

 

Mandrel bends flow more than nonmandrel. As far as how much difference, it depends on the vehicle. I know that if you replace the nonmandrel down pipe on a late model f-body Chevy, it is SUPPOSED to make approx 10 more horses. This is per Chevrolet. I don't know how much you would gain/loose.

 

Mandrel bent pipes flow better, but you should consider your overall flow. Most forward restrictions limit all thereafter; like restrictions in cats, Y, pipe size, and muffler. The most restrictive part of the factory system is the 2.5" pipe just behind the Y because this is where both sides are required to flow through 1) 2.5" pipe.

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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

if you're considering mandrel bends, just buy a kit like Gibson, Borla, etc... should be the same or cheaper. Unless you're going to do a true dual exhaust, you'll have plenty of options in the aftermarket.

Robert

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99 F150 Xtracab 4X4 XLT
5.4 liter Flairside
3.73 gears
all stock for now

 

I swear by only mandrel bent pipes for this reason. I'll try and keep this story short. LOL

My first Truck was a 1973 F250 with a 360 engine. I put on headers and had a muffler shop add 2 1/4" dual exhaust down each side and exit in front of the tires. Pretty much a straight shot except for one 90 degree bend to point the pipes out the sides. After a couple years, the turbo mufflers fell apart and so I went to another shop and had them change out the mufflers and add pipes up over the axles and out the back, pointing to the sides at 45 degree angles. I lost all my power. Hills that I'd climb in drive I now had to down shift to second. I was a bit mad. My uncle suggested that it was the pipes, that they were too restrictive. I cut the pipes off at the mufflers and all my power came back. Once I got the pipes out from under the truck I noticed that the once 2 1/4" pipe was reduced to about 1 3/4" at the bends that went over the axle. Never again. On all my other trucks over the years, I bought mandrel bent pieces from J.C. Whitney and made systems myself.