For those of you looking at doing a muffler upgrade, here's my 2 cents. Because I am broke, I did my upgrade the cheapest way possible. 2-chamber Flowmaster for $50 from Summit. Installed at local muffler shop for $50. I think that leaving the stock pipes on the truck gave the exhaust a "smoothe" sound, but when I jump on it you can hear that beautiful Flowmaster rumble. Total cost: $100. Total satisfaction:

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1998 Silver Supercab Shortbed. 4.6L, tow package, K&N, Flowmaster exhaust, Billet grille

 

That is what I was thinking of doing. How is the performance, the same of different .....

[This message has been edited by steveo (edited 06-09-2000).]

 

I went an even less expensive way. I bought a Flowmaster 50 Series muffler, a piece of 2.5" pipe with a 45 degree mandrel bend (from JCWhitney) and two 2.5" clamps. Then I cut off the old system just in front of the stock muffler, clamped on the new muffler and then clamped on the turn-down. I was able to use the existing hanger location with some universal exhaust system hanging material.

As for power, I called Flowmaster before I did all this and asked what I need to do for max power. They said have at least 18" from the "Y" to the muffler and at least 10" of pipe after the muffler. More pipe after the muffler doesn't hurt performance and will be quieter. For the 4.2L and 4.6L use 2.5" pipe, for the 5.4L use 3" pipe.

It sounds great and there was definitely an improvement in power (and over a 1 MPG increase!)

I think I spent about $73. I am happy with this mod.

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Danny
'98 F-150 Std., RC, SB, 4x2, 4.2L, 5-sp, 3.08, AC, speed control, rear slider.
Mods: Mobil 1 engine oil, Red Line D4-ATF trans fluid, Edelbrock IAS shocks,
50 Series Flowmaster, K&N with airbox mod, electric radiator fan, Superchip

 

Double