OK, I've been talking to a guy at work about trucks a bit. He's into Mods a bit. He suggested I get a K&N filter setup and a better exhaust than the stock one like a flowmaster or Gibson. I however like whatever vehicle I'm driving to be nice and quiet. I do however want better gas mileage and stuff from my truck and he suggested those 2 upgrades would do it. What should I be looking for in an exhaust to keep it quiet and get the best gas mileage and everything from it?

Thanks,
Chris Mibus
2001 XLT Flareside Supercab
4.6L v8

Mods:
Westin Step bars

 

edit

[This message has been edited by max mitchell (edited 01-28-2001).]

 

Max -- I've read with much curiosity about people losing 'back-pressure' and torque/driveability.

How do you explain the power increase without any negative effects?

 

ktigre,

The Flowmaster 70 series or the Gibson side swept are probably your best options if you want to keep it quiet. I have a Gibson and it's not much louder than stock. The FM 70 is similar. You won't bother the neighbors with either one.

Y2K 7700,

Just like headers, performance gains from mufflers rely mainly on exhaust gas speeds.
Larger tubing and less restrictive muffler gives lower exhaust gas speeds and better top end flow. More muffler restriction would give the gains lower in the rev range. As far as the ability to minimize noise, they all seem to have different approches. Some use packing, some baffles, and some use walled barrier chambers.

The people losing low end power are usually running an exhaust that doesn't have enough overall restriction to help the exhaust gas speeds stay up at these lower RPMS. The end result is that that might gain more high RPM flow in exhange for the lower RPM losses.

Personally, I think trucks benefit more from low to mid range increases because most of us don't spend much time at 4500 RPM.

 

I've installed the Gibson Swept Side and love it. Read some of the posts here and in Exhaust Systems. I and others have just recently done the Gibson.

The most recent ones talk about the sound. It's quiet! Almost stock. Gibson says about 2-3 decibles more than stock.

Best thing it too go to http://www.gibsonperformance.com and read up on it. The Swept Side is designed to increase low end power. Mine is strong! With all of the mods I've done recently I've also increased MPG quite a bit.

One thing I've heard too is that the performance increase is minimal on the Expedition which is what I have. The stock exhaust from cat back doesn't have many bends. I also did the exhaust last so it's harder to see what I did pick up. I can say I noticed even better throttle response and now after about 1000 miles with all the mods done, I'm feeling more power moving through the 2000-3000 RPM range under pretty hard throttle.

I can't add any for the Flowmaster 70 but I will 100% vouch for Gibson but it delivered what I wanted, nice but quiet sound, better low to mid range power and an easy self install (well read my posts on mine install as well as others that did it the easier way ). That's what it's made to do. Keep in mind, Gibson started out making exhaust for RV's

If you want to buy Gibson, check with Roger at the Online store also. He can get it and is quick.

By the way, if you need something from Gibson, they respond quick and if you call, their great to work with. They actually seem to want to do what ever they can to help you out.

-Jim

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2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition 4x2

• Estate Green
• 5.4 ltr
• 3:55 LS rear
• Superchip!
• Airaid FIPK
• Gibson S/S Swept Side Cat Back Exhaust
• Tow Package
• Rear Load Leveling
• Moonroof
• Century Child Seat!

[This message has been edited by FamilyRide (edited 01-28-2001).]

 

Jim- You don't loose any low-end torque or performance with a properly engineered system. This usually occurs when the exhaust is opened up too much. Mine seems the same at low-end, and feels much different at high rpms.

[This message has been edited by max mitchell (edited 01-28-2001).]