single? or dual? I've got no clue...
 

I'm having a hard time deciding what I want to do as far as an exauhst system goes. Should I just get a muffler? Should I get dual out the back? Dual out the side? Single out the side? I just don't know what would be the most beneficial to my truck as far hp, torque, gas milage... and just the best overall performance. If you know anything about this, that's more than me already... so let me know.

Depends, what motor do you have and what do you use it for most of the time, long trips, short commutes, work truck, towing? Read all the other posts on this subject and you will get the idea. It is possible to overdo it.

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98 Nascar Edition, Superchip, Airaid, Flowmaster 70 series, bedliner, in bed tool box, Profile bug deflector and window vents, Class III receiver hitch.

even if you dont go with gibson, check out this website, www.gibsonperformance.com.
its got some good info on different 'styles' of cat-backs and what they are best suited for. i think the single in, single outs appear to be a little better as far as h.p. and torque are concerned, but are not overly big on noise.

good luck

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mr k
_ ____________________ _
1999 f150 xlt ex-cab 4x4
4.6 triton v8
5 speed manual
3:55 rear
towing package
k&n f.i.p.k.
gibson ss swept side

Welcome, i am a new member also. Noticed form your profile that you are a baseball player. Is this college or what? I played football in college. anyway. About the exhaust question. You should not go with a true dual exhaust. This will kill your torque. Which would hurt your town driving, towing and all round driveability. If allyou want is wot horsepower then go with true duals.
What i did on my wifes 01 X was to go from the factory y and go back with a single 3in.to the rear factory outlet. For tips i went with a pair of 3in. stainless tips. It really looks sweet and sounds awesome. We put a magnaflow muffler (3in. in & 3in. out) and it has a nice throaty sound under acceleration but quiets down at hwy speeds. My wife did not kill me so it is not bad. DO not be fooled by the cat back syustems claims. If you go to a good muffler shop thay will do you a good job with the same performance as the catback systems at a fraction of the cost. I paid $150 where a gibson catback would have run me close to $400. Something else that helped tremendously was a K&N oem replacement filter ($50). For $200 this is quite an improvement over stock. Good luck to you. By the way, it improved my mileage from 13 to close to what the factory claimed of 18 hwy. It is still in break in(1100 mi.) so those numbers should continue ot rise.

My truck is a 97' f-150 lariat, with a 4.6L v8, 4X4, I just have never been sure what I wanted to do. Thanks for the insight, now that I have mentioned what engine I have and everything, if you have anything more in depth I would appreciate it... thanks to those that did though... and it's college ball 01x!

I'll throw in my .02 with what I think are the options. I had a 97 4.6L and I went with true dual, glasspacs, out in front of the back tire. This sounded great, but I feel I lost a bit of low end. Cheap cost too. Now I am thinking Ravin'(Z33 or Z55) single in dual out behind the back right tire, not straight out under the bumper. Also a single in Flowmaster 40 delta, and dual out. I feel the same as 01X in that a muffler shop with a bender would be just as good as a pre bent mandrel(gibson) system. For prices I was quoted 250-285 for the flowmaster 40 SI/DO with 3" tips. The ravin' at midas is more, 350$. Both Installed. I'm still not sure what I will do. Midas will change the muffler to another series without cost if I want louder or less LOUD.

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J Randall
Old: '97 f150 XL SC 4x4
NEW: 2001 F-150 XLT SC Flare 5.4L ORP 4X4
Az Beige