After spending a great deal of time researching a new exhaust (calling at least 10 different Midas and Performance shops), I found that knowledge, skillset and cost varied widely. I received answers ranging from "changing your exhaust will not get you any performance gains at all -- it is purely for sound and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying" to "you can expect to see up to a 25HP increase".

Luckily, the majority of the shops agreed that you will typically see an increase of anywhere between 5-12HP increase (on the 5.4L engine) with any "good, reputable" performance exhaust. Most agreed that the top end (performance wise) was the Gibson, followed by the Ravin' and then the Flowmaster (with the latter two providing better exhaust tones). Please note that while I was able to get actual numbers for the Gibson, I could not get them for the Ravin' or the Flowmaster (I'd be very interested to hear if anyone out there has any specifics...)

If I had to summary my experience, I would recommend the following:
1. Call as many places as possible until you find someone who is knowledgeable, skilled and trustworthy. I gauged this my how closely their comments tracked some of the threads found here and how much they knew about other exhaust systems (if you can believe it I actually found some Midas shops that did not know Gibson or Flowmaster and could not provide any discussion on comparisons).

2. Do offline research ahead of time and be prepared with specific questions. I found that I typically got better service when they thought I knew what I was talking about -- lucky for me they didn't know the truth .

3. Challenge the quotes you get by asking for specific breakdowns. While labor and parts might differ based on setup, the cost of the muffler should not. As I mentioned in another post, I received an original quote that was nearly $200 more than the one I ended up with. This was mostly due to the fact that the shop makes some assumptions (in their favor) whenever they do a general quote (things like: you will want to replace your pipes, you will want stainless steel tips, you will want custom setups, etc).

4. Read this board. I have found no better resource on the net for F150 owners. Everyone here deserves to be praised for their knowledge, involvement and generousity. Even the best exhaust people that I spoke to told me nothing that I hadn't already read somewhere on this site. Thanks to all. Hope this helps anyone currently looking for a new exhaust system.

Regards...




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2000 F-150 XLT Supercab, 5.4L, 4x4, 3.55 gears

• Smittybuilt sure step bars
• K&N Air Filter
• Ford (Duraliner) Bedliner
• Class III Tow Package
• Superchip

 

cyclone,

Well said...Exactly what I have found also.

 

cyclone,

So did you go with the Ravin Z55? What type of system, duels out the rear or what. Any added thoughts?

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• Y2K F-150 Lariot, Oxford White, Short bed Extended Cab
• 5.4 Liter V8
• 4X4 Off Road Package
• Grey Leather interior
• 4-speed Auto
• Soft Black Tonneau cover

 

RansToy,

I went with the Z-55 for two main reasons: (1) it was louder than stock (but not too loud) and (2) since it was larger than the Z-33, it will create more back pressure (from what I have been told, this should prevent any low end torque loss). For now, I just replaced the muffler keeping everything else stock so it will look very similar to the Gibson swept side. I would have loved duals out the back, however, two things prevented me from going that direction right now. First was cost (another 160 for pipes and labor) and the second was that it would result in some low end loss than I was not willing to sacrifice just yet. Maybe once I add a FIPK, I will go with the duals...



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2000 F-150 XLT Supercab, 5.4L, 4x4, 3.55 gears

• Smittybuilt sure step bars
• K&N Air Filter
• Ford (Duraliner) Bedliner
• Class III Tow Package
• Superchip

 

Cyclone...where did you get your Ravin? I am about to purchase a system and will be checking $$$ and performance.


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Tray,

I ordered the Ravin from a Midas shop in my area. The Z-55 was $112 and the Z-33 was $92. Approx. $165 out the door (hangers, labor and tax made up the difference).

Good luck

 

I did almost the same thing.

I had a Flowmaster DeltaFlow 50 installed in place of my stock muffler. Same tailpipes, etc. Cost was $122 out the door.

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2000 F-150 XLT Sport, Silver 4-door Supercab StyleSide
Short Bed (Only way to fit in the garage)
17" Sport Wheels with BFG tires, 3.55 R, 4.6l V8, Auto (First one in 20 years)
In-Dash Single CD Player, 60/40 Split bench dark graphite

Mods So Far
K&N Filter, Gatorback Spray-In Bedliner, Llumar ProShield Window Tint
WMS Velocity Tube (removed), Black Westin Step Bars, Lund Trident Hood Deflector, FlowMaster DeltaFlow 50

Future Plans
Superchip, Upgraded Speakers/Stereo


[This message has been edited by Y2kXLTSport (edited 03-06-2001).]

 

After going through the same process you did I went with the bolt on Gibson Supertruck. I am very happy with it.

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My Ride: 1998 F150 4x4 Lariat Supercab Flareside 5.4L in Oxford White/gold, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 Gears.

Modifications:
Optima Red Top Battery
Split Fire Spark Plugs
K&N FIPK
Gibson Supertruck Exhaust System
Stepshield door sill protectors
Performance Accesories 3" Body Lift
Performance Accesories Lift Lips by Mountain Enterprises
Superlift 3" lift blocks
Gabriel Gas Ryder LT VST Shocks
Daystar Front Anti-sway Bar Polyurethane Bushings
Heckethorn Steering Stabilizer
35x12.5R16.5LT BFG All Terrain KO's
16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's.
McGard Premium Wheel Locks

Photos at: http://www.communicomgroup.com/jmtruck