I too was thinking about the whole "Y" pipe replacement thing and went to talk too a guy that does nothing but exhaust, and he said leave it alone. Instead, I removed the 2 long converters (I have a total of 4)and replaced the area with straight pipes and damn does it sound good. It has more punch and has a throatier sound. This guy showed me the honey comb crap inside the converter and how this is more restrictive then the stock "Y".
Kinda like running the 100 yard dash and at the finish line only being able to breath through a straw. Try this first and you will be happy. He also recommended removing the stock exhaust and replacing it with the Flowmaster exhaust.

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1997 F150 5.4L Supercab 4x4 "Off Road Package" Tow Package
All stock except for an Alpine Stereo/CD Player, Soft Cover, Bed Liner, and a Custom Painted Bug Deflector.

 

Just remember that removing an emission control devise is illegal. It may not be enforced in your state by an inspection but, by federal law it is still illegal. I have been in the exhaust business for 20 years and this is not a joke. The shop doing the work can be in for a huge fine and so can the owner. Plus at resale or trade in you can be made to reinstall these converters at your expense. They are not cheap. Try to do cat back mods. They are legal an can give you almost the same effect.

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Tropical Concrete Designs
99 F150 Ext. Cab. Lariat
Just got in June after Expy.
5.4L, Bug Shield, Vent Visors, Leer Topper

[This message has been edited by robpaul (edited 06-25-2001).]

 

Hey robpaul, would the modifications to the Y be OK? Since it is "technically" after the cats?

Thanks!

 

Try replacing the "y" with a "X" pipe. the crossover that this creates increases torque. Also the Spintech Muffler is a better design. It vortexes the exhaust causing it to scavange the exhaust through the cats so there is less back pressure in the intire system. I put this system on my 2000 Expedition and the truck runs great and has a nice sound.

 

Anything after the converters is ok. The feds state that you cann't change the exhaust config at all but they will almost never slap you for anything behind the cats. I just bought a 99 F150 Lariat last week and one of the papers I had to sign said that I would not mess with the emissions system.

 

Who made you sign papers? Probably 90% of us can't remove our secondary CATS because their is either a second set of O2 sensors in them, or after them. Their no need anyhow, once the "Y" is installed, and you're running a true 3" setup, so long as the stock muffler has been removed. As far a mufflers go, pick your favorite, and sound preference.

-AR

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2001 F-150 XLT 4x4 Off-Road, SuperCab, Flareside, Black[*] 4.6L Triton V8 HPI[*] 5 Speed / 3:55 Reg. Axle[*] Keyless[*] Premium Audio CD

Mods:[*] K&N Intake (Chopped Airbox)[*] Removed Elbow Silencer[*] Flowmaster "Y" Pipe[*] 3" Cat-Back (No Muffler, Turn-Down)[*] Cranked Torsion Bars[*] APC XENON PLASMA Super Whites[*] '01 "L" Taillights[*] Bugshield[*] Bedliner[*] Ventshades[*] Removed Mudflaps[*] "Light Argent" 4x4 Off-Road Decals

Audio:[*] Clarion 6675[*] Rockford Fosgate 5x7's[*] Rockford Fosgate G360A2 Punch Amp[*] JL 12W3-D2 (Ported)[*]Viper 500ESP Alarm

Build Date: 8/23/00 (Kansas City Plant)

 

The dealership had papers provided by the State of Florida saying that I had both not tampered with the emisions on my trade in and that I would not mess with the ones on my new toy. I know from being in the industry that the laws are pretty tough but this is the first time I had seen these also. Guess that way if they really want to break your "____" they have you for signing.

 

I didn't. The o2's are before it and after the converters that were removed.

 

jvangel,
How did you get around the O2 sensors.


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808
2001 Sport F150 5.4L

 

Think about it folks, the "Y" pipe makes the most sense.

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1997 F150 reg cab, flareside
4.6 5spd 2wd 3.08
Steeda pulleys
Jacobs DIS
Accel coil packs
K&N FIPK
Airaid poweraid
MSD wires
Superchip
Dyna Glass cover
Center Line Cobra wheels
GoodYear 275/60/R17 tires on front, new 285/65/R17 on rear
Dark Toreador Red
Cordovan Interior
Alpine AM/FM/CD
Love My Truck
Next Mod: Electric fan

 

Y pipe and X pipe, completly different. X pipe is what youwould use on a dual (or H pipe)

Y pipe is replacing a piece of the OEM exhaust.

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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
• Hellwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
• Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Anti-Sway Bar Bushings
• Edelbrock Performer IAS Shocks
• Mobil 1
• Xenon Super White Head and Driving Lights
• Tow Package
• Rear Load Leveling
• Moonroof
• Century Child Seat!

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