So i have a 99 150 flareside w/ about 80K on it. Stick, 4.6L, 4wd and am looking to add some sound. Everything about the truck looks tough except the exhaust, which is barely louder than an audi going into turbo.

I'd like to make her louder, basically loud enough that when i'm stopped at a light with the windows down, i can hear some good chug a lug. I have a 12" sub in there so i don't want it to cut too poorly into the quality of my sound system but i don't mind being able to hear it in the cab a little. If i'm gonna drop money on this i definitely want it to be a noticeable difference.

What is the best way to do this, balancing sound and cost? I really don't want to spend too much on this. I could pay a couple hundred but if possible will pay less. I've read about straights, cherry's and dualies. I know very little about this stuff, have no idea what is right and how much it is going to cost me. I am going to have to pay someone to install it. Yes...I'm JV all around compared to you gearheads.

I don't care about performance going up, but don't want it to go down and it needs to be able to pass inspection.

Any guidance you guys can provide me on product and expected price?

muchas gracias,
Tim

 

i cut my muffler off and put dual tailpipes out the back (straight pipes) It sounds really good. Its loud but not anything that your going to get pulled over for. Its cheap too since you dont have to spend any money on a muffler that would just make it quieter. Try it and if you dont like it (which i guarantee you will), you can always weld in a muffler of your choice later.
If you go with straights and you still want more sound, remember there are 4 catalytic converters on your truck, and you can replace them with 2 hi flo cats, wich is what im going to do

 

Thanks Green,

Couple questions:

Is there a specific type or brand of straight pipes i should look at?

How much did you pay for yours?

I assume each pipe comes out the back of the truck on opposite sides? is stock exhaust (before the muffler) set up like that already (all i know is that i have the standard one exhaust pipe coming out the rear right)?

In terms of gauging loudness, would you say that its loud enough that people notice but like it, or are we talking the type where you stop at an intersection and people turn heads/someone near you gets annoyed? I'm looking for something that is not going to make me stick out like a sore thumb.

 

theres not really a brand of straight pipes, just go to your local muffler shop and tell them you want your muffler cut out and dual tailpipes put on. You wont stick out like a sore thumb but people will notice your trucks sound. Trust me youll like it.

 

Unless you want dual, just replacing the muffler with a straight pipe is cheap and effective for getting more sound. Dual will sound very similar, but most people that like dual just like the looks.

 

Turns out i called a couple inspection shops here in MA and they are saying that the truck won't pass inspection without a muffler.

Any advice for a modification that will use straights but pass inspection? or any advice on a different cheap, good sounding modification like just adding a flowmaster muffler that will be legal?

I drive on the highway at about 75 mph a ton and i want something that sounds good but where i can still hear my sound system.

Thanks guys for any direction you can give me. Your help is invaluable for a guy who loves his truck but doesn't know much about mechanics.

 

You HAVE to have a muffler to pass inspection? No matter how loud (or quite) it is? Must be run by the State, no?
Anyways.....I have read lots of good things on the Cherry Bomb. It's as close to a bolt on as you can get and sounds at least as good as the straight pipe version I have.