Hello All,
I have been reading the posts on this site and I am even more confused now...I would like to upgrade my stock exhaust with something that will gain me better HP/Torque and gas milage. First off, is it possible to improve on all three? I would like to install a simple cat back system. Everyone on this board recommends Magnaflow. OK, so which setup would have the most gain...a SI/DO muffler, a new SI/SO muffler, or should I get 2 cats, with a DI/DO muffler? I would like to have dual exhaust side exit (dont like the way rear exit looks). I dont care about sound too much, but dont want something too loud.

Sorry about so many questions in one post!

BTW...I have a 2001 5.4 Supercab, no mods except for a K&N air filter.

Thanks for the help,
Rich

 

I have a 97 F150 with a 4.6L. I put a single cat back system with a Flowmaster 50 series, 3" pipe, and side exit. It is relatively quiet and Flowmaster advertises that the flow is better than a straight pipe. It only cost about $200.

 

My 99 F-150 4.6L, has a true dual, with Flowmaster series 40 mufflers (dumped at the mufflers). I only noticed a little improvement in the gas milage, and it seemed to have a little more torque while taking off. There was no loss' suffered anywhere. The sound is great, loud enough to be heard, but not too loud, and very solid sounding. I spent $300 on my setup, and would recommend it to anyone.

-Blake

 

What exactly is involved in "dumping" the exhaust?

Anybody have pictures?

 

Dumping, meaning there is no pipe after the muffler. The exhuast exits right fron the muffler. This is sometimes no suggested, you might get more noise in your cab. Also, the flumes escape under your bed and could ruin spray on liners and plastic ones as well.

 

I have a 2004 F150 XLT Heritage and I had a dual exhaust cat back system put in my truck using a Full Boar muffler. The sound is very deep but not two loud. It sounds strong but not overbearing.

I also put in a K&N air filter and increased my tire size from 235/70R16 to 255/70R16 and my gas mileage increased by about 1.5 miles to the gallon. The low to mid range torque also seemed to be stepped up a bit.

A picture can be found here:
https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=4593

Hope this Helps! DN

 

i just wanted to say no muffler is more free flowing than a straight pipe.

 

I did all the searches, came to the same conclusions lots of $$$. Wound up going for the $37.00 swap from stock muffler to straight pipe thru stock tail pipe. Sounds so good that one day I turned my head to see where the sound was coming from, only to see my wife driving away in my truck.
Sounds like a big block thru a nicely worn turbo

 

Here's a picture of dumped exhaust.