ford-tough1
I'm not exactly sure what series my flowmaster is. I picked up a flowmaster catalog from a car show to try and find out what my unit is but nothing in the book matches exactly. My muffler is very close to a 50 series unit shown in the book. The book shows a 50 series muffler with my configuration - single 2-1/2" inlet with two 2" outlets. My muffler however is one inch longer than what the book shows. I'm looking at a 1999 catalog so there have obviously been some changes made in the last couple years since I installed my flowmaster. I love the mellow purr from my exhaust. I quite often will turn the radio off while on the freeway and just listen to the pipes.

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Black '97, SC with 4.6, 3.55 gears, automatic, 2-4 Belltech drop kit, SnugTop fiberglass lid, 3 chamber Flowmaster muffler, billet bumper grill, fog lights, American Racing 17x8 wheels with 275-60 Goodyear Eagle GT II tires.

 

One thing forgotten in this discussion is the different types of wheel finishes and how they may vary in effect if any. Mine are the cast aluminum on a 97 lariat. No discoloration on mine. Has always had in the front of tire exhaust. Those of you with chrome or high polish may be more suseptable?

 

Here is what I know, my truck is a 97 and when I bought it the exhaust was in front of the wheel. Both wheels on the passenger side are oxidized and have discoloration(this is due to rotating tires). I also know from having taken the wheel off the rear that the wheel studs have rusted, none of the others have. Because of the discoloration issue I have installed a flowmaster cat-back with dual outlets out the rear of the truck so I will no longer have to worry about it. Just my .02

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97 F-150 S/C 4x4 ORP XLT 4.6 tow package
K&N , Flowmaster cat-back w/3" chrome tips. Bosch+4 plugs, Superchip.
Patriot fiberglass toneau cover, Westin chrome step bars.
Future mods: underdrive pulleys,4" lift, 16.5 wheels with 33's,ram air hood,and someday a supercharger.

 

Here is my good-for-nothing input. I have been a Ford owner all my life and my uncle - who works at the Ford glass plant here in Tennessee - said that the reason they designed the exhaust to exit in front of the rear wheel is because it would save approximately 3-4 feet of pipe per vehicle. Therefore, the best selling vehicle in the U.S. would be that much more profitable.

I have a hard time believing it but it makes sense - or is that DOLLARS?


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1998 F150 xl reg. cab, 4.2L, 3.55
gear, auto, Lund tonneau bed cover, Pioneer CD receiver, EVERYTHING on the truck is black(including bumpers, grille, handles), aluminum wheels, K&N filter, Belltech 2" rear drop.



[This message has been edited by TODD212809 (edited 09-25-1999).]

 

I have one of the early '97's that came with the forward exhaust. I live in Minnesota where we have cold winters. I was also doing city driving. I ended up with discoloration almost immediately. I have a XL which came with the steel wheels and chrome center caps. It would turn the center caps green and pitted. I was concerned about this and made a phone call to Ford's customer service. They explained that they were aware of the problem and were trying to figure out what to do. I kept bringing it in to the dealer and they would replace the center cap. Finally they said that the exhaust system had beed recalled. It wasn't something they were making public, but only if you compained. They did replace it and put it behind the tire. I have not had a problem since.

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'97 F150XL 4.6L 5 spd 4x4 SC, Quicksilver Metallic,
265/75-16 Wild Spirit MPT tires on factory steel wheels, K&N air filter, Leer fiberglass topper, Access Roll-Up Cover, bug deflector, rear custom Ford mudflaps, bedliner, Pioneer Supertunner CD, 4 Cerwin Vega Speakers. Future mods: BFG's and wheels, bucket seats, shocks, duel exhaust for starters.