i just got a 97 F-150 with the 5.4...it has no mods to it...yet, lol.

What would be the best way to go to get the best sound? HP improvemnet? MPG improvement? I would like it a dual exhaust too. Thanks for the info!!

 

Congratulations and Welcome Snake12. Let the modifications begin.

Since this is the Exhaust Thread of the message boards let's talk about that. You will find as many opinions about which is better as there are options to choose from. Each exhaust manufacturer's product produces a slightly different sound. Pipe diameter and muffler choice will also affect the sound and the loudness of the system.

Get too much of an exhaust system and you may find a lack of back pressure will rob you of the low-end torque.

I installed a Flowmaster muffler onto the factory 2.5" pipe and a single 3" pipe exiting the muffler. I chose a muffler that doesn't resonate too much in the cab but has a rich low tone out the pipe. It really opened the exhaust up and the truck really pulls in the higher RPM range.

I'm sure many more folks will be along shortly to share what they put on their trucks. Bottom line though is that you need to get rid of the factory system real quick.

Now, for something a little different - HP improvement, MPG improvement and a slightly more agressive sound? Install a Superchip. You can order one right here at F150online.com (look for the ad banner in rotation at the top). You'll get a discount for being a member. It's the single biggest bang for the buck that you can spend on your truck.

Tom in Tacoma

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1998 F150 XLT S/C 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS, 4X2, Moonlight Blue, all the factory bells & whistles except for leather seats. Lund Deflector, Lund Premier Tonneau, K&N, Body-color painted Throttle Cover, blue wire-looms, Pentaliner S/R, Window tint, factory side-steps, Infiniti component speakers up front, Polk Audio speakers in back, Superchip, Flowmaster 'Delta-Flow' w/ 3" pipe. On the way - Clear turn signal lenses. Tom in Tacoma (Washington not Toyota)
Go check out http://communities.msn.com/SS97FordsPics for the second best website for F150's

 

I have the FlowMaster too. Boy do I love them. I have a 99 F-150 5.4 V8. With the FlowMaster 1 in and 2 out with 3"x24" echo tips and boy does it sound great. It cost me $245, and whell worth it.
Good Luck

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• 1999 F-150 XLT
• SuperCab
• 5.4L V8
• 3.55 Rear End
• FlowMaster Duals
• K & N Fliter
• SS Chome Neaf Bars
• Fiberglass Hard Top
• 6-Disc CD Changer
• Keyless Entry
• Captain's Chair
• White & Harvest Gold Two-Tone

[email]ruger-dfw@yahoo.com[/email

 

thanks!! I am not sure about the superchip, what do they run?? and with the rising gas costs, I wouldnt want to put in one that requires premuim, can they run on regular?? I live here in CO and gas is about 1.35-1.40 for regular!!

So, would just adding a little larger pipe of the cat and y-ing it out make a difference , and, would it be much more to have a 2nd cat run and put in true duals?? I live in an emissions free county, so I think i could do that.

Thanks again!!

Snake12

 

Let this Gibson fan in here with the Flowmaster guys.

I have a Gibson split-rear 2.5" Cat-back, and 3.5"x8" tips. Sound is great. Not too loud, barely audible inside the cab. As for performance, I noticed a slight gain (especially pulling) at highway speeds. For low-end torque, the Gibson swept side is better. I noticed a *slight* increase in gas mileage....about 5%, not 10% like Gibson advertises.

TColegrove hit it just right about true duals. Your system already has two cats, but you have to be careful because you can lose too much low-end torque.

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'97 F150 4x4 Off-Road Extended Cab Lariat Flareside white/tan, tan leather, 4.6, 3.55

Duraliner bedliner, Husky floormats, Custom seatcovers (I only cover the leather when I'm really dirty, though), Premier single-lid toolbox

Gibson 2.5" split-rear exit cat-back exhaust, K&N Air Filter

Many more modifications to come

http://ocu-stars.okcu.edu/cvenable.stu/index.htm#b

 

For info on the Superchips you really ought to go look over the Superchips thread. There's more info there than you'll ever need. Yes, you need to run premium fuel unless you get a 'flip-chip' (again - see the Superchips thread).

Probably the most popular way of running true-duals on these trucks is to remove the factory exhaust from just before the factory 'Y' on back. Then you can run pipes parallel to each other, two mufflers side-by-side and whichever way you want out the back. You wouldn't need to add any cat's since you'd be working downstream of the two pair of cats that are already there. A word of warning though - if you go with true-cats - keep the pipe diameter small (2.25" or so) or you will lose low-end torque!. Running true-duals will not affect your emissions.

Tom in Tacoma

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1998 F150 XLT S/C 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS, 4X2, Moonlight Blue, all the factory bells & whistles except for leather seats. Lund Deflector, Lund Premier Tonneau, K&N, Body-color painted Throttle Cover, blue wire-looms, Pentaliner S/R, Window tint, factory side-steps, Infiniti component speakers up front, Polk Audio speakers in back, Superchip, Flowmaster 'Delta-Flow' w/ 3" pipe. On the way - Clear turn signal lenses. Tom in Tacoma (Washington not Toyota)
Go check out http://communities.msn.com/SS97FordsPics for the second best website for F150's