I'm looking for an exhaust system for my truck. I was wondering if anyone knows or has experience with a Flowmaster FORCE II, or a Gibson dual rear, or a Borla side-swept.
Which is the loudest, which has the most distinctive sound, which lasts the longest, and do any of them provide mileage or performance boosts? (also, does anyone have prices?)

Thanx,

'98 F-150 4X4 Off-Road, step bars, soft tonneau, K& N Filter, and soon enough, a new exhaust system!

 

Those are three very popular exhaust systems. I've never used any of the other exhaust SYSTEMS. I have (and have used in the past) the Flomaster 40 series 2.5" single in/out (just a simple replacedment). I feel if you keep everything as close to stock (size of pipe), performance won't be lost.

Aftermarket mufflers are designed to increase exhaust air flow. Going with larger pipe will increase flow, but may loose low end grunt. I love the mean sound and the loud rhumble. (gets louder if you get large chrome echo tips (4" on mine))

Flomaster's sound only gets better as it gets older (at least 5 years now (on older truck).

The performance gains slack off a bit after the 2nd year. But your mileage numbers should go up slightly and continue to stay there. To be honest, I don't care about performance with a muffler. I'm listening for tough, mean, aggressive breathing.

The only difference in the SYSTEMS is that instead of coming out of the muffler with just one pipe, they split it to two. In my opinion, that adds to the final cost for the same performance and sound (extra pipe + one more chrome tip + labor to install the added stuff (single in/out costs same as single in/dual out)). But not looks. You just have two pipes coming out from the rear of the truck instead of one. I wish i had pictures, but I'm happy with my setup. I love to run errands.. to turn the key and hear that deep rhumble. Totally different personality of the truck.

------------------
1999 F150 4x4 5.4L XLT X-Cab, Tow Pkg ORP,heavy duty alternator, factory tranny and engine oil cooler
8.8 front/9.75 LS rear, 3.55 gears, K&N Gen II, 40 Flomaster (w/4" chrome tip), Superchip, 32x11.50 Swampers
-future mods
JBA headers (Jet-hot coated), Flex-a-lite, JL Audio subs, Sony CD-Player, Magnacharger, cowl induction, straight axle conversion (8 inch lift w/crossover steering), 4.56 gears, 38.5x16 Boggers, Dana 60 front, Dana 70 rear (Detroit locker)

[This message has been edited by red bull (edited 09-24-2000).]

 

I love my Gibson. I purchasd the complete system. The biggest difference, however, with the system and just a muffler is that a system will come with mandrel bent pipe (which means that the diameter of the pipe is the same even in the bends). My exhaust is not real loud, not as loud as flowmaster, but I love the sound. It has a real nice, deep, smooth sound rather than a raspy sound. As for performance, the difference is very slight. If you want pull, but the single exit Gibson; if you want sound, then that is just your preference. I did notice about a 5-10% increase in gas mileage.

------------------
'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

285/75/16 BFG All-Terrain T/A KO's, 16x8 American Racing Python Aluminum Wheels, Torsion Bars up 1", Gibson 2.5" split-rear exit cat-back exhaust, K&N Air Filter, Rancho RS9000's w/ dual remote

http://ocu-stars.okcu.edu/cvenable.stu/index.htm#b
(new pics to come soon