Just started learning about these things called "glasspacks" From my understanding these things will make your truck loud. The only reason I ask is because I saw a Dodge Ram the other day with THE LOUDEST muffler or whatever on the truck. Didn't get a chance to ask but I want the loudest. Is straight pipes w/o a muffler, louder than these so called glasspacks? Is the 40 series or the supertruck anything in comparison to these things? Also I noticed there are different sizes. As mentioned earlier, I want the loudest... Thanks again guys for so many helpful replies.

SpliT

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2000 Work Series 4.2L v6, 3.08 Gears
Mean Streak Cat-Back Exhaust(Anyone else have one, I hate mine)
Weld Super Single Wheels
Pioneer Deck DEH-P7200
Tinted Windows
Clear Corners
Future Mods: FIPK, Superchip, Spray-on Bedliner, Billet Grille

Email Me at: F150v6@Aol.com



[This message has been edited by split (edited 11-15-2000).]

 

Hi split,

Since you have the V-6, you might want to re-think about how loud you want it, as running straight pipes (no mufflers) on those V-6's usually sounds terrible, just loud.

If you want loud & cheap, you can try cutting off your exhaust right behind the catalytic converter(s), and use straight pipes all the way back. It will be loud, and it will probably "drone" inside the cabin, which you may get tired of pretty quick, but that will get you "loud".

Just remember that nothing you do is going to make that V-6 sound like those nice V-8's you've been hearing.

Personally, I think the best sounding exhaust system for the V-6 is the Borla, as it has a very refined V-6 "growl" that is distictive and you hear it, without it being way too LOUD just for the sake of being LOUD. It has a nice noticeable tone that is louder than stock, and gives very nice power gains, without being overbearing. It's also kinda expensive.

One last point on exhaust changes...when you open up the flow "too much", you slow down the actual velocity of the exhaust flow, which changes the pulse & phasing, and you lose the scavenging effect that helps to pull the spent exhaust gases out of the cylinder head; so it's common to actually lose low-end torque while gaining higher-rpm horsepower with really "loud" systems, so don't be surprised if that happens, it usually does. You can avoid that by thinking this out in advance.

If you don't care about that, and just want LOUD, then try the straight pipes from the cats on back, leaving the catalytic converters in place of course, so you're not polluting & illegal.

Best of luck whatever you decide!

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

 

being as you have a v-6 you might want to stay with single muffler as in a single flowmaster or something. you dont want just loud but also want some tone in the sound. but be careful with a v-6 or you will get that bumble bee sound.

 

Thanks for the replies. I don't know though where to p/u some glasspacks. I don't know the different sizes of them and what they do differently. I tried checking out some of the other posts, and a few of them had some links to glasspacks. But it was just the companies website. No real information. If someone could either give me some more knowledge on these things, or let me know where i can find some more info. that'd be great. Also would true duals w/o glasspacks, be louder or would the glasspacks ad to it? Lastly, would cutting of the rest of the pipe after the glasspacks or right after the cat(if I decide not to put on the glasspacks) be louder? Thanks again guys!

Oh yea, I almost forgot, what is a balance pipe?

[This message has been edited by split (edited 11-16-2000).]

 

Split, most muffler shops have glasspacks. The shorter they are, the louder. I don't like the hollow, popping sound from straight pipes. Glasspacks usually start at around 18 inches and go up to 36 inches. Just make sure they have aluminized pipes and packs for longer life. I wouldn't recommend going with too big a diameter pipe for that small of an engine. You want to maintain some backpressure. A balance pipe goes in I believe, just before the glasspacks and it equalizes the pressure in both sides. It looks like an "H" when the entire system is hung. My muffler guy called it an "H" pipe. I don't have one, but am going in today to have one installed. He said it takes about half an hour. I wanted to try it without first, but on soft throttle, such as highway speeds in overdrive, I feel I've lost some lowend power.

 

What about 2 inch true duals, balance pipe, and 24 inch glasspacks? I'm not familiar with the V-6 sound, but I do like the mellow sound from my true duals, 30 inch glasspacks with 2 1/4 inch pipes out the back.

 

Hey man, before my 01, I had a 99 4.2L. What you want is the Flowmaster 40, 3" single in, 2 1/4" dual out the back, with the largest, longest tips you can find, TRUST ME!!! My V6 sounded as good as my V8, just not the same tone.

-AR

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2001 F-150 XLT 4X4 Off-Road, S/C, FS, Black[*] 4.6L Triton V8 HPI[*] 5 Speed / 3:55 Reg. Axle[*] Keyless[*] Premium Audio CD

Mods:[*] K&N Cold Airbox / Throttle Body Mod.[*] Flowmaster 40 (3" x 20" "Turn-Down") [*] Cranked Torsion Bars[*] APC XENON PLASMA Super Whites[*] Bugshield[*] Bedliner[*] Ventshades[*] "Light Argent" 4X4 Off-Road Decals[*] K&N & Flowmaster Stickers (Under the Hood)

Audio:[*] Rockford Fosgate G360A2 Punch Amp[*] JL 12W3-D2 (JL ProWedge Box)

Build Date: 8/23/00 (Kansas City Plant)

arobbins@mail.liberty.k12.mo.us

 

first off i agree with jackal. for a 4.2 the best sound i have ever heard and have recommended to other guys is a 40 series. i would recommend 2 1/2" pipe before the cats into a dual in SINGLE out to a 3" - 3 1/2" pipe with the same size tip. that is one of the closest sounds i have heard a 4.2 come to soundin like an 8. happy shoppin ford15098

 

I disagree, chipdistributor, my V-6 sounds BETTER than a V-8. Come down to memphis TN sometime if you dont believe me and I will prove it.

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'97 F-150 XLT Clearcoat Red
4x2
4x4 wheels
Stepside, K&N, bedliner
32inch tires,flowmaster
tint, matching ford sticker
5spd fully loaded, hidden hitch
new spark plugs
Comming soon:
spark plug wires,leveling kit,toolbox,
bed rails,push bar, CB with whiplash,
clear corner lenses,brush guard, blackouts,
edlebrock shocks, hypertech, K&N induction system,KC highlighters,
bed xtender, BOSE audio or infinity gold, disc changer,
side steps, dixie horn, white faaced gauges, and those small fender flares some 4x4's have,
matching boddy color of course, and some of those door guards,ventshade visors, power pulleys, that is all
i can think of right now