little fyi for anyone who purchases the swept side.

according to gibson's page, the swept side generates the most h.p. and torque. its also supposed to be very good for uphill passing speed and towing. the web page also mentions the 'big block v8 rumble'.

i think if you are purchasing this model you should be looking for function, not form (noise). i had the truck tested on the seatofyourpants cyclemometer and it surely felt more responsive to me (especially low end). i pulled uphill onto a highway and the truck felt stronger.

the sound however to me is almost identical to the stock muffler. unless you know you put this in you probably would not notice the difference in sound. i have had two people in the truck so far and neither noticed any change in sound until i told them what i did.

i am not complaing at all as i am very happy with the purchase and feel that i have made the right choice. just wanted to drop a note regarding the 'sound' as that may be an important factor to other purchasers.

------------------
mr k
_ ____________________ _
1999 f150 xlt ex-cab 4x4
4.6 triton v8
5 speed manual
3:55 rear
towing package
k&n f.i.p.k.
gibson ss swept side

 

familyride,
Great posts. I've read all the exaust posts for about a month and yours convinced me to do the sweptside. I got it from carparts.com with the 100 dollar off deal (thanks to the great people on this site leading me there). I got it in three days. I also got my Superchip this week.

I got the exaust on in about an hour (which is really good considering I've got a ruptured disc in my back).

One thing i'd add to your installation tips is to use a sawzall, if you have access to one, for the removal of the old one. Also use a file to chamfer the ends that slide into each other. This way if it is slightly out of round from the welding distortion it goes in with little effort.

I used WD-40 to slide them together and it made it real easy to adjust once I got it loose fitted.I trimed about 3" off the end once it was all adjusted. Looks great. I too was almost disappointed when I started it up but I was not looking for LOUD LOUD, just a nice rumble. It's not there. The rumble that is! So far it sounds stock or real close.

I put the chip in on Wednsday because it looked easy and there was no lifting. I had an spinal epidural on Tuesday and I went to work on Wendsday. The chip came in (I had it sent to work) so all of a suddend my back felt REALLY bad and I had to go home.

When I put the chip in I didn't clean the clear coating off the computer well enough. It idled real bad and the o.d. light on the shift lever was flashing on and off. I called Mike and told him the problem while I was taking the computer back out. He talked to me long enough for me to get it out and see that there was still some coating residual still there. Great service Mike! Most of the time people are in such a hurry they want to cut you off. Seems F-150 people are different.

Anyway, I got that fixed and LOVED the results. LOT's more power and torque. Freeway onramps are FUN!

So I drove with the chip in into work Thursday. As I got on the freeway I got to pass the sssssllllloooowwww cars . I was feeling real good for about five miles. Then the truck started to feel funny. It slowed to 55 and the o.d. light started to flicker.

I knew it was the connection of the chip as it had done the same thing when I first got it in. So I popped it out at work and waited for the weekend to do it right. I didn't want to go to far when I was cleaning the clear stuff off so there were still a few minute particles on there.

So on the way home I couldn't pass the same

So.....once I got the exaust on and the chip back in place(no more probs) it was time for a test drive. I can see why everyone recommends these mod's.

Wheel spin with a truck with a shell! Not much but it still did it. I need a govener now so I am not playing and getting worse mileage!

While I was out testing I passed a
Lightning. He sure was lucky he was going the other direction or I would have had my first kill. LOL

Next comes an official FIPK (Air Force 1 from Rodger). Gotta support the online folks as they provide us with lots of valuable info.

I may have to have my internet shut off if this keeps up! LOL Oh well, I can't ride my other toys right now anyway. Way to hard on the back.

Enough. Time to eat.

Thanks again ALL.

Chuck

------------------
'98 F150 xlt 4.6 auto
4x2
moonlight blue metallic
snug top shell
k&n filter/ modified air box.
alarm and
A BIG DOG - Rosco - Akita
bugflector/rain guards

superchip, AIR FORCE 1 and exaust soon
one day....lift kit and posi and tires
15 city -16.5 hiway mpg
ATV's
'86 Suzuki Quadracer 250
pipe/ported/JP racing swingarm/works shocks/powder coated/NICE
'85 Yamaha Tri-Z 250 3 wheeler - pipe/ported
'83 Yamaha Tri-moto 200 for the wife
'97 Yamaha YZinger 80 for the 7 year old

[This message has been edited by cgreen (edited 01-28-2001).]

 

Glad to here my rambling posts have helped out others with these mods and installs.

It is kind of fun. I'm catching myself looking for excuses to keep doing it! Hmm, headers, underdrive pullies......I could go on and on but I think I'm going to stop there. Well maybe some changes in the head and driving lights.

So far you're about the 3rd person that's installed the Swept Side and saw the same thing with the sound. In my case, I'm driving a family cruiser Expy so the sound is great. I catch myself driving even more conservative not only to see that greatly improved MPG but to let it rumble just after shifting into 4th and OD at about 1200-1500 RPM just cruising. It's just enough to get you to look, well maybe not everyone would look, but I listen.

I'll, have to post more on the MPG. I'm hanging at about 16 around town and over 18 HWY and both are with climate control going. I could never force it to get 16 anywhere, no matter how I drove.

Well I'm off to see what else I can find to upgrade or replace. Hmm, maybe shocks and swaybar bushing...and new tires! My wife's going to kill me....

Jim

------------------
2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition 4x2

• Estate Green
• 5.4 ltr
• 3:55 LS rear
• Superchip!
• Airaid FIPK
• Gibson S/S Swept Side Cat Back Exhaust
• Tow Package
• Rear Load Leveling
• Moonroof
• Century Child Seat!

 

Looks like you might still have hope to kick the habit before it's too late. I already did pulleys, I'm almost decided on the headers, and recently I'm starting to try to justify that a supercharger isn't really TOO expensive.... Ha!

It looks like the late models respond to the sideswept at least as well as my '95 did. For me, I LIKE that it's not to loud. Sleepers are more fun anyway. Personally I can't stand obnoxious exhausts unless the car or truck has the performance to back the sound.

I haven't been tracking my mileage since I put on the Gibson. I'm having a little too much fun since the last mod and I don't really want to look at any hard numbers to prove it to myself.

 

I'd love to here what Gibson says.

Hopefully it's intentional. The Stock muffler has a hole punched at that same place to allow moisture to escape as well. That may be the way they do it where the weld comes together. I hope.

I'll have to watch mine now.

------------------
2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition 4x2

• Estate Green
• 5.4 ltr
• 3:55 LS rear
• Superchip!
• Airaid FIPK
• Gibson S/S Swept Side Cat Back Exhaust
• Tow Package
• Rear Load Leveling
• Moonroof
• Century Child Seat!

[This message has been edited by FamilyRide (edited 01-28-2001).]

 

anybody ever see this???


yesterday i had the gibson cat back swept side installed.

so today i start the truck and it runs in the driveway for around 10 minutes, i turn it off. i look at the exhaust tip and see a small wet area of condensation on the ground (normal). i then take a peek under the truck and there is a puddle 4-5 times as big at the back end of the muffler. i climb under the truck and see water dripping at a high rate where the weld was started/finished on the back end bottom of the muffler. the condensation was dripping faster than a drip per second.

i then started the truck again and went underneath and saw the water 'bubbling' at the weld joint.

part of me thought it was good that water would not accumulate inside the muffler. another part is more concerned with the exhaust leak. while running i put my hand near the hole and did not feel any air leaking so it looks not to be a gaping hole.
the weld looks a little sloppy, but not horrible.

i left an email concerning this on the gibson homepage, now i am curious if any of you other guys have noticed this on yours as well.

is this normal with these systems???

 

Mine doesn't have any seep hole or break in the weld. The only water that comes out is through the end of the pipe.

Keep in mind that my truck is a '95, the new ones might be different.

 

called gibson today and spoke to one of their techs. here's what he said.

there should be a hole for leakage at the back of the muffler. explained that i did not see a hole, just a sloppy looking weld.

he again said it should be there. now here's that part that i find hard to believe.

he said that when the muffler heates up the metal actually expands and the hole would be sealed.

i think the blackbird is built with technology like this in mind, actually heard that it sweats fuel before takeoff and expands while flying to a tight outer shell.

also think this plane travels at machIII plus. my truck is a little quicker but dont think i will be hitting these speeds.

going to just sit and watch for awhile. if it does not look to get worse, and if i am able to pass inspection i will do nothing.
otherwise i will call them again to pursue getting it fixed or replaced.


------------------
mr k
_ ____________________ _
1999 f150 xlt ex-cab 4x4
4.6 triton v8
5 speed manual
3:55 rear
towing package
k&n f.i.p.k.
gibson ss swept side

 

Just installed the Gibson (# 619608 Stailess Steel) Swept Side Exhaust on my SuperCrew.

From inside the sound is just a bit more than stock, while driving below 55 MPH you know that it is there, after 60 MPH the sound is pulled away from the cab and from inside it just sounds like stock, no drone at all.

It is great, just what I wanted, deep V8 mellow sound.

As for power, I seem to notice a little more power below 2000 RPM, have not head a chance to test the upper end (trafic & rain).

Everyone tells me that I should get the K&N filter to really get the most out of the exhaust.

$65.00 installation, done by MICAH at meineke, (7941 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX), Micah spot welded all joints, great job!.
Installation - Make sure all pipe cuts are done with a saw, not with a torch.

I am getting a little condensation leak from some of the original FORD joints, but not from the new Gibson system, I did not see a drain hole in the Gibson muffler, I will take a closer look tomorrow.

------------------
2001, F150 SuperCrew, 5.4, Limited 3.55, Trailer Tow, 255-70-16, Captain Chairs.
Assembly Date 10/4/2000.
** Gibson Side Swept Stainless Steel - Cat-Back exhaust. **
*************** AUSTIN, TEXAS ***************

[This message has been edited by 2001supercrew-new (edited 01-29-2001).]

 

$65 is well worth it! I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

It's like a Swept Side revolution!

------------------
2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition 4x2

• Estate Green
• 5.4 ltr
• 3:55 LS rear
• Superchip!
• Airaid FIPK
• Gibson S/S Swept Side Cat Back Exhaust
• Tow Package
• Rear Load Leveling
• Moonroof
• Century Child Seat!

[This message has been edited by FamilyRide (edited 01-29-2001).]

 

I finally got it!! I finally got it!!

Just had the guys at the performance shop down the road install the Gibson "Swept Side" CatBack Exhaust on my SuperCrew 4x4 last night....Yee Ha!

Free test rides for all this weekend...HA!

NICE PIECE, NICE SOUND, NICE GAINS!

 

Anxiously awaiting my Gibson Swept Side for my Expy!!!! With any luck, I'll have it and the Hellwig by the weekend. Speaking of luck, my next-door neighbor owns\runs a garage and is doing the install for me. In return, I tutor his son with his math homework! :-)

After my experience with the Jardine cat-back(interior drone and loss of low-end), and based upon this thread, I can't wait to give the Gibson a try!

Thanx for the updates everyone!

------------------
2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L 4WD, C&C group, towing package, beige leather interior, captain's chairs, 6 CD Changer, 255/70R16, all-weather floor mats, factory fog lamps, Mobil1 5W-30 Synthetic w/ Puralator filter

MODS
Ford Bug Deflector (2/15/00), Superchip (3/11/00), Airaid (3/23/00), Edelbrock IAS shocks (3/23/00), Jardine cat-back exhaust (4/6/00, removed 8/22/00), Under Seat Locking Storage Drawer (6/6/00), MPC Rear Air Foil (7/2/00), Super-White Headlamps and Foglamps (1/15/01)

 

Glad to see all you guys are having good luck with the Gibson Side Swept. I put mine on about 15,000 miles ago, and have been very happy ever since. I put mine on with only 2,000 miles on the truck to the taking apart of the stock system was very simple.

I didn't weld my sections together, just used the clamps that came with the kit. I figured that it would be easier to take the thing apart if there were things needing replacing if if wasn't welded together.

I do not have a drain hole in my muffler and the only water I get is out the tail pipe. Although I have considered putting in a drain hole as I only drive about 2 miles to work.

I especially notice the throaty sound when accelerating when the engine is cold. seems to quiet down after about 30 mins of driving. I think that big 3" chrome tip is awesome, makes people notice that you might not be stock under the hood, even if you are!



------------------
2000 F150 SC SB 4x4 XLT
Trition 4.6 Romeo, 5 sp manual, Factory class III tow package, sliding rear window,
3.55 LS pumpkins, P26575R16 BF Goodrich Long Trail T/A's, WMY1 Superchip!!!

Mods: Lund Deflecta-shield II, K & N filtercharger, Gibson 3" side swept cat back exhaust

 

whytknyt,

read your post, and what caught my eye was your tire size (it looks like without a rim upgrade). i have the standard xlt aluminum rims on my truck. did you put the 265/75/16's on these rims??? curious to know if you did, and how they are working out.

i will be purchasing new tires soon (that size) and am toggling between getting or not getting new rims as well.

sorry this is off the topic, but i think you can give me some good info.

thanks.




------------------
mr k
_ ____________________ _
1999 f150 xlt ex-cab 4x4
4.6 triton v8
5 speed manual
3:55 rear
towing package
k&n f.i.p.k.
gibson ss swept side