I am thinking about installing the Ravin Z55 muffler and dumping it right after the muffler. Do any of you Ravin owners out there know how the volume a dumped z55 would compare to a catback z33? I don't want to spend the money on a catback but I feel that a dumped z33 would probably be too loud. But I don't want it to be too soft either.

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1998 F150 XLT stx (Red) - SprayIn Bedliner, SnugLid, Clear Corner Lenses, K&N Filtercharger, Pioneer DEH-P4000 CD Player

 

Let me tell you from first hand experience with the Z-33's dumped. THEY ARE LOUD! I can't really say how the 55's would sound, but I know that when mine were dumped to start with, it was obnoxiously loud. Don't get me wrong, it sounds bad a$$, but it was too loud for me. I had the pipes run out the back, and it toned it down in the cab. It is still loud as heck, but there is no interior drone. I had the perfect opportunity to test it really well yesterday (850 miles @75-80 MPH) and there was virtually no drone. The 55's would be noticeably quieter, but still would have that one-of-a-kind Ravin tone.

Good luck to you!
Adam

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2001 SCrew Lariat
AZ Beige/DW Blue
5.4L, AirRaid Intake, K&N Filter, Ravin Z-33 Exhaust SI/DO, Power Moon Roof, Westin Stainless Nerf Bars, Vent Visors And Bug Deflector, Custom Tinted Windows, Upgraded Audio System, Clifford Solaris Alarm W/ Remote Start, Custom Hitch-Haul Receiver System

Coming!!
HyperTech Power Programmer (when available)
Rims & Tires
Air Dam Replacement W/ Driving Lights

 

I can't figure out how people are saying there's no drone. I have the Z55 dual out the back and at 65-70 it is definitely louder in the cab! I haven't had it on the highway much yet, or above 70 since installed, but I know it's noisy at 65!
Can't beat that sound around town though!


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Early Pic's of my S'Crew

2001 SuperCrew XLT 4x4 GenIII - Ordered: 2/17/2001, Received: 4/03/2001
Black/Dk Graphite, 5.4L, Capt Chairs, CD Chgr, Lmtd Slip, Tow Pkg, Skid Plates, Sliding Rear Window

Mods:
Ford Tubular Nerf Bars, Ford/Duraliner Bedliner, Ford Bugshield
305/70R16 Cooper A/T's on 16x8 Eagle 143's
Ravin Z55 Performance Dual Exhaust with 3" Chrome tips
GoRhino Sumatra 3000 Grille Guard
K&N Filter
Helix Power Tower

Mods coming soon:
Stull Billet Grille
2 KC DayLighters OR PIAA 520 Lights

Future Mods:
SuperChip
Bed Cap or Roll Top
AAD F1-Hood

 

It sounds like I have the same setup as you lakefisher except I don't have any drone. The only noticeable drone is at the top of a gear, particularly third, just before it's about to shift. Once it shifts into fourth then the torque convertor locks up it is virtually no different than stock. I do about half city and half highway driving and I've been on several extended trips without any annoying drone.

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2000 F-150SC 5.4L 4X4ORP
DEEP WEDGEWOOD BLUE
AUTO, 3.55LS, TOW PKG.
RAVIN Z-55 DUAL EXHAUST
CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS,
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY
REAR SLIDER
PREMIUM SOUND w/ CD
RHINO LINER
STATE ISSUED UNIV.OF GA. PLATE.
UGA RECEIVER COVER
UGA LICENSE PLATE(FRONT)

WISH LIST:
AIRAID FIPK
SUPERCHIP
TINTED WINDOWS
HOOD DEFLECTOR(PAINTED)

A NATIONAL TITLE FOR UGA(FOOTBALL)
Then maybe when I get more money:

3" BODY LIFT KIT
BIGGER TIRES

etc., etc., etc.

 

Well that's just odd then. I'll be in overdrive on a short highway trip at about 65 and it is certainly louder than stock. Can't say that it bothers me that much, especially with the radio on, but it bugs my wife.
I also can't figure out how this darn setup will give me better gas mileage. It sounds so good around town I can't help but give it a little extra gas at a green light just to hear that deep growl... music to my ears....
Probably what Barry White would sound like if he were a truck!


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Early Pic's of my S'Crew

2001 SuperCrew XLT 4x4 GenIII - Ordered: 2/17/2001, Received: 4/03/2001
Black/Dk Graphite, 5.4L, Capt Chairs, CD Chgr, Lmtd Slip, Tow Pkg, Skid Plates, Sliding Rear Window

Mods:
Ford Tubular Nerf Bars, Ford/Duraliner Bedliner, Ford Bugshield
305/70R16 Cooper A/T's on 16x8 Eagle 143's
Ravin Z55 Performance Dual Exhaust with 3" Chrome tips
GoRhino Sumatra 3000 Grille Guard
K&N Filter
Helix Power Tower

Mods coming soon:
Stull Billet Grille
2 KC DayLighters OR PIAA 520 Lights

Future Mods:
SuperChip
Bed Cap or Roll Top
AAD F1-Hood

 

My G/F says that she can hear the exhaust, but only when I get on it a little. I must have gotten used to it. I personally think there is no drone to the exhaust. Maybe there is something to do with the mounting style or placement of the muffler causing there to be drone? I could only imagine the tone difference between my 33's and the 55's, and I would just assume that there would be next to nothing given off by the 55's in the line of drone. Mine is loud in the cab when you get on it, but that also includes the engine noise as well. It may be something worth checking into a little more.

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2001 SCrew Lariat
AZ Beige/DW Blue
5.4L, AirRaid Intake, K&N Filter, Ravin Z-33 Exhaust SI/DO, Power Moon Roof, Westin Stainless Nerf Bars, Vent Visors And Bug Deflector, Custom Tinted Windows, Upgraded Audio System, Clifford Solaris Alarm W/ Remote Start, Custom Hitch-Haul Receiver System

Coming!!
HyperTech Power Programmer (when available)
Rims & Tires
Air Dam Replacement W/ Driving Lights

 

Lakefisher:
Well, as most car people refer to it, drone is not just a louder exhaust. Drone occurs at certain RPMs and it extremely resonant AND loud. A loud exhuast can have no drone at all if it's done right. So that's probably why people say there's no drone in the cab, while you say it's louder in the cab.

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2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Short Bed. Amazon Green, 5.4L, SuperCab, ORP, Tow Package, Sliding Rear Window, Electronic Shift, Keyless Entry, LT265-70-17 Tires, Clarion Pro Audio, Herculiner Bedliner, Air Silencer Removed.

1994 SVT Mustang Cobra. #1032 of 6009. Black coupe with black leather int., 3.73 rear, Bassani Exhaust, Aluminum D/S, Bridgestone RE-71 255-45-ZR17

My Home Page

 

Regarding the drone in the cab, I have to agree with Lakefisher. I have the Z-55 with stock pipes and there is a definite difference between 1800-2000 rpm (or about 65-70 mph). Please note that I am not saying it is overly loud or annoying but there is a difference (with my truck at least) was not that discernable with the original muffler.

Bottom line: I love the muffler. Great sound and a bit more power at higher RPMs.




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2000 F-150 XLT Supercab, 5.4L, 4x4, 3.55 gears

• Premium AM/FM Radio with CD
• Polk DX7 Speakers (front), EX7 (rear)
• Smittybuilt sure step bars
• Ford (Duraliner) Bedliner
• Class III Tow Package
• Superchip
• Ravin Z-55 SI/SO Exhaust
• K&N Gen II FIPK
• Eaglite Xenon 100/80w headlight bulbs
• GE 9005 Halogen bulbs (fogs)

 

I'm not saying it's not louder, just trying to explain why some may say there's no drone even though it's louder.

 

2000 F150 4x4,

Your post was excellent and I did not mean to challenge it (I apologize if that is how it came across). However, I wanted to offer another opinion to substantiate what Lakefisher was seeing so that people did not think his problem is an anomoly.

Regards

 

2000 F150 4x4,
Yep, you're probably right. There really isn't an annoying hum or anything, it's just that the rumble from the exhaust is more noticeable in the cab now. Still love the sound though.


------------------
Early Pic's of my S'Crew

2001 SuperCrew XLT 4x4 GenIII - Ordered: 2/17/2001, Received: 4/03/2001
Black/Dk Graphite, 5.4L, Capt Chairs, CD Chgr, Lmtd Slip, Tow Pkg, Skid Plates, Sliding Rear Window

Mods:
Ford Tubular Nerf Bars, Ford/Duraliner Bedliner, Ford Bugshield
305/70R16 Cooper A/T's on 16x8 Eagle 143's
Ravin Z55 Performance Dual Exhaust with 3" Chrome tips
GoRhino Sumatra 3000 Grille Guard
K&N Filter
Helix Power Tower

Mods coming soon:
Stull Billet Grille
2 KC DayLighters OR PIAA 520 Lights

Future Mods:
SuperChip
Bed Cap or Roll Top
AAD F1-Hood