I'm really intriqued with the Ravin Z-55 but can't decide to go with the SI/SO and merely replace my stock muffer OR go with a SI/DO and go with a split pipe system out the rear of the truck. In the dual outlet scenario I would use 2 1/4" aluminized pipes out the rear with 3" diameter slash cut/rolled tip chrome extensions under the bumper. I know it's going to be louder than stock (thank goodness) so that is not an issue.

My main concern is low end torque, I don't drive around at full throttle. In the majority of my driving here in the city my 5.4 spends a lot of time under 2500 rpms, so I defer to the experts here, dual outlet or simple stock muffler replacement?

OR.....a dyno tuned catback system such as the Gibson Dual Sport Truck be the better choice to retain torque?

------------------
Ordered 2-20-01 TPW of 3-12-01 assigned on 2-26-01 DELIVERED 3-21-01! '01 F150 SCab XLT 4x4 SWB
507A Pkg.
Oxford white
Dark Graphite Interior
Captains Chairs
5.4 Triton
Auto Tranny
Off Road Package
Towing Package
Power Moonroof
3.55 Limited Slip
Heated Seats
AM-FM Cassette/6 disc CD
Power Drivers Seat
Sliding Rear Window
Adjustable Pedals
Electronic 4x4 Shift

16x8 Weld Typhoon wheels
& 285-75-16 Bridgestone Dueler AT tires ordered 4-16-01.

[This message has been edited by Zach (edited 04-23-2001).]

 

Well, I can tell you with my system there was no loss of torque on the low end. If there is, it is virtually negligible and cannot be registered on the Butt-o-meter Seat of the Pants dyno. I've towed since I've had it with no problems and I even beat my friends GMC Z-71 w/ 5.3l in a stoplight race.

------------------
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.

 

wemjr....Thanks for the response. Do you know what diameter the pipes are from the muffler on back?

 

2.5" before the muffler (small section had to be added due to the Ravin being shorter than the stock muffler) 2.5" dual outs into 3" tips.

------------------
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.

 

Zack; I put the z55 ravins on my truck.I went with the si/do.Itr was a couple of bucks more but the looks more than make up for any torque loss which in my case wasnt any that I could notice. 326.dollars plus tax of course,at Midas,this included all pipes and hangers and two crome tips.installed.looks good and sounds great. If you want to hear them go to Go ravin.com Good luck oldgray

 

Zach,

Dual versus single out the back side of the muffler won't make any difference in torque. You are way to far back for any noticable scavenging affect. Also, if you compare the area for the exahust flow between say dual 2.25" pipes versus a single 3" pipe you find that there is a grand total of about 3 square inches difference (31 & change for the duals versus 28 & change for the single). If the exhaust pipe diameter isn't tuned for the pulse frequency at the right RPM (which it won't be in this case) then the single is actually better since there is less friction on the inside of a single tube versus duals.

I think the only consideration on single versus dual outlets on the muffler is looks and perhaps sound.

Chuck

 

Oldgray and IMud....thanks for the responses, your input is appreciated. I'm 90% sure that the SI/DO setup is the route I am going.

My concern stemmed from how much I see written on the Forum concerning a loss of low end torque whether it is real or simply preceived.

 

Zach, I wasn't sure what to do with my exhaust either. I'm still not sure I did the right thing but I really like the sound I ended up making & I think that what matters most to guys doing exhaust mods assuming you are not sacrificing power. I'm kind of old school, big four barrel carbs, dual exhaust through glass packs, cams & chrome, shiney paint, wide white letter tires, armor all.......all that stuff, just love the muscle cars & the old straight axle bullet proof fords. I still have some hot rod toys but I'm spoiled by the ride, comfort & style of my super cab 4x4, got kids now & love the third door thing. But I just wanted to have a little more fun burning up this $2 a gallon gas, I took a chance & went straight pipes with a true duals set up through 2 1/4" aluminized pipe, went with the very same tips you mentioned. I like it a lot, didn't seem to lose any low end

 

Zach,
Same set-up as you want and no loss of low end torque. In fact, I think it picked up a little.
GDG

------------------
Stock Package: 2001 SuperCrew XLT, Silver, 5.4L, 4x4, 3.55 LS, Tow Package, 265x70x17, Sliding Rear Window,
Modifications: Tuff Spray-on Liner, JBA Headers Jet Black Coated, Ravin Z55 SI/DO Sideswept Catback, K&N FIPK with fabricated cold-air box and ram-air, SuperChip, ASP Pullies, 1" Thick Sheepskin seat covers (nice "seat-of-the-pants" feel!), Nerf Bars, PIAA Superwhites, 65W (9006) Fog Lights, Dual 14" Perma-Cool Fans w/ stock shroud, Baumann Shift Kit on Stage 4 with Sonnex Bypass Clutch control Valve, Pillar mounted Autometer Ultra-Lite Water and Tranny Temperature Gages
Future mods - Roots Supercharger, modified sterio system

 

i had a flowmaster delta 50 installed s/i-d/o exiting to the right side like the original. '97 4.6l w/auto--somewhat louder than stock, no in-cab resonance, but did lose some(?) low end torque. the chip and fipk seemed to get it back though. dan

[This message has been edited by LIGHTNINROD (edited 05-15-2001).]

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I ended up ordering a Borla catback system on May 1st, a week or so after this thread was started. Hopefully I'll get around to installing the Borlas this week or next. A custom built catback with a Flowmaster 50 or Ravin 55 ended up my second choice. Regardless of that, the information contained in this thread is valuable to all who want to read it.



[This message has been edited by Zach (edited 05-16-2001).]