Exhaust Forum

-AR

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2001 F-150 XLT 4x4 Off-Road, SuperCab, Flareside, Black[*] 4.6L Triton V8 HPI[*] 5 Speed / 3:55 Reg. Axle[*] Keyless[*] Premium Audio CD

Mods:[*] K&N Intake (Chopped Airbox)[*] Removed Elbow Silencer[*] 3" Cat-Back (No Muffler, Turn-Down)[*] Cranked Torsion Bars[*] APC XENON PLASMA Super Whites[*] '01 "L" Taillights[*] Bugshield[*] Bedliner[*] Ventshades[*] Removed Mudflaps[*] "Light Argent" 4x4 Off-Road Decals

Audio:[*] Clarion 6675[*] Rockford Fosgate 5x7's[*] Rockford Fosgate G360A2 Punch Amp[*] JL 12W3-D2 (Ported)[*]Viper 500ESP Alarm

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

 

I've bought the FM y-pipe, and am trying to decide between letting Midas or a local old pro do my work. I want the y-pipe in, followed by a 3" SISO Z55 and a single side out with SS tip in the stock location. Is that too much to ask?

The Midas is the one (GA) Scooby used for his Ravin setup - I even talked to the same guy who did his job, and he was balking at the y-pipe. Said it was to tight to put in, and would be trouble, whine, whine. I got under there and looked, and it looked do-able to me, as long as you put it aft of the O2 sensor on the pass side, no big deal, just some arty bending - and thats what you PAY THE PROS FOR, ain't it? So now I want my local "old pro" to do it, but he only has dies for mandrel bending 2.5", and says he can't give me a single 3" side out. Oh F*C& it - maybe I'll just order a Borla - oh damn, they only make a split rear....

Well, it's off to Midas at daybreak to HOPEFULLY get what I want done, done right. Cross yer fingers. Will report later....


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2001 SuperCrew Lariat 4X4
Gen II,Amazon green (thats right!),medium parchment leather,5.4L,limited slip,skid plates,C3 tow package w/dealer replaced 1.47" YL3H-GA radiator,capt chairs,6CD,keyless entry,auto lights.
Mods: SuperChip, 3" cold airbox mod, K&N air filter, WMS velocity tube, Westin black step bars, foglight switch mod + 9005 bulbs, Catch-all mats, Husky mud flaps, Fumoto oil drain valve, decals peeled off, 35% front tint, Lightning tails, 5.4L badge on tailgate from Howie!
Soon: new 3" SISO catback exhaust mod w/Ravin Z-55 + Flowmaster y-pipe + stainless tip, Line-X, more later

 

*YIKES* Maybe you could let the pro do the "Y" pipe install, and the 3" to the muffler, as the 3" would be a 100% straight shot until AFTER the muffler. Then have some moron install the tip. Just get yourself a stainless tip, probably best to order one from a speed shop. The nicest one's I've seen are from Bullet or Gibson. The shop one's rust out in about 6 months in my experience. Have your pro fire it up before the muffler is added, you might like it. (It's still quiet.) If he can't do the 3" to 2 1/2" reduction, he could at least do the "Y". Their really isn't much to it. Just a single 90 angle bend from the driver's side. It took all of 15 mimutes probably. If you do have to go to Midas...slap on the ol' safty glasses, and get under there with him. If it doesn't look right, MAKE THEM FIX IT. Screw em, it's your truck, and your money. If they won't let you help, "for safety reasons" take it elsewhere. Good luck man, let us know.

-AR

 

BTW, could someone explain how pipes are "mandrel" bent? How is the outer bend part of the pipe stretched that much? My shop does em two ways...they can "crimp" the inner part of the bend, or sorta reduce the bend so it's nice and smooth, yet still about a 1/4" or so less wide than the straights. Probably not mandrel, but doesn't look too bad. I LOVE this shop...everyone is so cool, and you can get right there with em. Their also CHEAP!!! Today, while I was there, (I hate to say this) their was a guy who pulled in with a nice looking Shovie. After B.S.'n with him for a while, and settin' him straight on Fords, I found out that the shop was doing some "warrenty" work for him. (All their work, and mufflers, are lifetime guarenteed, regardless of manufacturer warenty.) He had dual turbos installed about a year or two ago, and one had a very small rust hole in the bottom of it, so they asked him what he'd like to have done, as they quit carrying the turbos, and they ended up giving him two new Magnaflows, installed, for FREE. They basically made they guy take the best they had. He said he was afraid they'd be too loud on the highway, so they told him if he tought they were, he'd put on anything he wanted. How's that for service!!!

-AR

 

jackal, a mandrel bend is done by inserting a flexible die inside the pipe to keep it from collapsing.

 

On the above posting, one asked, the pro was not too happy doing this job.
Most custom muffler shops, don't like people bringing in their own items, in
your case a Y pipe. Most would make a mandral bent pipe in 5 minutes and be done with it ,also its like bring your own oil and filter to a garage and want it done for $5 bucks. ...get the picture?
These guys do this ALL day long and most are pretty dam good.

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DOGCAM
dogcam@f150guy.com
01 F-150 SC Lariat
Flareside 4X2,5.4,3:73
LS, SnugLid,Dynomax
Exhaust,Kenwood Amps,
Speakers,JL 10" Sub


[This message has been edited by dogcam (edited 06-28-2001).]

 

True, but, as mentioned above, many don't have mandrel benders, and how many do you know that can make a "Y" collector as good as the Flomaster? Do they usually make their own mufflers too? Tips? My shop told me to bring them the part, and they'd be happy to put it in. I asked them if they wanted to order it, and they said "no".

-AR

 

Yes, in the case of a Y pipe, they will have to cut it with the proper cutting torch and do some cutting.
The guy I use can make ANY y pipe in 15 mins and I'll bet you he's 60% cheaper than any store bought Y pipe.....You should see him make X cross over pipes, outstanding!
Like I said before, you do this for a living, you'll get good or starve yourself if not...
DogCam

 

Great!!! A custom "Y pipe" for $14.80!!! Just kiddin' man. You're lucky to have such a good shop. He must be good to make a nice custom "X pipe". I've only come across one good shop, and I've been to every one in the city!!! I couldn't even find a shop that offered "X" pipes...and the others say an "H" pipe is unnecessary!!!

-AR

 

My "Y" Pipe will be installled at Muffler House in Hollywood Florida. Jim Is charging me $40. for the installarion. No mandrel-bend, but I'll have him do the bend as gentle as possible, to insure a smooth flow.


Mark
SundayNiagara