Hello,

New to the forum. I am in the military stationed in Hawaii(just got back from Afghanistan). My father-in-law just sold my 92 Chevy Stepside that has been in storage for 3 years. I know...I'm on a ford site but I really loved my Chevy. To help me with my depression I will be purchasing a 2005 True Blue FX4 Screw in the next few months. I am doing research on what aftermarket improvements I want to make. First thing is exhaust and cold air intake. I want duals (one each side) behind rear tires. I don't know whether to go with true dual or si/do. What sized muffler to go with or what brand. I want a deep throated sound. I don't want to lose low end torque. I would like to gain some HP and fuel mileage (will be getting the 5.4). I don't want any drone in the cab. Don't don't what size pipes to use. Can I just use original pipe if I go with si/do and just add another pipe? What is the recommendations for cold air intake? Could you also give me an idea on the prices I can expect to pay. For the exhaust, is it better to order online or get locally? ( will be buying truck in North Carolina at Ken Wilson Ford) I just don't know if it is necessary to buy a t Catback kit for $400. Seems like can get the same results cheaper. Thanks for everyones inputs.

Brian

 

As far as exhaust, I went with a SI/DO Magnaflow muffler and 3.5" Stainless steel tips. The magnaflow is supposedly the best performace muffler, or atleast that's what I've heard. It's not the loudest, but it has a straight through design which helps increase HP & Torque, although the increase is minimal. The sound is nice and deep when you get on it and rumbles louder than stock when at idle but is not too loud and does not drone in the cab. The alternate to this would of course be a chambered muffler which will give you a loud exhaust, but not as much performance. And of course, if you want LOUD then you can go true dual straight pipes (no mufflers). I decided to go with the SI/DO just because it is fairly cheap and the sound is not too loud but loud enough. And as far as price, I would bet the cheapest way to do things is to buy online, tons of places offer deals and free shipping, and then have a local shop do the work. I paid $99.43 for my muffler with free shipping and $36 for my tips with free shipping and the estimate I got from a shop was $100 to put all that in and run the pipe. Hope this helps a little bit, I'm sure you will get all the advice you need once people get on here. Welcome and Good luck
And as far as brands, I think the best performance muffler brands would be Borla & Magnaflow

 

Do the 2005 screw fx4's have 2 cat convertors or just 1?

 

4

 

So going true dual would not be a problem since both exhausts would have convertors in front of them which would keep the truck emissions legal.

 

If you keep the stock convertors you will pass emissions easily. Its when you change the stock y out for a high flow or even off-road (no cats) h or x pipe that you increase the chances of failing emissions, although emissions not longer take place in a lot of places, don't know about your location though.