Again, I've got a 1998 F-150 Lariat with the 4.6L engine and stock exhaust. That's my starting point.

At some point I'd like to upgrade the exhaust. What I want is a deeper, throatier exhaust sound upon startup and high revs. Other than that (idle speed and regular driving rpm rate of 1500-2000) I’d like to keep it soft with no cab noise. The stock exhaust is pretty quiet in the cab right now and I don’t want to lose that feature. I don’t like a lot of engine/exhaust/road noise in the cab.

From all the information I’ve gathered here, it seems like a Magnaflow system is the most preferred. Does a Magnaflow exhaust fit my requirements?

Also, what other benefits will I get by upgrading the exhaust? What kind of horsepower increase? Better (minimal, of course) fuel mileage?

I know this is likely to spark a wide range of opinions, but I welcome them all.

EDIT: Almost forgot - how difficult is installation if you get an exhaust kit? I'm pretty handy and like to do my own auto-work to save money. Just about anything described in a Haynes book is doable for me, so long as it doesn't require a ton of large equipment. I am assuming that the exhaust kits have the pipes pre-formed.

 

Hi!

Allow me to be the first to jump into this pit of snakes!

First, for giggles, if you haven't already browsed both exhaust forums, have a look at this thread:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=193993

Next - I see you've already discovered that the Magnaflow (#15609) is the system of choice for this platform, for those concerned with performance or preservation of torque and not just sound.

Installation is straightforward and much easier if you have a buddy or two on hand to help, but doable by yourself, like I did ( no beer, no buddies ;-)). Pipes are all preformed.

The droning issue: *most* folks don't experience any increase, but I did ,and some others have as well. My answer was DynaMat. Note that road noise is not a function of the exhaust system. If you want to reduce both types of noise entering the cab - dynamat it. Strictly up to you, of course.

Performance - an incremental amount, but you should consider an exhaust system as just one part of a comprehensive system of modifications which combined will produce a significant increase.

Mileage - I did not notice any, nor was I expecting to with just this mod alone.

Good luck!

Cheers

 

Well hell.. I didn't take a look at the other forum because it said (OEM). I'll go do some more reading.

Thanks for the reply though, it did answer my most glaring newbish questions.

 

I also have a 98 4.6. I just got a Flowmaster 40 series put on my truck. From what I hear the Magnflow is a much better performing exhaust, but the Flowmaster's do sound better. For me......I'm not to concerned w/ performance, sound was more of an issue to me. Don't get me wrong, I like to go fast, but my truck is not built for that in the first place. If I need speed I just jump on my bike or take the wife's car. It's your truck, do what you want. Magnaflow for performance - Flowmaster for sound.......Decisions-decisions

I see that you live in Illinois. I've been trying o find some guy's who live in my area on this site. I'm in Northwest Indiana - work in Chicago. What part of Illinois are you from?????? Welcome to the site

 

I'm at the good ol' University of Illinois. Champaign.