I want a performance and sound increase in my new F-150. I was thinking dual exhaust. I need some help. To do duals on this truck, is this how you do it? 1. Buy X-pipe, chop off Y-pipe and install said x-pipe. 2. Run 2 1/2" pipe back to the mufflers, exit exhaust where desired? So basically is all that I need to buy is an X-pipe and 2 mufflers? As far as the mufflers, what is the consensus on a good muffler for dual exhaust? I see everyone prefers magnaflow for the single exhaust, is the same true for the dual? And if so, what is the best model number for the dual exhaust mufflers? Do you all still reccomend the 18" magnaflow, just get 2? Will these even fit? Thanks everyone. One more thing, with a dual setup like this, am I going to sacrifice anything in my bottom end range or just increase my range everywhere?

Thanks and sorry for all the questions. I'm new to the truck scene, been a mustang guy for the past 7 years.

Mike Reese

 

I have the 2005 stx 4.6 v-8. I took mine to the professionals after getting several quotes around the Houston area. I received quotes anywhere from $400 - $600. I did not take it to the cheapest or the most expensive. I asked around and researched well. I found that shops give different prices over the phone versus dangling the keys in front of them. I selected the true duel setup. They cut the "y" pipe and ran two pipes side by side. They installed two si/so 40 series Flowmaster mufflers side-by-side where the old muffler used to be. They are turned 90 degrees (standing up) and have a small piece of metal welded between them to keep them seperated. They used the same size alumnized pipe to match the existing pipe. The tips are 22" stainless steel magnaflow tips (they will never rust!). The sound is awesome. You get twice the sound! It sounds alot better than these cheesy cat-back systems who think duel exhaust is one muffler played in stereo. You will notice a small increase in torque and a big difference in sound. I would say the sound is close to that of the new mustang. You save a little money witht the fake duel, but I am VERY satisfied with the real thing! Go true duel!!!

 

A vertical mounted muffler? Have any pictures to explain what in the hel! you are talking about?

And ive heard that Magnaflow makes a DIDO muffler with a built in x pipe.

If you want it to sound better (especially with the 4.6) i would get an H pipe over an X pipe.

I currently have a SiSo dynomax bullet, and at whatever point i upgrade to duals i will get an H pipe, and longtube headers..

Then people should hear me coming!!!
-Patrick

 

The local ford dealership, Randall Reed in Humble, has the setup you are talking about. They took 2 flowmasters and mounted them vertically side by side. I am taking my truck to a muffler shop but I don't know which one yet. What I plan to do is buy the parts first then take them to the shop. The local shop here wanted $150 for ONE muffler, no installation or anything. I can buy 2 mufflers and tail pipes for almost that amount. I think Im gonna go with the 18" magnaflows, a pair of them, and see how it works. Where in Houston are you? I'm in Humble.

Later,
Mike Reese

PS For the vertical mount what he is talking about is simply rotating the muffler, it still enters and exits the same way.

 

When I say vertical mount, i mean that they turn the mufflers 1/4 turn. Do not be confused. The pipe still enters and leaves the same way, they just turn them and put them side by sideso they fit nicely. It won't hurt you to go to a local reputable muffler shop so that they can explain this to you, as they all pretty much use them the same techinique. I highly recommend that you take your truck to Mayco located at 5919 Bellaire in Bellaire, TX to get the job done. That is the original Mayco and they are all independently owned. They are fast and cheap. They use quality materials. They have done three trucks for my brother in law as he recommended them to me. I know that you are like me, you don't want to pay anymore than you have to, but don't forget the old phrase "you get what you pay for". But like I said, t
hey finished mine in an hour and 15 minutes. I arrived there at 8 am sharp Saturday morning and I was rumbling down the road by 9:30. I live in Katy. To be honest with you, if you are sitting at a light, you can feel it more than you can hear it. But as soon as touch the gas, everyone in the general area will know that you are there. I was not sure which to get before I got mine, but I was sure glad that I got the true duel instead of the stereo exhaust. Good luck.

 

This is what he means



and it works very well, especially with 3" pipe

 

are you pretty happy with your set-up I am currently running glasspacks but everything inside of me tells me true duals. My dad has true duals on his suburban and I like them. So you have them straight back from the manifolds is that correct? If you did take the cats off how did you take care of the sensor did it throw a code?

EDIT: How much did you pay? My dad paid 350 for high performance cats, flows, and the stainless steal tips 18" i think, his is straight off the manifolds.

 

yea i figured what he was sayin, just to me im picturing actually vertical, like when it goes over the axle... Guess i just had a memory laps, because i know ive seen similar pictures before
-Patrick

 

The 2005 F-150 comes from the factory with 2 cats (located under each seat) which form a "y" intersection making it possible to utilize one muffler. When considering dual versus cat-back, you pay more for the true because you are getting two pipes from the cats and two mufflers. Add in the extra labor and that is why it cost approximately $100.00 more. Well worth it, I say. Good luck!

 

For those with true duals, what type of balancing pipe are you using?

 

Mine are unequalized. There just wasn't any room for it, and I have had no problems with it being that way.

 

I am going with the Magnaflow x-pipe for balancing. I am going to cut off they factory Y and have the exhaust shop put in the x-pipe. Jegs has the magnaflow x for $79. I'm gonna use the 9" model.

Mike

 

can't your exhaust guy just put in a cross pipe since your pipes run so close and parallel?

 

Honestly, I have absolutely no issues as is, and it sounds mean as hell. There wasn't, and still isn't any reason for me to add it as easily as I could. Flowmaster makes a little add-on h pipe kit that I looked at, but if it ain;t broke why fix it?