So I've been reading this section a ton for a few months now, and have probably read nearly every thread at some point. I still have a few questions before I make my 98 4.6 sound rowdy...

First: I know that a magnaflow or bassani cat-back kit will sound insane and give me actual seat of the pants power, but the thing is they cost around $500, installation would be free (I have a good friend with a shop and the know how).
I really love the sound of bassani on 4.6 liter mustangs!

Second: I just came out of the whole mustang scene because I needed a 4x4 for the snow at school. I had a 1991 5.0 Mustang with headers, off road h-pipe, and a flowmaster cat back. It was probably the loudest small block I've heard without just dumps after the headers. I am not a huge fan of flowmasters, but that is what it came with. I'm really looking for something to be this loud without having to go the glass-pack route, and I need to keep cats on it because of emissions in Illinois.

Third: I am leaning towards the idea of a y-pipe after the cats, and going with two dynomax bullets, then exiting out the rear. I would probably do 2.5" piping throughout, or would anyone suggest 3"? With this idea, where should I be at with prices from shops? I heard anywhere between $200 and $400, does that sound right? I figure the performace won't be the same as the kit bought cat-back due to lack of mandrel bends and all, but I think it will be an improvement over stock.

Fourth: The idea of true duals, with an x-pipe and high-flow cats excites me! I just think it'll be way too expensive, what should I expect for this?

In conclusion:I think I am going to drive around and just ask for quotes, I am sure this is my best bet but I came to you all looking for what you think I should expect to pay.

I know performance won't be much, but I want my truck to be real throaty and rowdy. I'm an college student, and waking the neighbors isn't a concern at all at this point in my life. I am installing my volant intake next weekend, and I think this combined with a free-er flowing exhaust will give me a little gain.

 

If you're looking for obnoxious then look into the setup that shifty is running. He has Pace Setter long tube headers into cut outs and 3" Dynomax Bullets that are dumped I think. You could just run the long tubes, into two high flows, to an X pipe into the Bullets. Probably keep the pipe at 2.25 to maintain some sort of low end. If that's not important then you can run bigger pipe for a more obnoxious sound but the biger the pipe the less low end torque you're going to have. I have no idea on price for everyhing. I think the long tubes are under 300 and the bullets are around 40 a piece if that helps.

 

Go custom. I've found several shops in my area that do mandrel bending. Just look around and ask the question.

 

Thanks ESF,

I was pretty much going to follow suit with shifty85, I've read a lot of his stuff on here. I am going to skip out on the long tubes for now because of money issues. I have a better idea of what I want, probably stock manifolds, to the cats, to an x, to two bullets that are then exited out the side like a lightning.

 

I have a 4.6L with true duals, 2.5'' no mufflers w/ X-pipe, in front of right rear with 4'' tips, i love the sound. I get alot of compliments on it and is def. one of the loudest and best sounding exhausts I have heard on a Mod motor in the trucks. Little loud inside but its music to my ears. Oh yeah, i had the tips already but my setup only cost $120 for x-pipe and all tubing installed plus $40 for the tips a few years back.

 

Josh, do you have any pics or video clips? That sounds exactly like what i'm looking for! Anyways, I saw your from western nc, lucky! I will probably be moving there after college, prettiest place in the nation.

 

dont do 3" you will lose all your power and torque down low, which is where you will drive most with a truck. You dont go above 4000 RPM a lot in an F150.

For best result, i strongly recommend long tube headers, high flow cats, and true dual bullets 2.5"!!! If you go duals, do x-pipe and bullets 2.5". If you go y-pipe, use a single 3" bullet. dont go more than 2.5" for true duals, 2.25 is optimal if you can do it. Keep that back pressure for low end torque, trust me. Trucks demand that torque. I'm going to put high-flows and a 3" bullet this summer once i have some cash, these flowmasters are killing my torque/power around 2000-2300 RPM i can feel it!

And my truck is troyer tuned with a high-performance intake, and whenever it downshifts to that 2k mark i can feel the flows choking the engine.

 

Don't have either, I broke another exhaust hanger(i have horrible wheel hop)
and im goin to get it fixed yet again, so I might try to snap a pic when i put it on the lift. I havent heard it outside my truck, but alot of people say it sounds just like a 2v mustang at cruise. Yeah Im from the boone area, I love it here.

 

That sucks about the wheel hop! I haven't really noticed it all that bad on mine yet, but I did realize it doesn't like to hook up... Anyways yah I look forward to seeing the pictures. I heard there is quite the horse population out there, is that anywhere near you?

 

I made a video and am looking for my camera software when i get it i will upload and post a link, there are lots of horse farms in the area though.

 

Nice! Can't wait to see the video!

That's good to hear about the horses, I'm going to school to become an equine vet, and I'd like to be in Western NC after I graduate so that is a pretty good combo.

 

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PExYwCnbNMg
added another one this morn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlxLCbPvSvM

 

amazing! I really like it a lot. What is crazy is that we have pretty much identical trucks.... Besides mine still having the stock exhaust. NUTZ

 

Nice , yeah I love my dark toreador red, just hate it shows scratches so bad.

 

hahah, now i know what color it actually is!