I've looked but still no complete answer will be easy for an experienced person!!!
 

I Have a bad exhaust manifold on the drivers side. I have tricked my wife into thinking we need to replace it from the exhaust manifold all the way back. That was the fun part but now I have about three or four people telling me things that make sense but totally contradict another. I need someone who has done it and knows my truck(still factory) and to tell me the truth.
I want true dual exhaust, using manifolds not headers. That simple. Here is where it gets tricky. I got one guy that says "If the cats are not on it when I get it I do not care" Another guy says that theoretically is correct but the trucks cpu is programmed to run like **** if it senses no cats. Another guy says he is full of **** you can put dual on but you have to find a manufacturer that makes sensors to fit the aftermarket cats or it will run ****ty. I want it to run better and sound better without sending error codes to engine. DO I need cats or high flow cats I want a complete exhaust system not just catback.
I know some of you Know the rules of exhaust but people are telling me these 97's are tricky due to have cats and sensors. I think it has 4 cats maybe.
Just tell me exactly what I need. Bang for your buck value.
thanks

ditch the 4 cats and get 2 high flows, no problems, no codes, just good sound and performance.

You can run the cats and still get the true duel setup your after. You would need to cut the pipe where both sides merge into one, then fab in an X pipe, this will improve the sound and help it flow better. Now you just run two pipes and mufflers to the rear of the truck. It takes a bit of modification but it can be done without setting any codes.

yeah just hack off the Y-pipe then have the Drivers side pipe run side by side with the passenger pipe then X-pipe it if you want or just run it right out the back or how every you want it.

You dont need a muffler for this set-up i had my truck i cut the Y-pipe as close as i could to the reat o2's and just dumped it droned a lil bit i liked the sound it was stock manifolds and the 4 stock cats No muffler.

If you ran the pipes to the back of the truck it wouldnt drone at all. If you are still after a way to make it a lil louder you can always gut the rear 2 cats a few guys on here have done that. i never did that just had pipes made to replace my cats but i had o2 Sims and my truck doesnt throw codes for the Rear o2s :)

This will be my next exhaust system: Dynatech

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...950-205798.jpg

what kind of car is that for^?

Its probably a standard photo that they show for all systems. What would be different on 97-03s?