BTW... Excellent forum here. Lots of great information.

OK... here is my question. I have a 2007 F-150 Texas Edition Supercrew 4x4 w/ 4.6L in it and only 24K miles on it. I love this truck. I have a buddy that has the same year... same engine... same rear-end and he averages 15-16 in the city and 18-19 on the highway.

I have put a K&N Cold Intake System on it... I have stock wheels and tires and run the tires at max air pressure... Plus... I was given a Hypertech Max Energy programmer and installed that... no matter what I do... I cannot improve my gas mileage... avg. 13.5 city and I have gotten as high as 17 on the highway.

I am looking at the Flowmaster 50 Series SUV... don't want too loud... but would like some performance exhaust. Is this going to help my MPG. I have read some pretty good info on folks that have both the exhaust and K&N Cold Intake Systems together.

Thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Ronnie

 

Well for better economy, you will want a 100% direct flow muffler. So I would suggest steering clear of the Flowmaster 50 and its chambered design and go with a Magnaflow 18" body with the same noise volume, stainless steel construction, and no chambered design.

Also, getting a custom tune for your truck will better your performance and economy with adjusted shift points, and to tie in your exhaust and intake better.

 

Darren:
Thanks for the reply... it is greatly appreciated. I will check out the Magnaflow 18". I am in Sales and use my truck as my primary vehicle so it needs to be farily quite inside. On your other statement... I have asked several forums and checked on suggestions for adjusting my shift points... most have come back and told me to leave them alone... but no one has offered any suggestions as to what to set them to.

Right now I have this nice turner that basically is set for regular gas and increased shift firmness... Just glad I didn't have to pay for it.

Any suggestion on what I can, or should, set them to would be a great help.

Thanks,
Ronnie

 

The Magnaflow 18" will remain really calm inside. You will be very satisfield with it.

My shift firmness with my Gryphon is in between easy and firm, I find its the best, and WOT shifts are 5200rpm on 1-2 gear, 2-3 gear, and 4800 from 3-4, 7.26 0 - 60 from the stock 9.1 0 - 60

 

Thanks Darren... I sent you an email... still a bit confused on the shift points. Thanks again for your help and suggestions.

 

I have an 18" Magnaflow and I would describe it as slightly louder than stock but with a deeper note. I tow a camping trailer so I wanted something that wouldn't drown out our conversations when I have a load on it. My wife actually made the comment that she thought it should be louder! lol Very satisfied though!

 

That's great information... I appreciate it. I am going to call around here for some pricing tomorrow. I am really trying to decide if I want SI/SO or SI/DO.

Thanks,
Ronnie

 

OK Guys... thanks for the response on this. I just spoke to a local muffler shop here and can get the 18" Magnaflow SI/SO installed for under $200. Which is about $125 less than what Midas would install the Flowmaster 50 Series SUV for.

I think I am going to jump on this...

 

For that kind of money, you should look into a complete bolt-on, cat-back system.

 

Actually... that's not out of the question. This is a small family owned shop that has been in the city for many, many years. As I get closer to pulling the trigger I will see what my options are.

 

I kept the stock pipe and just did a muffler swap on mine. It only cost me about $80 for everything. If you have access to a welder and something to cut pipe with it really isn't a major job. But $200 probably isn't that bad. The muffler you can get for around $70 and you would need a little extra pipe. It's about a 2 hr job with the right equipment and most shops labor rates around here are about $60 hr.

 

I guess I need to ask the question... we didn't mention new tail pipe with chrome tips or anything liske that... and again... mine will be SI/SO so stock would be just fine.

BTW... that is a beautiful truck you have!!!

 

Thanks! I appreciate the compliment! Yeah quality tips can get pricey. I am actually looking for a new tip myself. I tried a cheapy off of ebay and it is turning yellow on me after only a couple of months. So I am replacing it soon.

 

The advantage to some of the cat-back systems is that the bends are less restrictive. Some manufacturers have dyno sheets posted on their websites. Off Road Adventure magazine was able to dyno test a late model F-150 with a MBRP cat-back and the numbers looked good.

 

I just got off the phone with the muffler shop... the $165 quote installed is just the muffler itself... but again... the 18" body Magnaflow. He said the chrome tips would run me about $25. Not sure if I would go the chrome tip or not.

So... I appreciate your help and input... my question is. Besides a little more tone, and especially with less restriction, I should notice some improvement MPG wise and maybe a little HP gain???