Id go with the 18" bullets
Mine is an 08 and had only two cats so im not sure how loud yours is now but i can guarantee it will be much louder than any cat back exhaust setup
The closest thing to the long tube setup is to run high flow cats and a dual setup with 14" mufflers
For long trips it would probably get a hair annoying but if you have a decent sound system it should drown it out for the most part except on passing and going through the gears.
Definitely a great addition to the truck, especially if your running 35" tires

 

I only have the front 2 cats now and it's not loud enough with the flowmaster. I don't mind the loudness at all, I actually kinda like it when passing/ getting up to speed. I can't even hear it while cruising right now but I do listen to my music pretty loud. I think I'll go with the 18" bullet though, I think it'll sound better and from the sound clips I've been watching it'll be a bit deeper too

 

With long tubes you can hear everything. The only time i cant really hear my exhaust now is when im coasting and even that produces a nice growl, i can hear the downshifts as well your gonna love the setup!

 

Dang, wish I would have seen this last night. I got my extenstions last night and they only fit the rear ones, and I found out I didn't need them for the rear. so I "modified" one of my front ones to fit. If I knew I could just grind down the tab I would have. I think I'll do it for the other one, and keep the other extension and one day replace my chop job. I was thinking about doing this, but figured they were not compatible.

2002 Screw - 2 front no need for rear extensions.

 

BBK work great for the front and that is the only place you need if 2001 2wd. Resonaters on OBX don't do much. Truck will be loud with any muffler. New OBX come with cats as well. I went from single to dual Maganflow and truck didn't get much quieter because mufflers are straight thru design. OBX makes a dual catback for Lightnings.

 

Mine is a 4x4 2002 and you just need for front. However, as I learned last night they are not plug and play, you apparently have to file off a guide on the connector for it to fit.

I got the OBX with cats, but I wonder how good they work. You can see through.

 

I did not have to do anything to BBK extenders????

Also all hi flow cats look like that. Not sure if ECM knows no cats, only clogged cats. Tail pipe knows, but then most emission tests with new vehicles are done computer to computer. If you don't get a light it may be OK. Otherwise you may have to install new engine software and let your tuner know that you have these cats. With headers you should modify software as well. Isn't software wonderful!

 

Yep, been looking at tuners.

The extenders fit perfectly for the rear, but the front one's have an different offset guide thingy. I'm guessing so you don't plug in the wrong type of sensor at a given location. I stuck with motorcraft sensors, maybe that makes a difference? Maybe the non oem don''t use the guides?

 

my buddy is about to order some headers (dont no which ones yet) and maybe some high flows. can somebody explain what we need to get for the shop to install everything correctly and what is a good website to get them from. thanks

 

Ebay for OBX. You can cgo resonators or cats when you buy them. I would have a good set of header gaskets, FORD's are good, but expensive. You have also need the donut gasket that goes between the header and the mid pipe. And the BBK extenders for at least the front ones. Other than that they should bolt up. Depending on your year, if you want true duals, you can goo with the Lightining/HD version then you will have some extra work, but still realtively easy.

 

Check out -
www.Sparktecmotorsports.com

I went with the Ford Gaskets. You'll want good manifold studs too. Depending on the age of your O2 sensors, you may want to replace. Other than that you should be good to go.

 

^^^ my bad, OP I stand correct (it's been a long week) but yes you'll need the extensions for the front not the rear

 

how well are the OBX headers holding up over time? I've never been a big fan of ebay auto parts, but seeing as how they are the only headers i have found (that aren't pacesetter) for the 4x4 5.4 trucks, they look pretty good...

 

sparktechmotorsports has the best prices and they are holding well on each truck I've seen

 

I've had mine on for over 70,000 miles and no problem, except orginal donut gaskets and header gaskets are junk!