I have a flowmaster on my 98 Expedition. I want to go louder, but have been told over and over that a flowmaster is as loud as i can go, but reading these forums i see so many different opinions on what is louder. Can someone tell me if there is a way i can go louder. Does a SI/DO give me more sound than a SI/SO? If i switch to a 3" pipe, will that make a difference? Is the flowmaster really the loudest there is?

 

Well, if you don't have noise laws in N. Virginia then I say hit up the straight pipes. Meaning no muffler, at all. Also what kind of Flowmaster do you have: ie. 40 series(2-chamber) 50 series(3-chamber) etc.? I will tell you this, the best sounding exhaust I have heard on a f-150 was on a 5.4L. It was a single chamber Flowmaster. Of course we all have are "best sounding" mufflers. You will probably just have to experiment. If you are interested in the single chamber, you can usually pick one up at Summit Racing, or some special order like that. Good luck with everything.

 

straight pipes are louder than heck.....maybe ya could try straighjt pipes with glasspacks or steelpacks.

later

 

ThaisOn brings up a point i have been trying to find out about for a while now. And everyone always just says the same response "Get straight Pipes!" For those of us who want to keep it legal (I live in California) and some what under control keeping low-end torque as well, what would really be the best option?

Is, like he said, SI/DO the loudest with a 40 series?
Or would true dual with 2 40 series be louder?
or would the SI/SO be the loudest?

Thnaks for all the input!

 

flowmaster 40 series 1 chambered are the loudest.....(the origional ones)

also Bassani are really loud and IMO sound alot better than FM's and can be alot louder.

Later

 

Thanks guys for all the help. Unfortunately i cant run straight pipes in Virginia. I am also not quite sure what type of Flowmaster I have. When I got it installed, I wasnt very knowledgable about the Flowmaster....only that it would make my truck louder.

If a Flowmaster is the loudest i can go, and assuming that i do have the 40 series.....would a 3" pipe give me a little more sound?
I have also heard that turning the pipe down at the end makes more sound because the noise reflects off the ground...would this work?

 

I really don't know why, but it seems as though those that run 2 mufflers sound louder than those with the SI/DO setups. Hmm... I bet the Expy would sound bad-azz with straight pipes. Maybe a lift kit with some 31's, some chrome step bars, a brush guard... now THAT'S an SUV with ATTITUDE!

 

flowmaster 40's!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that is what i have on mine!!

 

I have took off the FM40 and put on a spintech sportsman. Has a deeper tone and runs better. You need to go to a 3inch for more sound and get a good y pipe installed at the 2 into one. And yes, a turndown right after the muffler increases sound. I know, I did it to mine. Good luck,
Terry

 

but IMO trucks look better with two tips out the back thats my opinion though lol.

Later

 

Go dual exhaust,H pipe,high flow cats and 2-chamber flow masters.

http://hometown.aol.com/dvldog458/myhomepage/auto.html

 

..........Flo Pro Twister race series, I have true 3" duals breathing out of the 5.4, and right before the mufflers I have dual dumps with removabe caps....and I have realized with the dump caps off u pick up a little more low end torque, however...routing the exhaust out the two twister mufflers gives more highway horsepower........just my F.Y.I





5.4

 

If you can find a place that carries them in your area, DYNOMAX is what you are looking for. They are as close to straight pipes as you can get. They out flow every other muffler I know of, also.

I really like the sound of flowmasters Turbo mufflers, also. They have a sound that you "feel" as much as hear.

 

If you can afford it, go for true duals with the FM40's, that's what I have and it is very loud when you punch it, rumbles at idle without droning in the cab. Only thing that is annoying is on longer trips, the drone on the highway is noticable, but nothing a good song in the deck can't cover up You won't loose much off the low end with the true duals either, stick to the 2.25's and get a decent set of stainless (NOT chrome) tips to add some tone and you'll be set. If you're worried about the low end, make sure you get the 'x-pipe' put on and that's it, legal, powerful and very cool to hear.

 

Thanks again guys for all the info. What exactly do the tips do? I thought they were just for looks, but obviously I am wrong. What exactly do they do? And why do you recommend stainless over chrome? How much do they cost?
Am I the only one that likes the drone in the cab from the muffler? I love that sound! It lets me know the flowmaster is there!!!!!