After much reading and searching through the forum, I have decided to replace my stock muffler. My initial decision was to go to Midas and get the Ravin Z-55. When I started checking out prices though, Midas wants $165 to do the job, and a local shop will put in a Flowmaster 50 series for $99.

For background purposes, my truck is the 4.2 V6. What I'm looking for is feedback from people who have heard these mufflers on the V6. Is there any real advantage to either setup? If the Ravin is better, is it $65 better?

 

I can't comment on the V6
But with the new fords in general, the Magnaflow mufflers are the way to go.

Stay away from the Flowmasters they sound like crap on the Newer Ford trucks, plus they are not stainless and rust out pritty quick.

http://www.magnaflow.com/01home.htm

 

i just went through similar experience and thought is share thoughts. Ive got s 2001 screw, 5.4l, bought the raven, SI/SO a few days after i got it...at first it seemed OK...slight loss of power, good roar etc. after a while, particularily on the freeway, there developed a bad drone in the cab between 2000 and 2400 rpm. the transmission also shifted up into overdrive a lot...and early. I lived with this for a year and a half, but last week had a flowmaster delta 50, duals out the back (on the sides) and could not be happier. similar sound..but a bit lower..more "flowmaster" sounding - NO drone cruising in the cab, and significantly more power...and the truck shifts the way i want it to now..doesnt jump into overdrive so easily. I paid $320 for the full system, all custom pipes (no kit).
hope that helps. Id go with the flowmasters in a heartbeat.

 

Flowmasters are aluminized! I've had four seperated exhaust systems with Flowmasters and aluminized pipes and several of my friends have had the same set ups, and we have NEVER had any trouble with rusting! One of the systems I had for three years and no trouble at all. Don't listen to the "Flowmasters rust out" guys. They don't. You should be satisfied with the Flowmaster.