I'm ready to buy the Gibson system for my 5.4. Went to the Gibson site and haven't decided which to pick, the single or dual tip swept side. I'm not going to do any towing (single pipe), but concerned on how "deep and throaty" the dual would be. I'd love it, but the rest of the family who aren't deaf might bitch. I remember FamilyRide posted a link to hear his, but I've gone back as far as I can and can't find it. What's the concensus on single or dual pipe?

 

I've posted a lot on it. Click on the bottom of my sig.

The Swept Side is about 2-3 decibals louder than stock. The Dual Sport is about 4-5. I think it's the same muffler but has dual out.

If you want the louder sound, Dual Sport is it. If not, Swept Side. The recordings you'll hear of mine are when it was pretty new. It's gotten slightly louder but still very nice. The recording by the tail pipe is really close to the tail pipe and it makes it sound louder than it was in my opinion.

I'm very happy with it. Also, the dual tips might be a litle much. I think I have a pic of the tip in the sig, click on the Gibson in the list. Otherwise, you can see it in some pics of the truck.

PS. I just noticed my humble little site has gone international! Not only has Ford Motor Company been there, I've had hits from Mexico, Argentina and the Netherlands!

 

FamilyRide,

Thanks for the info. That's a great site you created! One question I have is how much of a noticable noise difference did you see inside the truck with the windows up and A/C on? I think I'll go like you did with the single tip. It was just the level I was looking for.

I like the AirAid mod but went with the K/N in the stock housing. I read of power loss from sucking in the hot air from the engine. Have you seen a difference other than the post's you and others in the Southwest have made regarding performance and the heat?

How difficult was it to change the P/S fluid, and did a pint cover it? Let us know when you do the tranny changeover, I'd be interested in the difference.

 

FamilyRide,

While you are answering questions, I have a few for you. I have been researching many of the mods that you have made to your X with plans to potentially update my X with many of the same ideas. Currently, my truck is totally stock. My first modification idea is the FIPK system. As s76drvr mentioned above, I have read alot about the negative effects of sucking in hot air, especially during the hot months (It was 103 here in Tulsa, OK last week w/ 115 heat index). How in your opinion has the FIPK system effected your performance? I don't plan on going out to the quarter mile track, but more power is always a good thing. Also, I have read about torque losses with higher flow exhaust. Again, I would like to update to the higher flow exhaust to gain additional horsepower, but not sure about the idea of lost torque. I do tow with my X, not heavy loads near the max tow rating, but I do like the torque for towing up steep hills at low RPM's. Finally, I have a question about your chip. Do you run 91+ octane? Have you ever run 87 octance w/ the chip? What are the pros and cons? I have not read anything about the computer chips but good things. Are there any negative drawbacks to running a chip (example: having to run higher octane)? Thanks in advance for you time and suggestions.

Alan M.

 

Let me try to catch all of the q's at once.

As for the FIPK, this year I don't notice as much power loss in high heat in traffic like I did last year. Now last year it was a little hotter so that may have something to do with it. Either way, I would say the hot air under the hood thing has merit, but I haven't really seen any difference. By the way, last year mine was bone stock. The AF1 might be a good choise since it does/can get cooler air from the fender. I've also heard that OEM air box mod's get equal "seat of the pants" results.

The power steering was easy. Turkey baster witha peice of rubber hose that slipped right on the end tightly. Just suck it out. I've still got a quart of Mobil 1 ATF that's less than half full after 2 replacments.

OEM exhaust isn't bad on the Expy. If you do it strickly for power gains, you may be a little dissapointed, you won't have a hot rod. It does help some and sounds great. As for towing, with the Gibson you should be even better off. It's designed for towing and hauling. Soon (I hope) I'll be towing for the first time. It'll be somewhere in the 6500# range so we'll see, but I'm expecting great things from what I've done so far. I suspect it'll tow very well.

As for the chip, again, don't expect a tire smok'n hot rod, but it'll be much more enjoyable to drive. I think there is a little merit to the 91+ octane even with no chip on the 99+ models. Try buring a few tanks of it. Texaco advertises trying 5 tanks of their Power Premium 92 octane (I think 5). I think they're playing on adaptive PCM technology more so than the fuel itself. But that's what I burn and I get better MPG and it runs much better. If I were to do it again, I might do a flip chip. Of course one program would be the standard Superchip program and the other, hmm, I might have a hard time letting it be the OEM (87 octane) program with shift improvments, I might have to ask for a street performance program. Man, a triple program would be nice. Oh wait, it's a 5500# SUV, ok one standard and one 87 octane program would be the sensible thing to do

Whew, hope that helps some.

Oh, I almost forgot one, NO I've never ran anything less than 91 actually 92 octane with the chip.

 

FamilyRide,

Thanks for the answers....not to be a PITA but 2 quick ones...

1.) How loud is the Expy with the windows up and a/c on?

2.) How did you get the turkey baster out of the house, cleaned up, and put back away without getting caught?

Last but not least, it appears you personally don't use gravy on your turkey.

 

LOL Actually I had my wife pick up the baster one day when she was running to the grocery store so she's well aware of what that one looks like. It has a home in my oil drain pan along with the funnels etc.

As far a how loud, it's not loud at all. With everything closed up and a/c on, you can hear it a little at highway speed in the 1500-1800 RPM range but in my opinion it's not loud at all. My wife could tell once I mentioned it but she doesn't mind it and she's not into this at all. When I had mod fever, her eyes were in a constant roll.....