since i can't do a search i figure this to be the ideal time to ask a question that i might otherwise be scolded for...

how great exactly are the benefits of upgrading ones exhaust? what exactly does it do? is it mainly less restricted air flow (is it really that restricted to begin with) resulting in a few more ponies?

i wouldn't be wanting a whole lot of noise. my last expy had an aftermarket flowmaster system from the previous owner that droned incessantly at around 2-2.5k rpm (highway cruising) and drove me nuts. is this unavoidable?

if the main benefit is just the sound than i'm not interested, but if it's actually 'good for' my baby i'd like to look into it.

would this be an average shade-treeable job?

thanks for any/all info
al

 

i'm bumping this up for another try at a reply. is this such a dud of a question that not a single fellow forumer has any input...

my basic question is: are exhaust upgrades mainly just for the sound, or are there significant performance pluses as well?

al

 

I wouldn't call the performance increase significant, but it is noticeable. I had a FIPK and a Gibson exhaust on my '01 5.4L EB. It gave it some pep (colder weather helped too) but I can't say if it helped the mileage, I averaged around 13mpg in that car and I'm an agressive driver.

 

I would say that you will likely get some drone with any aftermarket exhaust. I got a Gibson dual exit system and it does drone slightly at highway speed, not too bad.(actually deep and bassy sometimes which is nice) I installed my system myself with simple hand tools and didn't even jack up the truck to do it.
As for power increase, I would say that the gains were only noticeable at higher RPM's. The low end power (900 to 2000 RPM) actually decresed slightly. But overall the truck did exhibit more pull and gained a scant 1mpg overall.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

thanks for the input guys.

 

just go to your local muffler shop and ask the guys there and they will be able to provide you with some valuable info.

 

I must just be an old fart, I put a FlowMaster on my 2000 Expy and took it off 30 days later.
My observations:
1.) The exhaust note resonates in the wide open spaces inside the Expy.
2.) No change in gas milage
3.) No change in performance
4.) Wallet gets lighter

Hope this helps

 

Awesome thread, this is what we need a lot more around here.

 

yeah, i think i'll just stay away from aftermarket exhaust. i'd hate to have the constant drone i used to get with my '97, and the benefits just don't seem worth it.

 

How many of you have put used a performance chip?

 

I put a Gibson dual side exhaust on my 2001 Expedition AWD. No real change in overall gass mileage (mostly city driving). Nice exhaust sound. I might have some MPG gains at highway speeds.



2001 AWD Expedition XLT

 

Well I am about to do a full exhaust, as soon as I can find a highflow Y pipe. I think it is silly to just do the catback alone. I will be doing the Y pipe, catback, tune. I will get back with you guys about performance/mileage gains.

 

wow, this post still has some life left in it.

yeah, let us know how it goes machinator