straight pipe with or without cat

[fballer985]

i have a 1995 f150 with a 302 and am undecided if i want to run with or with out a cat when doing a straight pipe and size also, im between 2.25 and 2.5. suggestions would b helpful

[95FordF150]

I cut my exhaust just ahead of the cat and ran that for a few weeks. The sound was obnoxiously loud. I added about 3' of 3" pipe dumped in front of the rear axle and that just made the sound worse. I also lost some low end power. I added an 3" glasspack (spiraled louvered inside) and that made the sound a lot better and gained a little more low end and works great for highways speeds.
I would recommend opening up your air intake since your exhaust will be more free flowing. I found one on ebay for $25 and could definately tell a difference compared to the stock box.
As I have a 302 too, I suggest cutting the cat and going 2.5" single out, or 2.25" dual out exhaust. The 3" is nice and all but I think a little smaller would give better performance. My plan right now is too reduce from 3" to 2.5" and dual out 2.25" with Flowmaster Super 40's.
Depends on what you're looking for since everybody's preference for sound/perfomance is different.
Good Luck!

[Bear River]

It is illegal to run without a cat, and you or others could get carbon monoxide poisoning. I say run the cat, it can help take the rasp and pop out of the sound. Just go with a good high flow cat.

[96_fordF150]

I cut my exhaust just ahead of the cat and ran that for a few weeks. The sound was obnoxiously loud. I added about 3' of 3" pipe dumped in front of the rear axle and that just made the sound worse. I also lost some low end power. I added an 3" glasspack (spiraled louvered inside) and that made the sound a lot better and gained a little more low end and works great for highways speeds.
I would recommend opening up your air intake since your exhaust will be more free flowing. I found one on ebay for $25 and could definately tell a difference compared to the stock box.
As I have a 302 too, I suggest cutting the cat and going 2.5" single out, or 2.25" dual out exhaust. The 3" is nice and all but I think a little smaller would give better performance. My plan right now is too reduce from 3" to 2.5" and dual out 2.25" with Flowmaster Super 40's.
Depends on what you're looking for since everybody's preference for sound/perfomance is different.
Good Luck!

did you have any problems with cutting your cat off..like o2 sensors check engine lights etc..???

[95FordF150]

I had no problems with the o2 since it's ahead of the cat.