I've got an 03' F350 XLT i've been wanting to get straight piped for awhile now and finally found a place that would do it. They wanted to just cut out the muffler and cat and put in delete pipes. After thinking on it some I came to the conclusion that I wanted to keep my factory exhaust intact and just buy a straight exhaust to replace it with. My thinking is that if I need to do some heavy hauling with the straight pipe, especially with an 03' turbo, would be incredibly loud and would draw unwanted attention. This way whenever I need to haul or take a long run in the truck and can swap the straight pipe with my original factory exhaust. Same goes for inspections and If I get pulled over and fined for it, I can just swap them. If they just cut the parts out and install delete pipes I would be out on my muffler and cat right, it seems better to just install another exhaust since I want to keep the factory stuff, right?

Now this all makes sense and seems simple but I know it probably isn't. How hard is it to swap exhaust systems on these trucks? Do the factory exhausts come off in two pieces? The hangers that hold the exhaust, once removed can they be reattached to another exhaust? How complex is connecting it back into the turbo?

I mainly want the straight pipe for the sound, I know the performance gains are minuscule. I am aware of it being illegal. I live in northern Virginia in the Shenandoah valley, I see stacks and straights all the time, I get the idea the cops just don't care unless you are doing something crazy. But if I was to get pulled over and were to get ticketed, is it just a fine or points? Anyone ever get pulled over for straights, OR stacks?

Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

The factory down pipe off the turbo can't be removed without cutting it, or taking the cab off.

Are you wanting to stay the same diameter of exhaust or go bigger?

 

well thats another question I had, I am just going for the sound, will going from a 3.5" to 4-5 make a huge difference? I wasn't planning on getting a bigger diameter.

 

If you're wanting to stay the same diameter then just buy the delete pipes and leave the rest of the stock setup there. If I remember correctly from when I was looking, the cat and muffler delete pipes are around $65 each.

I decided to go up to a 4" turbo back setup and it definitely increased the turbo noise outside the truck, but inside I didn't notice much of a difference (my wife didn't even notice a change riding). The lower rpms (below1750) is where I notice the most sound increase, unless you really get on it. Normal driving has a lot of turbo noise out of the pipe, getting on it has more exhaust noise and less turbo out of the pipe.

 

that is not true at all. as a matter of fact no you dont have to pull the trans either.

back to the op no larger then 4" pipe is required or needed.

 

When I did mine, I didn't see any way to get the factory down pipe off the truck without cutting it. I've heard others say they had to cut it as well. I know you know these trucks though, so maybe there is some magic way to maneuver it around and slide it out...

 

you need to rtfb on that. the method used is in there. Ive done it. it kida sucks but it can be done. IMO if I didnt have to replace it and get one back in the hole I would cut it too. its just so much quicker.

 

So what would be involved in re attaching the muffler+cat? re welding or what?

 

I'm not following this statement... what do you mean if you don't have to get one back in the hole? What if you're putting a new 4" turbo back system on.... can you cut the stock downpipe and get the new one up in there?

 

i installed delete pipes myself and ran them for probably 3 yrs. then buddy gave a magnaflow 4'' so i naturally put it on. only noticeable difference is sound. my temps are not that different.

had i had to pay for it, i would have been disappointed with temp difference.

 

Bolt on Cat delete - 03-07 Ford 6.0 Powerstroke AL 3.5" Cat Delete Pipe on eBay!

Muffler could be cut out and a "test pipe" clamped in. There may be a pure bolt in muffler delete out there though. IMO it won't be loud enough to get you in trouble. The CAT might though depending on where you live.

 

He said that the factory pipe can be removed without cutting it, but it is a PITA, so if you're not going to re use it, IE you have a 4" turbo back kit. It is a lot easier to cut it out.

The 4" turbo back kit that I got the turbo down-pipe was already two parts, so it could be installed then down-pipe clamped together.

 

Im a tech, I required to reinstall factory parts when factory parts fail. We have had a few with the compressor wheel breaks off in the turbo and gets spun into, deep down and wedged in that tube. that wheel doesnt normally come unstuck so we have to replace the pipe.

 

FWIW I had mine straight piped with a 4" turbo back exhaust about a year ago. It kinda has a jet engine sound when it sitting there idling but when I get out on the road and really get on it it is not nearly as loud as gassers with dual exhausts. I pull some pretty heavy loads (30' gooseneck with 16 round bales) and it can rap out pretty good but still is not overly loud. However, I live in OK and, as of now, we do not have inspections. I saved my cat and muffler just in case.

 

Now I'm following.... it's difficult to replace the downpipe with a STOCK downpipe, but not necessarily an aftermarket kit.

Makes sense.