Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
View Poll Results: To straight pipe or to not straight pipe - etc.
Will or do you have your truck straight piped?
14
87.50%
I will leave my exhaust stock
2
12.50%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

Straight pipe - does it drone?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 03:54 PM
  #1  
Major Marvin's Avatar
Major Marvin
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 777
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Straight pipe - does it drone?

Curious if the straight pipe setup drone and or if they are wicked loud. I don't want to **** off the neighbors while warming up either.. I love good sounding exhaust and will straight pipe it if ya'll give it a good review.
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 04:12 PM
  #2  
Robbgt's Avatar
Robbgt
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
Mine's been straight piped since day 1. I don't think you'll **** off your neighbors starting it up and letting idle, it's mostly engine noise at that point (or at least my truck is) with minimal turbo whistle. As soon as I get to rolling down the street, she's a bit louder. I usually put it in 2nd and try to keep the rev's down until I clear the end of the street in the morning.

Is your cat still in place? that's the most restrictive part of the exhaust, (well, that and the downpipe) our mufflers are already a straight-through design. You could always ditch the cat and the DP to start, and see how the sound level is. Then try ditching the muffler
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 04:30 PM
  #3  
Muktown's Avatar
Muktown
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 1
From: Elkhorn, WI
I don't think they're very loud. A little bit when you really get on it. My straight pipe does drone a little though
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 04:33 PM
  #4  
427 fordman's Avatar
427 fordman
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,410
Likes: 77
From: Plankinton, SD
Mines loud if you put it on fast idle warming up. If you're in a tight neighborhood, they will hear it like that, or at least I know would hear mine. But, I wouldn't have it any other way either..
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 04:36 PM
  #5  
Major Marvin's Avatar
Major Marvin
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 777
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Robbgt
Mine's been straight piped since day 1. I don't think you'll **** off your neighbors starting it up and letting idle, it's mostly engine noise at that point (or at least my truck is) with minimal turbo whistle. As soon as I get to rolling down the street, she's a bit louder. I usually put it in 2nd and try to keep the rev's down until I clear the end of the street in the morning.

Is your cat still in place? that's the most restrictive part of the exhaust, (well, that and the downpipe) our mufflers are already a straight-through design. You could always ditch the cat and the DP to start, and see how the sound level is. Then try ditching the muffler
I bought the truck from a bud and he had a banks dp installed. I climbed under the truck and see the little kitty and have a feeling it's a bit clogged anyhow.. Should I punch it out or buy a 36 dollar piece of pipe to replace it?

I read in one of the manuals that the muffler is high performance or something to that effect. Straight through is perfect..
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 04:37 PM
  #6  
Major Marvin's Avatar
Major Marvin
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 777
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Originally Posted by 427 fordman
Mines loud if you put it on fast idle warming up. If you're in a tight neighborhood, they will hear it like that, or at least I know would hear mine. But, I wouldn't have it any other way either..
Straight piped turbo diesels do sound awesome, except maybe the 6 cylinder types..
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 04:55 PM
  #7  
Robbgt's Avatar
Robbgt
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
Originally Posted by Major Marvin
I bought the truck from a bud and he had a banks dp installed. I climbed under the truck and see the little kitty and have a feeling it's a bit clogged anyhow.. Should I punch it out or buy a 36 dollar piece of pipe to replace it?
I'd say that's up to your state emissions requirements. some do a visual inspection to 'see' if there's a cat and some don't. Doesn't really matter if you gut or put a blank in performance wise... whatever works for you
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 04:57 PM
  #8  
Major Marvin's Avatar
Major Marvin
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 777
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Robbgt
I'd say that's up to your state emissions requirements. some do a visual inspection to 'see' if there's a cat and some don't. Doesn't really matter if you gut or put a blank in performance wise... whatever works for you
No emission tests where I'm at.. I guess knocking out the kitty would be the cheapest option..
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 05:42 PM
  #9  
whack&stack's Avatar
whack&stack
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
mine was just one straight pipe now it has 2 pipes with glass packs but i like loud
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 06:31 PM
  #10  
bad12jr's Avatar
bad12jr
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 1
From: Maysville, Kentucky
My stock exhaust cackled bad but not much drone. My 4" to 5" tail has a dmax tone above 2000 or so.
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 07:55 PM
  #11  
Fullcrew7.3's Avatar
Fullcrew7.3
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 4
From: Brandon, MB
Club FTE Silver Member

I did have mine straight piped, but after the 14 hour drive to Yellowstone a couple years back, the better half said put the muffler back in......
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 08:04 PM
  #12  
WALJON's Avatar
WALJON
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: THUNDER BAY
Club FTE Silver Member

I have straight pipe and live in a tight neighbourhood when I start up in the morning and hit the high Idle all the curtains and blinds on the block move and lights come on LOL.

My neighbours hate me BAHAHAHA!
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 08:18 PM
  #13  
meier63's Avatar
meier63
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Independence, Ky
I was always told that the muffler provides backpressure that the 7.3 needs. My exhaust is minus the cat .... when I run it without the muffler it sounds awesome, but I swear, with the muffler ..... I seem to have more power with less turbo lag. Anyone ?
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 08:20 PM
  #14  
Major Marvin's Avatar
Major Marvin
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 777
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Originally Posted by meier63
I was always told that the muffler provides backpressure that the 7.3 needs. My exhaust is minus the cat .... when I run it without the muffler it sounds awesome, but I swear, with the muffler ..... I seem to have more power with less turbo lag. Anyone ?
That's the rule of thumb I remember for gassers.. gassers lose their low end without back pressure, from what I was told. I was also told that the turbo is the only back pressure needed so IDK...
 
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2011 | 08:31 PM
  #15  
Quadzilla's Avatar
Quadzilla
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake, WA
I've always been in the minority regarding exhaust sound. I can't stand the flutter from the turbo, and straight piping the truck made it worse. I've torn the exhaust off the truck and replaced it with several other options, and this is the only one I consistently like: the cat was already gone when I bought the truck, so I've replaced the downpipe, put the stock muffler back on, and have expanded the exhaust to 5" immediately after the muffler. My exhaust now exits in the stock location, and at idle it sounds stock. Once you get into the throttle, the exhaust note is quite low, thanks to the 5" pipe, and the stock muffler tones the flutter down.

Your mileage may vary.

By the way, your poll only gives two options: straight piped or stock. I'm willing to bet there are trucks with something other than those two options.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:21 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE