I noticed that a few characters around here are getting this exhaust. I just thought I'd share a few pointers for installing this beast.

• Go to Pep Boys/Advance/wherever and pick up a 2.5" muffler/exhaust clamp. Flowmaster expects you to re-use a Ford clamp which is really rusty and cruddy.
  
• IMPORTANT*** - Disconnect the battery. This will allow the computer to reset and adapt to the new, unrestrictive exhaust. I initially didn't do this, and found that my truck was shifting funny, seemed to lack power, and the exhaust was LOUD. I reset the computer last night, and drove it today - now it's great, and the exhaust really doesn't make much noise on the highway.
  
• In respect to the cruddy clamp, here's my solution for removal. First, I sprayed it all over with Zepreserve (penetrant) several times. I then undid all the exhaust brackets all the way back to the tailpipe. From there, I just sat underneath the truck (it was up on ramps), held on to the tailpipe, and started working the exhaust around - up down left right, all over the place - the same way you would try to break a metal coathanger in two. Eventually, the two pipes held together by the super-rusty clamp came apart (from the combination of the moving/shaking and the penetrant) with the rusty clamp still attached - jackpot!
  
• To remove the stock exhaust, I pushed it towards the front passenger side of the car - it slid right out.
  
• Loosely fit the whole system together. I mistakenly tightened up the clamps as I put the system together, and ended up with the tailpipe all cockeyed. Fitting the system loosely allows you to make adjustments to the various pieces in order to make it fit perfectly. Make sure the muffler isn't put on backwards!
  
• Once you've got the whole thing together and somewhat tightened, give it a good full length shake to help the parts settle in. When you're satisfied that everything is staying put, tighten up the clamps.
  
• Reconnect the battery. When you start your truck, pay attention to the needles on the dash. They should all jump when you start it up - this indicates that the computer was reset and is now ready to adapt to the new exhaust.
  
• Enjoy!

XXL

 

Thanks Big Matt, can I call you BM? Just joking. Great post, perfect timing. I read about the computer reset - now I'm convinced. Just unpacked my FlowMaster and fondled the pipes - can't wait to install.

 

Yeah - I think the computer reset is the most important part. I didn't do it before, and drove it around for two days. I ran and shifted so poorly, I was disgusted. I reset it and shazam - runs like a champ.

Also, the exhaust was real loud on the highway before I reset the computer. Now it's barely noticeable. I don't know why, but it's definitely quieter. I always set my cruise control at 75mph on I-97, and after resetting the computer, I didn't have to dime the stereo, and my girlfriend and I could talk normally.

Good stuff!

XXL

PS. - "BM" is ok, but "XXL" is easier to follow

 

Just to put in my 2 cents:

"Go to Pep Boys/Advance/wherever and pick up a 2.5" muffler/exhaust clamp. Flowmaster expects you to re-use a Ford clamp which is really rusty and cruddy."

It took a breaker bar to loosen mine, but I was able to reuse my clamp. It had NO corrosion on it, hard to believe! I live in salty South Florida, the truck is continuosly driven through rain and I changed the pipes out with 36,000 miles on the beast. I was seriously expecting to cut the clamp off!

"IMPORTANT*** - Disconnect the battery. This will allow the computer to reset...."

AH... I need to do this, my pipe is definetly on the loud side....

"To remove the stock exhaust, I pushed it towards the front passenger side of the car - it slid right out."

I had no such luck! I shook, beat, wiggled, and cursed at the pipe for over an hour. I even hooked up a come-along, putting tension on the pipe and whacked on the muffler with a 15lb. dead blow hammer, no luck. I ended up taking a dremel and cut two 1 inch slits at the front of the pipe. Then with a hammer and chissle I spread the end of the pipe open. The pipe came right off after this.

"Loosely fit the whole system together...Once you've got the whole thing together and somewhat tightened, give it a good full length shake to help the parts settle in..."

Excellent advice!


Reconnect the battery. When you start your truck, pay attention to the needles on the dash. They should all jump when you start it up - this indicates that the computer was reset and is now ready to adapt to the new exhaust.

Ok, ok...I am going out now to loosen my battery wire.

 

It's always good to get some different insight on how to go about these things - it's amazing that you were able to reuse that clamp! I tried to loosen mine, but I rounded off both of the nuts. Fine by me; the new clamp was $1 .

Let me know how your exhaust turns out after the reset!

XXL

 

Darth must be one of our female members. Anyway BigMatt, resetting that computer must have adjusted the engine volume control setting since it's much quieter now.

 

(sigh) I love being right.... :P

glad to hear it worked out for you.


XXL

 

I was joking with you. I haven't changed my exhaust yet. I was joking about the "engine volume control".....as though it exists.

 

My engine has a volume control, and I am pretty sure yours does to. I push down on the big black pedal on the right side of the floor board and the volume gets louder. I take my foot off the pedal and the volume goes down to nothing. Please note that the new Flowmaster has caused me to mash down hard on the volume control for large lenghts of time, causing power lines to look more like a picket fence....

 

Installed my Flowmaster today. Had to Sawzall the clamp and the pipe before the old muffler. Penetrant, heat, and vicegrips did nothing to the clamp nuts. Sawzall rules, great for destruction - not to good for construction. Pulled the negative terminal off the battery while changing over to a K&N filter. All dash needles jumped when I started it up. Schweeeet sound, that Flowmaster.

 

I know you were kidding It's funny you should put it that way, though - the volume difference is very noticeable. Even my friends commented that it didn't sound as loud is it did the other day!

XXL