Notices

Contemplating new exhaust

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 11:09 AM
  #1  
BaronVonAutomatc's Avatar
BaronVonAutomatc
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 6
From: Earth
Contemplating new exhaust

Been driving the heck out of the 96 F150 I picked up and it seems like the catalytic converter(s) are not so good. The exhaust stinks and it feels like the engine struggles to breathe a bit at highway speeds. Highway speed between here and the deer lease is ~80 mph. A better breathing exhaust has got to help.

I've got a 3" converter sitting around, so I'm thinking about a single 3" exhaust. I had a similar system on the 302 in my old F250 (sans converter) and it worked well. Anyone running a 3" single on their 300?
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 03:43 PM
  #2  
Biblethumpncop's Avatar
Biblethumpncop
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by BaronVonAutomatc
Been driving the heck out of the 96 F150 I picked up and it seems like the catalytic converter(s) are not so good. The exhaust stinks and it feels like the engine struggles to breathe a bit at highway speeds. Highway speed between here and the deer lease is ~80 mph. A better breathing exhaust has got to help.

I've got a 3" converter sitting around, so I'm thinking about a single 3" exhaust. I had a similar system on the 302 in my old F250 (sans converter) and it worked well. Anyone running a 3" single on their 300?
I have EFI exhaust manifolds, a custom Y-pipe and a single 3" stock muffler (no cat) on my son's 72 F-100 with a 300/6. The P/O put a cam, Offy C intake and Holley 390 on the truck.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 06:19 PM
  #3  
BaronVonAutomatc's Avatar
BaronVonAutomatc
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 6
From: Earth
Sweet, I ordered a giant 30" long Magnaflow straight-through muffler to go behind that 3" 3-way converter I had in the shed. Should free up the flow nicely and still be pleasant at highway speeds.
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2014 | 02:39 AM
  #4  
trozei's Avatar
trozei
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 8
From: Langley, BC
Why not delete the cat?
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2014 | 05:43 PM
  #5  
BaronVonAutomatc's Avatar
BaronVonAutomatc
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 6
From: Earth
Why delete the cat?
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2014 | 08:26 PM
  #6  
trozei's Avatar
trozei
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 8
From: Langley, BC
The cat is a flow restriction.
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2014 | 08:51 PM
  #7  
Harte3's Avatar
Harte3
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 10
From: Spokane, WA
Not enough flow restriction to make a difference especially using a contemporary high-flow Cat.
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2014 | 09:44 PM
  #8  
trozei's Avatar
trozei
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 8
From: Langley, BC
Originally Posted by Harte3
Not enough flow restriction to make a difference especially using a contemporary high-flow Cat.
It makes enough of a difference to justify not bothering to replace it.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 1, 2014 | 10:11 PM
  #9  
AbandonedBronco's Avatar
AbandonedBronco
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by trozei
It makes enough of a difference to justify not bothering to replace it.
It's a social responsibility to replace it, not just a government enforced one. They're on there for a very good reason, and as being someone who's eyes burn from smog whenever there's a local inversion, I'll take every bit of clean air I can get.

A healthy cat has very little detrimental change on performance.
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2014 | 11:12 PM
  #10  
Tedster9's Avatar
Tedster9
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
He's in Texas. You'll be fine.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2014 | 08:41 AM
  #11  
AbandonedBronco's Avatar
AbandonedBronco
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,987
Likes: 104
From: Boise, Idaho
Club FTE Gold Member
Seriously, that kind of sarcasm isn't constructive or needed.

It's a mentality that affects everyone everywhere because people want a "little extra" at the expense of everyone else. It's not a mindset that should be propagated on the forums.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2014 | 02:23 PM
  #12  
ZarK-eh's Avatar
ZarK-eh
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 862
Likes: 7
From: like subarctic, brrr man!
Originally Posted by AbandonedBronco
It's a social responsibility to replace it, not just a government enforced one. They're on there for a very good reason, and as being someone who's eyes burn from smog whenever there's a local inversion, I'll take every bit of clean air I can get.

A healthy cat has very little detrimental change on performance.
My truck never had one.

However, I installed an EFI on it, and plan to add the cat as well, and hook up the EGR as well. Just because it ain't there doesn't mean it shouldn't.

Yup, Imma greenie better to build an old truck than throw it away and buy new.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2014 | 06:06 PM
  #13  
BaronVonAutomatc's Avatar
BaronVonAutomatc
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 6
From: Earth
Well the truck still has to pass inspection, if it's throwing a code because the converter has been removed it won't pass.

Since I'm replacing the stock 2" headpipes and 2.5" exhaust with 2.25" and 3" pipes AND replacing the 20 year old 2 converter system with a single 3" the exhaust will flow significantly more than it does now. Why not use a part that's gathering dust in my garage to keep it legal?
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2014 | 12:50 AM
  #14  
trozei's Avatar
trozei
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 8
From: Langley, BC
Unless you have both an upstream and a downstream O2 sensor, a malfunctioning or nonexistent catalytic converter will not throw a code.
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2014 | 04:51 PM
  #15  
BaronVonAutomatc's Avatar
BaronVonAutomatc
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 6
From: Earth
Originally Posted by trozei
Unless you have both an upstream and a downstream O2 sensor, a malfunctioning or nonexistent catalytic converter will not throw a code.
Yes, the truck has two O2 sensors upstream and one downstream from the converter. I'm pretty sure that's why there's no tailpipe test required for OBDII vehicles in Texas.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:56 PM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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