The original owner of my 2000 converted to a 4" straight pipe. We use the truck on family vacations to tow our RV, and there are lots of times when my wife and kids are standing around waiting for me to adjust something or check something while the truck is idling-so i get that the noise level is a problem for them. My wife also has a problem when we are towing at highway speeds.

So, I need to get back to OEM sound levels. Is the Walker Quiet-Flow SS a good choice? I found the muffler and the pipe for a little less than $300. I also went to Midas and they want $300 for an OE-type muffler (not sure which one) and another $300 for a custom 3.5" pipe and $150 for installation.

The price of the Walker sounds better, but I'm not sure of the sound or quality. Does anyone have any experience with these, or is there a better solution for me out there?

Thanks for any suggestions,
Tom

 

Walker should bring the noise down how much I am not sure as I don't have one on my truck, but I do have one on my Mustang and its pretty quiet, as for my truck I am planing on the opposite and doing a straight pipe (4") so perhaps if your close enough to me I could give you my stock exhaust and trade it for the one you have? what brand is your exhaust? do you know?

 

I have a straight through MBRP. It causes less back pressure and quietens the truck nicely. No, it is not stock levels, but it takes the harshness/cackle out of the exhaust tone.

What do you have for the intake?

 

if your asking me, I am running the Ford AIS intake as I feel for what I plan to do it will be more then enough for now.

 

I was asking the OP. The AIS is the best aftermarket option that also is reasonably quiet. I have one too, but the turbo on my truck is loud (38r). I know if noise is an issue, the 6637 intake is quite noisy. I ran them for years on my 7.3's, and still have that on my e99 work truck, but other options are out there that are more quiet.

 

A Walker BTM (Big Truck Muffler), is only around $75. It would make a big difference in noise and drone as compared to a straight pipe. I had one before I installed my full MBRP system, and it wasn't too much louder than the stock muffler.

 

Walker BTM is functional and super cost effective, but not designed for fun sounds.

If I ever go to a 4 inch I'll try a FTE resonator. Search videos online to get an idea of the sound.

 

The exhaust noise itself is more obnoxious for the neighbors than for the passengers when the windows are up. The real problem with 4" is drone under certain conditions and at certain speeds. Drone is obnoxious, even with a muffler. I have a Flow-Pro muffler, but it's probably sportier than you want the truck to sound. MBRP has a nice throaty sound without being obnoxious to the neighbors or the passengers, and it can work with your 4" pipe.

Drone... that's your culprit on the road. I have a 4" resonator that I yanked off my truck - because it killed the whistle. The FTE resonator may or may not kill the whistle, but I can tell you my Diamond Eye resonator with the scoops facing the engine is a definite noise killer - it even muzzles the cold-morning rocket noise.

Even with stock injectors and turbo, I wouldn't return to 3.5" stock exhaust. Stock engine performance uses up the performance envelope of the exhaust with almost nothing in reserve. I hope you don't have the stock airbox, but if you have air mods - I hope it's not the 6637. The 6637 is another obnoxious noise source on the highway. The Ford AIS is such a superior product for stock-ish trucks, it accents a 4" exhaust nicely, and it's dead quiet. Do a red-line mod with an AIS and your newly-muffled 4" exhaust and you've just upped your performance with nothing more than air.

 

To the OP
I have a 4" turbo back MBRP system w/muffler on my truck and the AIS intake. Outside the truck it has a deep throaty sound and I haven't noticed any in cab drone at all. I also have towed approx. 7000# tractor and still nothing in the cab I would call annoying. I tend to agree with others that it is louder for people standing on the curb than inside the truck. Guess the noise cant keep up!
Based on your user name and location being in VA, Id say there is a good possibility we are neighbors. If you would like to hear it before you buy feel free to PM me.

 

Call Thoroughbred Diesel They carry Flow Pro exhaust systems which are very high quality units. Instead of the old u-shaped exhaust clamps they have the band clamp style. They will have the muffler section and get 2 of those band clamps. It will make a good seal on your existing exhaust and quiet it down a bunch at the tailpipe. I have both a straight pipe section and a muffler and can switch between the 2 in about 10-15 minutes start to finish. Just lube the hangers up with PB Blaster or WD40 and the thing will pop in and out very easily. Thoroughbred Diesel click here

 

Thanks for all the great feedback on this one. After the first turn, I have a 4" pipe. If I went with the Walker Quiet Flow, I guess I would need to replace all of that because I think that has 3" inlet and outlet.

I'm guessing the Walker Big Truck muffler or the MBRP wouldn't require much alteration, would it?

I've listened to a bunch of YouTube videos, but everything is sounding similar. Plus, all of the trucks in those videos have other mods, and I'm pretty much stock. So, it's hard for me to really imagine what they would sound like on my truck.

If you can't tell--I'm struggling with this, but I need to make a decision in the next day or two so I can have a muffler before we leave on our vacation this weekend.

I'm torn between a Walker Quiet Flow (because I can pick it up in a local store), a Walker Big Truck Muffler, or MBRP (a lot of you seem to have gone that direction).

This is my dream truck -- it literally makes me smile every time I hop in and drive down the road. But I'm also the dad to 3 small kids, and I have a wife who hates the noise when we're loading up our trailer or driving slow through a campground or shopping center. Everything else is stock--and I might just leave it that way.

Not trying to get personal---but I thought a little background would help you know where I'm coming from. I'm sure this is an easy decision for those in the know...but I'm not there yet.

So, friends, can you put me out of my misery and help me finally make up my mind? If you were me, which would you choose?

 

The suggestion I made has full 4 inch in and out, and will attach easily to the 4 inch exhaust you already have installed. You will just have to measure then cut out the section of straight pipe already on your truck. Thats why I am able to have the muffler or the straight piped section on my truck depending what I want the truck to sound like.

 

Hi John, it sounds like we probably are neighbors. I live between Leesburg and Purcellville. Let me know if you're nearby--I might take you up on the kind offer to check out your MBRP.

I've changed all my fluids, and like to pretend I know what I'm doing, even though I've learned everything I know from this forum. But I need to have a few things checked out for this trip that I don't have time for: parking brake adjustment or replacement, rear brake check, squeaky bushing in my clutch pedal. I have an appointment at Jerry's Ford--I've met the diesel mechanic and he seems honest and good. (I have a healthy skepticism of most of the others I've met). I like to do as much as I can when I can. But when I get in a bind, would you suggest going anywhere else in the area?

Thanks,
Tom

 

Just don't buy the 3 inch muffler. The truck came with 3 1/2 inch stock.

 

I had both the Walker BTM and I now have the MBRP, granted the BTM was on the stock pipes, but the MBRP is way noisier. It's a straight through style muffler not unlike the old Cherry Bombs. The BTM has more baffles. Like I said earlier, it's closer to stock, as far as noise level.