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I have a 98 Expy with 4.6L K&N kit and diablo chip. considering adding cat back system. Are there any down side issues to repacing with a cat back? I recall seeing info from someone that their performance dropped after adding. Also, any recommendations as to brand that offers best performance would be helpful.
Since the vehicle is 5 years old with original muffler, what kind of headache am I setting myself up for to attempt doing it myself.
You SHOULD change your exhaust, since you have a chip, and a K&N filter. You will expel more exhaust gases, more quickly. It will create a more free flowing air system in your vehicle. As far as it being 5 years old....You may have some trouble with the bolts and clamps so I would reccommend replacing them all. Exhaust systems are fairly straight forward relatively simple additions.....
My 1998 expy was born in canada, and driven in boston most it's life (tons of snow/salt). My underbody is pretty rusted, but it was no real problem. There's a middle hanger (you'll see when you get it) that I had to cut, and it was kind of hard to pull off but that's all. I've done a few exhausts on cars and the expy was by FAR the easiest I've ever done.
My flowmaster needed 1 more clamp than it came with - perhaps not 100% necessary but I felt the $3 clamp wasn't a big deal.
If you have a rotary elbow grinder it should be very easy. Also make sure you have a friend.. some of the parts might be a little hard for 1 person.
Since you are up tuning with a chip a cat is probably a good choice. They don't have to be expensive, but if you live in snow country, then stainless is a good investment.
If you are looking for more low end torque or for high rpm hp, then let your shop/vendor know which so they can help you can choose what's appropriate in a muffler and exit pipe.
If you intend to maintain all round performance, use the original size (2.5" I think) pipe from the muffler back. As a rule, the smaller pipe will result in a quieter ride inside the vehicle.
Do the cat back. I had my system, Flowmaster with 3" pipe all the way for 318 dollars. It's worth the money as I now have a five year warranty. It's a tad bit loud when it hits certain RPMs because of the 3" pipe but for the most part, it's very mellow. I have no idea how the thing would have run with the K & N and chip without the exhaust because I did it all at once.
Has anyone ever put single-in dual-out exhaust on an '01 E.B.? I want to increase the gas mileage, since i have the 5.4L. Any other suggestions on intake, chips, etc.?
Aaron.... I have a SIDO on mine. It is a Flowmaster 40 series. I had to bring both pipes out at the stock location side by side due to fuel tank and spare in the way. It looks great and sounds even better! There are pics in my gallery if you want to see what the exhaust looks like. On a side note... it is a little "droney" at about 45MPH before it shifts. After the shift it is pretty quiet. If you really stomp on the gas you can really make some noise!
I too have mine going out the stock location and also experience the roar at about 45 mph prior to shifting. Oh, and to answer a question by Aron 0607, I don't think anything you do will make your gas mileage much better. The best thing to do is stay off the gas pedal.....