Recently installed a Flowmaster 40 on my Ford F-150 (5.8L 351W) and contemplating the addition of a mid pipe, new catalytic converter, and potentially headers. The existing exhaust system features a 2.5" setup. Seeking recommendations on reputable brands and sources for these components. I've heard mixed opinions on headers for the 5.8L, so primarily focusing on optimal mid pipes and a compatible catalytic converter for my current exhaust configuration. Your insights are much appreciated. Thanks in advance for the guidance!

 

Magnafllow (Carsound) makes nice aftermarket cats. Catco are okay too. Midpipe would just be whatever inlet diameter your muffler is and can probably just buy some at a local muffler shop. If you have never installed a builder exhaust, you may want to have help with a local shop to use their lift. At times hangers do not match exactly and you would have to move one. I recommend pilfering OE hangers from late model trucks in the yards as they are cheap and durable as hell. Same goes for weld on hangers, much better than cheapo bent ones.

Full length headers work better, but then you have to deal with potential fitment issues and such. Really depends what you are after and what your skill level is to do this. I run long tubes on my '88, work fine.

 

I used pacesetter long tubes on a 2wd truck, Flowmaster high flow cat, made a custom y-pipe.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...tube-size.html

 

ah okay thanks, yea how much do you think it would be to get a shop to install the mid pipe once the exhaust is installed?

 

What “mid pipe” are you taking about?

I had JBA shorty headers for a little while. Two sets cracked at the welds where the pipes meet at the collector. They did warranty the first set. I’d have to see what brand I took off which are still good but I went to long tubes and a 351W. I think it was BBK.

EDIT: Yes BBK ceramic coated shorty headers.

 

If the motor is stock, I would not even bother with headers. More trouble and headaches than they are worth unless you get expensive ones. But it will still be a 200 hp engine unless it has upgraded heads etc. Actually about replace shorty headers on a friends truck with new manifolds since they are cracked and warped etc.

If you want headers JBA are the way to go. But I'd save that for a time when the engine is rebuilt and warmed up to make better use of them.

The Magnaflow catted Y pipe is pretty good. Seen almost no issues with those. The same friend has had one of their Y pipes for over 15 years.

Unless you like the sound of a hollow tin can and want interior noise and drone, get anything besides Flowmaster. Every high school kid's truck has one of these mufflers anyway. They don't really master the flow of anything either.

If you want a good exhaust system, get Dynomax or Magnaflow. and run a full tail pipe in the stock location. I think Magnaflow used to make a nice tail pipe that fit these trucks.

 

Thats one of the first times I've heard of an issue with JBA headers. I have them on a vintage Mustang for the last 15 years with no issues.

I tried BBK about 20 years ago on my previous truck and they didn't fit well at all so never even ran them.

 

100% disagree with the JBA recommendation. Maybe I got a couple bad batches? Shorty headers aren’t going to be worse than the stock manifolds.

Umm… too late for that. The OP has already installed the Flowmaster 40 muffler.

 

[QUOTE=TexasGuy001;21124663]If the motor is stock, I would not even bother with headers. More trouble and headaches than they are worth unless you get expensive ones. But it will still be a 200 hp engine unless it has upgraded heads etc. Actually about replace shorty headers on a friends truck with new manifolds since they are cracked and warped etc.

If you want headers JBA are the way to go. But I'd save that for a time when the engine is rebuilt and warmed up to make better use of them.

The Magnaflow catted Y pipe is pretty good. Seen almost no issues with those. The same friend has had one of their Y pipes for over 15 years.

Unless you like the sound of a hollow tin can and want interior noise and drone, get anything besides Flowmaster. Every high school kid's truck has one of these mufflers anyway. They don't really master the flow of anything either.

If you want a good exhaust system, get Dynomax or Magnaflow. and run a full tail pipe in the stock location. I think Magnaflow used to make a nice tail pipe that fit these trucks.

[/If you want a good exhaust system, get Dynomax or Magnaflow. and run a full tail pipe in the stock location. I think Magnaflow used to make a nice tail pipe that fit these trucks.]

haha okay thanks, yea i’m new to the world of trucks and modding so i’m rly tryin my best i’m thinking of getting this y pipe but i don’t know what exhaust would go good with it If you want a good exhaust system, get Dynomax or Magnaflow. and run a full tail pipe in the stock location. I think Magnaflow used to make a nice tail pipe that fit these trucks.

 

Everyone likes a different tone or sound. Hooker Aerochamber sound excellent to me as did the old MAC Flowpaths. I have a 70 Series Flow on my 4.9, I dig it...my '88 has a 50 Series catback...the 40 Series non Delta Flow, yah those wear on you. An uncorked 351W will make more than 200hp, even the early flaccid tappet camshaft ones. The rollers actually have a reasonable camshaft.

JBA headers I have used previously are nice units, they were on my GMT800 before I went to Thorley LTs. I had BBK shorty fox headers on my '88 before I went to Hooker LTs. No issue with JBA or BBKs. At times you just receive crap made on a hungover Monday or 17:00 on a Friday.

Either way, you do you. Enjoy your truck and mods.

 

Hey so I haven’t installed them yet, i miss spoke in my original post

 

Delta series 40 Flowmaster for me, street truck, mild engine, pipes out the back zero drone, sounds wicked at idle with cam, extremely aggressive when your in the throttle.
Also have super 10 on a car with close to 20 feet of exhaust, radical cam, absolutely love the sound.
Picked up almost new 40 series from local marketplace, going to put those on nearly stock motor.

Where I live, if you have Magnaflow, your going to sound like all the mustangs, I hate the sound of magnaflow, my opinion.
I here the exhaust note of Magnaflow, coming round the corner/down the street, I know its going to be a mustang.

 

I'd bet you are hearing modern Mustangs with Crapote motors and they sound like a clapped out cigarette boat from Miami Vice with any muffler other than OEM. Most of the ones I hear around here seem to have muffler deletes or similar setups. Sounds like trash. LOL...These trucks really don't sound like that with Magnaflow.

However, my preferred muffler is Dynomax. It sounds way better and not raspy. Nice deep mellow tone. You can also hear yourself think, carry on a conversation, and hear the radio.

Anyone that says a 40 series Flowmaster doesn't drone has just gotten used to it, has both factory cats, or has 100 lbs of sound deadener under the carpet and behind the seat. I've actually heard that some guys like the drone.

That may be fun for a weekend hot rod but not for a daily driver or tow vehicle etc.

 

delete duplicate post

 

That just seems strange to me. But if you had lousy ones then they were obviously lousy.

I'm not sure if they make them for our trucks but either Doug Thorley headers or maybe it was Doug's headers and FPA are considered to be quite good with the classic Mustang crowd.