Hi everybody I'm a new member to this web site, I have a 02 F-250 regular cab with a 5.4. I already have a k&n fipk on my truck and am thinking about a power programmer soon, but my question is, I would like to install a set of Gibson headers along with a set of flowmasters or ultra-flos with no cat. Will i have to be consirned about loosing to much back pressure and possibally burning exhuast valves or sould i run aftermarket cats too. I'm not worried about it being legal the cops don't pay much attention to trucks around where i live. Anyhelp would be appreacited

 

Welcome to the site!

I think you'd be money ahead and generally much better off to leave the OEM cats in place. Headers and a cat-back system will bring you a nice improvement in performance.

 

I've considered removing the cat on my '00 also. Anyone done this with good luck?

 

Benny R,

Hey, welcome aboard FTE... and GO PACKERS!!! FYI, I sent you an E-mail here on FTE about some headers. I have the same year truck, F-250, and the same 5.4L motor(with EGR valve, and a 4X2, not a 4X4). I put Gibson stainless steel headers on my truck. Prior to that, I installed the Gibson "swept-side" aluminized cat-back exhaust. Definitely a difference in performance: a lot crisper acceleration, more power through the 2000- and up rpm range, and a nice note out the back! The cat-back was a breeze to install. Did it by myself in 2 hours flat. I did have a slight bout of hindsight, thinking I could've just replaced the muffler for $50-$100 bucks instead of dropping ~$300 on the cat-back. Oh well, I'm happy with it, so "so what"???


Well, welcome aboard once again... and I look forward to hearing from you!

Best,

 

The engine computer relies on information from the oxygen sensors to regulate fuel delivery. Most late model Fords have two O2 sensors. One in front of the cat and one after. Removing the cats will not allow the sensors to work as designed, cause a "check engine" light and create performance problems.

 

I know you said you aren't worried about the cops, but here in PA emissions testing is now part of inspection starting this year. I'm sure other states will follow. I'd suggest keeping the cat. All the guys who removed them are going to have to have them replaced in order to be legal. Just a thought, could save you in the long run.

 

And on that note.... Yes, keep the stock cats; they are hi-flow cats already and there's little to gain by swapping them out. Bottm line: Don't mess with the kitty-cats!!!

 

Like DS59F100 suggested, save a few $ by replacing the stock muffler with a free-flow instead of the cat-back system. I don't know what size tubing the 5.4 has, but the V10 comes from the factory with mandrel-bent (no wrinkles) 3 1/2" tubing with nice smooth bends. I cut off he stock muffler and added a Flowmaster p.n. 53073 (3 1/2" offset I/O) which is a direct replacement for the stocker. Less than an hour job. This is the part number that Flowmaster uses in their cat-back system. It has enough length so that no additional tubing needs to be added and it's very heavy-duty for my towing conditions. In my previous ride, F250/460, I blew out the back end of a 40 series Flowmaster due to the heat generated while towing 13,500 pounds.

 

Thanks for all the info guys. As of now I currrently have the stock cat and a y pipe to duals out the back. I still want to get headers but was just wondering about different mufflers.

 

Jeb, where are you in PA. Just curious. I am an hour from Philly. Where did you get the long mudflaps? My truck is black and the paint is taking a beating.

 

92GT,
I'm up near Erie but I made those mud flaps. Only cost me about $15 for all four. I went to a tractor trailer dealer and bought two 30 inch rubber mudflaps (they are only like 6 dollars each or something) then cut them down the middle. I left them about 2-3 inches from the ground in the front and about 3-4 inches from the ground in the rear. Picked up the hardware at Truevalue for a buck. I used one of the existing holes in the fender, plus drilled one into the plastic in the wheel wells. They have been on for almost a year and I am very satisfied.

 

We have a tractor supply co (TSC) locally, maybe I need to go look. I like the concept... thanks !

 

Well they might have them at TSC but I went to a semi dealership. If you are near any major highways there is bound to be plenty of them. They will have a selection to choose from (length, material, color, etc). Hope this helps

 

V10DoubleTow, do you like the sound of your flowmaster? The part number you listed is for a 70 series. How would you describe the sound over the stock system?

 

I like the sound of it. Definitely louder than stock but not really as loud as I thought it would be. The 70 series is one of those mufflers that you can definitely hear outside the vehicle but it's pretty quiet inside. I had a 40 series on my last truck, F250/460, which sounded great. But that was a V8 and my current truck is a V10. From what I've read in this forum, several people that have added a 40 series to their V10's are unhappy with the sound. I recall somebody saying it's like a rice burner on steroids. Another reason why I bought this part number is because it's the same one that Flowmaster puts on their cat-back system. This muffler is specifically for high performance tow vehicles and RV's and is supposedly heavier duty than the 40 series. On my F250/460, I blew out the back end of a 40 series while towing. The muffler shop just scratched their heads and replaced it for free. I didn't tell them I was towing almost 14,000 pounds. The 53073 is an easy D.I.Y. installation. I just cut off the stock muffler with a die grinder and cutoff wheel and stuck the Flowmaster in place. Used the cutoff wheel to remove the 'J" hanger from the stock muffler and placed it on the Flow. Welded everything up with a wire feed. I've done lots of towing with the same weight as before and have not had any problems. Here's a link to the Flow page for the 53073. They've got V8 sound bites you can listen to but not for the V10. http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/cg...ter/53073.html