Will 3" pipe make a difference?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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Will 3" pipe make a difference?
I need a new muffler for my 1988 F150 5.0 L 302 truck. Shop is suggesting replacing the existing pipe (apparently a combination of 2 1/4" and 3" pipe, with 2 catalytic converters) with a 3" all the way, removing the one converter and emptying the second. They say this will improve the flow of the exhaust, improve gas mileage a bit and they also noticed a crack in the passenger side exhaust manifold, which they will replace. All this for about $560.
Does this sound like an o.k. way to go? Reasonable price? Will it make a difference in performance/sound, etc.?
Thanks for any information/suggestions (I'm on a tight budget, and mainly want the truck to run well--not into hotrod, etc. stuff).
Thanks,
Frank.
Does this sound like an o.k. way to go? Reasonable price? Will it make a difference in performance/sound, etc.?
Thanks for any information/suggestions (I'm on a tight budget, and mainly want the truck to run well--not into hotrod, etc. stuff).
Thanks,
Frank.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 102
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From: Wisconsin
I'm not sure what state your in, some states require emission tests so it wouldn't be wise to ditch the cat. Also if the shop guts the cat they can get into BIG trouble. I'm thinking $560 is alot for the work they plan to do. Headers will make a bigger difference than just having 3" exhaust.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 102
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From: Wisconsin
Ok I guess the price is about right. As for $180 for one stock manifold, you can get hedders for about that price too, get the hedders and 3" pipes. It would also sound cool too depending on the muffler you get. Good luck.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,665
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
$180 for a manifold?? Sorry man, that shop is trying to rip 'ya. For $180, you can get a PAIR of shorty summit headers. Tell them to run a pipe throught the cat instead of leaving it hollow. Hollow cats=no good. It will improve mileage bit. I got a little over 1mpg, but my cats were bad. $560 sure is a lot.
