I've had my truck (thirsty) for about 2 months now and I like everything about him. Lots of power, reasonable fuel economy, ultra comfortable and I love driving it. But I have noticed the tail pipe seems awful small for the size of engine, it looks like it may be only 2 1/2" diameter. I havn't been under it yet to check out the rest of the system so maybe it gets better further ahead. If not there has got to be a more efficient system to use.
I don't want to go to loud, like on my last truck. My 98 Dodge 360 I installed a cat back Dynomax 3" system with the muffler and at idle it sounded great but at hiway speed pulling the trailer the drone almost drove wifey and I crazy. So the gist of my rambling is: Is there a system that will flow more freely and efficiently and stay reasonably quiet?
Or am I asking to have cake and eat it too?

 

i thought it was 3'' already?

 

Your stock system is 3" from the Y-pipe back. You'd be better off swapping out the Y-pipe and keeping the rest stock if it is quiet you're after.

 

Who makes a better y-pipe?
Thanks

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=415471

 

This is only a 415 cubic inch motor and I have had a few 390, 383, 400, 427, 428, 429, 460, 454 motors from 1967 through 1984,,,, they all had factory pipes less then 2 inch inside diameter.

I highly doubt any 1999 to 06 415 with 2.5 to 3.5 inch pipes is impacted by the diameter or length.

Now the different cast headers, initial tube lengths to the first "Y", strange neck down sections (2.5" down to under 2"), and the weird snaking unequal length routing all will compound to create a lot of imbalance and back pressure.

Cheapest easiest mod for a pre 2005 V10 is to get the factory "y" re fabricated by any decent muffler shop. You should not need any examples if you find an old bird who been doing it more the a few years. The fix is very obvious and not hard. Should not be more then $75-$120 either..... Just too damned easy not to do.

If you choose to go with headers, then you are obligated to do a little research and planning to OPTIMIZE the exhaust system considering the cost of the headers and labor to stick them on.

Best set up to date I have seen on a dyno with a pre 2005 V10 was headers, twin small cats, "H" or "X" crossover within 29 inches of the collectors, straight shot to a small form open flow muffler, and 45% turn out to the side right in front of each rear tire. 3 inch mandrel bent pieces and tubes from summit are not that expensive.

All of the true dual setups that I know about cost less then $500 with the labor. One guy has large "cheery bomb" straight through mufflers and his does not have the nasty raspy tinny horrid sound on hard deceleration. On the other hand it is uncomfortably loud over 3500rpm. ( I suspect he had the twin cats fabricated out of stainless to just look like a cat converter)

 

Does anybody have any Idea what my 03 would sound like without the cat and the addition of a nice free flowing Y pipe; everything else remaining stock.