Notices
2004 - 2008 F150 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Ford F150's with 5.4 V8, 4.6 V8 engine
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

No Muffler --> Straight Pipe ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 13, 2006 | 03:22 PM
  #1  
silverxlt's Avatar
silverxlt
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
No Muffler --> Straight Pipe ?

Is it true that a straight pipe can be inserted in place of the muffler?? Will this cause any problems with the motor?? Is the sound any loader than a 40 series flowmaster??

 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2006 | 03:37 PM
  #2  
torino_gt's Avatar
torino_gt
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Lightbulb

dude, sure you can do this, but why? the sound will be rather loud. hell, i used to like that sound myself, but have grown to love the deep flowmaster rumble. w/o mufflers your truck will have a nice ear piercing growl at about 70 mph, then when you back off of it pretty hard during city driving, you'll get some sweet soundin' resonance. but hey, if you like to hear your pipes talk, they will.
one more thing about using a muffler...its legal!
 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2006 | 09:01 PM
  #3  
Hookin' 1963's Avatar
Hookin' 1963
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
I put straight pipes on my 04 screw 5.4l and I don't think its too loud at all!!! With four converters how could it be? I had a Flowmaster 40 on my 98 and I think it was louder than my 04. Plus I think I get a better sound at wot than with the Flowmaster. Just my $0.02.
 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2006 | 09:16 PM
  #4  
ford390gashog's Avatar
ford390gashog
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Club FTE Gold Member
what you are calling "straight" pipe is not a true straight pipe. a true straight pipe is just that with nothing from the manifolds to the tip just pipe. you can't run a sraight pipe setup on these.
 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2006 | 09:26 PM
  #5  
Hookin' 1963's Avatar
Hookin' 1963
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
sorry cat-back straight pipe (no muffler)
 
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2006 | 08:00 AM
  #6  
CMOS's Avatar
CMOS
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia, TX
IMO, you'll get a deeper throaty sound by using the Flowmaster 40's.

CMOS
 
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2006 | 09:29 AM
  #7  
Beechkid's Avatar
Beechkid
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,104
Likes: 384
From: Southern California
Club FTE Gold Member
Been there, done that. Ford's converters absorb about 70% of the noise the engine produces (factory documents). What I have done will all my vehciles is to take it to a muffle shop, drop the muffler fire up the engine and listen to it both inside & outside the vehicle. My truck was fine, my wifes car was just a tad too loud so we installed 10" Allied glasspacks reversed and that set it just right. The only FYI...although I have never had a problem, technically, the OEM muffler is a "smog related device" and technically cannot be removed but I have never even had anyone take a second look (in Ca) on any vehicle I've owned during the past 25 + years!
 
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2006 | 09:55 AM
  #8  
tshannahan's Avatar
tshannahan
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
i put in a gibson dual exhaust wasnt loud enough so i put on 2' 4'' diam tips on with a straight pipe y out the rear and it sound amazing and there was a noticeable difference in power no incredible but noticeable, i have had no compliant either for hte last year by the way mines on a 4.6l which turns out i personally beleive better than the 5.4l it seems louder because its not too deep just perfect
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Jan 15, 2006 | 10:01 PM
  #9  
charlesh's Avatar
charlesh
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
In the good ol days (think 60's) the gas engine school buses would have a pipe from the manifold to the back bumper. That is a long long pipe. And the sound was not too loud with a slight burb burb from time to time.

Sooo if the pipe is long enough no muffler of any kind is needed.
 
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2006 | 12:11 PM
  #10  
Reave1's Avatar
Reave1
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
Straight pipe can sound loud, but the result will actually be negative in two ways. First, these motors are designed by ford to have a measurable level of back pressure to help exhaust scavenging which will help fuel economy. Second, the straight pipe will give a more raspy junky sound. Personally speaking if I am paying 35,000 for a truck I don't want people thinking it is a ghetto sled. I reccomend the flowmaster 40series with the resonator and 4" tips. It acts like a megaphone and makes the truck scream. Check my gallery and you will see the profile of the exhaust. trust me it is your best bet. Lastly the horsepower claims may seem valid but open exhaust on a computer controlled truck will actually lose you some horsepower on the bottom end.
 
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2006 | 11:52 PM
  #11  
is300wrx's Avatar
is300wrx
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, CT
Originally Posted by tshannahan
i put in a gibson dual exhaust wasnt loud enough so i put on 2' 4'' diam tips on with a straight pipe y out the rear and it sound amazing and there was a noticeable difference in power no incredible but noticeable, i have had no compliant either for hte last year by the way mines on a 4.6l which turns out i personally beleive better than the 5.4l it seems louder because its not too deep just perfect
I also have a 4.6 and was thinking about taking the same route you had gone. I have also done this on my BMW, straight pipes after the cat and it sounds awesome. I was thinking about cutting the muffler off, bending new pipes, and calling it a day. Does it get raspy at all? How is the drone on the highway? Is it a deep growl? How much do you think a local shop will charge me since I would also like to to get a polished tip welded on as well.
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2006 | 12:00 AM
  #12  
is300wrx's Avatar
is300wrx
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, CT
also, does a 4.6 have 4 cats just like the 5.4? I cant imagine the 4.6 being overly obnoxiously loud with just cats. Possibly, sound close to stock...Which I wouldnt mind. If it was just a little more rumble, it would be my pick. Someone please post a sound clip!!! (idle, RMP range, interior, exterior)
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2006 | 11:06 AM
  #13  
tshannahan's Avatar
tshannahan
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
the shop i went to charge me 70 dollars for welding and putting on a y pipe going to the 2 splite rear and the tips were 40 dollars
i have had no raspy issues
the drone on the high is not incredibly bad but sounds great
growl is beautiful very nice and not incredibly deep
your looking at around 110 to 150 dollars
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2006 | 01:20 PM
  #14  
Dr. Aftermarket's Avatar
Dr. Aftermarket
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
ooooouch, i dont know if id do that, it would be rather loud, if i was you id either buy a complete exhaust or do a muffler replacement
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2006 | 01:35 PM
  #15  
is300wrx's Avatar
is300wrx
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, CT
Originally Posted by tshannahan
the shop i went to charge me 70 dollars for welding and putting on a y pipe going to the 2 splite rear and the tips were 40 dollars
i have had no raspy issues
the drone on the high is not incredibly bad but sounds great
growl is beautiful very nice and not incredibly deep
your looking at around 110 to 150 dollars
Would you be able to post a sound clip of it?
Thanks
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:26 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE