4.9L6 Exhaust
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Newbern, Tn
My truck runs open pipe, no muffler or cats, Stock pipe size and this is only becuase of lack of funds at the moment, It doesn't sound that bad. But depending on where you live, it might not be a good idea.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 1
From: Prince George, B.C.
3" pipe won't hurt torque, it might change the powerband of the engine a bit but it won't do enough to hurt anything. Most vehicles I have run open exhaust or at the most glasspacks, my '77 Dodge, factory 2" y'd into single 2.25", that has been replaced with true dual 2.5" pipes and glasspacks, alot larger then stock but alot better power.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,955
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From: Quesnel, BC, Canada
i remember as a youngster my dad had an 85 f250 w/ a 300 in it. We were changing engines...so once we got the replacement in we hadnt had the exhaust on yet and fired it up to see if she ran....damn that thing sounded SUPRISINGLY badaasss. That is with the manifold that is 6-1, not 3-1 twice.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: La Crosse, WI
right now I have a 78' F150 4x4 with the straight six. I have the hedmen header, offy dual plane and holley 390....and no exhaust.....my god it is nasty sounding!!!! I am getting true 2" duals on it Monday so it will be very different soon. I was amazed when you get on it and the motor starts to wind up around 2500 rpm it is just wicked off the straight header (6 into 2). The power that motor makes with the setup I have is pretty impressive too! I am a die hard fan of the six! Greatest Ford motor ever!
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
When I think about it if it's okay to run 2.5" true duals on a V8, which gives you essentially a bank of 4 cylinders with 2.5" pipe. Why would it hurt if you have a bank of 6 cylinders going through 3" pipe? Looking at it that way it seems 3" would be ideal for a 300... not only that but I imagine it would sound really nice too. What do yall think?
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
I am running the Offy intake, Holley 2bbl, Hedman header, .040 over, mild cam, etc. With that I just can't see why 3" would be too big.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Then from the sounds of it 3" will be just right for my application, what kind of muffler should I use? Glasspack or turbo type? I don't want it super loud but still have that nice non-turbo/tractor/diesel sound, nice throaty rumble.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
I don't want to run true duals because it will sound like a pissed off bumble bee. I'll take good sound over loud any day! I think single 3" will give me that deep burble at idle that I am looking for and that non turbo Cummins sound above idle. I don't want to lose performance from going to bigger pipe, I would run 2.5" but would prefer 3".
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 1
From: Prince George, B.C.
Run a 3" straight pipe and see how you like it, if thats too loud add a 3" Magnaflow, 14" or 18" body. That'll tone it down a bit. Make sure you run it out behind the wheel LOL. You won't lose performance going to a larger pipe.