Exhaust recommendation
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Cartersville, GA
Exhaust recommendation
I've decided to put dual exhaust and new tires on my 94 F-150 LWB 2WD. The local muffler shop has Flowmaster's for a decent deal. Would any of you recommend them over a stock exhaust or should I look for something else? I'm sticking with the OEM manifolds and everything else, just new pipes and mufflers.
Also, it's time to re-shoe the old girl, I'm thinking Michelin LTX M/S in the stock size (235/75-15) or maybe step up to a 31x10.5. I think it's got a 3.55 rearend, not sure if the larger tires will kill what little mileage I can get out of it. Anybody got an opinion on this (loaded question, I know)? Maybe Yokohama, Toyo, or BFG?
I don't drive the truck very often (who can at $2.50/gal) but when I do, I want a smooth ride. I think I've put 20K on her since buying it 5 years ago.
-Greg
Also, it's time to re-shoe the old girl, I'm thinking Michelin LTX M/S in the stock size (235/75-15) or maybe step up to a 31x10.5. I think it's got a 3.55 rearend, not sure if the larger tires will kill what little mileage I can get out of it. Anybody got an opinion on this (loaded question, I know)? Maybe Yokohama, Toyo, or BFG?
I don't drive the truck very often (who can at $2.50/gal) but when I do, I want a smooth ride. I think I've put 20K on her since buying it 5 years ago.
-Greg
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Hawkeye Country
if your sticking with the factory exhaust and just replacing the muffler your not gonna get much sound, the two catalitic converters kill all the sound, i started my 96 f150 up with no muffler and it didnt make hardly any noise at all. if you want some nosie and want to remain legal, if your state will allow you to, replace the two factory cats with a single aftermarket highflow cat.
make sure the flowmasters are real flowmasters and not some cheap knockoff, get a real good look at the mufflers before they install them.
also what size motor does your truck have?
make sure the flowmasters are real flowmasters and not some cheap knockoff, get a real good look at the mufflers before they install them.
also what size motor does your truck have?
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Cartersville, GA
Hey Jimbo, it's a 5.0L.
I was playing around with an online calculator last night, with a 3.55 rearend and .67 OD, the 31x10.50's will drop the tach by about 400 rpm at 70 cruise on the interstate. That seems to be a good thing, but I'm concerned that I'll lose too much torque on the bottom end. We've got a light pop-up camper that we tow with the F150, it probably won't matter too much.
The Flowmasters are $235 at my local shop, using 2-1/4" pipe and chrome tips. A set of LTX 31x10.5 installed is $600. I think I'm going to pull the trigger on both next week.
I was playing around with an online calculator last night, with a 3.55 rearend and .67 OD, the 31x10.50's will drop the tach by about 400 rpm at 70 cruise on the interstate. That seems to be a good thing, but I'm concerned that I'll lose too much torque on the bottom end. We've got a light pop-up camper that we tow with the F150, it probably won't matter too much.
The Flowmasters are $235 at my local shop, using 2-1/4" pipe and chrome tips. A set of LTX 31x10.5 installed is $600. I think I'm going to pull the trigger on both next week.
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From: Norman, OK
I agree with the previous post regarding the single hi-flo cat. I got one from DynoMax that is a dual-in/dual-out. I would also suggest that you get rid of the stock manifolds and put some headers on there. You can get a really good deal on some Summit shorty's, which is what I have. I am very happy with my system, except for the cheapo mufflers. I'm getting the Flowmaster 40's pretty soon.
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From: Wisconsin
make sure you get the 40 series if your going for sound, i ran stock manifolds, no cats and true duals with 40's for 6 months and everyone thought it sounded awsome real nice deep tone. but thats with 2 1/2 pipe not 2 1/4 my buddy ran 2 1/4 on his and it is noticably quieter.Btw this is all on 302's. Bigger tips(length and diameter) also give you your tone. now if your going headers be careful with some shorty headers they run really close to the firewall. and most long tube headers run either really close to the shift linkage on the tranny or close to the starter. cheaper brands especially. with the tires you should notice nothing with 31's. i had 33 general grabbers and i barely noticed much of a drop in performance and mileage. now i run 33 bfg all terrains and they are a little lighter and they wear and ride real nice for me. so not all people thing like me but i like true dual flowmasters no cats and manifolds or headers doesnt matter too much just makes it louder and slight performance gain, tires are personal choice
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Cartersville, GA
I might see if they will remove the cats, but I bet they won't. The guy at the shop said with the factory cats, I could run straight pipes and it wouldn't be too loud. He seemed very familiar with Fords, which stands to reason I guess since the F-150 was and is the best selling light truck in history.
I'm taking her by the tire shop this afternoon for new shoes! 31x10.50 Michelins. Should improve the ride over the cheap Goodyear Wingfoots the previous owner installed. I think at least one of them is octagonal. You should see the weights I've got on one of my rims to try to balance the thing.
I'm taking her by the tire shop this afternoon for new shoes! 31x10.50 Michelins. Should improve the ride over the cheap Goodyear Wingfoots the previous owner installed. I think at least one of them is octagonal. You should see the weights I've got on one of my rims to try to balance the thing.
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From: Norman, OK
Not to rekindle an old discussion, but I'd keep the cats or at least get a hi-flo cat. They really do help out the pollution problem and the way things are going now, every little bit helps. I had my cat off for quite a while and finally went a little "green" and reinstalled with a hi-flo cat. The performance is actually better than without the cat and I am dumping a lot less shi* into the air. That's just my humble opinion, however.
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From: Central,Texas
Dynomax Turbo all you need.
My truck has a (302) first Glasspack, Then Flowmaster, then Dynomax, Now Magnaflow.
Both Cats i still have "Texas law" Next year i am going to put hedders on with high flow cats
The Classpack was LOUD But sounded like "***" Good Flow + 3MPG
The Flowmaster was a CRAP 40 it did not flow like the glasspack QUIET I lost mileage
The Dynomax i had turndowns at the rear axel LOW DEEP TONE SWEET + 2MPG
The Magnaflow i have now side exit GREAT FLOW The sound is high pitch +5MPG
10 Years with my 96 F-150 it will give you some ideas I would put turndowns
on that truck. With the Dynomax turndowns on my 302 at least 8 db's in the cab.
My truck has a (302) first Glasspack, Then Flowmaster, then Dynomax, Now Magnaflow.
Both Cats i still have "Texas law" Next year i am going to put hedders on with high flow cats
The Classpack was LOUD But sounded like "***" Good Flow + 3MPG
The Flowmaster was a CRAP 40 it did not flow like the glasspack QUIET I lost mileage
The Dynomax i had turndowns at the rear axel LOW DEEP TONE SWEET + 2MPG
The Magnaflow i have now side exit GREAT FLOW The sound is high pitch +5MPG
10 Years with my 96 F-150 it will give you some ideas I would put turndowns
on that truck. With the Dynomax turndowns on my 302 at least 8 db's in the cab.
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From: GA
a muffler will not affect your mpg like stated above, maybe plus or minus 1 mpg AT THE MOST...with the two cats on there it does not make a huge difference in sound no matter what you put on, im partial to the two stock cats and pipes on the 302 and 351...no muffler, the cats quiet the exhaust down alot by themselves
does your truck have overdrive? what tranny?
does your truck have overdrive? what tranny?
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Central VA
I've got a Magnaflow 1-into-2 muffler on my 95 5.0 and am happy with the sound. A little rumble but nothing harsh or obnoxious.
As far as the tips, I'd suggest getting stainless, chrome will eventually rust and look like crap.
As far as the tips, I'd suggest getting stainless, chrome will eventually rust and look like crap.
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From: Central,Texas
Originally Posted by KubotaOrange76
a muffler will not affect your mpg like stated above, maybe plus or minus 1 mpg AT THE MOST...with the two cats on there it does not make a huge difference in sound no matter what you put on, im partial to the two stock cats and pipes on the 302 and 351...no muffler, the cats quiet the exhaust down alot by themselves
does your truck have overdrive? what tranny?
does your truck have overdrive? what tranny?
My Powertrain 5.0L 4R70W OD 3.55 112,000 Miles
Yea also you know if i drive with a lead foot HA HA
I still have Stock Cats the second one is punched thew when the other cat is dead i am going to replace them with HIGH FLOW Magnaflow Cats.