Performance Exhaust for an '89
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 113
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From: Ohio
Performance Exhaust for an '89
I am thinking about putting a performance exhaust on my 1989 F-150 with the 351 engine. I am looking at the Magnaflow, Gibson Super Flow and Flowmaster 50 series Delta Flow. I do not want a loud exhaust while driving normally, just a nice mellow tone. Of course, if I punch it, I want it to sound good.
Opinions?
Opinions?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 113
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From: Ohio
It has the standard factory type exhaust system on it now including cat. I also need to stick with a single system, as I have an aftermarket 45 gal. rear fuel tank where the spare tire used to be.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Yep... I don't think true duals is worth the hastle on these trucks. A single 2.5" to 3" is plenty performance wise. Like I was saying.. with the stock manifolds and cat in place, you won't get much rumble with any aftermarket cat back. If you replace the manifolds with headers and use an aftermarket cat, then the muffler will determine the final sound and level. I had a full MAC system on my '89 that sounded sweet, but cruising at 60mph produced a loud droning in the cab... 65-70 was fine. A different muffler would have changed that but I never got the chance to try one.
My '90 had a Dynomax cat back on it when I got it, sounded nice outside at lower speeds, but was completely silent inside. It now has longtubes, dual cats on a custom exhaust, and a factory ford diesel cat back. Again.. it's pretty quiet.. once underway it's silent inside the cab. If I get a chance this year I'm going to tryout another Dynomax or Flowmaster.
My '90 had a Dynomax cat back on it when I got it, sounded nice outside at lower speeds, but was completely silent inside. It now has longtubes, dual cats on a custom exhaust, and a factory ford diesel cat back. Again.. it's pretty quiet.. once underway it's silent inside the cab. If I get a chance this year I'm going to tryout another Dynomax or Flowmaster.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: St. Peter
I can tell you what sounds sweet. The dynomax crossflow. Well worth every 119 bucks. Thing is quiet, not loud and rappy, then when you get on it it sounds awsome. I cant even describe it. Similar to the stock exhaust on a new mach1, but louder i guess.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 507
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From: Alpharetta
kinda on topic here. i talked to a muffler show about getting a system done up. manifold back. The technician said i would have to stick with dual cats. inline from the manifold. is this true? or am i ok to run a single cat?
Its Comin Right for us!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,156
Likes: 2,638
From: GA
if it still has the stock cats, just replce the uffler with a pipe, it will soudn awesome and still b fairly quiet
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
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From: Parkesburg PA
With the stock cat on my Bronco I removed the muffler and ran a straight pipe and it sounded killer. On my 86 it's got a tiny universal cat and it was too loud without a muffler.
It's worth a try because if you do it yourself it costs like $5. 1 - 2 1/4 pipe and two clamps. You'll also need a saw (sawsall is a nice choice...). If you don't like it, try something else.
It's worth a try because if you do it yourself it costs like $5. 1 - 2 1/4 pipe and two clamps. You'll also need a saw (sawsall is a nice choice...). If you don't like it, try something else.
Last edited by f100beatertruck; Sep 20, 2006 at 11:39 PM.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Alpharetta
so after 180k miles you don't think i need to replace my cat? i did pass emisions no problems so... i guess not. so after the cat i should just run a pipe straight back? will i need any angle pipe? i guess i could prob climb under and see. IF i was to replace the cats... would i have to get two new ones or would i be ok with just one?
rereading kabuto's post i should just get a pipe that would replace the muffler, not get all new piping going from teh cat back. correct?
rereading kabuto's post i should just get a pipe that would replace the muffler, not get all new piping going from teh cat back. correct?
Last edited by kjg26; Sep 21, 2006 at 12:38 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 5
From: Parkesburg PA
Yup, just cut the stock exhaust right infront and right behind the stock muffler and replace with a straight pipe.
For a stock or mild engine the stock cat doesn't hurt performance, so if it still passes then leave it.
Now if the straight pipe isn't loud enough, then you'd have to change the cat. The stock setup is a Pre-Cat and regular cat. You only need to have one to satisfy emissions. You could also split the Y pipe and run true duals, but this can be more work then it's worth. Power increases on a stock engine are very little, mostly it's the sound that's the improvement.
I was very happy with the stock cat and no muffler (er, ultra-slim line muffler to the state...
you can't remove the muffler in PA...). It had a nice sound, not too loud, but you know it's there. Also it had the cool pops and burbles on decelleration. I also used a 3" tip that made it a little louder.
Try it. All you need is a pipe and some clamps. You might need a 2.25 ID to 2.25 ID adaptor, but I think I just used a pipe that was 2.25 ID on both ends.
For a stock or mild engine the stock cat doesn't hurt performance, so if it still passes then leave it.
Now if the straight pipe isn't loud enough, then you'd have to change the cat. The stock setup is a Pre-Cat and regular cat. You only need to have one to satisfy emissions. You could also split the Y pipe and run true duals, but this can be more work then it's worth. Power increases on a stock engine are very little, mostly it's the sound that's the improvement.
I was very happy with the stock cat and no muffler (er, ultra-slim line muffler to the state...
you can't remove the muffler in PA...). It had a nice sound, not too loud, but you know it's there. Also it had the cool pops and burbles on decelleration. I also used a 3" tip that made it a little louder. Try it. All you need is a pipe and some clamps. You might need a 2.25 ID to 2.25 ID adaptor, but I think I just used a pipe that was 2.25 ID on both ends.