97 exhaust question

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Apr 28, 2007 | 09:48 AM

Phinxter

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From: Saratoga, NY

97 exhaust question

What was Fords idea behind exiting the exhaust in front of the right rear wheel in 97? Once in awhile I see one and always wondered.

Apr 28, 2007 | 11:19 AM

LxMan1

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From: Louisville,Ky.

Cheaper, less pipe perhaps?

Apr 28, 2007 | 11:28 AM

galaxie641

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From: SE Wyoming

Thats my guess, they had a recall because it started discoloring the center cap for that wheel. I just put a simple turn down on mine when I upgraded the exhaust. IIRC it is a bit of a pain plumbing around the spare tire and rear axle, would have been very easy just dumping it out the side.

Apr 28, 2007 | 02:59 PM

skilife17

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From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota

I know on my 97 the exhaust was replaced in 98 i'm guessing. Mine exits behind the rear tire. I know mine is old because the muffler has about 5 noticeable dents in it.

Apr 28, 2007 | 03:54 PM

SuperSnake

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From: North of Normal

I have been thinking about doing a Lightnin style exhaust on mine

Apr 28, 2007 | 10:55 PM

ATC Crazy

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From: SW VA

Yup...I just put 2 turndowns right on the end of the muffler. Dont have to worry about bend/pinching/ripping the exhaust pipe off while offroad. Nothing visible (except for the tips of the turndowns if you are in a car), which makes it stealthy lookin'....and it cleans up the body lines, so there isn't a pipe hanging out. Just my opinion...

Apr 28, 2007 | 11:11 PM

JoBoOtSdEfAyGo

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I cut mine off up to the cats and it had a very nice, authoritive, dragstrip sound. However, that didnt last too long...damn computer stuff. So, I got the true-dual conversion finished out and put two single chamber 40 series flowmasters under there with turndowns. It all stops in front of my rear tires, still releasing an aggressive/punchy dragster-type rumble. And your right ATC, clean body lines with no visible pipe will always be the best looking setup out there...but then again, thats my opinion too, hehe!

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Apr 29, 2007 | 01:50 AM

sdeforest

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I really like the exit out the side look. My wheels look like crap but... That's my next project before I get new tires.

Apr 29, 2007 | 06:19 AM

#10

Joe Finn

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From: DC

I was told the reason they switched the exhaust exit to behind the rear tire was that heat from the exhaust was causing the tire to fail. I never believed that. That said, I've had one "blow out" in all my miles of driving and it was the right rear on my '97 F150. Hmmmm.

Apr 29, 2007 | 12:43 PM

#11

Phinxter

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From: Saratoga, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by LxMan1

Cheaper, less pipe perhaps?

Knowing how car makers try to save a dime here and there I can believe that but does anybody know for sure why they did it in the first place? How many cars/trucks new from the factory have you seen with a stock exhaust exiting there?

Apr 29, 2007 | 10:21 PM

#12

ATC Crazy

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From: SW VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by LxMan1

Turn downs are nice until you drive in alot of stop and go traffic, the fumes rise into the cab. Carbon Monoxide is odorless and will kill you!!!!

Before I got my Super 40 welded on, I just hacked off the stock muffler after the cat. The pipe dumped right under the passenger seat. With it like that, I could smell the fumes if there was no breeze or air movement. With the way it is now, the exhaust dumps about 16-18 inches past the cab, and I have never smelled any kind of exhaust fumes since. There are only 3 stop lights on my way to work, and other than that, I stay away from the city.