I was wondering which would be better for my 89 5.0 engine. Either straight pipe or a complete Flowmaster exhaste system. I'm looking for good sound, added horse power, and better gas mileage! Can someone answer this? Plus would taking off the cats hurt anything?

 

flowmasters are ok, have 2 on my 78 bronco..kinda loud...and if you have strict emissions like we do in NJ, you wont be able to get past inspection without the cats. unless you want to switch back before inspection.

 

Inspections? Man, I'm in the south! They don't give a ##### about cats....lol. But anyway, which one do you thing would allow better air flow and added horse power?

 

Flowmaster...need some back pressure...

 

I have the two chamber single in/ dual out on my 88 1/2 ton. Sounds good, especially with the shorty headers, and single cat. The system I have isn't extremely loud, but it does have that nice "supertruck" type rumble. Especially under overpasses, around Houston, TX. I can tell you, my gas mileage went up after I put on the exhaust. Plus you may not want to remove your cats, your Bronco has the same engine set up as my truck, EFI correct? The O2 sensor would more than likely send you engine into fits if you remove the cats.





1988 F-150 Custom to XLT Lariat conversion, 5.0 EFI (formerly 300 I6), 5-speed M5OD, 3.08 rear gears (will be upgraded to 3.55's), Summit headers, Flowmaster muffler W/ dual 3.5" tips 24" long.

Pioneer CD, AC, Tilt, Cruise, Mobile Radio, Lightbar (Force 4 LP6000), Federal Signal PA300 Siren W/100W Siren Speaker. Caution Customizing in progress, Watch for flying tools & Parts!

 

Well, my O2 censor is infront of my cats therefore the airflow goes by the censor before it even gets to the cats. I didn't thing that would matter too much. How much do shorty headers cost and will the ones for an 89 mustang work just the same since they almost have the same engine. The only diference being that a mustang has a 5.0 HO and my Bronco has a regular 5.0! Anyway, so I take it that I should go with Flowmasters. Now the question is should I go straight from the headers to mufflers or should I do a sort of Y pipe from the cats type of setup?

 

Mine has a high flow cat, with a flowmaster Y-collector (supposed to be for racing use only but..., the Flowmaster two chamber muffler, and the dual 3.5" inch tips 24 inches long.

The mustang headers won't fit unless you feel like having the front end of the exhaust system rebuilt. The shorty headers I bought from summit racing were only $160.00, and they work just fine. I have even run into people that don't even know they make shorty headers for this truck.

I have also installed a couple of other improvements, the MSD coil, K&N drop in filter, & the Ford Motorsport 9mm plug wires, help alot too!

I will admit, my truck doesn't sound like the true dual mustangs, but it is comparable to them. Now, with a little more engine work on my part, I can probably get it to that point.

I have even gotten compliments from Chxxx owners, as to how my truck sounds, the most recent came from a guy in a late 70's camaro.

Truthfully I would at least keep one cat on your Bronco. They weren't doing emmissions testing in my area either, until this year. And if you live out of Harris County TX, like I do, they can & will make you have your vehicle checked. I think I'm going to have mine checked just for the fun of it.


1988 F-150 Custom to XLT Lariat conversion, 5.0 EFI (formerly 300 I6), 5-speed M5OD, 3.08 rear gears (will be upgraded to 3.55's), Summit headers, Flowmaster muffler W/ dual 3.5" tips 24" long.

Pioneer CD, AC, Tilt, Cruise, Mobile Radio, Lightbar (Force 4 LP6000), Federal Signal PA300 Siren W/100W Siren Speaker. Caution Customizing in progress, Watch for flying tools & Parts!

 

Well I guess I'll try it that way. I'm looking for good sound and I guess until I feel like blow alot of money on gets my exhaste system completely redone I'll go with the Y-pipe. Thanx guys!!!