First Mods brain storming
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Junior User
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First Mods brain storming
Ive got a 95 f150 2wd with a 302. Ive been looking at the exhuast system and to me it looks really restrictive which was also confirmed on this site. I want to do headers, cat, and muffler then run 3in pipe all the way out. Im curious, is it a fairly easy to install the headers? Is there anything i need to worry about? While im at it, should I do true duals that would be kinda cool. Also, is there any smog stuff I need to worry about being in CA? Thanks.
Just for giggles heres a pic.
Just for giggles heres a pic.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Well truck looks great nice alright for true duals you cant go true you have to run both pipes down passenger side of the truck both together then split into dual pipes go seperate ways cause of the gas tanks and driveshaft headers i dont think its that easy to install but i could be wrong for surely i would get a shop to do it myself but thats me if you go dual dont go 3' to big
i have always heard and have been told 2.25 or 2.5 for dual and 3' single
i have always heard and have been told 2.25 or 2.5 for dual and 3' single
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
If you're in California then don't bother trying with longtube headers. I went through a huge deal of research and even purchased some longtubes before finding out that there's not a SINGLE set of smog legal longtubes in California. The only headers you can get away with are shorties, which according to all the guys who have used them here, aren't worth the box they arrive in.
But you should definitely open up your exhaust. Restrictive exhaust is the bane of these trucks' existence
3" might be a little excessive for the 5.0, although I'm not sure on that. Keep in mind that there IS such a thing as going too big. You do need to maintain some back pressure or you'll lose your low end. I seem to remember that a single 2.5" is about right for the 5.0L, give or take a little bit 
And hey, where in CA are you located?
But you should definitely open up your exhaust. Restrictive exhaust is the bane of these trucks' existence
3" might be a little excessive for the 5.0, although I'm not sure on that. Keep in mind that there IS such a thing as going too big. You do need to maintain some back pressure or you'll lose your low end. I seem to remember that a single 2.5" is about right for the 5.0L, give or take a little bit And hey, where in CA are you located?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Orangeville, Ontario
There's nothin' wrong with running a single 3" for a 5.0L. I know mine is overly large at true dual 3", but it's also not a mandrel bent system. I am replacing mine in the future with a true dual 2 1/4" mandrel setup which should suit me fine and dandy, especially with my mods planned. But just for reference I ain't got a problem tearin' it up off the line with my itty bitty little 302 w/ 3.08s in the diff. 
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that sucks about the headers, guess i wont go that route, im up in Chico right now. So what do you recommend? should i do a cat back system?
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Hey my brother goes to Chico I'm up in that territory sometimes. Just had my truck up there for some exhaust work recently.
Yeah just go with a nice wide open cat back.
I'm up in that territory sometimes. Just had my truck up there for some exhaust work recently.Yeah just go with a nice wide open cat back.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Oh and I almost forgot, if you're going to have your exhaust done by a shop, go here:
I drove my truck all the way up to Chico to have him do my exhaust because my brother has told such good stories about the guy. My brother wasn't lying, the guy does a BANG UP job. He's not the cheapest guy in town but you know that you're getting what you pay for. He charged me $315 to replace both my cats (brought my own cats) and then welded up a complete cat back system, including a custom rear y-pipe which split it out to duals in front of the rear wheels. He even chopped the ends off my cats to open them up wider, I didn't even ask him to do that!! Here's a pic of what I'm talking about:
I asked him if I should buy a muffler from him or if it would sound better without (easy way for him to lie and take my money), and he was completely honest and told me he had welded up systems for 351s before and they sounded much better straight piped after the cat. How many honest mechanics are left out there?! Not many
I drove my truck all the way up to Chico to have him do my exhaust because my brother has told such good stories about the guy. My brother wasn't lying, the guy does a BANG UP job. He's not the cheapest guy in town but you know that you're getting what you pay for. He charged me $315 to replace both my cats (brought my own cats) and then welded up a complete cat back system, including a custom rear y-pipe which split it out to duals in front of the rear wheels. He even chopped the ends off my cats to open them up wider, I didn't even ask him to do that!! Here's a pic of what I'm talking about:
I asked him if I should buy a muffler from him or if it would sound better without (easy way for him to lie and take my money), and he was completely honest and told me he had welded up systems for 351s before and they sounded much better straight piped after the cat. How many honest mechanics are left out there?! Not many
Last edited by Skandocious; Jan 28, 2008 at 09:59 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Originally Posted by Twitchee2
alright good to know, thanks for letting me know about that guy. are there any systems i should look at? i honestly don't really know where to begin.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Originally Posted by Twitchee2
rather what do i need? just some high flow cats?
If you're gonna be near the Sac area any time soon let me know and I'll show you how my exhaust sounds, and maybe that'll help you decide.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
The muffler isn't the biggest restrictor in your system, it's mostly the size of the exhaust pipes. Although if it's a stock muffler it could be pretty restrictive I suppose... I'm not sure if I've seen the stock mufflers on these trucks.