The science behind backpressure, please help.

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Feb 26, 2002 | 07:46 AM

theleetbeagle

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From: Canton, OH

The science behind backpressure, please help.

Hello. 96 F-150 I-6. I don't have any emissions restraints in my county and I want to run the following setup:

Replace exhaust manifolds with a set of headers (if I can find a manufacturer...)

Dual pipes into individual mufflers (flowmaster or something)

...straight out the back of the truck...

MIL eliminator(s) will be used to trick the o2 sensors.

As far as I know and from everything I have read...this system will work.

However, I don't know enough about back pressure to go through with it.

Can someone with advice and/or experience explain if this will adversely affect the performance of my truck?

Sound is not important, performance is.

Thanks!
-Nick.

Feb 26, 2002 | 08:57 AM

FTE Ken

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From: Enjoying the real world.

The science behind backpressure, please help.

Actually, catalytic converters are Federal emissions requirements, not state or county. That's why the EPA has started busting diesel performance shops that remove or gut them. Fines can be $50K for the shop and $5K for the truck owner.... I know I'm on a soapbox but there are ways to get performance without soiling the air we breath. This is the very reason why I hate driving through Arkansas and Texas, too many stinky vehicles, especially in the cities.

Feb 26, 2002 | 06:17 PM

76RangerXLT

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From: Gloucester USA

The science behind backpressure, please help.

let the hondas worry about emissions, there are more of em anyway

you should be fine about backpressure, its a full exhaust

Feb 27, 2002 | 02:03 AM

aksniper

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From: USA

The science behind backpressure, please help.

Well...first, they're right about the entire US requiring have emission requirements, its just not enforced as strictly in some areas as in others. As far as your back pressure, pretty much as long as you stick with have performance headers, cat, muffler, you'll be okay. If you went with just straight pipes with nothing, you'd might as well go grab a Chevron station and load it in the back cause you're gasmileage would drop big time. Also, if you have over a 0.5" difference between your pipe feeding into the muffler and then the pipe exiting, you're doing nothing for performance there either. Hope this helps. Goodluck.

James

Feb 27, 2002 | 07:54 AM

theleetbeagle

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From: Canton, OH

The science behind backpressure, please help.

"...Also, if you have over a 0.5" difference between your pipe feeding into the muffler and then the pipe exiting, you're doing nothing for performance there either..."

What do you mean? Are you speaking about diameter? So I have to make sure the pipes are the same diameter all around?

Lemme know.
Thanks!
-Nick.

Mar 5, 2002 | 10:09 PM

aksniper

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From: USA

The science behind backpressure, please help.

Hey Nick,

Sorry I took so long. Been out of town for a funeral.

Yeah, the diameter of the pipes is what I was talking about there. The pipes don't necessarily have to be the same size, just that your pipes diameter shouldn't exceed 1/2" difference.

Hopefully this helps you out and sorry again for the delay. Goodluck.

James

Mar 5, 2002 | 11:53 PM

fordtruckin

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From: CA

The science behind backpressure, please help.

you can get single or dual outlet headers at www.cliffordperformance.com
then, buy the summit catback syestem, replace the single in dual out muffler with a strait y pipe and there's your syestem.
the header will cost you like $250 and the cat back is like 150, or 325 from flowmaster. I got the flowmastr and got BURNED.