View Poll Results: Exhaust Configuration
Voters: 19. You may not vote on this poll
Custom Exhaust
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 20
From: Rhode Island
Custom Exhaust
2004 SD 5.4 4X4 FX4
I spoke to my buddies exhaust guy yesterday, and came up with a plan for my exhaust. I am planning on KEEPING my cat and running without a muffler as this seems to be the only way to get a good sounding exhaust from this engine.
I will be running a Y pipe from the main pipe and dual tips behind the rear tires.
Should I run 3" all the way back? or should I run a 3" front pipe and then 2 1/2" behind the Y adapter?
I spoke to my buddies exhaust guy yesterday, and came up with a plan for my exhaust. I am planning on KEEPING my cat and running without a muffler as this seems to be the only way to get a good sounding exhaust from this engine.
I will be running a Y pipe from the main pipe and dual tips behind the rear tires.
Should I run 3" all the way back? or should I run a 3" front pipe and then 2 1/2" behind the Y adapter?
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 20
From: Rhode Island
Either way I choose the exhaust price will be the same, I am more curious what the reasoning for running one way or the other?
Will the exhaust sound better? Worse?
I am looking for a nice throughty sound, I would hate to make the exhaust weak sounding!
Will the exhaust sound better? Worse?
I am looking for a nice throughty sound, I would hate to make the exhaust weak sounding!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,992
Likes: 2
From: Lancaster, MA
In my experience, and only in my experience, I've found that running a large outlet such as dual 3" pipes will hurt your low end torque and performance when running it on a smaller motor (something less than a diesel motor or a big block gas). I ran dual 2.5" on a Dakota I had with a 4.7L V8 and there was a noticeable loss in low end torque when doing things like merging onto the highway. That's just what I've experienced in the past. I'm sure others will chime in. This is always a heated subject about what sounds better/ back pressure... blah blah blah. 
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 20
From: Rhode Island
ok guys, we are at a 50/50 vote right now!
Anyone else have any imput on this?
I need a sticker on my truck before the end of the month SO I need an exhaust before then!
Personally I was leaning toward the 3" front pipe and 2-1/2" tailpipes. But if the truck will sound better or perform better with all 3" pipes I might go that way!
Anyone else have any imput on this?
I need a sticker on my truck before the end of the month SO I need an exhaust before then!
Personally I was leaning toward the 3" front pipe and 2-1/2" tailpipes. But if the truck will sound better or perform better with all 3" pipes I might go that way!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: NH
I would just swap out the muffler for a Magnaflow or similar, that would be the most inexpensive route. You can change the y-pipe out as you mentioned and you could go to a dual cat back muffler as well. Most are 3" in 2.5" out.
I have a single Magnaflow (3" in 3" out) and very happy with the sound. Nice sound but not annoying.
I have a single Magnaflow (3" in 3" out) and very happy with the sound. Nice sound but not annoying.
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 20
From: Rhode Island
Let me clear up what im trying to do. The pic below shows what my configuration will look like without a muffler and the tail pipes will swing in behind the rear tires on both sides of the truck "stock exit".
So basically, I will be installing a Y pipe in place of a single in dual out muffler and running tailpipes out the back of the truck.
I will not be changing the front Y pipe nor the cat. The exhaust will be all new after the cat. Down the road I will be doing the Y restrictor pipe fix, but for now I need pipes under the truck so everything looks up to snuff.
So basically, I will be installing a Y pipe in place of a single in dual out muffler and running tailpipes out the back of the truck.
I will not be changing the front Y pipe nor the cat. The exhaust will be all new after the cat. Down the road I will be doing the Y restrictor pipe fix, but for now I need pipes under the truck so everything looks up to snuff.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Fort Worth
What? This is all for a sticker? Rice much?
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Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 20
From: Rhode Island
I am sure I could get a sticker with or without an exhaust!(its nice to know people)
I am looking for input as to which configuration will yeild better results if any. I have had a couple different exhausts on this truck already and haven't been satisfied with any of them. The only way the truck sounds decent is without a muffler. So I will be going mufflerless, if I get my nuts busted I will install a cherry bomb square muffler as it is the only muffler that is near the mufflerless sound.
"Rice Much?" sorry I dont get it! Out of the 8 vehicles I own right now ... all of them are Fords and only 1 is a V-6!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth
Rice is a mentality that started in the Japanese import scene with pointless, even backward modifications that hinder performance more than improve it. Regardless of whether you have a v-8, v-10 or a I-4, you can run with the "rice" crowd with senseless modifications.
Put a Flowmaster on it and call it a day.
Put a Flowmaster on it and call it a day.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,624
Likes: 7
From: OR and UT
As funny as that is, the OP is saying he has to get his exhaust system replaced in order to pass state vehicle inspection. It's an east coast thing, and one more reason I don't live out there!
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 20
From: Rhode Island
Rice is a mentality that started in the Japanese import scene with pointless, even backward modifications that hinder performance more than improve it. Regardless of whether you have a v-8, v-10 or a I-4, you can run with the "rice" crowd with senseless modifications.
Put a Flowmaster on it and call it a day.
Put a Flowmaster on it and call it a day.
Normally I am a "Flowmaster" man all the way. Infact that was what I had on the truck last. Sound was weak at best! My buddies 2007 SD stock exhaust sounded better than the Flowmaster. The Flowmaster's on my 1984 Mustang and 1986 Ranger 5.0 sound AWESOME and would never use anything else.
The Cat and front pipe on the 5.4 gas trucks are so restrictive that even with a quality muffler the sound is just minimal.
I dont want to wake the neighborhood, nor set off car alarms, but I do want to hear my exhaust. Call me crazy, call me a "Ricer"... Personally I think I am an automotive enthusiast.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth
It was my mistake. I thought the OP just wanted a brand decal on the truck for looks, I did not realize it was for an inspection sticker. I apologize on that one. However, I just don't see how you are not getting a good exhaust note on the 5.4 with a Flowmaster. Mine sounded nice with everything stock, not loud, just a nice rumble that was non existent in the Chevy I had with an 8.1L in it. Which Flowmaster did you try?
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 20
From: Rhode Island
It was my mistake. I thought the OP just wanted a brand decal on the truck for looks, I did not realize it was for an inspection sticker. I apologize on that one. However, I just don't see how you are not getting a good exhaust note on the 5.4 with a Flowmaster. Mine sounded nice with everything stock, not loud, just a nice rumble that was non existent in the Chevy I had with an 8.1L in it. Which Flowmaster did you try?
Super 40 3" inlet with 2-1/2 dual outlets which is the same exact muffler I have on the 5.0 Ranger and same series on the 84 Mustang except that is a 2.5 inlet/outlet.
Don't get me wrong, I realize that this is a truck and it isn't a sports car. However I drive the truck every day and I would like to enjoy driving it. Will the exhaust make the truck any faster, probablly not. Will making the exhaust louder make sense to some people? Probablly not! Will fixing the exhaust make me happy, YUP!
I am not trying to fight with anyone, I am strickly looking for your imput for my situation.