i've narrowed my search for a cat-back down to either the flowmaster #17169 or the gibson #19686. the gibson is only like $40 more in price so $$ is not a concern. which will give me more bang(hp) for my buck? thanks.

Gibson

Which Flowmaster? Dad has the Gibson on his '98 Mounty (5.0L) and it is great! Not loud on the highway, plenty of deep rumble, and when he gets on it, you can tell there's a cat back on there! But, the good ole' 5.0 just sounds sweet regardless.

this is the link to the flowmaster. there is no pic, but it is the forceII:

http://www.driverfx.com/main/new_mmy_results.jsp?affID=DFX

I believe the Force II uses a Delta 40. Which is a pretty daggum loud muffler IMO

ooh, that would not be good. i like a nice throaty sound but not anything too loud.

I wouldnt imagine there is too much of a HP difference, i have the Flowmaster 40 and i love the sound but as far as HP...just sounds faster id say. engine runs cooler, about 1 mpg gallon better gas mileage. I would listen to the sound of each and choose from there. either way you cant go wrong ;)

yeah everyone says mine is loud as hell! But i cant here it inside very much at all. And i have never been pulled over for it, that says alot because where im from they pull you over for having a tow ball on your bumper.

I would listen to the sound of each and choose from there. either way you cant go wrong

how do i listen to each one first? is there somewhere i can download a clip?

i'll bet there is a sound clip from each on this site. I have listened to one cant remember which though, maybe do a search? Im fairly new to the site and dont know how to use all of its resources, but i do know for a fact there are sound clips here

I like my Gibson, free flowing but not too loud. I almost wish it was a little louder.

i'm probably going with the gibson. also, black magic, i know you have the apten chip. what is involved when you put a chip in your x? do you then have to use a certain type of gas, like premium, and what else does it improve and/or change from just stock? thanks alot.

Force II comes with a 50 Delta. I like really loud so I bought this kit and switched to a 40 N/D. I haven't heard any Gibson but I assume they're around the same.

what do you mean they seem about the same? that the 40 series is not as loud as the 50 and the gibson should be about equal to the gibson? thanks.

40 is louder than the 50. I'm saying the Gibson you're looking at probably is about the same as the Flowmaster II with the 50.

I have the gibson cat-back on my 96 XLT and couldnt be happier. Its not loud at all except when you stomp on it. I think it sounds the best at anything over 2000 rpm. Under that and at highway speeds you cant hear it, but when you want to pass it comes alive.

yeah, the gibson sounds like the one for me. het tex, did you get the aluminized or ss? i'm leaning towards the alum.

I have 2 questions:

1) Can anyone talk about performance, ie acceleration improvements ?

2) Can a 97 Sport be fitted with a Catback ?

Many thanks.

Originally posted by knightmoves1
I have 2 questions:

1) Can anyone talk about performance, ie acceleration improvements ?

2) Can a 97 Sport be fitted with a Catback ?

Many thanks.

A catback in addtion with an intake is probably good for 15 hp and 10-15 ft-lbs.

A Sport can be fitted with a catback, but if you have a SOHC Gibson does not make a kit for our trucks :( If so I would've bought a Gibson in a heartbeat!

Originally posted by alphabets13
yeah, the gibson sounds like the one for me. het tex, did you get the aluminized or ss? i'm leaning towards the alum.

I got the aluminum cat-back with the side swept exit (I think thats what it was called). It comes out behind the passenger tire. I like that because I wont crush it while Im off-roading.

thanks everyone. sounds like i'll be ordering my gibson today.

Click Here (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=66388&highlight=gibson+sound) For the entire post i posed about my gibson when i first got it or you can just click the links below to hear what it sounds like. Five months later i am still happy with my purchase. Not too loud inside but you can tell i have a v8 under the hood.


Click here (http://members.cox.net/websvr2/99%20XLT%205.0L%20Startup.mpa) For a clip of the engine starting up and at idle. This was recorded a few feet away from the pipe.


Click Here (http://members.cox.net/websvr2/99%20XLT%205.0L%20Gibson%20Exhuast.mpa) To hear me giving my 5.0L some fuel to drink.

hey 99, thanks. that sounds sweet. i don't have an 8 but i think it should still sound sweet with my 6. thanks again.

I thought you had an 8 either way you dont want something that is going to drive you insane. A friend of mine has a 95 firehawk with headers and a "loud mouth" exhaust. Im pretty sure thats what he said it was when i asked him. Well anyway anything more than 5 minutes in that car is painful especially at certain RPM's. I think you will like your Gibson.

Although i think i might have gotten screwed when i bought mine. I paid extra for stainless steel cause i wanted it to last. I was under the impression that the entire thing would be stainless not just the canister. My canister still looks new and my pipe has a light coating of rust on it. Oh well. :(

yeah, i think the gibson is right up my alley. a nice deep throaty sound and some muscle behind it when you hit 2k, from what i hear. and ya, i'm goin with the aluminized one. but i also thought ss would mean the whole thing. thats false advertising. oh well. hey thanks again.

Just chiming in here as another happy Gibson customer. I put it on about 8 months ago and am real happy with it. It is not obnoxious while cruising but definitely rumbles up when on the gas. I had flows on my mustang and used to get the worst headaches.......
I did get the stainless steel version. All the pipes look stainless to me, but maybe I was misinformed too? I have no sign of rust on any of the metal. The pipes and muffler look identical in materials?!?!
Another good thing....the Gibson hooked right up with absolutely no problems at all. I did not even jack up the car to install, did it all on the ground on the tires! Perfect fit! Can't say the same for some other brands I have used in the past.
I think you will be happy.
Ken

thanks ken, gibson is definitely the way it sounds that i should go. i'll be placing my order today and hopefully have it and get it on next week. i'll post my thoughts and pics as soon as i get it. thanks again.