Ford Explorer Exhaust

[jaysy]

I have a 1998 Explorer and the muffler recently rotted out so I took the opportunity to put a V-Force 2x2.25" inlet 3" outlet muffler on. I installed the muffler myself and had a shop finish it out by running the exhaust out the side right in front of the rear tire.

My question is is it possible to go out of the back in mostly the factory route with a 3" pipe?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Carguy3J]

Try using the search feature, and even digging around the forum. I seem to recall reading a thread discussing that very thing, in the past.

I don't think 3" pipe will fit, in several places. Even if it did, its a bad idea. There is absolutely no need for a 3" exhaust on an Explorer, even on the 5.0L Unless you have a monster turbo or blower setup, you will only hurt performance going that big.

The best thing to do is use a cat-back kit, such as from Gibson. Up front, if you really want to get crazy, do something about the "pretzel" like bends and twists from the manifold to the cats. In some places, the factory pipes are pinched down very small in the "crush" bends. Even just replacing those sections with smooth, full diameter mandrel bends, of the same size as the factory pipe, will make an improvement.

 

[jaysy]

Try using the search feature, and even digging around the forum. I seem to recall reading a thread discussing that very thing, in the past.

I remember seeing a post about it a few months back but I couldn't find it…

I have 3inch from the muffler and out the side. I might, in the future, go back to the 2.5" and out the back.

Thanks for your help!

 

[2000StreetRod]

3 inch exhaust system

I have a 3 inch diameter exhaust system on my Sport from the front of the muffler to the rear tailpipe turndown. The most difficult section was from above the rear axle to just below the rear bumper.

It's a tight fit between the shock and the sway bar link.

I agree with Carguy3J that 3 inch dia. is not needed. It will also be loud. I added a vortex cone turndown to reduce the sound 3 decibels.

The downpipes gradually increase in diameter from the 2 inch diameter stock exhaust manifold outlets to the 3 inch diameter muffler inlet.

The cats are high flow (49 state legal) each rated for up to a 5.9 liter engine.

I did a lot of research in selecting my components to avoid loss of low engine speed torque. I selected a Dynomax VT muffler that has a pressure controlled valve similar to a throttle body plate.

My torque slightly increased from stock.

Total cost was just under $1,000.

 

[jaysy]

I have a 3 inch diameter exhaust system on my Sport from the front of the muffler to the rear tailpipe turndown. The most difficult section was from above the rear axle to just below the rear bumper.

This is encouraging. Thanks for the writeup on it. I wanted it loud and thats why I decided to go the route I did.

I will take pics and post what I have done so far. I'm glad to see its possible though!

 

[2000StreetRod]

tight clearance

This photo shows how tight the clearance is.

My exhaust specialist said that most shops would not have agreed to attempt the configuration I wanted to install.

Here's the Y pipe in front of the muffler.

Here's the vortex turndown.

 

[toypaseo]

Holy crap, those Vortex Cone items are spendy...

 

[toypaseo]

Is that a recall Firestone... :scratch:

 

[2000StreetRod]

very possible

Is that a recall Firestone... :scratch:

That's very possible. It still has good tread and the sidewalls aren't cracked. It may be the 2000 original spare. I'll check Monday.

 

[jaysy]

Is that a recall Firestone... :scratch:

Mine has the recall firestone up under it.

I was without net for the past 2 days.

2000StreetRod you were right that is a tight fit up there. I will get pics of what I've done tomorrow after work!

 

[CHRISH78]

I have a 1999 Mountaineer that has the resonator on the tailpipe. WALKER Exhaust makes a nice 2.5" tailpipe that eliminates the resonator part #46909 fits perfectly.