Jason-get the entire system, keeping the resonator/stock piping is not a good idea. If you don't want the "system" get a muffler and have a shop install it along with new pipe from the cat-back.
Rob-You may very well be correct, we do agree but seem to be putting on different "plains". You've mentioned the "race" or "optimized" side of things while I am trying to stay strictly with the "stock" side. You mentioned that components need to be matched. But you seemed to be focusing on the highest flow type of systems as being best. A vehicle with stock intake/heads etc... will very likely suffer(or not benefit as much) from a "straight-through" exhaust than it would from one with a different style. If you put a straight pipe on an Explorer it probably wouldn't make as much power as one with Flowmaster etc... The intake isn't matched to the exhaust. That was my whole point, we're talking about a stock vehicle this time. If he had perf. heads, hi vol. intake then "hell yeah" contemplate the higher flow exhausts. Flowmaster could hinder the performance on something like that. These trucks need low-end power though, definitely! That's the only reason I haven't switched from Flowmaster yet. I've questioned if my system could be putting a damper on my performance now. I have a Vortech huffer, 4.10 gears and a few other toys on my Explorer. Under full acceleration the exhaust almost sounds like it's a little too corked. My "sled" will keep up with mildly tinkered 5.0 Mustangs(to a point) then it loses some ground. It holds it own though and I haven't seen another one touch it in the 2 years I've had it.
I have more questions on your 351 but it's time to take off, 5:00 pm!! I'm in the final planning stages of a 427ci 351w and want to discuss a few ideas.
Rob-You may very well be correct, we do agree but seem to be putting on different "plains". You've mentioned the "race" or "optimized" side of things while I am trying to stay strictly with the "stock" side. You mentioned that components need to be matched. But you seemed to be focusing on the highest flow type of systems as being best. A vehicle with stock intake/heads etc... will very likely suffer(or not benefit as much) from a "straight-through" exhaust than it would from one with a different style. If you put a straight pipe on an Explorer it probably wouldn't make as much power as one with Flowmaster etc... The intake isn't matched to the exhaust. That was my whole point, we're talking about a stock vehicle this time. If he had perf. heads, hi vol. intake then "hell yeah" contemplate the higher flow exhausts. Flowmaster could hinder the performance on something like that. These trucks need low-end power though, definitely! That's the only reason I haven't switched from Flowmaster yet. I've questioned if my system could be putting a damper on my performance now. I have a Vortech huffer, 4.10 gears and a few other toys on my Explorer. Under full acceleration the exhaust almost sounds like it's a little too corked. My "sled" will keep up with mildly tinkered 5.0 Mustangs(to a point) then it loses some ground. It holds it own though and I haven't seen another one touch it in the 2 years I've had it.
I have more questions on your 351 but it's time to take off, 5:00 pm!! I'm in the final planning stages of a 427ci 351w and want to discuss a few ideas.