2 1/4 Manderal Tailpipe

[Explorer 5.0]

2 1/4 Mandrel Tailpipe & V8 Performance

My 97 V8 XLT has the stock muffler with the resonator removed and 2 1/4 mandrel bent tailpipe. I plan to install a hiflo muffler with a single outlet. If I keep the new 2 1/4 tailpipe will I compromise any performance potential? The 2 1/4 tailpipe is brand new. Would the performance gained by using a 3 inch tailpipe be worth ditching a new 2 1/4 tailpipe?

 

[jimbo74]

dont go with 3 too big lose power the 2.25 is just right for Xs

 

[jimbo74]

oops noticed you had a 5.0 nevermind

 

[CougarX]

I'm not sure but I would guess that a single 2.25" is way to small for a V8. The stock exhaust on mine(not sure about 97) has dual 2.25" pipes back to the muffler and then a single out the back. Dual 2.25" will probably be best but I'm not sure if it will fit. A 3" may take some bottom end out with a stock engine but I'm not sure. Explorer Express' exhaust system is 3" and they would probably know best. There are a few members with 3" exhaust but they have significant engine mods too. Troll has dual 3" but then again he has almost 600HP...

 

[Explorer 5.0]

Does anybody have a comment ?
Thanks for your responces.

 

[tbomb]

id still go with the 2.5" exhaust. as cougarx mentioned, mostly people with significant mods go with 3" exhaust, or diesels. or you can take the advice of my friends who fail to acknowledge that im just a poor college kid, "just throw it on there and if you dont like it, do something different."

 

[CougarX]

I do have one question though. Why would Ford run dual 2.25" back to the muffler and not run both (or one bigger) the rest of the way? Isn't that sort of a waist? I mean, it's good for us, but from Ford's perspective, why not just join everything at the front and run one pipe all the way back if you're only going to run a single exit anyway?

 

[Explorer 5.0]

The early V8s 96 - June 98 have a y-pipe, dual inlet single out that connects to the dual cats. The muffler on the early V8s are single inlet and outlet. The July 98 and later 5.0 V8s have a dual inlet single outlet muffler. I think the dual inlet muffler offers better flow than the single inlet design. That is probably why Ford changed the muffler design in Mid 98. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. When I add my new high-flow muffler I plan to trash the y-pipe and go with a dual inlet muffler.

 

[CougarX]

Explorer 5.0:
I guess that makes sense but your dates may be a little off. I have a 98 that was built in December 97 and it has the dual in single out muffler like all the later ones. Is mine special

 

[CougarX]

Hey, I was looking at my exhaust and I am thourougly convinced that ford is stupid now...

My Exhaust on my 98 V8 AWD consists of:
4 Cats (!!!)
4 O2 Sensors (!!! $$$)
1 dual in single out muffler
No Resonator (??)

Why all the cats and O2s? Isn't that excesive? Must be triple redundant or something... Can't wait till 60,000 miles (legally replace cats), I'm going with two highflow cats, and headers. Maybe it'll flow a little better...

I was also looking at free space(or the lack thereof) for dual exhaust. I have a 16" spare (ala Eddie Baeur) and I also have air ride (BIG airshocks with airpump and air lines above spare). So I have NO room at all to run duals, even if I run them both out the passenger side. My only option is to run a single 2.5" or 3" out the stock location unless I remove the spare... nope. Oh well, I can dream at least.

 

[scapener]

Exhaust Modifications

I have a pretty extensively modified explorer and find that putting a 2 1/2" cat back with a flow master muffler system has more than given me a power increase and milage increase. Present modification include Roots blower 5 psi. of boost, Nitros (80 horse dry kit), Victor Jr. Heads(ported), SVO headers, 30 lbs. injectors, camshaft, Roller Rockers 1.76 ratio, modified air intake, 347 ci. stroker kit. So it is pulling slightly over stock horse power. This is all in a 97 bone stock looking EB. (except for EB Shocks to help weight transfer)

 

[FMExplorer]

Scapener,
Holy Horsepower Batman! Would love to ride in that thing!

Since you guys are talking exhaust let me ask this. I have the 6cyl OHV and am about to have a cat-back system nade with a Flowmaster 40 series 2.5". My thoughts are this gives me plenty of flow for future mods. Am I going to large here?

Jon