2nd Gen 5.0L Performance Mod List

[Blown]

The restriction on a stock 5.0 exhaust is in the stock exhaust manifolds. Headers is what will get you the most out of exhaust work to start. They are expensive because they are a special custom fit to only the Explorer.

If you want to hear it, semi loud maybe put your own kit together. Just cut the exhaust from the muffler back and see how loud it is. Then maybe a strait tail pipe no muffler? The cats should quiet it enough or add a chamber muffler. Thinking $300

I wonder if someone makes a larger diameter tail pipe for the X???

 

[Tif0ez]

Old school questions on current technology on exhaust..

On a stock '00 5.0 explorer setup, is there any benefit to back pressure?!

I am unsure where I learned about beneficial back pressure, and after reading 99% of this thread, I would assume true 2.5" duals would allow the stock 5.0 to breathe in an '02 Trac..
I only dream about making enough horsepower for the 2.5 to restrict flow, but if I could fit 3" would I lose any hp, torque, or mpg, due to the lack of back pressure?!

Additionally, will the choice of size of exhaust effect mpg and would back pressure be a benefit in a "best mpg" goal?! For example, matching the size of the exhaust manifolds / headers outlet to the size of the pipes .5" reduction after the cutouts..

(I can hear the arguments about tuning on both situations & cutouts being an issue, but hypothetically let's assume that I will have a multiple program tuning unit to run both)

Due to the statements so far in this thread regarding letting the 5.0 breathe for best hp, I also plan on having cutouts on both pipes, so for "race mode" any back pressure achieved for mpg would be irrelevant..

I apologize if you find my questions confusing, exhaust is part of my 5.0 swap research and I found this thread very intriguing

Finally, I realize choice of headers or manifolds, catalytic converters intact or "blown out" choice of mufflers and etc. will cause too many variables for this discussion, so I'm not looking for a full diagnosis

 

[boominXplorer]

Yes you need back pressure. On a lightly modded 5.0 either dual 2.5" or single 3" is all you need. Any bigger than that will kill torque off the line and only gain 3hp at 5k rpm.

 

[Tif0ez]

Would dual 2.5" have a significant loss for a stock situation or just allow the room for upgrades?

 

[SWIGIN]

It'll be fine either way with 2.5 duals.

 

[Dono]

Anything you can do to the motor to make it flow more air will help. A motor is just a big air pump. More air thru the motor means more power. As mentioned, its tough to keep the power down low in the low rpm ranges though.

Best thing you could do is to move to the biggest exhaust possible, and add a supercharger. A M90 will give you gobs of torque down low. I know you don't want to hear it, but forced induction is where my vote is, even if you don't do the exhaust and throw the money you would have spent on the exhaust at the SC. Finding the lower intake for the 5.0 motor is the challenge.

 

[Tif0ez]

Ok, what I am hearing

stock: 2.5" dual 3" single..
(For the next year or so)

Cam & small upgrades: roughly the same
(Rebuilding the 98 donor for a backup & for some additional hp)
(Five year plan)

Supercharger or Turbo: 3" dual & up?
(Retirement/Kidd past edu.)



Basically, at this point, getting the donor drivetrain in is my priority.. these questions are my baseline on where I should start on running the exhaust for performance as well as a small aggressive sound..
As far as making stupid power & needing cutouts for "race mode" that is long term, and I don't want to lose focus on "now & best for my application"

I can't afford to pay to play the lottery, so I can't even dream of winning, but to be honest, I've already started taking notes for a sc.. I don't think I want to play with turbos just yet

 

[Blown]

3' single and lower your expectations! Really unrealistic! You'd need an aftermarket block to hold-up to the power you would need for 3" duels in a 302 and would sacrifice low end torque! You building a dragster?