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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
I am replacing my front cats with direct-fit Magnaflow replacements off ebay next week because they have holes in the middle of them making an annoying exhaust leak noise. While I'm at it I am taking the rear cats off and hitting a thin pole through the middle of the rear cats then twisting and poking through the rest of the cat out, then reinstalling them. It will look like the cat is still their visually but it will be completely hollow like a straight piece of pipe.
If I get too much drone in the cab from it and my Magnaflow muffler, I may Dynomat my floors.
I should be fine passing emissions because they are only going through the OBDII port for it now in Mass. No check engine light, no problem! If not I work at a dealership and have a sticker done anyway.
I am replacing my front cats with direct-fit Magnaflow replacements off ebay next week because they have holes in the middle of them making an annoying exhaust leak noise. While I'm at it I am taking the rear cats off and hitting a thin pole through the middle of the rear cats then twisting and poking through the rest of the cat out, then reinstalling them. It will look like the cat is still their visually but it will be completely hollow like a straight piece of pipe.
I took off my rear cats and you can see thru them, there are like 2 screens in there, like a screen door, you can see straight thru them. I'm not sure putting a pipe thru the converter will do anything, plus you will need to re-mount your o2 sensors if you take out your front cats, sounds like a lot of work, once you get under there and study it you'll see what I mean.
You can just replace your rear cats with a straight pipe, that's the easiest thing to do. The stock system is like this:
engine > O2>light off cat>O2>rear cat>muffler>resonator>tailpipe
So loosing your rear cats does nothing to hurt your engine. I have a cherry bomb elite muffler 2 (2.25") into 1 (3" outlet) and then I throttle (yes reduce) it from 3" back down to the stock 2.25 and then go thru the stock resonator and my truck has no drone and a nascar rumble. Actually it is fairly loud.
Remember backpressure is not necessary a bad thing, actually some is required.
Not too restrictive, its more like this though if you want it louder and a little more high end power take em out. But if you want a little softer tone, better gas milage, and lower power leave them in.
Not too restrictive, its more like this though if you want it louder and a little more high end power take em out. But if you want a little softer tone, better gas milage, and lower power leave them in.
I have removed the rear cats and replaced the stock muffler on my 5.0 explorer. I saw a very small increase in throttle response and acceleration and saw NO change in mileage. (I monitor and check every tankful and record it since new back to 1998).
Don't think that an exhaust change will show much of any change. The only change you'll notice is the noise. Sorry this is not the holy grail of modifications for the explorer.
I have removed the rear cats and replaced the stock muffler on my 5.0 explorer. I saw a very small increase in throttle response and acceleration and saw NO change in mileage. (I monitor and check every tankful and record it since new back to 1998).
Don't think that an exhaust change will show much of any change. The only change you'll notice is the noise. Sorry this is not the holy grail of modifications for the explorer.
I'm aware it's not the holy grails of mods, but exhaust and intake will be the first two things i do to mine when i get it.
Just some more quick questions... What's the difference in performance between 3" and 2.5" tailpipe? is the loss of backpressure between the 2.5 and the 3 that noticable?
And if I remove the rear cats, what's the best exhaust setup.... two pipes down, to an X pipe to a 2 in 1 out 2.5" muffler/tailpipe?
Because you are not using 2 mufflers there is no need for an x pipe. the h or x pipe is to balance the exhaust between banks, since you are combining them in the muffler no need to balance upstream.
Are you using MIL's if you are eliminating the forward cats or are you running off road? Either way you need to give your computer the info. you are better off cost wise just losing the rear cats. Otherwise you have the whole computer deal, air/fuel readings to sort thu, etc.
Your gain for your pain is probably not worth it. Are you looking to spend $200 or $1000?
I paid my cousin $120 total ---------- the muffler ($68) and a chrome tailpipe, and the 2 straight pipes to eliminate the rear cats. Don't think you can beat that price even if you do it yourself.
If you start messing with the O2 sensors your talking some $, and then messing up your computer, or fixing it to read correctly. Ouch $$$$.
I'm still running the stock tail pipe and resonator. Basically all I have done is lose the 2 rear cats and replace the stock muffler with the cherry bomb elite, (look it up on their website). Sounds like a deep rumble with ZERO drone.
Not sure if they make a 2.25 dual into a 2.5" out, check around.
I'm curious.. are turn downs after the muffler even legal? Also.. wouldn't they be kinda unsafe?... Exhaust can get into the cab easier?.. Or even worse.. catch something on fire??
Could someone explain pros/cons of turndowns after the muff?
I finally got the exhaust done on my mountaineer...I payed cash and had the guys at the muffler shop cut off the rear cats and they replaced it with 3 inch tubing and a magna flow muffler...its still running single for now, until I put the lift kit on, but it still sounds sweet! This baby purrs!
Now I just have to learn how to keep my foot off the gas pedal...
I do like that truck. BTW, how is the plastic rear bumper trim, fading? Mine has had some scratches from before my time, I bought both pieces last year for about $75, they will be obsolete soon if not already. Regards,
I do like that truck. BTW, how is the plastic rear bumper trim, fading? Mine has had some scratches from before my time, I bought both pieces last year for about $75, they will be obsolete soon if not already. Regards,
Ah, very good. I watch parts for my Fords when the model year gets to be near 10 years. Ford obsoletes a ton of parts that are often needed soon and irreplaceable.
If not I work at a dealership and have a sticker done anyway.
