A couple 5.0 V8 exhaust questions

[Fozz]

I would like to get a new muffler but would like some advice first. First of all money is an issue, so I can not afford a complete cat-back kit. I am looking at the Flowmaster 70 Series Big Block II (524703) but I see in the Flowmaster cat back kit they use a 524503 which is a 50 series. The 524553 50 Series SUV is the closest I could find to this but on the Flowmaster site it says it only fits the SOHC V6. Is the 70 Series a noticeable difference from stock?(I would like it only a little louder but I want a better sound) Should I keep the stock resonator? Will there be a problem using the stock pipe? Thanks in advance guys!

 

[jah81592]

I would recommend running a complete cat-back kit. With a muffler welded in your only benefit would be primarily sound. If you are looking for a performance advantage you can purchase a complete cat-back for as little as $249.00 (I offer several different options for your application). With a complete cat-back you will benefit from the muffler and tubing being mandrel bent.-j

 

[mitchevans]

I was looking at the cat-back kits on the hensonperformance website and it says there are two types for the 98 explorer 5.0L. one for after 4-22 98 and one before 4-22 98. I was wondering if this means the date the truck was manufactured or what?

also where would i look to find the manufacturing date on my truck

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

Fozz when I bought my 01 sport previous owners put the 70 series big block II mufflers on my 01 sport. It sounded alright but it was quiet as well.

I went to a muffler place and I asked them I wanted a louder and deeper tone of flowmasters they told me the 40 series. So I got the dual 40 series flowmasters installed on my sport.

I asked them about my 70 series how come they were so quiet they told me that the 70 series is the quietest flowmaster. So I am happy with the 40 series big difference in sound. But if your not looking for real loud get like the 50 series or 60 series.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

I paid 290 for my dual 40 series flowmasters on my 01 sport. I dunno if I got the regular 40 series or the super 40 series i am not to sure which one i got. But i know its 40 series flowmasters.

 

[techieman33]

If you want quiet stay with the 70 series. the 50 series is a lot louder than stock, and you probably wouldn't like the cabin drone. And don't even think about the 40 series.

 

[Fozz]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think i am going with the 70 or 50 series muffler. The 40 would be way to loud for me , let alone the old lady!- she thinks its loud now! About the 50- is the cabin drone constant or just at certain RPMs? On the highways I cruse at 2600 to 3400 RPMs (75mph to 90mph). If I left the stock resonator would that help keep the drone in check? Is the 70 even a little louder, or is it basically a stock replacement sounding type? Will the resonator kill all the good Flowmaster sound? About the cat back idea-I would love too, but I need to keep this at about $100 or so for the muffler. Also because I work for the US Army in Germany it would have to be shipped by regular mail from the post office.

 

[techieman33]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think i am going with the 70 or 50 series muffler. The 40 would be way to loud for me , let alone the old lady!- she thinks its loud now! About the 50- is the cabin drone constant or just at certain RPMs? On the highways I cruse at 2600 to 3400 RPMs (75mph to 90mph). If I left the stock resonator would that help keep the drone in check? Is the 70 even a little louder, or is it basically a stock replacement sounding type? Will the resonator kill all the good Flowmaster sound? About the cat back idea-I would love too, but I need to keep this at about $100 or so for the muffler. Also because I work for the US Army in Germany it would have to be shipped by regular mail from the post office.

the drone is real bad around 2k rpm's under load, but I don't really notice to much with a little music on unless I'm listening for it. And mine is worse than yours would be, the headers and removal of the 2nd pair of cats made it worse.

 

[Fozz]

techieman33- Do you think leaving the resonator on would help with the drone if I took the 50 series muffler?

 

[techieman33]

it should help

 

[bonzer420]

i have a 01 5.0 v8 50s flowmaster and cut the pipe off right after the flowmaster and it sound good people says it sounds like it has 500 horses

 

[TheJMan]

I am running the MAC exhaust kit on my Mountaineer and I must say if you are looking for some noise and don't mind the incessant drone on the highway, this kit is a good choice. It is relatively inexpensive (around $225-$250) and sounds phenomenal.

I made a short sound clip of what it sounds like with the MAC intake and exhaust, headers, and 91 octane performance tune.

My short exhaust clip

 

[Cobraguy]

What does Magnaflow offer? They make some fantastic stuff that sounds great and they have done their homework on the droning issues. I just don't know if they offer anything for the Explorer. But their stuff on my Cobra is amazing.

 

[Afboy143]

Ive had

Flowmaster 50 series (decently loud, not really much drone, can sound ricey)
Flowmaster Super 40 (pretty quiet unless under acceleration, decent tone) (Im guessing delta flow and v6's dont get along? Delta flow quiets it down A LOT)
Flowmaster Super 44 (again, pretty quiet, louder under acceleration, notice drone, decent tone)
Flowmaster 40 series original (loud, period. Lots of drone)
Flowmaster 40 series original CATLESS (LOUD, LOUD, DRONE LOUD, but sounds meannn unless you get on it above 4k rpms. Then it gets ricey) This was my fav setup until I got a ticket. It constantly turned heads and had people asking me what I had under the hood. The offroad 2.5" Y pipe and no cats helped as well. I was always revving at people LOL, including a cop which made me get it "fixed"
Imco extreme (single chamber..nuff said. loud)

Current- Dynomax Super Turbo (catless)- Quiet unless under acceleration. Sounds mean when you get on it. No drone while cruising. I love it...smooth tone. Not hollow like flowmasters. Reminds me of G35 exhaust..how smooth it is just deeper. Catless also makes a huge diff plus the offroad Y. I just got tired of flowmasters.

Magnaflows sounds ricey on v6 IMO