Aftermarket muffler for EARLY 1998 5.0

[Mbrooks420]

I am having trouble finding an aftermarket muffler for an early 1998 (pre April build date) The only one I could find was a side exit Gibson for $275. I called a few local local shops and they said that the only aftermarket muffler in their books was a Walker which is a factory replacement. Normally I'd just bust out the sawzall and build my own system, but the way that the factory is setup, it would be difficult. I'll post a pic of it shortly. Anyone else have this problem and then find a muffler that would work? I'm looking for something that isn't offensively loud and doesn't "drone" real bad in the cabin. Thanks.

 

[Billy177]

just have a shop custom build one but the gibson you have found seems to be what you are looking for

 

[Bill Kemp]

I just removed the resonator and put on duals. The sound is just right for me.
I had the Flowmaster 70 and a Gibson on my OHV 96 X and they both droaned. Gibson was the worst.
Just my 2 cents worth...

 

[TheRookie]

I would make you a deal if you were a hair closer to the other end of PA

 

[Mbrooks420]

I'm not really looking to spend $275 on a muffler just yet. I could have something custom built for that, and I'm not too hot on the side exit. I guess I could machine a new flange. I wish I had some more slack to work with.

[/IMG]
Anyone know if the pre April 98's had the 97 5.0 style exhaust? Or was it just something they scrapped after a few months?

 

[Billy177]

if i were you i would cut off the last 2 cats they are only hurting performance i feel that 2 cats are adiquate but if you want a muffler i would just get the 50series dual inlet single outler. i thing that it would sound real good on a 5.0

 

[Mbrooks420]

We are getting emmisions inspections this year, so all smog devices stay.

 

[BadBrad]

Explorer Express sells a couple of other cat-back systems besides the Gibson. They have the Mac Performance system with a 3" tailpipe -- they say is is louder than stock but quieter than Flowmaster. They also have a Dynomax system with a 2.5" tailpipe that is very quiet, like stock.

BB

 

[Blee1099]

You shouldn't have a hard time finding a muffler for it.. I think the cut off date was 4/22/98. Did you try advance auto parts or autozone for a muffler? You can buy the muffler from somewhere else and have most muffler shops install it, there probably just won't be a warranty on the muffler.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Explorer Express sells a couple of other cat-back systems

But none for a pre april 5.0

Did you try advance auto parts or autozone for a muffler?

I ended up at Autozone. I was looking for something slighty louder than stock. Oh well.

 

[BadBrad]

MBrooks,
I'm in the same situation. I have a '98 5.0, with the bolt-on flange behind the two cats, and my original muffler just started leaking a bit. Some vendors have told me they have exhaust systems from:
Bassani
DynoMax
Borla
Gibson
Jardine
MAC,
that will all fit my car, but they probably don't know about the early vs. later '98 models. I suppose the later exhausts with the slip fit could be welded on right after our bolt-on flange, right?

Are you replacing just the muffler, or the tailpipe too? I think a good setup would the flowmaster muffler that has dual 2.25" inlets and a single 3" outlet, then run a 3" tailpipe out the back. I could get a system like this custom built, but nobody in my area has a mandrel bender, so the bends would be the crimp type.

BradB

 

[Beast255]

There is a cat back system on Ebay right now that I think will work on your truck - check it out.

 

[BadBrad]

Yep, that one on ebay is the Mac Performance system, and it looks as if it will fit.

So the options for a pre-April '98 (for bolt-on cat-back systems) appear to be the Mac system, the Gibson, or the Dynomax. The Dynomax is said to be the quietest, but its design looks restrictive to me. Anyone know which is louder between the Gibson and Mac? I don't mind it somewhat louder than stock, but I don't want it to drone on the freeway.

The third option I'm considering is a Flowmaster 50 series muffler custom installed with a 3" tailpipe. Anyone done this and can comment on sound/performance?

Brad B