another 5.0 exhaust thread

[rvaedge]

Hey, i've searched and gotten conflicting opinions, and mixed feelings on different flowmaster exhausts, and exhaust sizes for the 5.0. Some say the 50 series flowmaster is where its at, some say its the 70 series. Is the only difference going to be sound, or is there a power difference between the two? I'm looking for gas mileage/power, and I'd rather it be on the quiet side, but the gas mileage and power is more important. I have the kkm intake and performance tuning, and sooner or later I want to put the torque monster headers in. right now, I'm looking at the 70 series with 2.25" dual inlet, 3" outlet, and I'll just get a local shop to bend pipes and install it all. Is this the ideal muffler and inlet/outlet sizes, or should I go with something different. I want to stick with flowmaster, unless someone has a GOOD reason to convince me otherwise! Also, besides headers, what else do I need to do to have a better exhaust system. I promise you I searched thoroughly and just couldnt find a solid answer, and when I'm spending hard earned $$$, I want to spend it right! Thanks guys!

 

[Turdle]

I like your plan, but I think 2.5 inch pipe is large enough.It will fit through the tight spaces easier, it is less expensive than 3", and for 2200 rpm gas mileage you want a little backpressure. I have 2.5 piping on mine.My muffler is a 40 series, I understand higher number is quieter. I want to hear a clip when you are finished. I'm wanting quieter also.

 

[Turdle]

Also, you might consider this, suggested earlier by spindlecone. He uses 14 guage Stainless, where flowmaster uses 16 gauge ( cuts interior resonance), I talked to Mike on the phone ( owner-fabricator) just add 5.00 to a single outlet price for a dual outlet. I really like the fabricated look of his mufflers.

http://www.morgan-tec.com/index.htm

 

[rvaedge]

Thanks for the quick response, and the morgantec suggestion. I'm definitely going to look into it. Now, exhaust is a VERY foreign thing to me. In your post you said it was 5 bucks to go from a single outlet to a dual outlet. Did you mean dual inlet, because thats what I was talking about getting in my post. In the picture below, dont the two pipes going into the muffler mean I would HAVE to get a dual inlet, or am I confused on how things work? Also is 2.25" dual inlets, the right size, if I go with the 2.5 outlet? If I got a new muffler and piping, all that would be new is the two pipes going into the muffler, andthe one coming out right? Or is there more piping that should be replaced for better performance. One more thing, I promise!, I'm confused does the 14 gauge or 16 gauge make for quieter interior noise? The smaller the gauge the thicker the metal right? Like i said, I know diddly about exhausts!

 

[410Fortune]

my 97 5.0L exhaust is simple and works great.
I have the TM headers.

remove the dual cat converters, you will still have the primary cats that are in the down pipes with the 4 02 sensors.
Run a dual inlet single 3" outlet muffler right where the dual cat setup used to hang (pictured on the right of that pic above this post)
Run a single 3" pipe out the back

3" is perfect for a 4x4 truck with the GT-40 5.0L IMO

You can see my entire exhaust setup towards the end of my conversion thread.
You might check with your state about removeing the dual cats, but in CO as long as I have one set of converters (primary ones) it is perfectly legal.
yes the factory muffler is dual in single out.

 

[Turdle]

On the morgantec website they only show a dual in single out muffler, for dual out, add 5.00 to the price .
14 guage is thicker than 16 guage, and it seems to me it would vibrate less.
410 is not a cat lover

 

[rvaedge]

Thanks 410, thats helps a lot actually. I was wondering if those second cats were significant or not, I guess not. So the 3" outlet wont hurt the backpressure or gas mileage for just regular day to day driving? Also what size should the dual INLET pipes be? Jtsmith, the only one I can find is single in, dual out on the website. Are you sure your not mixing the "in" and the "out", or am I just not seeing it? So if money was not an option, would flowmaster or morgantec be the way to go. They would only end up being a like $15 difference. Also is Stainless steel morgantec mufflers worth the extra money over regular steel?

 

[99-5.0explorer]

i have TQ monster headers, down thro the stock cats(4 2 on each side) then 2-1/4(for alil backpres.) into dual flowmasters(40's) then 2-1/2 all the way back, into 3-1/2 tips, the sound is out of this world! turns heads every where! alil loud but, the only time i start to hate the sound is on long road trips...

 

[Turdle]

No they do not SHOW it on the website, but Mike told me on the phone just add 5.00 to the price of the single in dual out, and he'll custom make one. notice you can also order more internal baffles.

 

[rvaedge]

On the morgantec website they only show a dual in single out muffler

Oh alright, that just confused me, but I got it all straightened out. I think I'll go with the dual 2.25" inlets, and the 3" outlet, and find out if its legal to eliminate those secondary cat converters. Any opinions on which would be better, flowmaster 70 series, or a custom morgantec?