Best cat back for 5.0?

[isuballr]

I have a '97 V8 5.0 and am looking for a good cat back dual exhaust. i want something that's loud when i get on it, but not droning when cruising on the highway (if it's possible to have both). it doesn't have to be super loud at the expense of performance though.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

When I do mine, I'm going to be using a single Flowmaster Delta 50 with dual in/dual out 2.25 in pipes. Have a custom shop do the exhaust work from scratch.

 

[rydinhigh]

For a dual exhaust you will have to have a good shop custom make one for you. I got quoted about $500 for the dual cat back with a flowmaster 40 series and 2.5" pipe. I ended up going with a single 3" cat back with the flowmaster 40 series for $325.

 

[Bill Kemp]

I had a shop remove the resonator and put a Y in after the stock muffler & run 2" pipes out the back. About $125.00.
It sounds like a V8 now and is still quiet in the interior going down the road.

 

[performancenut]

Be cautious with a self fabricated system. Adjusting back pressure up or down can affect performance. The commercial products have been tested for fit, flow, performance, etc. for maximal improvement. I've done it both ways in the past with reasonably good results. Just choose and shop wisely.

 

[boominXplorer]

I have 2.5'' true dual's with 2 flowmaster 40 non-delta mufflers. All had to be custom welded and loss of spare. Its pretty loud. I would go with a dual in/ dual out 50 series flowmaster. You could also go with a single 3'' catback with a 50 series.

 

[isuballr]

i just want to run one muffler to 2 pipes coming out the rear. probably 2.25" since i've heard good things with that size. plus i figure it will be easier for the shop to just use the one muffler, and a little more cost friendly.??

 

[Oversquare]

How's the MAC exhaust? I've been looking into it at Explorer Express. Opinions on this?

-Brad

 

[xdragoox]

Available cat-back exhaust systems

I have a 1999 Explorer XLT 5.0L.
I just purchased a Dynomax cat-back system for it and I was a little dissapointed in the exhaust note. This would be a great system for someone that just wanted a little upgrade from the stock sound, and did not want to spend alot of money. The installation was easy and I did it myself in one afternoon. The great thing about the cat-back system is that it is pre-cut to fit perfectly and be a direct bolt-on. On a positive note, the new cat-back has slightly improved my gas mileage, and I purchased the Dynomax for just over $200 after tax and $25 shipping.
The Dynomax doesn't have a really deep, throaty sound because it uses the "super turbo" muffler which is very sound defeating.
The only other brands that I know producing a prefabricated cat-back system are Flowmster and Bassani.
If I could do it all over again, I would buy the bassani because of the good things that I hear from 5.0L Mustang owners. Muscle Mustang & Fast Ford always do exhaust comparisons for Ford 5.0's and the Bassani shows better performance ganes than the Flowmaster and other brands.
All in all, the performance increases are gonna be minimal, and no one is really gonna look up under your Explorer to see what logo is on the muffler. So your best bet is to get the cat back system that fits your budget and use the rest of your money on a bigger cam and heads.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Nitrous SSC]

Good to hear feedback about the dynomax system. I loved how the Superturbo muffs were quiet yet ment business at WFO on my SHO. I saw that kit in my new jegs catalog and called them to see if it wasn't a typo. That exhaust kit is next on my list.

xdragoox : hows the sound difference inside the cabin? Minimal?

 

[spindlecone]

Would be interesting to define the phrase true duals as I feel most people do not really know what a true dual system is.
A true dual system is not two exhaust manifolds,comeing into a Y, than catback, you still have one pipe out, if you go from there you may have two muffler systems, but only a set of headers ( two independant systems for each side of the V type engine, passing gas thru two separate cat and muffler systems can be called true duals)
My first catback system was two flowmasters out, looks nice but is show only.
With the 4.0 SOHC engine, the biggest H.P gain will be with a single 2.5 inch system, catback.this was proven in my case with two Dyno runs thru six pulls
What most modders miss is, they see twice pipes, gotta be good, engine can breath better, NOT, if that wisdom was true, than fab up a plenum and run six flowmasters catback, the more pipe,the more bends, The more mufflers, = more back pressor, plain and simple, JMHO

 

[isuballr]

on a 5.0L engine would you go with 2.5 in or 2.25 in pipe on a catback system? would that 1/4 in make that much of a difference?

 

[spindlecone]

If you have upgraded your intake,yes the 1/4 will make a diff for the better, maybe not a huge diff but pipe is cheap

 

[isuballr]

where's a good site to buy just a muffler from? all i can seem to find is the entire catback system?

 

[rydinhigh]

Would be interesting to define the phrase true duals as I feel most people do not really know what a true dual system is.
A true dual system is not two exhaust manifolds,comeing into a Y, than catback, you still have one pipe out, if you go from there you may have two muffler systems, but only a set of headers ( two independant systems for each side of the V type engine, passing gas thru two separate cat and muffler systems can be called true duals)

Just an fyi the v8's have two pipes, one pipe coming from each header into the stock muffler. There is one pipe from the stock muffler out.