Deeper engine noise for V6

[FLOffroad]

I'm just wondering what you all would suggest as the best way to make it so my 08 4.0L v6 sport trac doesn't sound so ricey at 2500 rpm and up. I don't really want it to sound like it doesn't have a muffler at all (then it would sound like a tuner), I just want a deeper, more truck-like noise to it. My thoughts are either getting a new muffler and/or a performance chip. Whatever you all suggest, please don't suggest things that require welding or serious modification by hand, and I'd like to keep the price under $500. Only mods I currently have on it are a K&N airfilter and slightly oversized tires.

Thanks (and don't say get a v8)

 

[bdmcdonald]

I could have had a V-8. :

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

i got an 01 sport with the 4.0 engine and i got single in and dual out 40 series flowmasters and it sounds loud and deep.

how bout getting flowmasters and r u thinkin of getting duals or single

 

[FLOffroad]

I'm pretty sure I'll stick with the single pipe. I looked at getting flowmasters but all the different outlet-inlet diameter combos and no real info about my outlet or inlet diameters confused me. So, if somebody knows what the inlet diameter and the outlet diameter (and offset or no offset) is for an 4.0L v6 08, I'd probably get a flowmaster 50. Would that be ok? I don't want it too overpowering in the cab, but the 50 seems a little big, and the exhaust area on my 08 v6 seems really tight. The pipe bends down, goes straight for 4-5", bends flat again, goes straight for 1-3", then there's the muffler, and then a curvy pipe goes from the muffler to the side where the exit is. From the vertical->horizontal bend to the exit is about 20" on a straight shot (which the piping currently is not).

EDIT - Will a dealer install a flowmaster because I don't feel comfortable cutting up my exhaust pipe. Also, there's extra pieces of metal welded to the oe muffler that keep it attached near the vehicle, what am I supposed to do with that stuff?

 

[GreenMando]

Wonder if they will transplant a V8 for you?

 

[ladmarines]

I have the super 44 series on my truck. at idel it sounds good. But the Guy that did it for me said thta you should also remove the resonator pipe as well. But i think that it sounds good. The stock one is very big and heavy. the most money i spent on it was the Muffler it self. 40 bucks to put it on

 

[FLOffroad]

Great, but I don't know where the resonator pipe is or what it looks like. Where did you get it done? Also, if it's not too much of a hassle, could you get an audio or video file for me? I'd like to get the super 44 because it's smaller than the other flowmasters, but I'm afraid about how Flowmaster says that it has powerful interior and exterior sound. I don't want the engine noise inside the cab to be overpowering when idling. I basically want the exterior noise to be enough to get the average person's attention, but it doesn't have to sound like a raging beast or anything like that. However, the super 44 is the cheapest flowmaster (at least on autoanything's site) so that's nice, but the $20-$40 doesn't mean that much to me.

Finally, I don't really want a v8 anyway. The v6 gives me enough power for all the stuff I do.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

i got the 40 series flowmasters on mine

 

[ladmarines]

I would get you one if i could but i am in Iraq right now. but that pipe is right befor you exhaust tip it kinda looks like a glass pack. but i did not remove it yet i will when i get home later this year. But i got it done at a local shop in jacksonville, Nc. You dont really here it inside the truck excpt when you take off. but it still doesnot sound like a V8.

 

[JohnnyO]

EDIT - Will a dealer install a flowmaster because I don't feel comfortable cutting up my exhaust pipe. Also, there's extra pieces of metal welded to the oe muffler that keep it attached near the vehicle, what am I supposed to do with that stuff?

A dealer will laugh you out of the service dept. if you bring in an aftermarket part to be installed. Get a Gibson cat-back system. I paid about $350 for mine from Summit and it installed in a slam dunk, only needing some shorter bolts for the cat flange. The "extra pieces of metal" are mounting tangs to hold the exhaust system and Gibson's system matches them exactly. Also the pipe diameter of the stock system is only 2" where most cat-back systems are 2.5".

 

[spencer785]

can you guys post up some soundclips of your exhausts please. heres a soundclip of my magnaflow muffler on my truck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1iQLIqqaX0

 

[FLOffroad]

Gibson and Magnaflow don't make products for the v6 4x2 as far I as know.
Thanks anyway ladmarines, hope everything goes well for you. Also, if it doesn't sound like a v8, what does it sound like? Here's a link to Flowmaster's site where they have sample exterior sounds for the different mufflers - http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/index.php?cat=1. Does the 44 on your sport trac sound anything like the sample video (which can be found at the bottom of the linked page). I know it's a completely different vehicle, but you might be able to sort of your sound compare with it. Also, please check out the 50 series (SUV) video, how does your sport trac sound in comparison to that? Not to get personal, but when does your tour end? I'm not really in a big hurry to buy.

Thanks again guys.

EDIT - Also on the topic of my ignorance regarding dealer policies, will they refuse to service my vehicle for routine inspections, tire rotations, etc. if I get a lot of aftermarket performance parts (such as a new muffler not put in by them)?

 

[JohnnyO]

Gibson and Magnaflow don't make products for the v6 4x2 as far I as know.

Curiously, Summit does not list a Gibson V6 2wd exhaust but Gibson's own site does.

EDIT - Also on the topic of my ignorance regarding dealer policies, will they refuse to service my vehicle for routine inspections, tire rotations, etc. if I get a lot of aftermarket performance parts (such as a new muffler not put in by them)?

For regular service they won't hassle you. The thing is, if you bring in a part to be installed, then you've already paid for it and the dealer doesn't get any markup on it. Dealers (or any shop really) are about making money, not so much about working on vehicles just for fun. You MAY run into hassles with a warranty claim if they say the aftermarket part cause the problem. In my case the Sport Trac has been back to the dealer twice since I've owned it, once for a power window switch and once for the serpentine belt noise (for which there is a TSB). Neither of which is related to the aftermarket exhaust, so they can't say squat about it.

 

[FLOffroad]

Great, so as long as my cat doesn't mess up I shouldn't run into dealer problems?
Also, I found the Gibson exhaust system that's offered.
I know most exhaust systems make claims about better MPG. I kind of care about that, but not enough for the $200 difference. Gibson's site lists some "Features and Benefits" for the system, but it's more of just a parts list. So, what is the Gibson going to offer that the flowmaster muffler doesn't?
Here's the link for the Gibson exhaust, it's Part # 319901 - http://www.gibsonexhaust.com/dci.html

Also, if I did go through with this, would you guys recommend buying the product (the gibson or the flowmaster) online and then finding somebody to install it, or buy it at the place that will install it?

 

[ladmarines]

I come home in a few months. Cant say to much untill I am Home. OPSEC

 

[JohnnyO]

Great, so as long as my cat doesn't mess up I shouldn't run into dealer problems?

No.

I know most exhaust systems make claims about better MPG. I kind of care about that,

FWIW, I picked up 3 mpg on the highway. City mpg is no different.

but not enough for the $200 difference. Gibson's site lists some "Features and Benefits" for the system, but it's more of just a parts list. So, what is the Gibson going to offer that the flowmaster muffler doesn't?

If I understand you correctly, you wonder what the difference is between the full Gibson system versus spending $200 less for a Flowmaster muffler by itself. First of all, the pipe diameter in the Gibson system is larger than stock. Second, as you know, the OE exhaust is fully welded and I can tell you from experience that the tailpipe ain't coming out unless you cut it. Therefore you are looking at cobbling some crap together to attach a new muffler to the existing tailpipe since you can't pull it out to flare it, if you can even find an exhaust shop that will want to bother doing that. Odds are pretty good they'll want to put a new tailpipe on. And if you DO, the labor time to cobble some crap together will eat up at least half of that $200 that you think you're going to save. Luckily I have a friend who owns a transmission shop (in other words, he has a lift) and it took me and him only a half hour to put the cat-back system on and I paid him $50. Only issue we had was that we needed some shorter bolts and springs for the cat flange.

I'm just saying, cobbling junk together is a road I've been down before and it just ends up breaking or leaking.

Also, if I did go through with this, would you guys recommend buying the product (the gibson or the flowmaster) online and then finding somebody to install it, or buy it at the place that will install it?

Probably be a wash either way. I'd look for a little mom & pop repair shop and ask first if they'll install it if you bring it in. A shop where the mechanics drive lifted trucks and the name ends in "and Son" are ideal.

 

[FLOffroad]

It's ok ladmarines, good luck.
Thanks JohnnyO, I'll probably go with the Gibson because I'd rather not have my exhaust cut up either.
According to google, the only exhaust places near me are Midas, Tuffy, A-1 Stacey's and Bob & Big Mike's Big Muffler shop. If I'm understanding you correctly, I should only bother looking at A-1 Stacey's and Bob & Big Mike's, correct?

 

[JohnnyO]

If I'm understanding you correctly, I should only bother looking at A-1 Stacey's and Bob & Big Mike's, correct?

Yes, although any independent repair shop would probably do it. With a name like Bob & Big Mike's, I don't think you can go wrong though. Again, call first to ask if they'll do a cat-back system that you bring in yourself.

 

[jah81592]

Anytime you have a kit which is bent setup properly it will be a better quality system. Gibson is an excellent system and I have sold many to members on these forums. If you are interested they are listed on my website. I am the same price as Summit too!

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

have u decided what kind of exhaust u gonna get or still deciding