Different Exhausts

[95ExplorerLtd]

I'm starting to get into the market of a new exhaust system. This will be one of the first significant modifications done to the truck. I have 3 different magazines with 4 different types of exhaust systems. They go as follows:

Borla:

The "Lazy S" design which they claim flows more freely than a straight pipe, and gives added performance and a deep throaty sound. The muffler is made of T-304 stainless steel. Even though they claim added performance, it is minimal, only up to 7 hp. Goes for $395 from Performance Products. Warranty is for 1,000,000 miles.

Gibson

The first one is the cat-back system. Bolts on with an alumized or stainless mandrel bent tubing. Has a lifetime warranty. Exits out to the side like on early model Explorers. You use the factory hangers, and can get 10-20 hp (so they say). Goes for $300 or more with Stylin Concepts.
The other from Gibson is a dual sport system, that comes straight out the side with 2 separate pipes from the muffler back, and exit side by side. I don't know the availability of this system (if it will fit the truck), so if someone could add some info to this, I would greatly appreciate it. It goes for $340 and up from Stylin Concepts.

Explorer Express

This is their V6 turbo exhaust that is all alumized and follows the original stock route and uses the stock hangers which I thought was neat. They say its barely louder than stock. Has a consistent cross section for maximum flow. $170 from E.E.

As far as the exhaust note, I dont want it to be something loud and obnoxious, but not something so quiet that you cant tell the difference between it and stock. If the E.E. one can give a nice amount of flow and some hp, it would be worth it as far as the price, since they say its barely louder than stock. But what I'm really going for is something that just sorta rumbles and sounds really deep but loud enough to tell a difference from stock. Any help is really appreciated and useful. Thanks!

 

[yob_yeknom]

All I can say is my Borla kicks A$$! Not too loud, but nice and deep growl. I've had it for a while now and STILL love to rev the engine while I'm sitting still just to hear it roar.

 

[yob_yeknom]

one more thing...

The Borla also uses the stock hangers and follows the stock route. The bends are not as sharp and restrictive as stock though.

Do a search for Borla with my name to find some advice on installing a new cat back. Learn from my experiences and it'll go a lot smoother.

 

[JamminG4Jim]

I also own a Borla Cat back and I'm completely satisfied! Stainless Steel in Minnesota just makes good sense to me! Smooth install with good printed instructions!

Just my .02 worth.....

 

[srpauliesr]

One more vote for Borla. Sounds great, easy install and should outlast the vehicle or me which ever goes first!

 

[Quick]

I'm getting the Flowmaster cat-back system.

First off it's cheaper..

And second, you get the same (if not better) results from other brands. The 3 chamber gives you a deep rumble and mellow tone..

 

[jimbo74]

i just put on a 40 series...stok pipe to muffler than custom bent out the back...185 for everything....the sound is killer!!!!!!

 

[95ExplorerLtd]

Hmmm, I think I have it down to the Gibson and Borla now, I read up some more on both. Does anyone know if the dual out-the-side Gibson exhaust would fit? I think it owuld make for a nice look.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Originally posted by Quick
I'm getting the Flowmaster cat-back system.

First off it's cheaper..

And second, you get the same (if not better) results from other brands. The 3 chamber gives you a deep rumble and mellow tone..

But Borla sounds sooo much better. I had a chance to compare the two. My Borla vs. RU MAN's Flowmaster. In my opinion AND my girlfriend's opinion (who HATES my louder than stock exhaust by the way) the Borla was better no question. Sorry Brian!
Loud is not impressive in my opinion. (Flowmaster) A deep, throaty GROWL is what sounds good. (Borla) To top it off, what brand exhaust do you think Ford Racing uses on Mustangs and such? A: Borla That is because the Borlas are specially designed for peak performance and sound quality for the specific vehicle. You can even get Borlas from Ford.

 

[drmoore71]

i've got the borls as well, grant. it sounds great, and it gave a nice seat of the pants power upgrade. if i could do it all over again and have to spend full price on the borla, i absolutely would, no question about it. i used all factory mounting hardware (hangers, nuts, bolts, etc.) took just over an hour to install. truly in my top two mods so far. go with the borla!!

 

[95ExplorerLtd]

Ok, thanks to all of you for the help. I guess I'll start looking around at the Borla ones now, see where I can get the best price. Thanks again!

Grant

 

[srpauliesr]

Originally posted by 95ExplorerLtd
Ok, thanks to all of you for the help. I guess I'll start looking around at the Borla ones now, see where I can get the best price. Thanks again!

Grant

Check out the thread in "GROUP PURCHASES". They are trying to get something going on Borlas. The more the cheaper!

 

[jimbo74]

i love my flow but borlas do sound good. i have heard one (actually 2) on a friends stang

 

[DamnSavage]

The gibson sport truck system is NOT usable on the explorer, just because of the health hazard it poses. The tips are directly in front of the rear tire and therefore under the door, and the CO from the exhaust can leak into the cabin of your X. Not that it wouldnt look cool, I dont think gibson wants a lot of dead SUV drivers on their hands.

 

[Spectre]

Brett,
Gibson has other models that exit behind the rear tires too. In fact, i am almost certain that all the Explorer systems they have exit behind the rear tires. I think the side exhaust you are thinking of is for F150s or Rangers.

 

[DamnSavage]

ya i misinterpeted the question....... i thought it was the super truck exhaust: http://www.gibsonperformance.com/su...ke to support a local shop(explorer express).

 

[toadlax]

performance exhaust

Im also looking for an exhaust, dropped a post on the group buy board, just wondering how
good gibson is compared to flowmaster, dynomax, magnaflow ect? Borla is the best but expensive.
I want performance, not sound or looks.

 

[DOGMAN]

toadlax -

If you're just interested in performance and not sound, then any of the "performance" mufflers will work for you. There really isn't much difference in performance between a Borla, Flowmaster, Gibson, Magnaflow, Dynomax, Bassani, etc. Most prefer one over the other strictly because of the way they sound. Of course the stainless steel ones like Borla and Dynomax Ultraflo will last longer, hence they do cost quite a bit more.

I don't know if I'd claim that Borla is "the best". Like I said before, there isn't much difference in performance between all these mufflers. Borla is well made, and will last a long time, but it's not going to perform any better than any of the others, especially on a stock Explorer motor. Any of these aftermarket mufflers are going to perform better than the stock, quiet, restrictive muffler.

I've run Dynomax Superturbo's in the past with much success until switching to a Flowmaster 40, which I like better because it sounds a bit more aggressive. The Flow 40 muffler itself costs about $60, I had mine installed with custom bent pipe from cat to tailpipe for about $60, so I was out the door for about $120. Any good exhaust shop should be able to do you right.

If you want performance, pick any of the above mentioned brands, they're all so close in performance it's a mute point. But they do all sound a bit different, so that is really the basis for choosing one over the other.

 

[DamnSavage]

How do magnaflow mufflers compare to flowmasters? I know they all belong to the same parent company. Also, where can I buy a Magnaflow cat?

 

[DOGMAN]

Magnaflow is a straight-thru perforated pipe design with fiberglas batting, very similar to the Dynomax UltraFlo mufflers. These are really high quality glasspacks. The Flowmaster is a chambered design, which uses a single deflector in the tried and true 40 series, to a triple deflector in the DeltaFlow designs, which reduce interior resonances and external sound levels.

Both Magnaflow and Flowmaster work well as far as performance goes, being very similar. They just arrive at it in a different manner. Of course the main reason to pick between the two would be the sound desired.

You should be able to buy a Magnaflow cat from any company selling Magnaflow mufflers. They probably won't have it in stock, they'll have to order it.

For further info, try:

www.magnaflow.com
www.flowmastermufflers.com