Performance Exhaust

[Fred93]

Thanks to all the great advice on this forum my '93 XLT is joining the 'modified' club piece by piece. Got a 2" Skyjacker lift (very nice) and some new wheels and tires. The truck's never been a power house, but is really struggling up the hills these days.

I'm looking for ways to add just a little extra to get up those hills. Added an aFe high-flow air filter, which seemed to help a bit. The next logical step seems to be a performance exhaust. Folks in the forum seem to like Dynomax, so I was excited to find the Dynomax 17415 Single - 2.25" Cat-Back Exhaust System kit with Super Turbo™ Muffler. Don't want something loud enough to wake the neighbors, just a little extra oomph.

Alas, it seems the Dynomax 17415 has been discontinued. :-( Can't find it anywhere.
Any ideas on how to replicate the 17415 kit with individual parts, or good alternatives?

Any other ideas for power increase? I'm not expecting to blow any doors off, just crest the hills going faster than 20 mph.

Thanks very much!

 

[BKennedy]

Did you step up tire size? If so, what size? That will effect your performance more than anything.

 

[alaskan155]

try looking for the gen 2, the only difference will be the pipe between the muffler and cat,

here is a JBA system
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...ear/1997/make/ford/model/explorer?prefilter=1

Gibson is another but i have heard mixed reviews on quality
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/gib-619688/overview/make/ford/year/1997/model/explorer

another good forum,
5.0 Exhaust Thread

5.0 uses dual in single out muffler, so you can eliminate the Y some of the v8 guys use and just use a regular pipe with there muffler listed and just run a reducer, either way this will give you some ideas

 

[Fred93]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the info. I did increase the tire size, but only to 235/75R15, which was an original option on this truck so I thought it wouldn't cause too much trouble. I think the old tires were 225/70/R15. It had trouble getting up the hills even with the old tires. It has the 3.27 differential gears, which doesn't help either. But thought I'd try cheaper things before changing gearing.

I was able to grab the Dynomax 17415 kit instructions from the Dynomax website, and it has part numbers on it for most parts. So I did an "a la carte" order from Summit Racing (also available at Jegs) to build my own kit. Hoping there are no surprises about parts that are discontinued, but so far, so good. Should find out in a couple weeks.

I can post a list of part numbers if folks are interested. Actually, I'll try to attach a file right now with the order. I added in the new exhaust flange bolts. They weren't in the original kit but seemed like a good idea.

Wish me luck!

 

[Rhett]

Regear is where it's at. 3.27's should have never been put in auto Explorers and I feel your pain my brother. They should have all come with 3.73 which is a good multipurpose ratio for the OHV and 235's. I went from 3.27 to 4.10 and it's been a really good move for the tires I run and how i use my Explorer. I run 31's presently but I was happy with 32's on also. No more shifting on hills like it did with the 3.27's, with the 4.10's it seems like it is always in the right gear.