what muffler to buy

[bluethunder]

hey guys, i want to get a new muffler for my explorer, i want one thatll make my 4.0 sound as close to a big block V-8 as possible. i would also like somewhat of a performance gain, but im not really worried about more horsepower. thanks.

 

[kps36]

is $$ an issue. If not, I highly recommend the Borla. A few of us sometime back got these for $165 from FordRacing. I am pretty sure they are all out. Borla does still sell them out there at various locations for @$350+.
Anyway, it is not too intrusive (sound wise) and at all times, idle and accelaration, sounds just like a small block V8 with open exhaust. Many have asked if there was one in the truck after hearing it. Also, because it is stainless steel, will outlast the vehicle.
my .02

 

[rpenner54]

I myself have some kind of a flowmaster. I don't know what series it is but it sure as hell sounds like a V8. I have had some people ask me what size V8 is in the thing too. Thats at idle. When you do get on it it still sounds good but you can tell its not quite a V8. I have heard the borla and to say it in a nice way, I think your getting ripped off for that particular muffler. The last I checked it was over a couple hundred just for the muffler itself! Now my muffler cost me somwhere around $150. Which is a good deal then I had the shop that installed it put in 2.5" piping and had it all bent and welded together instead of clamped together.

 

[kps36]

Ryan, I TOTALLY agree with you. But when that deal came up from FordRacing and I was able to go up the road 'bout 7 miles to pick it up, well I could NOT pass that up. Yeah it sounds a LITTLE tamer than I had thought, but it sounds NIICCCEEE! You don't even want to turn on the radio just to be able listen to that sweet, sweet music.
I heard the Flowmaster 40Series (2chamber) was a bit quieter than the 50 Series. They (motorheads) recommend the 40 series (prolly the one you got) for 4 and 6 cyls, and the 50 series for the 8+cyls.
Oh, and the Borla came in two pieces, fits like a glove on the Sploder, 15 minutes to put on (after 1.2 hour to take the original one-piece off) i.e. no labor cost.

 

[Mike Moyer]

I agree go with the Flowmaster. Mine was one of the best things I have done. The price was right. The thing to remember is make sure that the pipe has a Mandrel (sp) bend instead of a stock bend. This means that the pipe stays the same size the whole way through. My other recomendation is to get a free-flow cataletic converter. This whole setup will still cost less then a Borla. But then again it will not be stainless steel. Just my .02 worth.

Mike

 

[Alec]

I Would be careful with a free-flow cat. The stock ones actually flow a lot, more than you think. If you start flowing too well, you'll lose torque. I lost some low end torque when I got my headers, still with the factory cats. Some backpressure is needed to maintain the torque curve.

As for muffler, I have a Magnaflow. I really like the sound. It's not too intrusive, and produces good tones at all speeds. It's not bothersome on the highway at all. It doesn't sound like a V8, but it sounds way better than those 4 and 6 cylinder ricers. The muffler, 2.25" tailpipe, and install cost under $200. Everything's welded, too.