Okay...So I'm a Dummy....Someone Please Explain Aftermarket Exhaust Systems to Me.... - Diesel Forum

F-250 Hoss · 03-27-2002, 11:42 AM

For the guys that know, I really don't like my stock exhaust and I want to eventually get something new on it. I don't want something too terribly expensive or the wife will never approve it, but something better than stock that will give me a nice, subtle rumble and maybe even increase my fuel mileage a bit.

My question is, what are all of the different type of exhaust systems and what is actually legal. Obviously, I know what dual is versus single....and I know what headers do......but for instance, what is a "cat-back" exhaust?? X-Pipe vs. Y-Pipe?? Etc., etc., etc.....

I thought about getting a dual set-up Dyno-Max exhaust system, but I think this only replaces from the muffler back. There's still that pesky catalytic converter to deal with...which I don't know if there's any way to get around that or not. Anyway, all you exhaust professionals.....please explain some of this stuff to me.

I should clarify that I have a 5.4L V-8 gas engine in my truck if that makes a difference.

Thanks.

~Your Ford Friend Shane

Wombat · 03-27-2002, 12:19 PM

If your state doesn't do emissions tests on diesel engines, then you can delete that cat converter. I think Ford even makes a cat-delete pipe to replace it. Otherwise, that would be the first thing I would do and it would probably be the cheapest. I have the DynoMax cat-back on my truck and love it. I have thought about selling the muffler part and just going to a strait-pipe setup The reason it is called "cat-back" is because some states require the cat to be on there (like California). Speaking of strait-piping the truck... This means no muffler and no cat converter. Some have left the cat converter and just removed the muffler. That's rare though.

The end results of all this are lower EGTs (exhaust gas temps), maybe some better fuel economy and a little more power due to reduced backpressure, and a better sounding truck.

DZacc · 03-27-2002, 12:43 PM

With the gas engine, I don't think the exhaust temps are a concern. I doubt you will find much useful information on this site. Try a few or the gasser sites like f150.com. Better yet try the gas engine forum on this site.

AQHArider · 03-27-2002, 12:54 PM

He's right. This is a diesel forum. For big trucks! If you want to improve your exhaust system on your gasser go to flowmasters web site or something like it, and read up on what is available.

Wombat · 03-27-2002, 01:26 PM

Oops! I didn't see the gasser info. Maybe he wants to upgrade the engine with the exhaust [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

F-250 Hoss · 03-27-2002, 02:47 PM

AQHA...I'm very aware of what site this is. I've been hanging around here a lot longer than you have. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

I will post this in the Gas Engines section too though.

F-250 Hoss · 03-27-2002, 02:50 PM

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

Oops! I didn't see the gasser info. Maybe he wants to upgrade the engine with the exhaust

<hr></blockquote>
[img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

That comes later my friend. Right now I don't see spending $4500 on an engine I can't justify having.

abendx · 03-27-2002, 03:06 PM

come now boys..... this is the aftermarket forum.....

he was not asking any specific engine questions... just wanted some clarification on what exhaust systems are (i.e. what is a catback, what is a y-pipe, what is a h pipe).

i am sure some of you stinky oil burners have received some good advice and opinions from me (as i have from you)... so be nice, he wasn't trying to do anything wrong, just trying to learn (which is what i assume everyone of you here is doing, i know i am!)

F-250 Hoss · 03-27-2002, 05:07 PM

Thanks abendx. And, I notice you have the Flowmaster 40? How do you like that? I've been looking at either Flowmaster or Dynomax. Is your Flowmaster very loud? How does it sound on the V-10? By the way, while I've got you here....don't let the 5.4L guys tell you their engine will hang with your 6.8L. I had a couple of people tell me that when I was hanging around here in my V-10. I had the 6.8L and traded in for a new truck with the 5.4L to get out of one of those stupid SmartBuy programs....although I'm happy with the 5.4L, it doesn't compare to the V-10!!

Anyway, since this is the aftermarket section....any more knowledge out there on the different types of exhaust systems and what would be best for my truck? I know somebody out there knows....

abendx · 03-27-2002, 05:15 PM

np dude... i went over the flow for you in the gas forum. all and all i would recomend it for you... my experience with it will be different than yours tho.

SmokeyWren · 03-27-2002, 10:07 PM

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

I should clarify that I have a 5.4L V-8 gas engine in my truck if that makes a difference.

<hr></blockquote> Yes, it makes a difference. The exhaust systems on diesels won't fit on a truck with a gasoline engine. And vice versa. The question about the catylic convertor has a completly different answer on a diesel than on a gasser. A dual exhaust system is possible on either of the Ford gasoline-engine trucks, but a true dual exhaust system is not reasonably doable on a PSD. For those reasons, this thread is off topic in the '99-up diesel forums. So I've moved it to the gas engines forum.

Smokey

F-250 Hoss · 03-28-2002, 07:35 AM

It's always somethin'...... [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]