djmcnab

I pulled the trigger finally & did a completely custom fully welded long tube header setup and am very happy with the initial results.

I purchased the main components (below) for a total of $610 and had a local shop install for $1300 (screaming deal for that kind of custom work) who added a CAT and did all of the rest of the tubing in 3" stainless single run after the Pace Setter provided Y. All done for less that $2K which is what it would have cost me to have the Ford dealer replace both exhaust manifolds with stock parts. One was leaking (broken bolt) and I figured the other side was likely to go too, so this way I took care of both sides for and for the same price made a marked improvement! :-)

Truck has a beautiful low rumble you can only get with long tubes, though the Magna Flow leaves it fairly loud for my taste, but I was going for minimizing flow restriction so a straight through Maga was the choice. Most out there who want custom would likely not think its too loud though.

I chose long tube to have the bigger impact on added HP for towing & MPG for commuter travel. I can tell the truck is much more responsive now. Haven't driven the truck much yet (got it back yesterday) and haven't towed with it, but it has noticeably more jump. Much more likely to inadvertently bark the tires when leaving a stop sign and such.

So far so good, I like it.

I went with these:

Pacesetter Long Tube headers

Pace Setter Y-pipe

Magnaflow Muffler

Prjc

Hello, I'm new to this site and just read threw your post on back pressure. Great post! I'm wondering if you have any ideas on how I can get my low rpm power back. I recently had a 50 style dual straight back cat back system installed. Sounds good, moderate I'll say. My only thing is it's pickup has fallen a bit. I added the roush cold air intake and it's almost violent when I get in her.
Sorry I have a 2014 5.0 f150. I just would like the pep I lost back. Again it's not crazy but I notice the difference.

jprevat

iTrader: (1)

Could always go the tuner route or simply reset the computer if you havent already. Just a thought.

Dautz

Thank you for the time you took to write this! I enjoyed reading it!

SD_F1504x4

One of the guys from motorweek did a series of test which are on youtube. Same engine on the dyno but changing exhaust components. Cheap mufflers vs pricey. 2 in vs 3 in. X pipe vs h pipe vs true dual. Muffler delete vs mufflers. I think he also tested different intake manifolds too. And fuel injection vs carb too.

Muffler delete gives a bit more hp but moves the power up the powerband. So you do lose low end torque and acceleration. I noticed this after having my mufflers cut off and having turn downs welded on the factory exhaust on my GT. It sounds great, but definitely lost some torque and acceleration.

Eric Kleven

Go to 2.25" pipe between the cats and the muffler. Getting your velocity up is about the only way to get that all back.

When you say '50 style', do you mean 'Flowmaster Series 50' muffler, or 1950's true-dual style? Details, man!

TATTOO1965

I have a 2008 Roush stage 3 that the previous owner had removed the cats and ran true duals out the back with a off road x pipe and magna flow mufflers. The part that concerns me is they went from 2.5 in and necked it down to 2 1/4 from basically the transmission back all the way out the back of the truck. Will going back to 2.5 help any?

Eric Kleven

On that truck going to 2.5" is a good move. 2.25 is marginal for that much power, will likely cost you some.

Jerseyjk07

Great thread with tons of info here. Looking for some outside views on what I plan to do. I come from old days with loud exhausts, 79 bronco manual lifted on 35's w/custom built 351M long tube headers and straight pipes that dumped under body. So off that bat, loud and drone are non-issue. I had an 09 f150 for 6 years and never touched the exhaust, but lifted it on 33's, air ride in rear for heavy loads and off-roading. In February, I picked up a garage kept 13' XLT SC w 5.0. Truck was very well maintained and only has 32k. Looking to put an exhaust on and do it myself. I did some readings on some of your set ups and others etc. My plan is keeping cats (obviously), removing stock resonator and muffler, installing a resonator delete pipe and a dynomax bullet, then attaching to the remainder of the over the axle stock exit tailpipe. I plan on running that set up till I am due for inspection in October, then possibly eliminating the stock exit pipe and doing just an extension off the bullet to a dump at the rear axle.

Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

GoodVibes

http://www.impulsengine.com/how/index.shtml