Hi all,
First, I'm relatively new to this forum as I just picked up my black 2011 SCrew XLT with the 5.0 on New Year's Day. Just want to let everybody know that this a great forum, very informative for new owners and life long F150 gear heads alike. Really appreciate everyone's input and dedication to this forum.
Second, I had dual exhaust put on yesterday, the first mod to speak of on my new baby. Went with Flowmaster 40 series SIDO as I have been a fan of these mufflers on two previous Ford 302's that I've owned. Everything welded, ran 12" long 3" stainless tips 45'd out by the back bumper. Had them (originally) leave the resonator on. Took it for a spin. Seemed too quiet for my liking. Went back and had them take the res out and replace with straight pipe. BIG mistake. Don't get me wrong, I like the deep rumble, but the drone is almost unbearable. Listening to the radio or having a conversation is tough, and talking on the phone with Sync is now completely useless if a downshift is in the near future. The "sweet" spot seems to be around 1800 rpm's, if the truck is under a load my brain starts rattling. I like the deep rumble, but this system reminds me that I'm not 18 anymore. It actually makes me feel like I'm trying to compensate for something lacking in my pants (I'm not)
With that being said, I feel like I'm at the point of no return; I don't want to replace the resonator with another two cuts & welds as I don't want a cobbled up mess on the nicest vehicle I've ever owned.
So, if it were YOUR truck, would you go back with reinstalling the res, or trying to find a different muffler, cut the piece that replaced the res, and hope the next guy can get it all lined up without butchering everything?
I've done countless hours of research and thought the FM40'S were for me, and I was wrong. So I assume you guys would go with a straight - through design, maybe Magnaflow? Think the muffler could be easily swapped if I went this route? I'm really just wanting a deep tone, I now realize I don't need it to be LOUD as $#!÷ AND have it drone so terribly inside the cab.
Appreciate any comments or suggestions in advance.
Thanks again

 

If you know you like the sound with the resonator I would just go get it reinstalled

 

Ahhh, brings up something I forgot, the "cackle". I only hear it when decelerating and even sometimes at idle. It's almost like a "pop" sound, like the the odd noises heard just before a backfire. I assume this is due in part to the baffled muffler design of the FM(?). That part I don't like, I don't want to pay $400 for exhaust that occasionally makes my 5.0 sound like a misfiring turd. I didn't notice this with the res on, but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. It's my fault for only putting 20 miles on it before taking it back to get the res out.
So I may be leaning towards a different muffler.
Anybody running 40 series familiar with that nasty cackle? It just seems..off..

 

They're called Dronemasters for a reason. They are also made of mild steel and tend to rust out. I have magnaflow on all my stuff.

 

I realize the FM'S are prone to drone, but I had an 88 with a 302 and a 92 H.O. 302 with almost this same setup with significantly less drone at highway speeds. I realize this is 20 years newer but DAMN. I wouldn't have bought Flowmasters if I hadn't heard them sound good on something before.
How would you describe your Maggies? They still have a deep tone with no drone to speak of? Did you go with a 14", res on/off?

 

I just took my magna flow off for terrible drone. They both drone like crazy. Take it from me and put the resonator back in and if you want louder switch to a Super 44. My Maggie was a 14 inch with no resonator. Do not recommend.

 

Appreciate the heads up. Many threads suggest the Magnaflow over the Flowmaster because "it doesn't drone". I was really starting to believe it before hearing one.

So for you guys running aluminized steel exhaust, is it worth the time to crawl up under there and paint these welds? I realize the condensation on the inside of the exhaust causes rust internally before externally, but I will have several welds if I go chopping it up to put the res back in.

 

Either that or go with Flowmaster 3-chamber mufflers, they still have the FM sound but you will not have the interior resonance at cruising speed.


If you lucky the muffler shop will give you some for the "old" 2-chambers.

 

Forgot to mention, I have Magnaflows with an X-pipe (no cats) on my 02 Mustang GT. They are just as loud as the 2-chamber Flowmasters! The GT is just a toy so I don't care; I would never take it on a longer trip though.

 

I'm new to the Ford world, but with my chevy I loved the magnaflow sound. I think the part number was 12589 (I'm weird like that) and the sound was a nice rumble at idle but stomp it and it was mean.