Opinions on Glasspacks, Straight Pipes, and FM 40 and 50 series? I want to put a cost efficient exhaust system on my 97 4.6L that is fairly loud with a deep rumble but not obnoxious. I might also add legal for state inspection in Texas. Does anyone have WAV files of any of these? Thanks in advance.

 

I've got a wav of a glasspack and straight pipes, you could probably find them with a search, but since I haven't posted them in awhile I'll save you the trouble and post them again.

No muffler/straight pipe.
<A HREF="http://tnet.dyndns.org/open.wav" TARGET=_blank>http://tnet.dyndns.org/open.wav
</A>

18" glasspack
<A HREF="http://tnet.dyndns.org/glasspack1.wav" TARGET=_blank>http://tnet.dyndns.org/glasspack1.wav
</A>

This is just a single glasspack, split into duals that exit out the back. Same for the straight pipe. I'm not satisfied with this setup currently. I think my problem lies with the splitter pipe after the glasspack. I hear a noise from the exhaust at and around WOT that is best described as air flowing through a restriction. Anyway the moral is, I'll probably go with a Flowmaster 40 delta single in/dual out pretty soon, if nothing else to experiment some more...


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1997 F150 XLT Flareside
4.6, Auto, 3.55, custom catback
Pioneer DEH-305, Alpine 3547 on Pioneer 5x7s, Punch 60 bridged to 2 ohm mono on 2 10" MTX 5000s.

[This message has been edited by Tiron (edited 09-11-2000).]

 

Tiron, I listened to the straight pipes wav file and liked the sound of it. However, if I chose to run straights would I lose power or gas mileage? right now im running dual glasspacks with resonated tips and its not as loud as i want it. I know the resonated tips quiet it down, would it make a difference if I was to replace them with "3 chromes? Off road guy, If you want it loud, I wouldnt go with the glasspacks I hear the flowmaster 40 series has a good sound.
thanks for any help

 

I wouldn't think you'd see too much difference between the glasspacks and straight pipes, maybe a little more HP on the top end and a little less torque on the low end. Plus a tad more mileage. Read on the Lightning forum guys were picking up 2/10ths in the 1/4 just with straight pipes. They've got alot more exhaust to expel though.

Word or warning, straight pipe really barks around 2000-3000 RPMS, so if you're every planning to pull anything not in overdrive it will be pretty loud.

As for the tips, I don't have any idea there. I just have 2.5" chrome tips on my 2.25" tailpipes.

Good luck...

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I think i might go with Glasspacks because of the low cost. Does anyone know the best size and setup to run on a 97 f-150? (exhaust in front of rear wheel). With what size and length can you get the best sound? Thanks again for the help.

 

is running a straight pipe legal in wv

 

Matt I live in WV and it doesn't seem to matter. I have almost the loudest exhaust I ever heard on my harley (porker brand) and as long as you are not acting like a fool there seems to be no problem. I have seen several f-150 trucks with straight pipes and no tickets for them either. As for inspection all they ever check is registration anyway---------where in WV do you live?

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2000 F-150, XLT, SC, 5.4, 4X4, 355 LS, ORP, Black/Silver, class III, single CD, sliding glass, med. gray, keyless, elect. shift, engine date 8-18-99, Superchip. '93 Harley Fatboy Black & tons of chrome

 

greenbrier county. U?

 

Offroad guy,
The shorter the glass pack the louder it will be. I have 24" and am very happy. Not too loud, but gets noticed. If I did it again I'd probably go with 18" just cause I like it.

 

Wish I had louder mufflers now;-( I have
what I think are 24 inch packs now but it's
really pretty quiet still. I'm thinking about
two aerochambers mounted vertically where the packs are now. I have one on my van with a 21/2" single exhaust and it
has that underwater burble sound that I
LOVE! should've done it that way to begin
with. Come to think of it,I haven't heard any of those mustangs with that sound in
a long time. That high performance head,
tuned header, free flowing muffler sound!!!!!!Too cool!

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98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam, etc..etc.......
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.Billet grilles on order
Hoping for deliverance from door crack hell.

 

98SCREAMER,
You might try 18inch glasspacks for a louder
sound, I just installed dual 18inch glasspacks, 3" going in and 2 1/2 out with some bazooka tips and it sounds loud enough to have ppl asking what I have for exhaust.
I tried straight pipes for a while, however I was losing mpg and with these glasspacks, im gaining mpg now. Off subject, I noticed you have a superchip and I was thinkin about getting one. Is it worth it? And around how much do they cost? Thanks alot

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97f150 lariat 4x4 ext. cab shortbed BLACK
4.6L V8
KN filter
dual exhaust
billet grill
(thinkin about superchip)

 

If you go to gibson, flowmaster, or magnaflow's web sites they all have wave files on their exaust. I chose the Magnaflow because Dale at Enochs' muffler in Burbank,ca. recomended it, did the job on a Friday before Labor day at 3pm and only charged me $250 installed fresh bent pipe. Just had to deal with the new smell when I got out of the truck at the campground.

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'97 F150 4.6L XL WHITE,FLEETSIDE R/C L/B, LEER SHELL W/FISHING POLE RACK, BED MAT,LIMMITED SLIP,245/75/16 DESERT DOGS ON POLISHED ALUM, WHEELS.
AIRAID, 3" CAT BACK OUT THE SIDE w/MAGNAFLOW MUFFER