Help with exhaust setup

[Potatoflinger]

I recently purchased my first vehicle: a 2003 ford ranger EDGE with a 4.0, and have since stumbled upon this web site. I love the truck, but I want it to be a little bit louder and to have a better tone. I have decided to use a Flowmaster 40 series muffler, but I'm not sure what size pipes to use. The truck has 2" pipes on it now, and I can't decide whether to use 2.25" or 2.5" pipes. Is there going to be a huge change in gas mileage, power, etc. if I change the exhaust pipe size? Also, does it matter if I leave the outlet where it is now (behind the passenger side rear tire) or change it to in front of the rear tire?

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

your pipe size will not change your power or mileage greatly. if you do change pipe size, stay under 2.5" or else you will begin to LOOSE power.

the closer the exhaust exits to the cab, the louder it will sound from the drivers perspective.

 

[Potatoflinger]

your pipe size will not change your power or mileage greatly. if you do change pipe size, stay under 2.5" or else you will begin to LOOSE power.

the closer the exhaust exits to the cab, the louder it will sound from the drivers perspective.

Okay, so I should go with the 2.25" pipe and leave the exit behind the wheel?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

if thats what you want to do.

 

[Potatoflinger]

if thats what you want to do.

Alright, I guess that's what I'll go with, thanks for the help!

 

[woodyedmiston]

Exhaust systems are one of the places where the car builder can make a car more fuel efficient, eek out a few more horses, and compete in the CAFE standards. Changing a system is very likely to change the way your truck works. Keep in mind that the catalytic converter has little effect on sound. Therefore, leaving it in place will allow you to have a "clean" car (If you believe in that stuff) or more importantly legal car after you install a muffler that has good tone. ALSO - remember that you can make major differences in how your exhaust sounds by changing out the shape of what is at the end of the pipe - a megaphone, a larger tube etc.

 

[Potatoflinger]

Exhaust systems are one of the places where the car builder can make a car more fuel efficient, eek out a few more horses, and compete in the CAFE standards. Changing a system is very likely to change the way your truck works. Keep in mind that the catalytic converter has little effect on sound. Therefore, leaving it in place will allow you to have a "clean" car (If you believe in that stuff) or more importantly legal car after you install a muffler that has good tone. ALSO - remember that you can make major differences in how your exhaust sounds by changing out the shape of what is at the end of the pipe - a megaphone, a larger tube etc.

I have no intention of changing anything along the lines of the cats, I don't want any legal issues.

Do you have any recommendations for an exhaust tip?

 

[Potatoflinger]

The flowmaster will probably be a delta flow, as that is the only type that is available at the local auto parts store. Thanks for the suggestion for the tip, I will definitely look into one of those.