need some advice

[2.9._ranger]

i am making a custom exhaust system for my 89 2.9 i'm going to make a true dual system. i need some suggestions for mufflers, i want it to sound nice but not be super loud because its a v6, i also want to include an x or h pipe. i need some recommendations on what i should include in my system. im open to anything just lmk what yall think i should include

 

[2.9._ranger]

i plan to make 3 to 1 long tube headers to produce better low end torque and give it better flow and sound if yall think i should do something different lmk

 

[Shran]

Single exhaust with stock manifolds, high flow cat and a Flowmaster or knockoff sounds pretty good IMO. That's what I have on my Explorer and my stepside truck. This is the knockoff that I used, it is literally identical to Flowmaster without their name stamped on it:

Street Flow - SF42443 2 Chamber 4"x9.5" Oval Body Muffler - 2.25" Offset In / 2.25" Offset Out

2 Chamber Performance MufflerAggressive to Moderate Tone16-Gauge Aluminized SteelPremium Powder Coat Finish

street-performance.com

I think X pipes and H pipes and headers and all that junk is pointless on a stock or close to stock 2.9. If there are ANY horsepower gains, they will be minimal, and the benefits do not outweigh the cost. Just my opinion. A dyno test could change my mind.

 

[2.9._ranger]

Single exhaust with stock manifolds, high flow cat and a Flowmaster or knockoff sounds pretty good IMO. That's what I have on my Explorer and my stepside truck. This is the knockoff that I used, it is literally identical to Flowmaster without their name stamped on it:

Street Flow - SF42443 2 Chamber 4"x9.5" Oval Body Muffler - 2.25" Offset In / 2.25" Offset Out

2 Chamber Performance MufflerAggressive to Moderate Tone16-Gauge Aluminized SteelPremium Powder Coat Finish

street-performance.com

I think X pipes and H pipes and headers and all that junk is pointless on a stock or close to stock 2.9. If there are ANY horsepower gains, they will be minimal, and the benefits do not outweigh the cost. Just my opinion. A dyno test could change my mind.

Main reason i wanted to do headers was because my stock manifolds are basically done for but i might take your advice tbh because I plan to engine swap so there may be no point in building a whole custom system I could probably just build off of the original manifolds to save money because they’re all that’s left of my exhaust rn

 

[2.9._ranger]

Also if you don’t mind do you have a video of either of your trucks so I can hear what they sound like?

 

[gaz]

@2.9._ranger ,
• If you want max torque, long tube headers are the wrong solution, Shorty's are better for low RPM torque.
• for a true dual stock 2.9l, I can only recommend dual 2" tubing (same size as the stock manifold exhaust tubing). You do not need a special"H" or "X", you can simply separate the KKK eft and right sides
• the simplest way to cross connect is to use a cross connect muffler. Borla makes a dual in,dual out in their ProXs line; they are not loud. Very quiet at idle and at speed, the only time I hear them is deep I the throttle...and still very subtle. They are well made, stainless steel only and not too pricy.

PICS:
Stock manifold exhaust tubing (89-94 style) has been separated and is hanging loose, ready for cats.

 

[gaz]

@2.9._ranger

I believe that a stock 2.9l with true dual 2" tubing will sound very close to this video using Borla ProXs.

 

[2.9._ranger]

@2.9._ranger

I believe that a stock 2.9l with true dual 2" tubing will sound very close to this video using Borla ProXs.

If I were to make shorty headers how long would they be from flange to connector and do you think I could build them using the flange from a stock manifold

 

[superj]

Also, spintech makes nice sounding exhaust too. I have one of their mufflers on my titan and it sounds very close to stock volume, but deep. You go to their website and design the muffler from choices, depening on the sound you want and then they build it. And you can add a vibrant resonator, which really gets rid of that honda bumblebee sound

 

[gaz]

@2.9._ranger
I am not a great welder but you can use a set of these, they are for the 98+ OHV 4.0l and they will bolt up like money.
Dorman PART#
674-379, drivery
674-378, passenger's

 

[gaz]

@2.9._ranger ,
This pic shows flange and tubing size relationship of stock driver's side exhaust manifold compared to driver's side JBA 2.9l header (pictured stock manifold is actually 94 spec 4.0, but it is the same as 2.9 except for port size and shape)

 

[2.9._ranger]

@2.9._ranger
I am not a great welder but you can use a set of these, they are for the 98+ OHV 4.0l and they will bolt up like money.
Dorman PART#
674-379, drivery
674-378, passenger's

So I should take these and continue off of them to make the dual 2”?

 

[gaz]

Those are stock manifolds, they do offer an improved design over what was offered with the 2.9l but ido not know that they will outflow the stock 2.9l exhaust manifold... I'm ordered a set last week and am going to compare the results.

Yes, I feel that you should just run 2" from the manifolds...unless you are set on headers. If you are, then perhaps look at all the headers available for the;
98+OHV 4.0l engine (NOT THE SOHC 4.0L)

 

[gaz]

If you do decide to use those 98+ OHV 4.0l Dorman exhaust manifolds, the driver's side is set up for EGR, you will need to plug that for 89, 2.9l.

 

[2.9._ranger]

If you do decide to use those 98+ OHV 4.0l Dorman exhaust manifolds, the driver's side is set up for EGR, you will need to plug that for 89, 2.9l.

Okay I think I’ll go with the manifolds and plug the egr thanks for all the help