2.9L... looking to increase performance and aggressive sound

[baxtej44]

1988 ranger xlt 4x4 2.9L
<90,000 miles

Don't think anything on the exhaust system has been touched (maybe except minor repairs... nothing has ever been SUPER ****ed up on this truck)

Looking to slowly replace old parts on this truck to keep it alive and kickin, as I want to keep it for hopefully 10+ more years... honestly if I could keep it for the rest of my life I would love to, as it means alot because it was my grandfathers.

Looking for a list of things that I can upgrade on the exhaust system, without having car repair degrees and what not... I can't weld lol, can't fabricate.. so looking for simple fits.

So far i've got a small list, but i'm sure i've missed about 3x more things:

catalytic converter (any reccomended brands/specifications/features?)
muffler (should i go with flowmaster muffler? or should i just do an entire flowmaster exhaust kit?)
exhaust tips (just for looks right?)

 

[HndMeDnBroncoII]

If you are looking for good quality to last along time go get the original piping from ford
i used to work in an exhaust shop and factory pipes always lasts longer than aftermarket stuff and they fit better itll cost u more but it will last alot longer in the long run.The cats dont matter to much unless u need to pass emisions testing.
I put a small tail pipe on and took out the resonator from the tail pipe and it sounds pretty decent with a stock muffler.But ive heard good things about the flowmasters too

on a side note catalytic converters do very greatly:for instance if it says california emisions approved,well theres a good chance it wont pass here in Vancouver Canada.
california testing is not as strict as ours.
but if u dont have to worry about emissions its not a big deal.

 

[baxtej44]

If you are looking for good quality to last along time go get the original piping from ford
i used to work in an exhaust shop and factory pipes always lasts longer than aftermarket stuff and they fit better itll cost u more but it will last alot longer in the long run.The cats dont matter to much unless u need to pass emisions testing.
I put a small tail pipe on and took out the resonator from the tail pipe and it sounds pretty decent with a stock muffler.But ive heard good things about the flowmasters too

on a side note catalytic converters do very greatly:for instance if it says california emisions approved,well theres a good chance it wont pass here in Vancouver Canada.
california testing is not as strict as ours.
but if u dont have to worry about emissions its not a big deal.

pretty sure i don't have to worry about emissions.... didn't inspect my truck when i licensed it and what not...

i'll buy one that says not legal in california haha.




i think a dual exhaust tip would look stupid coming out of the side of a truck... how hard is it to get a true dual exhaust and get exhaust tip coming out from each side?

i assume i'm going to be replacing all of the piping underneath? does the exhaust piping start at the engine?
i could just do 2.5" like you said, is 3" worth it? i mean i've only got a 2.9L... i am not putting out that much exhaust.

like i could do this:
http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/products/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4178

and then put a pipe coming off of both ends of the muffler, and one is bent right and one is bent left, and then they both go to opposite sides of the truck to blow out exhaust.

anybody reroute a single exhaust to the back like a normal car? does exit location of the pipe matter at all?

 

[RangerFabWorks]

personally, i would get a moroso spiral flow muffler. its cheap. it flows. and sounds mean. www.jegs.com has em. i would get 2 1/4 piping. and split it after the muffler and do dual pipes under the bumper on each side.

pipe routing makes a difference. the more pipe you have, the more sound you will get, and the more quiet it will be. if you do a dump or a 90' off the muffler, you wouldnt get as much sound and it will be loud as hell and resonate like mad. so i would def. go out the back or behind the rear tire on a 2.9, you will get more sound outta it.

another muffler i recommend is a magnalfow xl, i just did one on my 4.3 chevy and it sounds mean. its got tone at an idle, but when you get on it it just sounds nice.

but for you, i would def say a moroso spiral flow.

 

[baxtej44]

personally, i would get a moroso spiral flow muffler. its cheap. it flows. and sounds mean. www.jegs.com has em. i would get 2 1/4 piping. and split it after the muffler and do dual pipes under the bumper on each side.

pipe routing makes a difference. the more pipe you have, the more sound you will get, and the more quiet it will be. if you do a dump or a 90' off the muffler, you wouldnt get as much sound and it will be loud as hell and resonate like mad. so i would def. go out the back or behind the rear tire on a 2.9, you will get more sound outta it.

another muffler i recommend is a magnalfow xl, i just did one on my 4.3 chevy and it sounds mean. its got tone at an idle, but when you get on it it just sounds nice.

but for you, i would def say a moroso spiral flow.

so you suggest leaving the original piping until a new catalytic converter, muffler comes after that? or before?


anyway, i think i want to get a new cat, just because well i mean jeeze this one is 21 years old... probably time for a new one lol

but basically you just think i should upgrade muffler, and then after the muffler split the pipe with a ??? a y-pipe? and then have the two pipes come out both sides? or the rear of the truck?

 

[RangerFabWorks]

so you suggest leaving the original piping until a new catalytic converter, muffler comes after that? or before?


anyway, i think i want to get a new cat, just because well i mean jeeze this one is 21 years old... probably time for a new one lol

but basically you just think i should upgrade muffler, and then after the muffler split the pipe with a ??? a y-pipe? and then have the two pipes come out both sides? or the rear of the truck?

heres how i would do it. new cat- muffler- y splitter- dual pipes to yhou designated location either behind the tires or under the bumper on each side.

yes i would get a new muffler. it will add sound. free up the exhaust, and give you like 2-3 mpg and maybe 5 hp.

 

[Z3CHYD]

On mine i have a new cat into 2.5 inch exhaust, a 2 foot section of pipe, then the Y-Pipe, and the duals coming out the back with dual glasspacked tips, no muffler, and it sounds pretty mean, deep rumble when idling, and a nice-but-not-to-obnoxious-roar to it
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2869/1021/32170510116_medium.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2869/1021/32170510117_medium.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2869/1021/32170510115_medium.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2869/1021/32170510113_medium.jpg[IMG]

 

[Z3CHYD]

(pics arent working I'll put em on later)

 

[rickcdewitt]

a single into dual will lose power over a properly sized single.all you will gain is noise.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

a single into dual will lose power over a properly sized single.all you will gain is noise.

thats not entirely true. if carefully select the pipe size. you will not lose performance. if you go from a 2'' pipe and y it off to dual 2 1/2 pipes, yes you will loose performance and economy. but if he does no bigger than 2 1/4 pipes. he will be fine. plus hes got the v/6, its not like i said to do it on a 4 banger.

but if the op desides to, a single tailpipe will be MORE than sufficient.

 

[Hahnsb2]

and give you like 2-3 mpg and maybe 5 hp.

Agreed on the *maybe* 5hp, but 2-3 MPG? Get real. At the most, *maybe* 1 MPG, I've never saw any difference between any af the exhausts on my 2.9. Every vehicle is different but I don't see a 2-3mpg as a realistic gain.

I recomend Aero Turbine mufflers.

 

[baxtej44]

thats not entirely true. if carefully select the pipe size. you will not lose performance. if you go from a 2'' pipe and y it off to dual 2 1/2 pipes, yes you will loose performance and economy. but if he does no bigger than 2 1/4 pipes. he will be fine. plus hes got the v/6, its not like i said to do it on a 4 banger.

but if the op desides to, a single tailpipe will be MORE than sufficient.

so i should run 2 1/4 pipe to a new cat, then the cat (doesn't matter much which brand), then 2 1/2 pipe to a muffler (so many brands reccomended.. grr lol) and 2 1/2 Y pipe to a dual exhaust coming out both sides?


something like that?
i definitely don't want to lose power....

 

[RangerFabWorks]

so i should run 2 1/4 pipe to a new cat, then the cat (doesn't matter much which brand), then 2 1/2 pipe to a muffler (so many brands reccomended.. grr lol) and 2 1/2 Y pipe to a dual exhaust coming out both sides?


something like that?
i definitely don't want to lose power....

i would do 2 1/4, and you dont need new pipe before the cat. just run new pipes after the cat. and yes on both sides OR a single out the side, which ever you want. for a cat, just get the el cheapo from jc whitney.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

Agreed on the *maybe* 5hp, but 2-3 MPG? Get real. At the most, *maybe* 1 MPG, I've never saw any difference between any af the exhausts on my 2.9. Every vehicle is different but I don't see a 2-3mpg as a realistic gain.

I recomend Aero Turbine mufflers.

i was being generous, i wouldnt expect any mpg gains

 

[baxtej44]

i would do 2 1/4, and you dont need new pipe before the cat. just run new pipes after the cat. and yes on both sides OR a single out the side, which ever you want. for a cat, just get the el cheapo from jc whitney.

i think lowe's has a pipe bender in the store.... they might charge, but it'd be worth it i think...


i mean is there a noticeable difference with a true dual exhaust?

probably more noise (which i don't mind if it's a nice noise through like a super 44 or something of the sort), but how does it affect preformance?