How to make the truck a bit quieter without sacrificing character/performance

[futon]

Recently purchased '98 B4000.

I don't have a lot of detail on the exhaust equipment make and model, but I know the previous owner installed:

• Two high-flow cats
• A muffler that's barely wider than the exhaust pipe
• Vibrant resonator
• Dual 3" exhaust

Truck also has a K&N air filter that's likely contributing.

The resonator makes my head explode at 3000rpm.

Should I replace the muffler first? If so, what would you recommend?

Restore the factory airbox?

Thanks

 

[franklin2]

Put the stock exhaust back on it. Not sure about the Mazdas in 1998, but most OEM's by then were using a magnetic stainless for the exhaust, which lasts a very long time. You can probably find a stock system in the junkyard in good shape.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Can you do the work yourself? Or is money no object? Franklins suggestion is good. But I'm cheap and would try putting in the largest stock type mufflers that fits. If that option actually is cheapest...
Also I'm not an exhaust guru...

 

[19Walt93]

A 4.0 doesn't need or benefit from a 3" exhaust system -much less dual 3". Unless the engine is heavily modified I agree with the suggestion to put stock exhaust back on it.
I'd do that first and see if you hear too much noise from the air intake. If you decide to keep the K&N, don't forget to clean and reoil it periodically. A dry K&N filters about as well as window screen.
Another consideration is cold weather operation, the factory air box may work better for you.

 

[futon]

A 4.0 doesn't need or benefit from a 3" exhaust system -much less dual 3". Unless the engine is heavily modified I agree with the suggestion to put stock exhaust back on it.
I'd do that first and see if you hear too much noise from the air intake. If you decide to keep the K&N, don't forget to clean and reoil it periodically. A dry K&N filters about as well as window screen.
Another consideration is cold weather operation, the factory air box may work better for you.

Yeah, I was afraid of that. It's 3" from the manifold, which means I'll basically need to replace everything to get it back to stock. Money is definitely a concern, so this will likely need to wait. Aside from a different throttle body, I don't think the engine is modified at all.

What is this thing:

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Maybe put up an add for a trade. Yours for a stock exhaust system.