Needing a new Muffler

[Sweersa]

Hello all, my 1997 2.3l Ranger started running a bit louder a year or so ago and I noticed the muffler has three holes burned in the side facing the gas tank. They are a few inches or so large and the area around them is very brittle.

The heat shielding material on that side of my gas tank is starting to burn off and it hits something when I drive and it sounds extremely annoying.

Before I fix that I need to find a new muffler to prevent further destruction, I would like something that gives me a little more power and sounds nice, but nothing that would be too loud in the cab. Any reconmendations?

Basically I want a nice balance of power with it not being excessively noisy inside the cab. I can deal with something a bit louder than stock but not too much more.

Thanks.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

i got a magnaflow xl turbo muffler that sounds decent on the lima 4 banger. its used about 200 miles. its 2'' in and out.

let me know if your interested. im selling stuff cheap.

 

[rangercrazy07]

flowmaster 40 series 2 chamber

here is a vid of mine on a 2.5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoyWAEzRsnE

 

[Sweersa]

Put on the deltaflow 40 or 50 from Flowmaster. Do not put on the original 40 it will be way to loud and sound very annoying. The other two I suggested will sound good and give you a nice deep mellow tone. The quieter the exhaust in on a 4 banger the better.

That sounds just like what I need thank you. I see Summit has one for less than 100 on ebay new with In/Out, just what my little ranger needs.

As far as installation is just welding required, or is it best to use clamps and such?

Also, I forgot to ask if this will cause any engine codes to be thrown by the O2 sensor or anything like that.

 

[Sweersa]

As long as the cats stay on and your only replacing the muffler no CEL will come on. Just make sure the rest of the exhaust is in good shape. If your using the stock piping 2" or 2.25" is what your after. Don't expect alot of noise if the stock piping is staying, but it will sound better then stock. Welding would be better for best sealing it up, clamps come loose to often and cause leaks. The only reason I did not suggest the original 40 for you is those sound better on V6 Rangers. I have that on my 94 3L and it sounds good, the deltaflow is to quiet for my taste but your 4 banger it's perfect or the 50.

I will actually have this done with the box of the truck removed. Reason being I need to fix my fuel tank which leaks when full for a bit, that's another story.

I am assuming having the new muffler installed will be much easier with the box off so we will do it before we work on the tank. Thanks, my dad will help weld it into place.

Would replacing my current cat with a high flow one be a bad idea? I figure if the box is off I may be able to get some more performance out of it.

 

[Sweersa]

The stock Ford cats are actually high flow cats. The only way to replace a cat is when it's bad, then you can put aftermarket one on. Stock and aftermarket cats flow the same, no difference what so ever, Save the funds. The 2 things that will make your truck breathe better are port and polish the upper end of the motor head, plenum to let it breathe more and a good flowing exhaust. Since you have a 97 2.3 you should already have a header on there from Ford, your good in that dept. Aftermarket intakes are a complete joke stay with your stock and maybe install a k&n filter. I would put a deltaflow 40 on your Ranger they are less expensive then the 50's and they are 2 chamber vs the 50 is 3 chamber. Later install 2.25 piping on there to make it sound a little better, but not annoying loud. I have been thru trial and error with my 94 3L over the years and I have found what works best for me. Helping ya out so your not wasting alot of useless money that can be put towards other things.

Anymore questions just ask.

Sounds good, yes we already have a K&N air filter on it, it was one of the first things we put on and ditched the stock one. Thanks again for all of your advice, it definitely will be put to good use as soon as things heat up where I live and when we can comfortably work outside when it isn't freezing and get the Ranger projects rolling!