Cold Air Intake .

[Power Hungry]

We've seen some benefit to going with a Cat-Back exhaust and the popular choice has been Magnaflow SIDO setups. This setup will usually benefit a little in low and mid RPMs, not to mention it sounds really nice. For some odd reason, Flowmaster mufflers just don't seem to work well in this configuration and have a real "tinny" sound instead of the nice, deep rumble.

As for duals, the thing we've found with full dual exhaust is that it tends to hurt low RPM performance a bit but makes up for it at higher RPMs, especially with high flow cats. However, unless you're really looking for top end performance, we generally recommend avoiding this setup. We've had more than a few customers say that they've actually gone back to the SIDO setup because they didn't like the way the low RPM power felt.

I look at an exhaust change more as a way to change the tone of the exhaust and less as an overall performance modification. There are certainly some gains to be had in each configuration, you just need to decide beforehand what you're looking to achieve with your vehicle.

[lumpyf150]

Originally Posted by Power Hungry

We've seen some benefit to going with a Cat-Back exhaust and the popular choice has been Magnaflow SIDO setups. This setup will usually benefit a little in low and mid RPMs, not to mention it sounds really nice. For some odd reason, Flowmaster mufflers just don't seem to work well in this configuration and have a real "tinny" sound instead of the nice, deep rumble.

As for duals, the thing we've found with full dual exhaust is that it tends to hurt low RPM performance a bit but makes up for it at higher RPMs, especially with high flow cats. However, unless you're really looking for top end performance, we generally recommend avoiding this setup. We've had more than a few customers say that they've actually gone back to the SIDO setup because they didn't like the way the low RPM power felt.

I look at an exhaust change more as a way to change the tone of the exhaust and less as an overall performance modification. There are certainly some gains to be had in each configuration, you just need to decide beforehand what you're looking to achieve with your vehicle.

Thanks, Bill. I'm just looking to get a little more fun and driveability (and maybe a little better MPG) out of my truck vs. blowing people's doors off or ear-drums out. Great "every day" advice!

[Power Hungry]

I'm right there with ya! When I was in my 20's, Hooker Super Comps and Flowmasters on a 350 Small Block with a 280º Cam was the coolest thing since sliced bread. It didn't matter if I could hear the radio. Heck, half the time I didn't even have a radio!

Nowadays I'd much rather just be able to have a conversation while driving in my vehicle and getting 18-20 MPG. Man, I'm getting old.

[lumpyf150]

Originally Posted by Power Hungry

I'm right there with ya! When I was in my 20's, Hooker Super Comps and Flowmasters on a 350 Small Block with a 280º Cam was the coolest thing since sliced bread. It didn't matter if I could hear the radio. Heck, half the time I didn't even have a radio!

Ah, the good ole days...

[KIRT]

I was wondering what kind of experiences Bill or any others have had with the volant cai?

[88Racing]

Okay for anyone looking to do an upgrade to their air intake try looking at tru-flo sealed system. It retains stock air box and gets rid of that plastic intake tube, then is replaced with a powder coated tube over to the fender. So you can use any stock filter replacement that you desire or the one it comes with. Just a thought for some of us out there whose parts bins are empty.
-Lars

[Jackpine]

Originally Posted by 88Racing

Okay for anyone looking to do an upgrade to their air intake try looking at tru-flo sealed system. It retains stock air box and gets rid of that plastic intake tube, then is replaced with a powder coated tube over to the fender. So you can use any stock filter replacement that you desire or the one it comes with. Just a thought for some of us out there whose parts bins are empty.
-Lars

And, Lars, it sounds like this does not alter the stock MAF sensor enclosure in any way? I'm puzzled now that it would make your engine run poorly.

- Jack

[88Racing]

Jack,
From what I have seen in some of these installs and test drives. It is no different then the stock system except the restrictive intake tube is done away with and a different stock size filter is used. If I was following Bill's description of the "gotts" system correctly or in that system is the MAF sensor relocated also. Another thing that is note worthy is very little to no droning noise. 4.2 and 4.6 have something different in their stock intakes over the 5.4 looked like a restrictive cone shaped funnel insert. Found that in a 05 4.6 STX and forgot what year 4.2
-Lars

By the way Jack great job on the snorkle tube post!!!
Loved the pictures!
For $13?
That is kind of what I meant when I said sometimes our parts bins are empty. There are some of us at sometimes in our lives that the packaged product looks like the shure thing, but if we put our mind to it like you did we can take pride in a job well done.

[Jackpine]

Originally Posted by 88Racing

Jack,
From what I have seen in some of these installs and test drives. It is no different then the stock system except the restrictive intake tube is done away with and a different stock size filter is used. If I was following Bill's description of the "gotts" system correctly or in that system is the MAF sensor relocated also. Another thing that is note worthy is very little to no droning noise. 4.2 and 4.6 have something different in their stock intakes over the 5.4 looked like a restrictive cone shaped funnel insert. Found that in a 05 4.6 STX and forgot what year 4.2
-Lars

By the way Jack great job on the snorkle tube post!!!
Loved the pictures!
For $13?
That is kind of what I meant when I said sometimes our parts bins are empty. There are some of us at sometimes in our lives that the packaged product looks like the shure thing, but if we put our mind to it like you did we can take pride in a job well done.

Actually, Lars, the real cost is on the order of $8.00 now. It was $6 and some change for the ABS tube and you can buy 3" hose clamps for 99 cents. So, since I didn't use the coupler in the final product, I don't count its cost.

The MAF sensor's environment is not altered in any way in my truck. It sits up above the filter box very near the throttle body and, as you can see, all the modifications took place about two feet from it. I know the filter housing design is completely different on pre-2004 trucks though, so the MAF sensor location might be different too.

I took my truck out for a bit of a spin today because I installed pressure monitoring transmitters on my valve stems. I wanted to see if they upset the tire balance. (They didn't). But, I stepped on the gas pretty hard a couple of times and there's no drone.

- Jack