Flowmaster exhaust?

[doug hodder]

I'm thinking of a Flowmaster system on my Ranger 4.0L V6, just aft of the front cats on it, where the pipes narrow down. Not a real high performance thing...just a mild exhaust treatment. Open it up a bit so it'll breathe better. It really necks down. Does anyone have any opinions or experience with their stuff or this type of modification? I'm not going to do any modifications on the engine, just open up the exhaust. I just gotta quit watching 2 guys garage. Their stuff is all Ca. compliant. Doug

[High Desert]

I'd say it can't hurt Doug. And Flowmasters usually have a real nice tone.

[ERV]

Hi Doug
If you are doing it for the better milage, you will not see a lot of change. It will sound good though A little better pick up when you put your foot into it. If you have a dual cats that will help if you keep it duals to the back. You might want to see if a H pipe will help. It balances the system, but you might already have one on there. The other thing is free flowing mufflers. This too will make it sound better, but with this it will kill the gas milage because your foot will be in it all the time just to hear it. Remember, boys will always be boys.
I have it on my 1978 Ford F250, think it took my gas milage down about 2 miles pre gallon, ha. And that hurts when you are only getting 10 to start with. But it sounds nice. I think I told you that though. You can see my truck in my album, think it is on the first page. It is now my Sunday-go-to meetin truck. At least for now. Want to pull the motor and take it back to the 72 specs. That will get me up to 18 mpg. I plan on doing my new truck too, 2010 Toyota Tacoma V6 4x4.

[doug hodder]

Thanks ERV....believe it or not...having had headers and glass packs on previous old V8s in the 70's, expansion chambers on old school dirt bikes and snowmobiles...I'm kinda past the sound thing anymore, at least I'd like to think I am. I still appreciate the sound of the newer high tech systems, but unless I've got the big horses putting out the noise...sort of seems fruitless to me as I can't beat anyone with this vehicle.

Do you remember Purple Hornies? After a couple of hours in my buddies Mopar going camping with him...I went crazy! I'm pretty sure I'll keep my foot out of it...the gas pump will make sure I do! Anyway...they sound good huh? It's pretty much a tow/snow vehicle. Doug

[High Desert]

wow, Purple Hornies. Geez those things were loud. Fun, but LOUD.
"Honest officer, I really DO have mufflers. See 'em under there?"


Most Flowmaster installs I've heard have just a nice thoaty tone Doug, but not real loud. Not hard on the ears like the older stuff or those silly ricer pipes.

[asianflava]

Flowmaster has various series of mufflers. Some are more performance oriented (loud) than others. Check into which series is included with the catback system.

[prohandyman]

A engine that can breath is a happy engine!

[ERV]

The price does make you drive a little calmer doesn't it. It is still nice to give it a little blip now and then though I must be getting old though, the 78 isn't that load, just a nice rumble and at speed it kind of goes away.
You can tell the engine is breathing better though, just a touch better power and some what better milage.

[eamarquardt]

My instinct tells me that the car makers would kill for a mile or two increase in their corporate fuel economy numbers (too bad they haven't gotten on board with the 200 mpg carburetor but that's only because the oil companies bought and buried the patent) Soooo, my thinking is that they have pretty much optomized exhaust systems for maximum fuel economy, under the conditions most vehicles will be driven in, and unless one really knows what one is doing with some specific goals in mind (increased low end torque, top speed, etc) you might be better off leaving the exhaust system alone.

Looking cool and sounding "mean" are goals in and of themselves but as you stated you're beyond sounding mean (as am I as sound triggers the nerupathic pain I experience).

I admit (and I rarely admit to anything) I have no "data" to support my thoughts, just a "gut feel".

Cheers,

Gus

[Yota Bill]

the so-called 200MPG carb is a farce, at best. Given the energy that a gallon of gas is capable of producing, and the ineffeciency of the internal combustion engine, 200 mpg just by changing the carb is simply not possible. 1/4 of that increase would be staggering, and nearly impossible to achieve, especially without any other modifications.

While the manufacturers do optimize the exhaust for best economy, they have other concerns to take into account (such as noise level) and everything is a trade off. They certainly do give up some fuel milage for other concerns, so there are gains to be had, though not many. I'm sure that an aftermarket exhaust may increase the milage some, but I doubt it would be enough to warrent the cost of the system if that is the only goal, especially if that is also the only modification.

If you want to see a serious modification that may actually have some feasibility (though not close to available at this point) search "MYT engine"

[emiller]

Good exhaust company and great products. I went with Magnaflow but you can't go wrong with Flowmasters

[wagondude]

I had flowmasters on my '72 olds. They sounded ok, but a little bit like blowing through a tin can. Whatever you put on it, either angle out to the rear corners or out the side of the TV to prevent the trailer reflecting the sound back to you. The noise can wear you out on a lomg trip.

[eamarquardt]

the so-called 200MPG carb is a farce, at best. Given the energy that a gallon of gas is capable of producing, and the ineffeciency of the internal combustion engine, 200 mpg just by changing the carb is simply not possible. 1/4 of that increase would be staggering, and nearly impossible to achieve, especially without any other modifications.

I knew that. I was just teasing. Gotcha! Diesels have no carburetor and don't get 200 mpg.

While the manufacturers do optimize the exhaust for best economy, they have other concerns to take into account (such as noise level) and everything is a trade off. They certainly do give up some fuel milage for other concerns, so there are gains to be had, though not many. I'm sure that an aftermarket exhaust may increase the milage some, but I doubt it would be enough to warrent the cost of the system if that is the only goal, especially if that is also the only modification.

We agree.

If you want to see a serious modification that may actually have some feasibility (though not close to available at this point) search "MYT engine"

The typical gas engine is about 25% efficient:

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/ent ... ion_engine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_combustion_engine

http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/102spring20 ... 20Main.htm

On the MYT engine website they say their engine will be 3 to 6 times more effficient or 75-150% efficient. They seem to be getting into the realm of perpetual motion machines and defying the laws of thermodynamics.

There is a lot of hype on their website but I could not find any evidence that they have produced a working prototype or demonstrated an engine. The inventor has been talking about his "miracle engine" since 2006 but hasn't produced even a working prototype.

Color me a sceptic for now.

Now back to Doug! Whatcha gonna do?

Cheers,

Gus

[Yota Bill]

Where was there any mention of diesel engines?

OP: if you do decide to install an aftermarket exhaust, you also need to do something about the restrictive air intake system. Replacing the stock air filter box with an aftermarket open system helps, but it will also cause more noise from the engine (you will hear it "sucking" air in). I would also recomend NOT using K&N or any other brand of that type of oiled open element. They do let more air in, and offer decreased restriction, but they will also let more dust and dirt in, which will damage the engine.

[eamarquardt]

Where was there any mention of diesel engines?

My mentioning of the Diesel engine was just as "germain" as the MYT engine reference, ha! Diesel engines have no butterfly valve in the intake manifold (like a throttle body or carburetor) and the engine power/speed varies only with the amount of fuel injected into the combustion chamber (there is always an excess/full charge of air not the roughly 14:1 ratio air:fuel of a gasoline engine) and they don't get 200 mpg!

I'm not investing any of my funds in the MYT engine at this time as there seems to be an excess of "hype" and a shortage of "reality".

I also wouldn't invest in an aftermarket exhaust unless there was a real calculable "payback" in terms of real $ over the period of time I'd expect to own the vehicle.

Cheers,

Gus