Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Straight pipe or Muffler?

[mattjj]

Im getting a 4" exhaust installed on Monday. My question is would it be better to just go with a 4" straight exhaust or a flow through, performance muffler? My main goal is to obtain as much horsepower as possible.

 

[JHenry]

Most people say there is no increase in hp either way. Even if there is no change in hp, at least you can reduce back pressure and increase air flow. I would straight pipe it.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I don't know how things work at your house but at mine things get prioritized by Wife or No Wife. Straight pipe being No Wife. You make the call!:-laf

 

[MHalloran]

Use a straight pipe or a straight through muffler. No restriction either way, no? I installed the MBRP 4" system with the straight muffler on mine. Runs better and sounds good too. Your call dude. Good luck. Mike

 

[Forrest Nearing]

thankfully my ears are more sensitive than my wife's. The stacks never bothered her a bit, and my current setup is 5" straight exiting in front of the pass rear tire.



I love the sound of a straight piped 12v, but if you pick a good straight through muffler, you won't be leaving any performance on the table, it becomes a matter of personal taste at that point.

 

[KCloward]

I had my truck straight piped then went to the 4" MBRP system and I like the sound with the muffler a lot better. It made my truck sound like a straight piped 3rd gen, but the call is yours. It'll sound good either way.



Bryce

 

[DieselNasty]

You wont be sorry with a straight pipe it really isnt that loud in the truck and sounds great outside.

 

[JHenry]

I had my truck straight piped then went to the 4" MBRP system and I like the sound with the muffler a lot better. It made my truck sound like a straight piped 3rd gen, but the call is yours. It'll sound good either way.



Bryce

Your post is interesting. I have an '06 which is straight piped and a '98 12v which is also straight piped. You said the MBRP 4" system with muffler sounds like the 3rd gen. straight piped? If this is true I'm ordering one right away. More comments, please.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Your post is interesting. I have an '06 which is straight piped and a '98 12v which is also straight piped. You said the MBRP 4" system with muffler sounds like the 3rd gen. straight piped? If this is true I'm ordering one right away. More comments, please.

well, I know this kind of thing really gets down to personal preference, but a muffled MBRP system does NOT sound like a straight piped 3rd gen. Might sound like a 3rd gen with a muffler delete, but definately not straight piped.



I'm not a big fan of the MBRP mufflers. they eat up all the turbo sound out of the exhaust (like the cat does on a 3rd gen)

 

[JHenry]

well, I know this kind of thing really gets down to personal preference, but a muffled MBRP system does NOT sound like a straight piped 3rd gen. Might sound like a 3rd gen with a muffler delete, but definately not straight piped.



I'm not a big fan of the MBRP mufflers. they eat up all the turbo sound out of the exhaust (like the cat does on a 3rd gen)

Please explain what you mean by "Might sound like a 3rd gen with a muffler delete, but definately not straight piped. " What is the difference?

I removed the cat and the muffler from both of my trucks ('98 12v and '06 HO), welded a piece of pipe in their place, and consider that "straight piped".

 

[Forrest Nearing]

that is straight piped... he's saying a 4" MBRP on a 12v sounds like a straight piped 3rd gen... I'm saying it doesn't. as I've heard straight piped 3rd gens, and my truck had a 4" MBRP on it when I bought it. I didn't like how it sounded and I don't like how 3rd gens sounds with just a cat and no muffler.



I'm assuming what he's calling "straight pipe" is really "muffler delete"

 

[surfbeetle]

My kitty ran away and the you can see completely through the muffler. It sounds great. The only complaint I have is that towing a trailer at certain speeds causes an annoying drone in the cab. I will need to had more sound deadening under the carpet to fix that.

 

[Skydiver]

After driving a friends straight piped 98 12 valve on a 115 mile trip I will never straight my truck.



At first I really liked it. 90 minutes later was a different story. He has since installed a complete turbo back system from Jeff Garmons. 434 hp 622 tq.

 

[JHenry]

that is straight piped... he's saying a 4" MBRP on a 12v sounds like a straight piped 3rd gen... I'm saying it doesn't. as I've heard straight piped 3rd gens, and my truck had a 4" MBRP on it when I bought it. I didn't like how it sounded and I don't like how 3rd gens sounds with just a cat and no muffler.



I'm assuming what he's calling "straight pipe" is really "muffler delete"

So, if your system is a 4" pipe back to the 5" stacks, do you have some adaptor at the turbo opening to increase it's size to 4" as well? I have heard of such a thing and found it on the internet. Megamouth? or something like that?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

So, if your system is a 4" pipe back to the 5" stacks, do you have some adaptor at the turbo opening to increase it's size to 4" as well? I have heard of such a thing and found it on the internet. Megamouth? or something like that?

the Megamouth isn't worth the money. a 4" downpipe will be beneficial even with the stock outlet. Any money you spend on a Megamouth would be better put towards a real turbo

 

[PJay9]

You don't say what the 4" is going on. On the 2004 a 3. 5" down pipe went to muffler and then it was 4" on back if not mistaken. So I change to 4" all the way witha Stan's system including a BIG thru Donaldson Muffler... The whole sysytem made all the curves and bends of the stock pipe straight, which helps and the spool up was faster and I hear a whine now and the rumble at 1500 revs, but running down the freeway with camper and boat... sounds like a gasser at idle, yet she moves right out. Of course my Smarty JR helps too. Don't forget the COLD air intake side! See Performance Systems Manufacturing, LLC Intake/exhaust should be done together. You will notice a drivability and power increase. Hope this helps!

 

[JHenry]

Is there a significant difference in the sound of a 4" pipe versus 3"? I don't consider my truck with the 3" straight pipe loud at all. The '06 is a different story. I really like the sound of it.

 

[BrandonWright]

I bought the farmboys 4" system w/ a muffler. It was way too quiet for me... I replaced the muffler with a straight pipe and I like it a lot better now.

 

[KCloward]

that is straight piped... he's saying a 4" MBRP on a 12v sounds like a straight piped 3rd gen... I'm saying it doesn't. as I've heard straight piped 3rd gens, and my truck had a 4" MBRP on it when I bought it. I didn't like how it sounded and I don't like how 3rd gens sounds with just a cat and no muffler.



I'm assuming what he's calling "straight pipe" is really "muffler delete"

I actually didn't mean to say straight piped at all. I meant a piped 3rd gen, as in one with a cat delete and an aftermarket MBRP. And these do sound the same because my brother-in-law has a 3rd gen with the MBRP system on it and my truck has close to if not the same deep throaty sound as his.



The throaty sound is all the way through the power band but louder on top. At idle the truck isn't loud and driving normal the truck isn't loud. I like hearing my music and both the background rumble of the truck and with this system I'm able to.



Sorry about the confusions.



Bryce

 

[KCloward]

Is there a significant difference in the sound of a 4" pipe versus 3"? I don't consider my truck with the 3" straight pipe loud at all. The '06 is a different story. I really like the sound of it.

Performance wise and sound wise yes. The four inch in my opinion sounds better and will flow better.



Bryce