Right now on my ranger I just got a cherry bomb muffler and I want something better. I was looking at a gibson cat back exhaust system cause they say they give good performance. I know most of you guys have a flowmaster muffler. just curious what you guys thought would be better just replace the muffler with a flow or get a gibson cat back for a little extra power. if I just got a flowmaster muffler would I get any extra performance out of it then just sound?

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99 4.0 4x4, amazon green, cowl hood, billet grill,clear corners, brush guard w/ KC lights, chrome side step bars,chrome bed rails,diamond tailgate protector, Lightrider tonneau cover, euro tailights ,FIPK K&N air intake,Gibson exhaust, bbk throttle body, Granetelli mass air flow.

For the most performance gain go with the cat back, however just changing out the muffler with a flowmaster will give a slight hp gain and be alot cheaper i am sure

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98 xlt, dropped 3/5. 17in. CHROME Cobra wheels wrapped in 255/50/17, billet grille, dumped flowmaster 40 series, clear corners, euro tails, indiglo guages, TWEED Interior, painted interior, silver flame pinstripe, 5% Limo tint all around, K&N, Viper alarm, 60/40 to bucket conversion, 4.10 gears
SOLD 10/29/03!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2003 Dodge SRT4


Mopar Stage 1 | Mopar STS | BDJ's exhaust | HKS SSQ BOV | IPP CAI | ATP Upp | Autometer pillar pod with dual gauges | DC sports Strut bar | 9007 PIAA Extreme whites | Eurolite 893 Fog lights | Titan turn signals | Clear side markers | Intercooler Neon | Viper emblem | Exel Ennio wheels | MM inserts | Catch Can | Custom racing stripes |More to come.

i would go flow b/c they sound better i think and they all give around the same amt of hp no matter what u put on its mainly the name that u are buyin

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1999 exploder sport dropped on 20"
still hear me commin up the block

yeah I have bean lookin at the flowmaster mufflers I just wasn't sure if replaced mufflers if I would get a hp gain and of course if a got a flow it would be for the better sound. I mean they have to sound better then a cherry bomb.

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99 4.0 4x4, amazon green, cowl hood, billet grill,clear corners, brush guard w/ KC lights, chrome side step bars,chrome bed rails,diamond tailgate protector, Lightrider tonneau cover, euro tailights ,FIPK K&N air intake,Gibson exhaust, bbk throttle body, Granetelli mass air flow.

most definatly it will sound better cherry bombs on a v6 sound like crap

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1999 exploder sport dropped on 20"
still hear me commin up the block

I'm still leaning in on the gibson cat back cause right now I would rather get performance than just a louder exhaust.

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99 4.0 4x4, amazon green, cowl hood, billet grill,clear corners, brush guard w/ KC lights, chrome side step bars,chrome bed rails,diamond tailgate protector, Lightrider tonneau cover, euro tailights ,FIPK K&N air intake,Gibson exhaust, bbk throttle body, Granetelli mass air flow.

gotta point

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1999 exploder sport dropped on 20"
still hear me commin up the block

i dont know... bubb rubb says, you GOTSTA have the flowmastas!

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'98 Ranger XLT 2.5L 4cyl 4x2
3'' Pro comp suspension lift w/ pro comp ES9000 shocks, 31/1050r15 pro comp AT's, Python Alarm, Dual 40's series Flowmasters, KKM Cold Air Intake, JDM Black Euro Tails, Black Smittybilt Roll bar, housing 2 hella 500 driving lights, Pro Comp Push Bar w/ 6" Pro Comp Stainless 130w spotlights, Passport 8500 Radar Detector, Black Steelhorse Steps, 2 10'' Solobaric L710's, devouring 1750 watts, MTX door speakers, Panasonic head unit Sirius Satellite radio, lots of neon... etc...

http://home.mn.rr.com/t1camp1/Focus.swf

WOOOO WOOOOO!

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98 xlt, dropped 3/5. 17in. CHROME Cobra wheels wrapped in 255/50/17, billet grille, dumped flowmaster 40 series, clear corners, euro tails, indiglo guages, TWEED Interior, painted interior, silver flame pinstripe, 5% Limo tint all around, K&N, Viper alarm, 60/40 to bucket conversion, 4.10 gears
SOLD 10/29/03!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2003 Dodge SRT4


Mopar Stage 1 | Mopar STS | BDJ's exhaust | HKS SSQ BOV | IPP CAI | ATP Upp | Autometer pillar pod with dual gauges | DC sports Strut bar | 9007 PIAA Extreme whites | Eurolite 893 Fog lights | Titan turn signals | Clear side markers | Intercooler Neon | Viper emblem | Exel Ennio wheels | MM inserts | Catch Can | Custom racing stripes |More to come.

gotta go flo

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1999 exploder sport dropped on 20"
still hear me commin up the block

Flowmasters sound great (usually), but there is a point of having backpressure in a system. Too little and you hurt your low end power.

I too, am in a similair situation. Should I have a local muffler shop fabricate my system around my muffler of choice? That could be cheaper, and I could get whatever type of outlets I want (dual, side swept, etc)

However the gibson sells aluminized and stainless steel cat back systems. While the stainless steel is pricey, it is well matched to offer the best performance gains, and it'll look the best. Aluminized is the same shape, but it won't be as pretty. However it won't sound the loudest, but it would be louder than stock.

I am still undecided, and really am not sure if I want to by the amplifier or the exhaust first...Also, I thought spintech or dynomax (not sure of the brand off hand) was actually the loudest/meanest sounding. I'll try to find that brand again tomorrow.

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Proud owner of a Black 2003 Ford Ranger EDGE . Regular cab, 3.0l, 5spd manual, 2wd, 4.10's. Added Security, tint, step bars, Gibson SS Cat-Back exhaust, adjusted bumper, fog light mod, Jensen 75x4 watt amplifier, (4) Polk Audio EX368 Speakers, 200W MTX Amp driving a Sony XS-L101P5 10" sub in a custom box.
Future:
Line-X Spray-in Bedliner, ARE LSII Tonneau, JBA Ceramic Headers, and possibly a 3" Body Lift.
-= PICS OF MY TRUCK =-

I'll probably go flow cause its cheaper and sounds good. My friend has a 85 ranger with a 2.8 he has a flowmaster and his truck sounds better than mine. I have the 4.0 plus intake I think after I get the flow put on they will hear me comin down the road.

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99 4.0 4x4, amazon green, cowl hood, billet grill,clear corners, brush guard w/ KC lights, chrome side step bars,chrome bed rails,diamond tailgate protector, Lightrider tonneau cover, euro tailights ,FIPK K&N air intake,Gibson exhaust, bbk throttle body, Granetelli mass air flow.

jason, justin, and i all have flows on the 2.5L... i noticed performance gains, as well as awesome sound, i have long 3'' chrome tips... they look great.. no one sees the rest of the exhaust system, just your tips... spent $302 at pronto out the door.

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'98 Ranger XLT 2.5L 4cyl 4x2
3'' Pro comp suspension lift w/ pro comp ES9000 shocks, 31/1050r15 pro comp AT's, Python Alarm, Dual 40's series Flowmasters, KKM Cold Air Intake, JDM Black Euro Tails, Black Smittybilt Roll bar, housing 2 hella 500 driving lights, Pro Comp Push Bar w/ 6" Pro Comp Stainless 130w spotlights, Passport 8500 Radar Detector, Black Steelhorse Steps, 2 10'' Solobaric L710's, devouring 1750 watts, MTX door speakers, Panasonic head unit Sirius Satellite radio, lots of neon... etc...

http://home.mn.rr.com/t1camp1/Focus.swf

not bad lone. i had mine custom at nicks with the flo and a custom bend to have the pipe exit from right under the licence plate for 300 even. i think it looks sweet sometimes i can set off alarms b/c it is so loud.

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1999 exploder sport dropped on 20"
still hear me commin up the block

jason's been with me when i've set off alarms...
mine was custom bent and dual outs, straight back... will post a pic.

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'98 Ranger XLT 2.5L 4cyl 4x2
3'' Pro comp suspension lift w/ pro comp ES9000 shocks, 31/1050r15 pro comp AT's, Python Alarm, Dual 40's series Flowmasters, KKM Cold Air Intake, JDM Black Euro Tails, Black Smittybilt Roll bar, housing 2 hella 500 driving lights, Pro Comp Push Bar w/ 6" Pro Comp Stainless 130w spotlights, Passport 8500 Radar Detector, Black Steelhorse Steps, 2 10'' Solobaric L710's, devouring 1750 watts, MTX door speakers, Panasonic head unit Sirius Satellite radio, lots of neon... etc...

http://home.mn.rr.com/t1camp1/Focus.swf

pronto did an awesome, they're hung like... well, they arent ever coming off!

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'98 Ranger XLT 2.5L 4cyl 4x2
3'' Pro comp suspension lift w/ pro comp ES9000 shocks, 31/1050r15 pro comp AT's, Python Alarm, Dual 40's series Flowmasters, KKM Cold Air Intake, JDM Black Euro Tails, Black Smittybilt Roll bar, housing 2 hella 500 driving lights, Pro Comp Push Bar w/ 6" Pro Comp Stainless 130w spotlights, Passport 8500 Radar Detector, Black Steelhorse Steps, 2 10'' Solobaric L710's, devouring 1750 watts, MTX door speakers, Panasonic head unit Sirius Satellite radio, lots of neon... etc...

http://home.mn.rr.com/t1camp1/Focus.swf

when nick got fininshed with mine he made extra sure it wouldnt move

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1999 exploder sport dropped on 20"
still hear me commin up the block

Cant link a pic from your FTW gallery Kevin

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98 xlt, dropped 3/5. 17in. CHROME Cobra wheels wrapped in 255/50/17, billet grille, dumped flowmaster 40 series, clear corners, euro tails, indiglo guages, TWEED Interior, painted interior, silver flame pinstripe, 5% Limo tint all around, K&N, Viper alarm, 60/40 to bucket conversion, 4.10 gears
SOLD 10/29/03!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2003 Dodge SRT4


Mopar Stage 1 | Mopar STS | BDJ's exhaust | HKS SSQ BOV | IPP CAI | ATP Upp | Autometer pillar pod with dual gauges | DC sports Strut bar | 9007 PIAA Extreme whites | Eurolite 893 Fog lights | Titan turn signals | Clear side markers | Intercooler Neon | Viper emblem | Exel Ennio wheels | MM inserts | Catch Can | Custom racing stripes |More to come.

just go flo thats all u need 2 kno

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1999 exploder sport dropped on 20"
still hear me commin up the block

Well the muffler guy I went to (Merlin's @ Coit & Parker) said that for my 2003, the best way to go would be a cat-back kit. Reasons:
1. There is not a whole lot of room with the gas tank, shocks, axle and spare tire, that it was basically a PITA to make a system work.
2. Any system built by hand would either be inefficent, or cost lots of money to do it right.
3. The couldn't weld stainless steel (so that it would hold like a weld should), and would go with aluminized steel. That would mean in 2 - 3 years it would start having problems with rust.

He recommended the Gibson cat back because it really was the best performance, and in the stainless steel version it would last as long as I would own the truck.

So this concludes what I believed in the beginning:
If you want bigger sound first, performance 2nd, then go with the flowmaster.
If you want performance first, and sound 2nd, go with a cat back system designed for your vehicle. My top candidate right now is Gibson, but I know there are several companies that offer kits. And if you want it to last 4+ years, go with stainless steel. Do it right the first time.

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Proud owner of a Black 2003 Ford Ranger EDGE . Regular cab, 3.0l, 5spd manual, 2wd, 4.10's. Added Security, tint, step bars, Gibson SS Cat-Back exhaust, adjusted bumper, fog light mod, Jensen 75x4 watt amplifier, (4) Polk Audio EX368 Speakers, 200W MTX Amp driving a Sony XS-L101P5 10" sub in a custom box.
Future:
Line-X Spray-in Bedliner, ARE LSII Tonneau, JBA Ceramic Headers, and possibly a 3" Body Lift.
-= PICS OF MY TRUCK =-