It didn’t take too long for the tailpipe and muffler repair I did to fail. Walked out to the truck three weeks after doing the repair and there was the tailpipe pointing down to the ground again. This wasn’t going to work.
Since the tailpipe rusted off the muffler it left me with few choices. I’d have to replace the muffler too.
Did some searching and decided on the MBRP 3″ Cat-Back Single Side Exhaust for my 2004 Ford F150 with the 5.4l engine.
I’ve always wondered what the truck would sound like with a performance exhaust kit so I spent a hundred dollars more for it versus OEM parts.
Stuck with the single side exhaust kit instead of dual exhaust due to those kits costing an additional $200 more than an OEM and I really don’t want to be changing too much with a sixteen year old truck.
Plus, I have limited tools and the single side exhaust kit looked within my skill and temperance level installing it in my driveway.
I made the following before and after install video so you can get an idea of what it sounds like.
Full disclosure – I had to pay a local shop $125 to install the kit.
I just could not get the old pipe off the old Y-Pipe. That damn thing had basically become one pipe. I could not get enough leverage laying underneath the truck on the driveway with the tools I had.
It needed to be warmed up to get it loose or cut with a torch. Something I did not have. That bummed me out as I really wanted to install it on my own.
Right now I have about 750 miles on the truck with the kit. The sound is not obnoxious. It has a nice little rumble at start up and isn’t noticeable on the highway.
From time to time it sounds like the intake is sucking in more air. Can’t say if the truck is faster but it feels lighter.
The only real data I can share is the truck runs about 200 RPMs lower with the kit versus the OEM when I have the cruise control set at 70 MPH. I’m guessing that might get an extra .5 MPG on a long trip.
Other than that I am happy with the kit. And the chrome tip looks nice when the trucks all cleaned up.
Let’s hope the exhaust kit survives a couple Michigan winters.
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