I've narrowed it down to a Gibson catback or a Flowmaster with custom bent pipes. Which is better for sound/performance/durability/price? The stainless Gibson sure looks good, but everyone seems to be raving about their Flowmasters. If I did get a flowmaser it would probably be a 50-series with dual outlets.

Thanks!

You can get the Flowmaster installed for a lot less than you can buy the Gibson. Don't forget about Borla, they make a nice system too. As far as performance, probably not a lot of difference between them. Sound is so subjective I wouldn't want to say which sounds better, most like whatever they have. As far as durability, anything stainless is going to outlast regular steel or aluminized pipes, but any of them will probably last as long as you will keep the truck unless you live somewhere that uses a lot of salt in the winter.

Between the two I'd say the Flowmaster is probably going to be louder. I know my 2.5" in/out 40 series w/deltaflow is way louder than the 2.5" Borla cat back system. As far as performance I'd say you'll probably get the same out of either system. Relaize that if you go with the single in Dual out you want to go no bigger thand 2" on the out pipes and it's also going to cost you quiet a bite more.

Thanks. I really want a stainless kit because of the amount of salt they use here... (They go nuts with it even with the slightest amount of snow...bunch of idiots.) Replacing a custom bent exhaust must be expensive...I'd rather pay more up front for one that will last forever.

See I got the Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back system from truckperformance.com (the last one they had) so I got it on sale for like $160 ... and I love it. Never had any of the others or seen or heard the others...and I enjoy mine tremendously. It seems pretty quiet in the cab and at idle, but its really not, and especially once you off idle it sounds real nice. I think the american thunder kit came with a series 50 delta flow if i'm not mistaken.

I have a flow 40 with custom bent pipes. dule coming out the back Sounds good. What kind of sound are you going for?

Well if you want a system that'll last forever you should go with a Borla. Yes they are more xpensive, but theres a good reason for that. If i had had the patience to save up more $$, this is what I would've gotten. Instead I went with a single out 50 series which Im also very happy with.

Yeah, well $$ is one of the main issues right now, so stainless is probably too much. For the sound, I don't want a wake-the-neighbors loud exhaust, but it should be deep and loud enough to tell those ricers who's the boss. I also need to tolerate the interior noise on 3 hour trips to the cottage. For the Flowmaster, I was thinking a 2.5" in, dual 2" out 50-series exiting behind the rear wheel in the stock location. How does the Delta-Flow affect the sound? It seems to make it a little deeper and quieter.

Originally posted by Brad01XLT
Yeah, well $$ is one of the main issues right now, so stainless is probably too much. For the sound, I don't want a wake-the-neighbors loud exhaust, but it should be deep and loud enough to tell those ricers who's the boss. I also need to tolerate the interior noise on 3 hour trips to the cottage. For the Flowmaster, I was thinking a 2.5" in, dual 2" out 50-series exiting behind the rear wheel in the stock location. How does the Delta-Flow affect the sound? It seems to make it a little deeper and quieter.

Well I drove my 97 Ranger across the country with a flow 40 single in single out. You will not really notice anything in the cab, unless you don't listen to music and have you window rolled up.
With my 01 right now flow 40 dual out the back, If I am listing to my music up a little I only notice it when I gun it. As far as cruzing on the freeway you hear a little but I don't think it is anoying. How often do you drive that 3 hour trip?
Thats my 2 sense.

My Flowmaster 40 2.5" in/out with deltaflow cost me about $75 I think from Summit. I had the muffler shop bend and install the 2.5" pipe from the cat back and it was only $101 and that is for stainless pipe. So I spent less than $200 and got myself a 2.5" stainless steal cat back exhaust system. Just something to think about. Stainless doesn't always mean way more money.

I also have the Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust and I love it. I have had it on for about 5 months. It came with a 50 series muffler and it is not too quiet but also not too loud. You can definanlty tell that you have changed your exhaust. I love the sound it makes when I get on the highway and mash the gas. I have not had expierience with Borla but from what I have heard they are a very good brand. Hope this helped.

Matt