2.3L & 2.5L I4 Tech General discussion of 2.3L and 2.5L I4 Ford Ranger engines.

Installed a Flowmaster Super 44 Muffler today

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Old 10-24-2008
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Installed a Flowmaster Super 44 Muffler today

Just got back from Muffler shop, and a quick drive around.

This Flowmaster Super 44 Muffler sounds absolutely amazing, and definitely noticed a HP increase as well. I was leaning towards the 60 series, but checked the forums here and searched for topics on the 2.3L Rangers, and the consensus seemed to be to go with the 40 series. Shop manager recommened the new 44 for a few bucks more.

The old muffler was stock, and pickup has 177k Miles on it now. Old muffler was rusted beyond belief.

Total cost of Muffler, very nice Stainless tip, and install was about $148. Slightly over my budget, but am very happy with the results.
 
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Old 10-24-2008
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Theres no way you noticed a HP increase, I installed the same muffler yesterday. It sounds awesome though doesnt it
 
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Old 10-24-2008
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Originally Posted by 04blackedge
Theres no way you noticed a HP increase, I installed the same muffler yesterday. It sounds awesome though doesnt it
I had no air flowing through the old muffler.

Put my hand in front of exhaust now and can feel the air pumping out. I have to go up a big hill to get back to my house, and the pickup definitely was not its sluggish self going up it this time. (Was able to go up hill in 3rd gear at 35mph and felt a difference in the power)
 
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Old 10-24-2008
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Originally Posted by PDXracer
I had no air flowing through the old muffler.

Put my hand in front of exhaust now and can feel the air pumping out. I have to go up a big hill to get back to my house, and the pickup definitely was not its sluggish self going up it this time. (Was able to go up hill in 3rd gear at 35mph and felt a difference in the power)
You might want to do a seafoam treatment on your truck too with that mileage
 
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Old 10-24-2008
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Originally Posted by CJGSAY
You might want to do a seafoam treatment on your truck too with that mileage
You put that in your fuel and your oil?

Always wanted to try that stuff, but wasnt sure exactly the best way to use it.

Things I have done in the past 6 months include

- new Autolite Iridium spark plugs
- MSD Wires
- K&N Air Filter
- Fuel Filter
- Oxygen Sensor
- Catalytic Converter (should have installed Muff at same time in retrospect)
- New serpentine belt (the "gator" one)
- New brakes all the way around (Hawk brake pads)

Accessories bought

- Better Built truck tool box
 
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Old 10-24-2008
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https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=53831

There is the link to the RF how-to on the Sea foam
 
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Old 10-24-2008
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I have the flowmaster on my truck. donkey dicked over the axle, sounds good but its loud
 
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Old 10-25-2008
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nice mike! Did you get all new piping? Or just muffler install w/ stock pipes plus new tip?
 
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Old 10-25-2008
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Placebo effect - a *noticeable* horsepower increase will only happen if you get it tuned.
 

Last edited by Jp7; 10-25-2008 at 06:11 PM.
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Old 10-25-2008
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Originally Posted by Jp7
Placebo effect - a horsepower increase will only happen if you get it tuned.
Ok you can get a horsepower increase with some mods without getting it tuned. We drive trucks not racecars.
 
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Old 10-25-2008
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Originally Posted by 04blackedge
Ok you can get a horsepower increase with some mods without getting it tuned. We drive trucks not racecars.
Yes, a very minor unnoticeable increase, modding without tuning is the biggest waste of money if you are going for performance. Tuning is free if you have the software, and the know how....
 

Last edited by Jp7; 10-25-2008 at 06:17 PM.
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Old 10-25-2008
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Lol I'm sure all of us have that.
 
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Old 10-30-2008
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First long trip, and mileage has definitely gone up.

Was averaging 438 Miles per tank (19.9 gallon tank), with my record being 472 Miles (put in 19.2 gallons on that fillup back in 2006).

The other day, was at 468, and needed to fill up as didnt want to push it any further (guage still looked good). Filled up to 18.2 gallons topped off. I probably could have pushed 500 miles.

Granted, I was in ideal conditions, and 100% highway miles.
 
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Old 11-25-2008
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im not impressed with my 40 series flow master it is only loud at 2000-2500 rpms and even then its not that loud maybe its cuz i havent done the air intake yet?
 
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Old 11-26-2008
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i have the same problem silverfox mine is loud at low rpms or when i speed up into high rpms but i'm happy that its really deep like a v6 but yea i wish mine was louder.
 
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Old 11-27-2008
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Originally Posted by PDXracer
First long trip, and mileage has definitely gone up.

Was averaging 438 Miles per tank (19.9 gallon tank), with my record being 472 Miles (put in 19.2 gallons on that fillup back in 2006).

The other day, was at 468, and needed to fill up as didnt want to push it any further (guage still looked good). Filled up to 18.2 gallons topped off. I probably could have pushed 500 miles.

Granted, I was in ideal conditions, and 100% highway miles.
Manufacturers spend millions of dollars trying to get even minimal gains on fuel economy. If it were as good as you make it sound the stock exhaust would have more d&r work making it flow like this super-muffler and yet still remain "stock quiet"

Thats like those eBay chips.. "+100HP +20MPG!" - give me a friggin break.
 
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Old 12-01-2008
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Still going good after 1 month.

Slight bump in fuel mileage, nothing earth shattering though.

I notice the truck runs smoother though, as there is now proper air flow that I didnt have before. (replaced the Cat, and the muffler within one month of each other, the old ones still being OEM that came with the truck).

I am filling up almost 18.5-19.0 gallons of gas, between miles 460-480 miles on trip meter. (Before Cat, Muffler, plugs, wires, and KN Air Filter usually put in same amount of gas, when at 430-445 miles)

Changed oil yesterday, was at 3,850 miles, and no sludge in oil at all. Just a nice brown color (Have been using nothing but Castrol Syntec 10/30 and KN Oil filter on changes)

Running GOOD!
 
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Old 12-02-2008
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have i ever mentioned how much i hate you 4cyl guys? hahahaha.
 
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Old 12-09-2008
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Originally Posted by Fx4wannabe01
have i ever mentioned how much i hate you 4cyl guys? hahahaha.
Yes but we hate you v6 guys for the power we dont have .
 
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Old 12-09-2008
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Originally Posted by 87xlt
Yes but we hate you v6 guys for the power we dont have .

Thats why you do big boost... more power than a V8, with all the fuel economy you could ask for!
 
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Old 12-09-2008
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Originally Posted by Jp7
Thats why you do big boost... more power than a V8, with all the fuel economy you could ask for!
As long as you keep your foot out of it! Even with the little boost that I have, my 1.8L becomes a little gas hog if you are on it too much. As long as you don't let the turbo spool up too often it gets good mileage though.

I agree with others, you really shouldn't see a huge difference in performance/mileage from adding a flowmaster 40 series. But the OP said he couldnt even feel exhaust from the OEM muffler, thus no back pressure which the 4 cyl needs some of. Now stick a borla or magnaflow and see if you get a better response, and i'm sure you would.
 
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Old 12-09-2008
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Originally Posted by bwester04
As long as you keep your foot out of it! Even with the little boost that I have, my 1.8L becomes a little gas hog if you are on it too much. As long as you don't let the turbo spool up too often it gets good mileage though.

I agree with others, you really shouldn't see a huge difference in performance/mileage from adding a flowmaster 40 series. But the OP said he couldnt even feel exhaust from the OEM muffler, thus no back pressure which the 4 cyl needs some of. Now stick a borla or magnaflow and see if you get a better response, and i'm sure you would.
Yes hearing the spoooosh of my intake when the meth kicks in is very addicting.
 
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Old 12-10-2008
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Personally i wouldnt of added a flowmaster to a 4 banger, maybe like someone else mentioned a magnaflow or borla or something of that nature but, what matters is, you like it. Any sound clips of it??
 
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Old 12-22-2008
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I will post sound/video clip tomorrow.

Went back to muffler shop, as the double barrel tip I had on was "whistling" at idle. They rewelded it on and sound is gone now. (Must have been tiny spot where air was getting in and causing it do whistle)

Talking about the backpressure, its a night and day difference over the old OEM muffler that was on there.
 
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