OK, maybe I just suck, I decided to do my first few mods this morning, everything was going well, I got my CDC sequentials installed with ease (Great Mod!!!) and went to tackle my flowmasters. I got the stock muffler removed then went to install the drivers side muffler. Not only could I not get it centered, I could not get the Clamp attaching the muffler to the pipe tight enough to not move the whole muffler side to side. It seemed like the Muffler clamp would not clamp enough, even though the bolt was tight. So tommorow morning it's off to the muffler shop to get it welded in and hopefully centered. I should have known that I was not automotive inclined a few years back when I went to do the simple task of changing the thermostat on my 93 5.0. I thought I had it, then antifreeze everywhere. Damm ford for mounting the housing on the front of the engine...

P.S. I became a pro at removing and installing the factory muflers. I wonder if ford needs any installers.

 

Another dumb move by me, just realized I posted to the V6 performance
Moderators can you please move this post.
Thanks...

 

Mine were hard to get tight also. You really have to put some muscle into it to get that clamp tight. Just when you think you can't tighten it anymore, keep goin!

 

Hmmm... I wonder if that's why I'm getting a little bit of raspiness from my mufflers after I install my off-road x-pipe. Gonna see if I can tighten them up a bit more. Thanx for the heads up!!

 

I took it to the muffler shop this morning to get installed, I was going to have them welded in, but the shop reccomended me not to. the threw away the stock clamps saying they were crap and installed some saddle style clamps with a impact wrench. The drivers side muffler, had to have hangers bent to get centered, but now it looks and sounds great. Not very loud inside, some drone, but outside sounds deep and burbly. I had someone rev it up while I was outside and loved it. I also did not disconnect the battery, and I did not notice anything different. I'm glad I did not spend anymore because the flowmasters sound great.

On another note I remember someone saying that the factory mufflers were chambered. I looked through the tip, and they looked like a flow through design.

 

I had the same problem.. If you noticed when taking out the stock mufflers they have a notch or slit cut in them. I cut the same size slits on the Flow's and they are nice and tight now.. I've had them on for 2 months with no problems. Flowmaster should HAVE done this already for us.. :bang:

 

How did you cut them? Hacksaw? What??

Does anyone else have any tips?

PS what are saddle clamps?

Thanks

 

The clamps are U-shaped and have a bracket with 2 bolts. the guy said they clamp down really well. All I know is when I tried installing myself I could not get the muffler from moving. Now they are rock solid.

 

The factory clamp system was well designed, I would have loved if the Flowmasters installed the same way. Oh well, in the end they sound great. Not like traditional Flowmaster sound, but more Big Block muscle car sound...

 

I was able to get mine tight enough by hand, but had a huge problem getting the driverside tip centered. I put it on a lift at a muffler shop, and was able to loosen the 2 bolts that hold the mid-pipe together (after the 'H' before the axle). A little twist and the whole back end of the exhaust system, muffler, tip and all moved right into center. I wasted alot of time messing with the hangers and muffler clamp, when all it took was that simple twist of the back half of the mid-pipe.
Everything was then tightened down with a impact, and has been rock solid every since.