muffler or no muffler? exhaust question

[59ApacheKid]

hey yall, i have a 1990 E-350 with the non turbo 7.3 idi. now im getting confused cause im finding all these people who are saying straight pipe it "it'll run better". now i can understand that getting some more flow and keeping the engine cooler by losing the 3 foot muffler (the thing is bloody huge!!!).. then the other half of people saying keep the muffler you'll lose valuable back pressure that way, and you wont go deaf. well i didnt think with the 21.5:1 compression that back pressure would matter that much, and my 59 apache had the headers coming right out the hood so im used to extreme noise (i use ear plugs alot, and am still half deaf. shooting doesnt help either). so i dont mind the loud... im new to diesel so i dont know a whole lot. and since im a student, i dont have much money to spare.. any advice would be awesome!

[Jonboywv12]

just straight pipe it, since you dont mind noise you'll be fine. get some flex pipe and run it out right before the back tire and clamp it up there and put a tip on it. granted people say you'll loose back pressure and blah blah blah but with this it will sound good, better mpg, and better for your engine so it can breathe! hope this helped get back to me if any more questoins.

[59ApacheKid]

Originally Posted by Jonboywv12

just straight pipe it, since you dont mind noise you'll be fine. get some flex pipe and run it out right before the back tire and clamp it up there and put a tip on it. granted people say you'll loose back pressure and blah blah blah but with this it will sound good, better mpg, and better for your engine so it can breathe! hope this helped get back to me if any more questoins.

well ive decided i dont want to straight pipe it for my neighbors sake (they gotta put up with a whole lot. im running a junk yard out of my front yard and a mechanics shop out of my garage, with at least 8-10 trucks here all times)... but i dont want to leave it stock... ideas?

[TexasAggie09]

When I cut my muffler out of my otherwise stock exhaust, the only time its any louder is when I really get on the gas pedal...

[59ApacheKid]

Originally Posted by TexasAggie09

When I cut my muffler out of my otherwise stock exhaust, the only time its any louder is when I really get on the gas pedal...

hows that? i heard that these non turbo idi's are mad loud. but hey, its worth a try

[93_Turbo_IDI]

My 93 IDI was straight piped 3" exhaust before I installed the turbo, it was very loud, with no reason to be concerned about back pressure. I agree with Jonboy to straight pipe it.

I used to complain that I could not hear the engine because my exhaust was too loud. Once I installed the turbo it is very quiet, now I can't hear my exhaust over the engine noise.

The turbo really muffles the exhaust.

[59ApacheKid]

i just straight piped it, and the engine is still louder than the exhaust (given i am using the stock 2.5)... but has a nice rumble now