exhaust modification on a budget

[Thinbluelinetx]

I was wanting to save as much money as possible modifying my exhaust system, but I don't want to sacrifice quality. I have a '97 F-350 psd and was thinking about purchasing an aftermarket down pipe and cat delete pipe only, then having a shop install those parts on the remaining stock exhaust system. Would those parts fit on my stock exhaust system and would the labor costs be cheaper than installing a completely new aftermarket system? Or should I just spend the extra $ and buy a completely new turbo back system? Thanks in advance.

[Fordboy324]

If you figure two hours of labor is $60 an hr. thats $120. Plus you have to buy your down pipe so that's $100 right there. You're already up to $220 no problem without the cat delete pipe. I bought my Diamond Eye 4" turbo back with downpipe for $270.00 shipped. The downpipe is not fun, but can be done.I would go ahead and get a full exhaust and install it myself.
Here's a link to the exhaust I have. Submit you're best offer.
4" Cat-Back Exhaust Ford Powerstroke Diesel 7.3L 94-97 : eBay Motors (item 250597642416 end time Apr-14-10 11:35:21 PDT)

[FENKER]

get a down pipe and gut the cat. just take the cat out and smash the inside out

[CT Performance, Inc.]

Really cheapest..gut the cat yourself and get a Tymar..great mod 2-3mpg on my '97 with nothing else and could actually accelerate in the hills!

[Nitro41]

i put a MBRP downpipe on with a 45* elbow bend that points sideways/down.

and i chopped the rest of the exhaust off compleltey. its cheap, easy, sounds good, and gives you the ability to bolt up a stack kit or custom side exit exahsut later

[lugnut1009]

I've been wanting a downpipe but haven't had the extra money for it yet, so I did what it sounds like you are doing. I had a complete exhaust laying around from an '02, so I found a perfect piece (slip/bolt on) to take out my cat and replace it with a piece of straight pipe. Now I'm thinking of just unbolting my muffler from the piece I just put in and just taking everything else off. Just to see... But anyway, I haven't got a dime in it, just about an hour of my time...