Anyone take muffler off of stock exhaust?

[FordFanEX]

I have a 2000 Excursion with a 7.3. I installed a DIY intake and was going to take off muffler. It is the family car so I am worried about noise inside the truck. Dont want aftermarket system cause not going to be towing anything, maybe a small boat once in a blue moon. Anyone taken muffler off of an excursion before.

[ScottyP5947]

Haven't done it in an Ex, but I had it in my '00 CCLB truck. I ended up putting the walker BTM in it to mellow it out some. It was a bit too loud out of the truck and did increase noise in the cabin. I regularly had to ask my 4 year old to repeat herself when rolling along at 2k rpm. With the walker things are a lot quieter, but FAR from quiet. I did post a video of my wife leaving the driveway if you want to hear it.
My opinion is that if you have your doubts that it COULD even be too loud that it will be over time. But, without a doubt a straightpipe sounds AWESOME. I just have to say that.
Scott

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[SaltH2OHokie]

I honestly couldn't tell a difference without mine...even went and picked my dad up to test my opinion (without telling him that's what I was doing) and took him around the block. When I asked if he thought my truck sounded any different and his response was "no...why, is it quieter or something?" I figured I was right...no real difference.

And he's getting to be old and crotchety enough that I could count on him to tell me if it was even slightly louder in the cab.

Outside the truck I couldn't say. Never heard it from outside before I lost the muffler and haven't heard it since I did. Mine's a 6 spd and I tend to shift it at or around 2k RPM the majority of the time, but it might be a tick louder above those engine speeds...I just don't run it up there all that often to know what it sounded like before.

EDIT: Mine does have a cat still...and I'm sure that stands to muffle it some compared to a truck with a truly straight pipe.

[dentexpowerstroke]

In cab I haven't been able to tell a difference from muffler, straight or 4inch turbo back, as to exhaust sound that is. turbo sounded a little different at 4inch

[7.3550Duty]

I had a straight pipe exhaust on my ccsb for quite a few years and then i installed a full turbo back exhaust kit with muffler and its a blessing to my ears. Yeah the truck sound is alot louder with the straight pipe but it does get annoying after a few years of hearing that all the time.

And as for your exhaust note sounding any different, If you do go the straight pipe route, just remove the muffler and cat , if your EX came with one, and enjoy the sound .

[merc123]

Not an ex but the only time I can hear a difference between muffler and non is when pasing cars or anywhere the sound can bounce off (railings, walls) and then I can hear it. No internal noise really.

[Tj Krawler]

I got my truck with a 4" system on it. I had about 2 weeks of the exhaust cut off behind the cab in the process of removing the muffler. (too cold to work outside) It was much louder that way. Once I got the pipe back in, it quieted it down a lot. Driving around town I don't think it's any louder than before. If you're around something the sound can bounce back off of, it's noticeable. I haven't had it up to speed yet. If you don't like it, you can always put a muffler back on it.

[tubular031]

Put a walker BTM on there and you will get the benefit of the flow through exhaust and there will be no difference in the cab with the windows up. I wanted a straight pipe but the family out voted me. I put on the BTM and they did not even notice

[JJR]

I put a Walker btm on a ex and it is about right for sound. Little louder than stock but not by much. The turbo whistle is definately more noticable. I think the noise levels are more noticable with the ex since the exhaust exits under the passenger compartment and not the back of a 6 or 8 ft bed.

[tubular031]

Good point about the ex. I did not catch that he was asking about an ex when I first read this.