Strange exhaust sound

[SCOUT]

I went and looked at a 2000 F-350 with 99K on it today. It started up fine and idled smooth. Under acceleration as I was driving with the windows down, the exhaust note sounded like a fluttering noise. It reminde me of a gas motor running under load with a blown out muffler or a hole in the exhaust. I looked at the exhaust pipe and could not find any holes, and there was no muffler or cat. It had 35 inch tires on it and was not re-geared and it seemed kinda sluggish picking up from a dead stop. This is to be expected some with the over sized tires, but I figured a PSD would have enough grunt to compensate for it? Anyway it might be a combonation of what ever may be causing it to sound strange and large tires. What would you guys think might be causing the odd exhaust tone? Other than this the truck is cherry, but I had to walk away from it today because of my concers about the lack of power and exhaust sound. The dealer said he would have his guys check into it on Maonday, but I wanted to get your guys thoughts. Thanks

[cj41foley]

The sound is probably from the straight pipe exhaust. I don't have a 7.3 staright pipe but the one I've heard sounded like that. The 35's will definately take some power away, but add a programmer and you won't really see any power loss because of the tires then, you'll be smoking those 35's:burnout

[straycat]

The stock 7.3 seems a little weak from a stop, but as said above, will wake right up with a tune in it, and I agree on the straight pipe noise. Probably nothing to worry about.

Gord.

[lilredpowerstroke]

There might be an exhaust leak before the turbo causing the lack of power and exhaust noise. See if you can get the dealer to look and the uppipes and see if there is any soot on them.

[SCOUT]

Thanks for the replies. After a little more searching I found the flutter sound is normal on PSD's with no muffler. So next would be addressing the gearing for the 35 inch tires.

[cj41foley]

really no need to regear for just 35's, just add more power

[Pullinpower7.3]

if it has 3.73 i wouldnt gear for 35's. just put a good programmer/tuner like a DP tuner and all the slug will have salt poored on it! she will move for ya!

[cj41foley]

[SCOUT]

Okay, I'm diggin' the chip route. Can it make up for the sluggishness AND keep the mpg around factory? If it can, and I wouldn't need any other mods, then that may be the way to go. Thanks for the inputs.

[AZSnake98]

No it wont keep your MPG like factory... it will improve it