[GT Drew]

Bought the separate flange and flex on eBay. Want to take out the restriction of the crushed sections after the mid muffler and the flexes at the back mufflers. Make the stock exhaust as good as possible.

 

[J Wikoff]

Here's what I have on hand or ordered:

• Magnaflow 11385
• 20" of 409 2.25" tube to cut and replace the crushed tube aft of the muffler
• 2 resonators, Team Allied 3512RS, same body size as stock, with 2.25" inlet instead of stock 2"
• 2 full stainless flex/flange pipes, 2.25", happen to be made for 00-05 Taurus. 6" total length
• 2 pair stainless 2.5" flanges, 1/2" thick with gaskets.

From what I can tell, the 2.25" and 2.5" flanges will have compatible bolt patterns.

 

[GT Drew]

Your flex pipe is only 2.0” and is too long. I can almost guarantee it’s it’s not an interlink core either. The flange and pipe are mild steel. You want a 4” long 2.25” dia flex and a interlink interior thick stainless flange. Best flow. The stock resonator is 2 1/8” A little to be gained. I think you really have to look at your final goal.

 

[J Wikoff]

The flex pipe specifically said 2.25". The 6" (actually 5.5", now that I read it again) includes about two inches of pipe that will slip over a 2.25" pipe. And it says stainless flange and flex portion. The flex is 2" long. Tbh, it reads very much like a good dimensional fit. I scrutinized my pics and measurements for a while before ordering.

I can't comment about the core. It doesn't say and I don't know what an interlink core looks like.

For 00-05 Taurus Sable 2.25" SS Exhaust Flange Cat Outlet Repair Flex/Pipe | eBay

2000-2005 Ford Taurus 3.0L 8th VIN# S. 2000-2007 Ford Taurus 3.0L 8th VIN# U. One side 2 bolt SS flange. 2000-2006 Ford Taurus 3.0L 8th VIN# 2. Welded with 2" Length SS Double Braided Flex Pipe. CNC Machine flange.

www.ebay.com

My goal is decent but not obnoxious sound, and to not be rusting off the car.

 

[GT Drew]

See photo above

 

[GT Drew]

If you are adding a cam or forced induction. Don’t waste one minute or cent modding your stock exhaust. I did the X-pipe for the mid mufflers and resonators. Replaced the rear flexes and modded the rear mufflers and made up Stainless Works mufflers with tips to bolt in. Ran that for years on my first G8. And it rad and sounded pretty good. Then Solo used my car to fit and create the 3” exhaust. I got a super deal for a 2.5” Mach Balanced System. Driving home from their shop I could instantly feel how much better the car was. And I had a mild set up. Intake , 1.85 rockers, shorty headers and Solo cats.
If I had known how much better the Solo exhaust was, I wouldn’t have cut up the stock one. If your car is stock and you want it to “sound” better. Either replace the mid muffler/crunch pipe for an X-pipe. Or a bit louder the Solo axle back. The stock 2.25 pipe barely supports the stock motor. You will be more satisfied with the mods you add if you have a proper performance exhaust. Solo, Magnaflow, Corsa Borla, Kooks or Stainless Works are some of the most popular. All will give better results than a chopped up stock one. I’m suggesting you pick what you do based on how far your mods will take you. Do it once with no regrets.

 

[J Wikoff]

Got it welded up last week. Overall, not loud in the cabin at all. Actually quieter than it was before since there is no longer a hole in the mid-muffler.

Here's a cold start.

 

[GT Drew]

That does sound Good. That is why I want to add a pair of 8” to 12” perf core resonators to my Solo cat back.

 

[J Wikoff]

Hmm, there's a whistle above 4500 rpm. Do exhaust leaks whistle? I've never had a whistler.

 

[PONY MAN]

Both an intake manifold and exhaust leak can result in a whistling sound.

 

[J Wikoff]

It definitely sounds like it is coming from underneath.

 

[PONY MAN]

Presuming a muffler shop did the exhaust welding. If so, suggest revisiting if but for nothing else than an inspection.

 

[J Wikoff]

Yeah. I need to get my tunnel brace back, too.

 

[GT Drew]

What kind of flex joints did you use in the rear? What kind of core do they have?

 

[J Wikoff]

Found these on ebay. All stainless and dimensionally the same as stock on the outside. The inside looks more like a flex pipe than the originals though, and has a bigger ID. I think the originals have an insert of some kind.

The nice thick new flanges for the axlebacks are sitting on top to check fit.

 

[GT Drew]

No liner in the flex , could be the source of the whistle.