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Fuel Efficiency Upgrade: Headers, Exhaust, Throttle Body, Aerodynamics A Ford F-150 gets several upgrades, all leading to better efficiency and higher mpg. From "Weekend Mechanic" episode WKM-405

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The performance exhaust-system components

Performance Muffler and Exhaust System

So far we've installed a throttle body spacer and a performance cold air induction system to improve air intake and fuel combustion. We also installed ceramic-coated headers in place of the factory exhaust manifolds.

• After spraying the joints down with penetrating lubricant, loosen the clamps and separate the old pipes.

• Pry the muffler hanging bracket out and be prepared for the muffler and pipe to come down. There's no real technical trick to removing an exhaust system, but it does help to have an extra pair of hands.

• Keeping note of the notch in the front pipe, install the front exhaust pipe onto the factory head pipe.

• Slide the clamp bracket in place and tighten it down. To mount the muffler, install the hanging clamp onto the truck's existing bracket and slide a regular clamp onto the front pipe.
  

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  The new and old muffler

• Noting the front end of the new muffler, slide the hanging clamp over the muffler pipe and connect the muffler to the front pipe.

• Leave clamps loose for now until the other pipes are installed and fit well.

• Install a new clamp onto the muffler tail and install the transition y pipe by fitting the hanger rod up through the existing bracket and the y-pipe can be connected to the muffler.

• Again, keep the clamps loose for now.

• A fresh clamp goes onto the first y-pipe tail and i connect the driver side axle pipe.

• A new clamp goes onto the other y tail, and the passenger side axle pipe is connected.

• To mount the extended tail pipe, i install a hanging bracket onto the truck frame.

• A clamp is installed onto the axle pipe and another goes onto the tail pipe and fit the tail pipe on, hooking the rear clamp onto the hanging bracket.

• With everything fitting well, tighten down the tail pipe clamps and go back through the system and tighten all the clamps down.

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