"whistling" sound from new Borla S Type cat back exhaust installation......what is it??!!

[Jackpot Tremor]

I just had the Borla S Type cat back exhaust installed today on my 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat Tremor and it sounds great.......except.......it has very distinct "whistling" sound at wide open throttle......I had my mechanic adjust the clamps and retighten them and he assures me it's not leaking anywhere. He thinks it might be the "turbo whine"?......this is my first turbo vehicle but this doesn't sound right! I also never noticed it before!....he also installed the foam Ford oem engine cover at the same time. It also has the Ford Performance Tune......It's annoying as hell and I'm thinking about taking it off and trying someone else's cat back exhaust id that's what it is.......any idea's what could be causing this? I've read that this "might" be a "known" issue with the Borla exhaust........1 day with this exhaust and I'm not happy......

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[Rinn69]

If the tone of the "whistle" goes up while the RPM's going up, goes down when it shifts, and goes back up with RPM's, it's the turbo.

If the tone is a constant note, not sure what it could be.

Some folks that have changed exhaust systems and/or down pipes have noticed the increased volume of the turbo whistle.

 

[Dgc333]

If the tone of the "whistle" goes up while the RPM's going up, goes down when it shifts, and goes back up with RPM's, it's the turbo.

If the tone is a constant note, not sure what it could be.

Some folks that have changed exhaust systems and/or down pipes have noticed the increased volume of the turbo whistle.

Certainly could be the turbo but it could be any number of other things too. Just because it goes up and down with the rpm does not automatically mean it's the turbo. Turbo whistle generally changes pitch with load on the engine, its the load that spins up the compressor more than rpm.

I had a Turbo PT Cruiser back in the early 2000s that developed a whistle that varied with rpm and load. I thought I had a turbo bearing going. A buddy of mine listened to it and thought it was a manifold leak. Sprayed some carb cleaner along the manifold to head junction and sure enough that was it.

Since it happened after the installation of the exhaust that is the likely candidate. But the simplest thing to eliminate would be to remove the engine cover. Highly unlikely it would cause a noise that is already there to become more noticeable but 15 seconds to remove it will eliminate that is the cause.

 

[ICE 27]

I put the the Borla s type on my truck in November. Drove it a while didnt notice a whistle. Got my intake installed and now it whistles. I'm betting it's the turbo. I could barely hear my bov before and now its alot more distinct when it pops. I talked to a guy who told me if you add intercooler pipes it will get louder. What I'm getting at is you are allowing more flow throw the system. I'm sure a downpipe would really exaggerate it. For my truck anyways I believe its mild turbo whine. Nothing compared to our f250 6.7 that things sounds like a plane taking off when you get on it.

 

[Jackpot Tremor]

If the tone of the "whistle" goes up while the RPM's going up, goes down when it shifts, and goes back up with RPM's, it's the turbo.

If the tone is a constant note, not sure what it could be.

Some folks that have changed exhaust systems and/or down pipes have noticed the increased volume of the turbo whistle.

I only notice the "whistle" at wide open throttle.......it doesn't get higher or louder as it's just "there"......yes I stomp on it and floor it alot cuz it's a beast and fun to drive with the tune.......but it's now annoying.......the whistle doesn't go up or down with the rpm's.......it just whistles at WOT.......weird, but annoying......I'm stuck whether to just "live with it"......or yank off the $1,000 Boral S Type cat back exhaust and try to sell it and get another brand......not impressed with the coated black MBRP exhaust as it's not 304 stainless but I do want a black tip to match my truck and I like the sound of their unit...... I'm stomped and bummed with this stupid "whistle"......I feel like I wasted $1,000.......

 

[Jackpot Tremor]

If the tone of the "whistle" goes up while the RPM's going up, goes down when it shifts, and goes back up with RPM's, it's the turbo.

If the tone is a constant note, not sure what it could be.

Some folks that have changed exhaust systems and/or down pipes have noticed the increased volume of the turbo whistle.

I only notice the "whistle" at wide open throttle.......it doesn't get higher or louder as it's just "there"......yes I stomp on it and floor it alot cuz it's a beast and fun to drive with the tune.......but it's now annoying.......the whistle doesn't go up or down with the rpm's.......it just whistles at WOT.......weird, but annoying......I'm stuck whether to just "live with it"......or yank off the $1,000 Boral S Type cat back exhaust and try to sell it and get another brand......not impressed with the coated black MBRP exhaust as it's not 304 stainless but I do want a black tip to match my truck and I like the sound of their unit...... I'm stomped and bummed with this stupid "whistle"......I feel like I wasted $1,000.......

 

[Jackpot Tremor]

ok, here's another guy on here that has the same issue!.....mine sounds just like this but only at wide open throttle.......I take it this is normal???......can someone please calm me down and explain before I rip it off and trash it..... @Stage3Motorsports says it's normal (in the response to this guy) and that's where I bought mine....

Interesting squeal from Borla exhaust, diagnose? | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

 

[wanted33]

Bill, might I suggest you call Borla to see if they can help. Since there's another owner with the same whistle maybe Borla has a suggestion to calm it down. Sorry, I don't know enough about a turbo to help you in any way.

 

[Jackpot Tremor]

Bill, might I suggest you call Borla to see if they can help. Since there's another owner with the same whistle maybe Borla has a suggestion to calm it down. Sorry, I don't know enough about a turbo to help you in any way.

it is just weird.....seems to always happen when I stomp on it......which is quite often given how fun this little "Raptor Ranger" is!.....I drove it again today and it's just plain annoying unless I baby it and drive "normal" without flooring it......I'm going to take it off and get something else and list it on Offer-up near me and of course take a huge hit on the cost......I'm not happy at all with the Borla at this point!......damn thing is way to big to return or ship back and of course they don't cover "noise" in their warranty even if it is some BS whistling that drives me insane.......trying to figure out what other cat back system to replace it with......

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

Haha. I actually love to hear it. Yes it got louder with intercooler pipes. Also I get really sad when I don't build boost pressure correctly and don't hear the whine on WOT. I'm odd. My favorite is under a bridge or tunnel WOT, that whine... Mmmmmmmmmm. Again, do what makes you happy just updating my thoughts after having it for a yearish now.

Funny when I saw this in the recent posts I knew it was this "problem" and you even posted my thread haha.

EDIT: turbo whistle is nice(also got louder with IC pipes), but this exhaust whine is what I meant.

 

[AZ Tremor]

it is just weird.....seems to always happen when I stomp on it......which is quite often given how fun this little "Raptor Ranger" is!.....I drove it again today and it's just plain annoying unless I baby it and drive "normal" without flooring it......I'm going to take it off and get something else and list it on Offer-up near me and of course take a huge hit on the cost......I'm not happy at all with the Borla at this point!......damn thing is way to big to return or ship back and of course they don't cover "noise" in their warranty even if it is some BS whistling that drives me insane.......I'll try the MBRP
3" Cat Back, Single Side Exit, Black Coated Ford Ranger Ecoboost 2.3L 2019 - 2021
MBRP: S5227BLK

not crazy about it not being 304 stainless but the price is right especially after spending lots of $$ on the Borla.......and I live in So CA with rust issues........

I have the MBRP. It’s great. Soft rumble at idle. Not too crazy but not stock.

 

[Jackpot Tremor]

I have the MBRP. It’s great. Soft rumble at idle. Not too crazy but not stock.

I just ordered the MBRP from @Stage3Motorsports ......
3" Cat Back, Single Side Exit, Black Coated Ford Ranger Ecoboost 2.3L 2019 - 2021
MBRP: S5227BLK


even if it's not "perfect" quality (It's aluminum and not 304 stainless) it'll work for the price!......just as long as it doesn't "whistle"!!

 

[pull string get cookies]

it is just weird.....seems to always happen when I stomp on it......which is quite often given how fun this little "Raptor Ranger" is!.....I drove it again today and it's just plain annoying unless I baby it and drive "normal" without flooring it......I'm going to take it off and get something else and list it on Offer-up near me and of course take a huge hit on the cost......I'm not happy at all with the Borla at this point!......damn thing is way to big to return or ship back and of course they don't cover "noise" in their warranty even if it is some BS whistling that drives me insane.......trying to figure out what other cat back system to replace it with......

Have you tried reinstalling the factory paper air filter and running a WOT test (assuming you’ve installed the K&N that comes with the Ford tune)? Just to be sure that much of the unwanted noise isn’t from the intake opposed to the new exhaust?

 

[gasmanjohn]

I have this Gibson muffler welded into my otherwise stock exhaust and have the same sound you're describing. I just assumed it's the turbo spinning at max rpm with the throttle wide open, just moving a lot of air.

 

[Jackpot Tremor]

Have you tried reinstalling the factory paper air filter and running a WOT test (assuming you’ve installed the K&N that comes with the Ford tune)? Just to be sure that much of the unwanted noise isn’t from the intake opposed to the new exhaust?

I had the Ford tune installed at about 1,500 miles and now I'm at 2900 miles give or take......my mechanic installed the K&n filter with the tune so it's been running fine with no "whistling" for well over 1,000 miles.......and I do drive it "aggressively" all the time so it would have shown up before the Borla cat back exhaust install if it was the air filter......or the tune........the only other thing I did at the same time with the stupid foam/oem engine cover......(But I can try swapping out the air filter first when the new exhaust arrives before I swap it out......as well as removing the engine cover......I can try both things first and drive it WOT and see if it goes away......if not, in goes the new exhaust!)

I think @RANGER PRIDE is onto the problem.......here's he's reply:
(I don't have the know how to do what he recommended so I just ordered the MBRP
3" Cat Back, Single Side Exit, Black Coated Ford Ranger Ecoboost 2.3L 2019 - 2021
MBRP: S5227BLK last night) ........I'll try this one and see how it works.......if the whistle goes away then great, I'll sell the Boral on offer-up.........if the whistle is still there, I'll put the oem back on and live with it.......I have a strong suspicion that it has something to do with the Borla exhaust internals......like a lip or something causing the whistle....

the problem likely lies somewhere in a tube connection.
there is probably a lip, or some part of the tube, that acts just like a whistle would as air rushes past it. Tightening the clamp does nothing as the problem in in the inside bore.
the reason you only hear it a WOT is because thats the amount of air blowing required to make the sound.

if you had the tools available, you could likely re-work the joints to limit or remove completely the offending part of the tube that is causing the air gap and the noise.

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