Better flow, less noise, modified OEM exhaust with Magnaflow muffler

[philosopheriam]

Folks,

Instead of purchasing an off-the-shelf system for my 2023 Ranger, I decided to modify the OEM exhaust. Many of the systems out on the market are simply too loud for my taste - I'm around loud, heavy equipment all day long and the last thing I want is the interior of my Lariat vibrating/buzzing from exhaust drone. I had a Gibson system on my last Ranger and I had to add a resonator to quiet it down.

Normally, I would have performed this modification myself, as I have a MIG welder set up for stainless in my garage. However, doing exhaust work without a lift is a pain in the balls.

The muffler: Magnaflow 12577, $168.87 from Summit Racing
https://www.magnaflow.com/products/...ght-through-performance-exhaust-muffler-12577
This muffler fits the OEM location almost perfectly - the length, inlet/outlet diameters, and inlet/outlet offset distance are spot on.

Muffler install: $150
I had a local shop that does quality work (Exhaust Works in Montgomery, IL) remove the OEM muffler and retain the inlet piece and existing tailpipe w/resonator. If I ever need to return to stock, I have a complete, unmodified OEM exhaust system in my attic that I can bolt on. This is why I *did not* modify the long pipe leading to the inlet pipe of the OEM muffler. The shop originally wanted to charge me $100, and I gave them $150 - I appreciate them taking me in promptly at 8am on a Thursday and completing the job within 30min. I'm a mechanic, and somebody buying lunch now and then goes a long way... Everything was welded and I sprayed some hi-temp paint on the welds when I got home.

304 Stainless tip: $20.56 from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KBGFK82?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I shortened the tailpipe by approximately 4" and installed this tip. It has a 3" inlet and a rolled/slash cut 4.5" outlet. Supposedly, it's made of 304 stainless, so, we will see how long it lasts.

GRAND TOTAL: $339.43

RESULTS:
I'm thrilled - a low, mellow rumble outside with ZERO added interior drone/resonance. I have sensitive ears and I'm past the point in my life where I want to listen to gratuitous noise. If muffler deletes and straight pipes are your thing, this mod isn't for you.

WHY:
I'll be installing the Ford Performance tune in a couple weeks (after I pass my ASE test so I can do the install myself) - my experience is that a quality exhaust upgrade wakes up the turbo on these trucks and decreases spool time.

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[CO2Ranger]

Folks,

Instead of purchasing an off-the-shelf system for my 2023 Ranger, I decided to modify the OEM exhaust. Many of the systems out on the market are simply too loud for my taste - I'm around loud, heavy equipment all day long and the last thing I want is the interior of my Lariat vibrating/buzzing from exhaust drone. I had a Gibson system on my last Ranger and I had to add a resonator to quiet it down.

Normally, I would have performed this modification myself, as I have a MIG welder set up for stainless in my garage. However, doing exhaust work without a lift is a pain in the balls.

The muffler: Magnaflow 12577, $168.87 from Summit Racing
https://www.magnaflow.com/products/...ght-through-performance-exhaust-muffler-12577
This muffler fits the OEM location almost perfectly - the length, inlet/outlet diameters, and inlet/outlet offset distance are spot on.

Muffler install: $150
I had a local shop that does quality work (Exhaust Works in Montgomery, IL) remove the OEM muffler and retain the inlet piece and existing tailpipe w/resonator. If I ever need to return to stock, I have a complete, unmodified OEM exhaust system in my attic that I can bolt on. This is why I *did not* modify the long pipe leading to the inlet pipe of the OEM muffler. The shop originally wanted to charge me $100, and I gave them $150 - I appreciate them taking me in promptly at 8am on a Thursday and completing the job within 30min. I'm a mechanic, and somebody buying lunch now and then goes a long way... Everything was welded and I sprayed some hi-temp paint on the welds when I got home.

304 Stainless tip: $20.56 from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KBGFK82?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I shortened the tailpipe by approximately 4" and installed this tip. It has a 3" inlet and a rolled/slash cut 4.5" outlet. Supposedly, it's made of 304 stainless, so, we will see how long it lasts.

GRAND TOTAL: $339.43

RESULTS:
I'm thrilled - a low, mellow rumble outside with ZERO added interior drone/resonance. I have sensitive ears and I'm past the point in my life where I want to listen to gratuitous noise. If muffler deletes and straight pipes are your thing, this mod isn't for you.

WHY:
I'll be installing the Ford Performance tune in a couple weeks (after I pass my ASE test so I can do the install myself) - my experience is that a quality exhaust upgrade wakes up the turbo on these trucks and decreases spool time.

? Great choice. This was how I did mine as well. Much cheaper and tremendously better overall sound than any of the kits I researched.

 

[TheExtra404]

This is great!, was just looking around for something for my 22 Ranger. Any way to get a short clip of the sound? I know it will probably wont be quite the same as in person.

 

[philosopheriam]

This is great!, was just looking around for something for my 22 Ranger. Any way to get a short clip of the sound? I know it will probably wont be quite the same as in person.

Sure, let me get a cold start clip tomorrow!

 

[CO2Ranger]

This is great!, was just looking around for something for my 22 Ranger. Any way to get a short clip of the sound? I know it will probably wont be quite the same as in person.

Not OP but same setup
Driving (in cab)


Cold start (outside)

 

[philosopheriam]

Not OP but same setup
Driving (in cab)


Cold start (outside)

The 18" is going to have a more aggressive sound than the 12577, which has a 22" body length (5x11 oval). Also, pipe will need to be added to make up for the shorter length.

 

[CO2Ranger]

The 18" is going to have a more aggressive sound than the 12577, which has a 22" body length (5x11 oval). Also, pipe will need to be added to make up for the shorter length.

True, but not by much! Got talked into the 18 because you couldn't really hear the 22 at all. Gotta have a little fun... ?

 

[philosopheriam]

Cold start, 30 seconds, vehicle in garage with door open.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eH1wT5582uQioPUv6

 

[npspears]

Thanks for the photos, product links, and especially the sound clip. Bookmarking this to do later.

 

[philosopheriam]

Thanks for the photos, product links, and especially the sound clip. Bookmarking this to do later.

I think you will be pleased - I was driving around today and the sound level is nearly stock during normal driving. When you get into the skinny pedal you can hear a bit of a rumble, yet still no drone inside. This is as close as you can get to having your cake and eating it, too!

 

[TheExtra404]

Thank you guys for posting up video clips. This is definitely on my list. LOL.

 

[philosopheriam]

When I said "nearly stock," what I should have said is "nearly imperceptible from stock" inside the cab.

 

[Wolfman00]

any drive by clips ?

 

[Dgc333]

I purchased the single outlet cat back system from MBRP. It is 3" from the connection to the down pipe to the tailpipe tip, is made of 304 stainless. It was on sale directly from MBRP for $550 (normally $650). It uses all the factory hangers and took about an hour to install (I do have a lift in my garage though).

No appreciable increase in power as measured by my butt dyno, the same can be said about the exhaust changes to my Focus ST and two Ecoboost Mustangs. I purchased the exhaust for a performance sound.

At cold startup you can hear the exhaust but it certainly is not loud and there is no fear of annoying the neighbors. Stock you can not hear the exhaust over the fan and high pressure fuel pump. Cruising down the road it is as quiet in the cab as the stock exhaust. Aggressive acceleration the exhaust note is very noticable but not so much that people will look up when you go by. IMHO, it is perfect for a daily driver. When I want an exhaust note that scares women and makes small children cry I drive my 68 Barracuda.

 

[philosopheriam]

I purchased the single outlet cat back system from MBRP. It is 3" from the connection to the down pipe to the tailpipe tip, is made of 304 stainless. It was on sale directly from MBRP for $550 (normally $650). It uses all the factory hangers and took about an hour to install (I do have a lift in my garage though).

No appreciable increase in power as measured by my butt dyno, the same can be said about the exhaust changes to my Focus ST and two Ecoboost Mustangs. I purchased the exhaust for a performance sound.

At cold startup you can hear the exhaust but it certainly is not loud and there is no fear of annoying the neighbors. Stock you can not hear the exhaust over the fan and high pressure fuel pump. Cruising down the road it is as quiet in the cab as the stock exhaust. Aggressive acceleration the exhaust note is very noticable but not so much that people will look up when you go by. IMHO, it is perfect for a daily driver. When I want an exhaust note that scares women and makes small children cry I drive my 68 Barracuda.

For the record, I have never heard a Ranger with an MBRP exhaust.

However, I have heard several F150's with the 3.5L Ecoboost and an MBRP single side exit 3" system - inside and outside, the tone/noise level was for lack of a better word, obnoxious. When the engine was under moderate to heavy load, the resonance inside the cab was intolerable.

I'm not trying to call you a liar - your perception of what "is close to stock" may be profoundly different from mine. However, it is simply not possible to modify an exhaust system by increasing the overall pipe diameter, removing a resonator, and adding a smaller than OEM muffler and *not* have the end result be more interior resonance. Unless the muffler has magical sound deadening properties, it simply isn't possible from an engineering standpoint.

The goal of this thread is to demonstrate that there is an exhaust option with better flow and almost zero additional unwanted interior noise. In my opinion, suggesting/implying that the MBRP exhaust can achieve the same results is both inaccurate and leading others down a road that will ultimately lead to disappointment.

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