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

[Dgc333]

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.

Seeing that you have not heard the MBRP exhaust on a Ranger you should keep such harsh comments to your self.

My past experience with MBRP exhaust on Mustangs was not positive and was not even under consideration when I got my Ranger. But based on all the positive feedback on this forum I took a chance, especially at the sale price. I figured I could add a resonator if needed and still be way ahead of the cost of other cat back systems. I have been completely satisfied with my choice.

You can rest assured that the interior noise level cruising down the road is the same as stock within the ability of my ears to assess. The most noticeable noise in my cab is the whine of the Grabber all-terrain tires and even those are quieter than any other all-terrain tires I have had in the past.

I have never stood out side my truck and had some one go by at WOT to assess the quality of the sound but from inside I find the sound quality to be pleasant, certainly not a V8 rumble but absolutely not a Honda raspy scream.

The MBRP system comes with the largest absorption type muffler I have ever seen. It is within a faction of an inch the same length as the factory muffler and has to be at least 8" in diameter. It is not at all surprising that it is quiet while cruising and does not drone.

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[philosopheriam]

Seeing that you have not heard the MBRP exhaust on a Ranger you should keep such harsh comments to your self.

My past experience with MBRP exhaust on Mustangs was not positive and was not even under consideration when I got my Ranger. But based on all the positive feedback on this forum I took a chance, especially at the sale price. I figured I could add a resonator if needed and still be way ahead of the cost of other cat back systems. I have been completely satisfied with my choice.

You can rest assured that the interior noise level cruising down the road is the same as stock within the ability of my ears to assess. The most noticeable noise in my cab is the whine of the Grabber all-terrain tires and even those are quieter than any other all-terrain tires I have had in the past.

I have never stood out side my truck and had some one go by at WOT to assess the quality of the sound but from inside I find the sound quality to be pleasant, certainly not a V8 rumble but absolutely not a Honda raspy scream.

The MBRP system comes with the largest absorption type muffler I have ever seen. It is within a faction of an inch the same length as the factory muffler and has to be at least 8" in diameter. It is not at all surprising that it is quiet while cruising and does not drone.

To the best of my knowledge, the singular muffler on the 3" F150 system is the same as the one on the 3" Ranger system. The OEM system on the Ranger uses a multi-chambered tuned muffler + a resonator to mitigate NVH. The idea that both of these systems produce similar interior resonance levels is simply implausible, especially when said system is now mated to an engine (4cyl) that by nature doesn't have the most pleasant exhaust cadence/rone.

In my first sentence, I admitted that I had never heard the MBRP system on the Ranger. If by some miracle the MBRP system has no appreciable interior resonance while the engine is under load, well, then I will publicly eat a piece of crow pie.

Once again, I cannot imagine how a nearly-identical system to the F150 arrangement could produce a more pleasant exhaust note on a 4-cyl engine.

At this point, to measure is to know - we would need to use a db meter and compare before/after readings to have definitive evidence of any volume difference.

 

[Dgc333]

In my first sentence, I admitted that I had never heard the MBRP system on the Ranger. If by some miracle the MBRP system has no appreciable interior resonance while the engine is under load, well, then I will publicly eat a piece of crow pie.

Once again, I cannot imagine how a nearly-identical system to the F150 arrangement could produce a more pleasant exhaust note on a 4-cyl engine.

I would say you need to prepare to eat crow pie. Trying to guess how what you perceive as equivalent systems will behave in a 3.5 liter V6 and an inline 4cyl is futile. I hope some of the others on this forum that have the MBRP will join in.

Right off the bat at a cruising rpm of 2000 and a typical volumetric efficiency of 80% the 2.3 is flowing approximately 65 CFM and the 3.5 is flowing approximately 100 CFM of air (keep in mind an internal combustion engine is nothing more than an air pump). Assuming that the exhaust is equivalent when used on a Ranger it has to deal with 1/3 less air flow which means it can absorb the sound waves generated in the flow better. The one thing we don't know is how much effort MBRP spent tailoring the muffler packing material to absorb the unwanted frequencies to be able to say the 3.5 and 2.3 systems are equivalent.

I really don't understand why you have such a hard time accepting the fact that there is no precievable with the MBRP system on the Ranger especially since you swapped your stock muffler for one with the same basic design as the MBRP muffler.

FWIW, I have been a hot rodder for 55 years and a mechanical engineer for 48 years and have more than a passing understanding of exhaust flow and noise control. I have a 68 Barracuda with a 360 that produces 375 to 400 HP. Over the years I have had straight duals, duals with an H cross over, duals with an X cross over, absorption mufflers like MagnaFlo or MBRP, Cancellation mufflers like Dynomax Super Turbo and diffusion mufflers like Flowmaster. All this was done to minimize interior resonance without killing off the power. So when I say the MBRP system on the Ranger does not have any interior resonance when cruising I talk from experience.

 

[redone17]

I was planning on doing a similar mod because I want to get the tailpipe tucked and a little grumble - but, I found HOTTEXHAUST.COM has a ridiculous sale going on. Zero tax. Zero shipping. Saved $220 off their Overland Catback which gets to my door for $879. I’ll install it myself like I did for my Bronco. I’ve been running it for almost 2 years and love it.

To be honest, with a name like that, I thought it was a scam site, but it’s legit.

 

[Muscleford]

I will soon be installing a Gibson muffler with twin tail pipes out the rear. their 69550B kit. Hope it does not have interior drone but sound a little aggressive outside.

Hope I am pleased and happy with my choice.

 

[Chris M]

I will soon be installing a Gibson muffler with twin tail pipes out the rear. their 69550B kit. Hope it does not have interior drone but sound a little aggressive outside.

Hope I am pleased and happy with my choice.

Remember to post a report after you've driven it some.
I'd like to do something like you're doing someday.
When I have money to burn.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

Check out Bold Performance. A member here installed one and it looks and sounded really nice.

 

[mtsoxfan]

This is actually comical, you don't want to hear your truck, but you are forcing others to?
That speaks volumes...

 

[RDJTX]

What has been the effect on your MPG?

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.

 

[philosopheriam]

What has been the effect on your MPG?

Truthfully, I'm not sure - my truck only has 760mi on it and I don't watch the MPG like a hawk. However, with the Ford Performance tune installed, it's currently close to 19mpg with combined city/highway driving.

 

[2021Ranger]

Phil, so how’s the noise level now with some miles on it?

 

[philosopheriam]

Phil, so how’s the noise level now with some miles on it?

Absolutely wonderful - all the added flow benefits without the noise. The interior noise level is imperceptible from stock, cruising and under load. The outside maintains a subdued, but throatier low rumble. I'm extremely happy with my muffler choice!

 

[2021Ranger]

Thanks now I know what my next mod is after i get the trans dip stick..

 

[Racket]

I found HOTTEXHAUST.COM has a ridiculous sale going on. Zero tax. Zero shipping. Saved $220 off their Overland Catback which gets to my door for $879.

To be honest, with a name like that, I thought it was a scam site, but it’s legit.

I got my not-so-loud 3 inch Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust system from them as well. I recall they're Canadian and the exchange rate along with no tax/free shipping made the purchase a no brainer. It was way more affordable than other complete setups. I've had the MF system for nearly four years and am very happy.

I was amused my brothers noticed and remarked on the exhaust tone the first time they heard the truck. I think it's subtle.

 

[Langwilliams]

Check out Bold Performance. A member here installed one and it looks and sounded really nice.

I put the bold performance kit on my Ranger an it sounded pretty good.

When I first got the truck I had a Borla muffler off amazon welded in to replace the factory muffler. The shop did a poor job, used aluminized an not stainless for the short piece they added to line it up. If you go this route make sure you go to a decent shop if you don't weld yourself.

The muffler I bought is laying in my garage if anyone close by wants it. I need to clear my garage out of stuff like the stock leaf springs an stuff so I'll find a scrapper sometime in the near future.

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