Mbrp exhaust... no flex pipe?

[Boostedranger2.3]

Haven’t really seen this discussed yet, but why is mbrp the only company not using a flex pipe in their system? Cost? Everyone else is putting one in in the factory location. Is it really needed? I went with the mbrp system cause i like the way it sounded, but now i am thinking i should possibly install a flex joint somewhere in the system? I dunno. Maybe over thinking it since you usually only see them in transverse systems? Maybe it is just for NVH?

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[P. A. Schilke]

Haven’t really seen this discussed yet, but why is mbrp the only company not using a flex pipe in their system? Cost? Everyone else is putting one in in the factory location. Is it really needed? I went with the mbrp system cause i like the way it sounded, but now i am thinking i should possibly install a flex joint somewhere in the system? I dunno. Maybe over thinking it since you usually only see them in transverse systems? Maybe it is just for NVH?

Hi BR

The exhaust flex coupling is very expensive and is only used to resolve an NVH issue that defied other techniques to resolve the NVH problem.
I recommend keeping the flex coupling. Exhaust systems are like giant tuning forks... Since resonant frequency is proportional to the square root of the stiffness over the mass....The flex coupling makes a huge drop in system stiffness, and moves the resonant frequency below the engine excitation frequencies the engine generated in operation of the vehicle.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Boostedranger2.3]

So it is just for noise reduction? If so i’m not worried about that at all. Now if it is going to damage something from vibration that is another story.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

I would worry about the vibration damaging the turbo/downpipe area over time.

You can get a 3" stainless flex coupler for ~$20 online, cheap insurance IMO.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

So it is just for noise reduction? If so i’m not worried about that at all. Now if it is going to damage something from vibration that is another story.

Hi RB,,,no not noise reduction from exhaust gasses. The flex coupling eleminates exhaust system vibrations that can be heard and felt in the cab, Seats, steering wheel....usually manifesting in unpleasant moans, annoying vibrations etc Has nothing to do with the exhaust note.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Boostedranger2.3]

Hi RB,,,no not noise reduction from exhaust gasses. The flex coupling eleminates exhaust system vibrations that can be heard and felt in the cab, Seats, steering wheel....usually manifesting in unpleasant moans, annoying vibrations etc Has nothing to do with the exhaust note.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

That is what i meant. I know it doesn’t reduce exhaust noise.

 

[Boostedranger2.3]

I would worry about the vibration damaging the turbo/downpipe area over time.

You can get a 3" stainless flex coupler for ~$20 online, cheap insurance IMO.

Yeah that is what i was thinking also. I was worried about that, but none of the other turbo cars i have owned have had a flex pipe from the factory. Just down pipe bolted straight to the exhaust.

 

[Sashimi_Moto]

I was looking at the MBRP option but decided against it for this reason. Considering the simplicity of the pipe and content involved, including a flex pipe would have negligibly affected the cost.

 

[Msfitoy]

Yeah that is what i was thinking also. I was worried about that, but none of the other turbo cars i have owned have had a flex pipe from the factory. Just down pipe bolted straight to the exhaust.

I have a MBRP too...there's no issue with vibrations/noise other than what comes out the exhaust end...no need to worry...

 

[FlRanger]

I have MBRP as well. So far so good.

 

[HoosierT]

I have MBRP as well. So far so good.

I’ve had the MBRP on for over 10k, no problems whatsoever.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Does the MBRP give any performance boost by itself?

Or is a tune required to get any real benefit from it powerwise?

 

[Msfitoy]

28,000 miles...no problem either

 

[FlRanger]

Does the MBRP give any performance boost by itself?

Or is a tune required to get any real benefit from it powerwise?

Yes, exhaust alone will boost performance.

 

[Racket]

Does the MBRP give any performance boost by itself?

Or is a tune required to get any real benefit from it powerwise?

I am not an engineer in this department, but the tech who installed my Magnaflow snootily commented I might 'lose some power.' I was a little confused how going from the 2.5 inch system to the 3 incher with no resonator could do that, but looked at aFe's graph for their catted downpipe assuming more flow (I don't have this for the record). Peak HP according to aFe actually dropped although it comes on much earlier. But torque shot through the roof.

It's probably why my truck after the Unleashed tune can bark the tires on shifts.

So the exhaust tech might have been half right.

I keep looking for better gas mileage, but my 'tuned' driving habits keep getting in the way

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