Justin:
The 3-inch cat-back that we have here today for the 2015 and newer EcoBoost Mustang is gonna
combine a full 304-grade stainless build and a relatively aggressive tone but at a
rock bottom price. The materials, again, will be that premium 304-grade stainless steel throughout,
guys, including the 3-inch mandrel-bent tubing, your straight-through bullet-style mufflers,
and all exiting out the very unique burnt tips all of that mid to high
$500 price point. Now install is gonna be a 100% bolt-on job, guys,
so figure strong one out of three wrenches on the difficulty meter, about an hour or so underneath
the car. But if you hang with me for a bit, I'll walk you through that job later in the video.
So when it comes to aftermarket exhaust systems for your Mustang, typically that price is going
to reflect the quality of material. Historically, the more budget-friendly systems out there usually
packed in aluminized steel build, whereas the 304 grade stainless systems typically rounded
out the higher end of the pricing spectrum. Well, thanks to systems like this, that has really been
changing lately, offering those premium materials, but at that entry-level price.
Now, this is gonna be for owners out there, of course, who are content without having a big
brand name stamped on their system. But with all that out of the way, let's get into some of the
specifics here with the 3-inch cat-back. And most importantly, let's start with that sound, right?
Now you guys heard the sound clips at the very top of this video so ultimately you can be the judge
if you're digging this system or not. But what I can tell you is that this system
does have an aggressive tone, but without being too loud. And that's something the
review section is gonna back me up with as well. Now breaking out my wake the neighbor scale,
I'm gonna go strong three out of five here on my one to five or one wake the neighbor scale.
Again, it is a balance of a deep tone, but with a hint of rasp overall. And again,
I just like how the volume doesn't get too crazy or over the top.
Now, inside the car, things do remain relatively quiet, again, especially with the windows up,
but roll those windows down, lay into the loud pedal a little bit and your experience
certainly becomes a bit more noticeable. But with the volume covered, let's get into the
second biggest takeaway with this system, and that is, of course, that 304-grade
stainless steel build at that very attractive price point. Now, everything is gonna be 304,
guys. It's not just the tips here, we're talking the 3-inch mandrel-bent tubing,
your straight-through design bullet-style mufflers, and then finally exiting out the
4-inch slash-cut tips here with that burnt blue tip appearance. I actually think that's pretty
cool and it's pretty unique in the category when we're talking mainly polished tips or black tips.
Now, I do wanna point out that the system does feature the factory-style
neck-down connection here at the Y-pipe, meaning, of course, this will work with your stock downpipe
or any other aftermarket downpipe that has retained the factory-style neck-down connection.
Now, if you do have a full 3-inch downpipe without this neck down, well then, unfortunately,
this system will not work without modification. Now, on that same topic talking downpipes here,
guys, keep in mind that adding an aftermarket option and aftermarket downpipe will increase
the volume of this system rather dramatically. But enough talking, what do you say we head out
to the shop and just show you what it takes to get this system installed on your 2.3 EcoBoost
at home? So without further ado, check out our detailed walkthrough and tool breakdown right now.
Man: Tools for this install: an impact,
16-millimeter socket, 15-millimeter socket, 13-millimeter socket, and a ratchet. First,
we'll get our stock exhaust uninstalled by undoing the clamp right after the cats. We're gonna take
our 15-millimeter socket and get these unbolted at the clamp right in front of the resonator.
Next, we're gonna move to the exhaust hanger brackets behind the rear diff.
This is gonna be a 13-millimeter socket. Go ahead and get those unbolted from the rear frame.
Once those two bolts are removed, we can work on getting the exhaust off of the Mustang.
Go ahead and push up on your exhaust pipes to get these unclipped from the frame.
Now that you have the exhaust hangers unclipped from the frame,
go ahead and grab a buddy to help you support while you get the exhaust off the Mustang.
Now with your stock exhaust pulled off of the Mustang,
we're gonna go ahead and start with our Y-pipe and get that placed into the cats.
Go ahead and grab the stock exhaust hangers from the original exhaust. You may need a
hanger tool, but given that we have taken these off plenty of times, they just come off for us.
Go ahead and get your exhaust hangers placed in their original spot and bolt these down,
again, using your 13-millimeter socket.
After getting your Y-pipe on, go ahead and grab one of your kit-provided
clamps. One of the axle pipes, place it over, get that lined in to your exhaust hanger.
We'll go ahead and connect that to the Y-pipe, only hand-tightening for now. We'll come back
and tighten that down later. Go ahead and grab the opposite pipe. Get another clamp placed.
Get that into your hangar. Grab another clamp. Place that over your muffler section.
Get the end of it into the hangar located underneath the diffuser
and place that over your axle pipes.
After getting your tailpipe and muffler installed,
go ahead and grab another clamp and your exhaust tip. Get that placed on the end of your tailpipe.
We'll go ahead and repeat these steps on the other side. Now with our exhaust tips on,
we can go around with our 16-millimeter socket, start tightening all our clamps.
For this clamp after the cat, we're gonna go ahead and grab our 15-millimeter socket.
With all your clamps bolted down, that's gonna wrap it up for this review and install of the
3-Inch Cat-Back Exhaust with Burnt Tips, fitting the '15 to '21 EcoBoost without active exhaust.
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