The Ford Mustang retained its title as the best-selling performance car in Canada for 2024, with close to 4000 cars meeting new owners. Much of that popularity boils down to prices undercutting all rival models, proven drivetrains and a wider selection of options to personalize the car to individual needs.
The tried and tested V8s might be the pick of the bunch for most die-hard Ford fans, but not far off on overall-power and performance are the downsized and more efficient 2.3-liter Ecoboost cars. With usable 315 ponies, sub 5-second sprints to 60mph, and suspension that eats corners for breakfast, this is a machine that puts cars twice the price to shame. And the good news keeps coming.
There are hundreds of aftermarket goodies that add that little bit more if you think the 4-pot engine is underpowered or all those ponies aren’t getting to pasture. For most Mustang owners, modifications begin with an aftermarket Mustang exhaust Ecoboost upgrade. This opens up the engine with improved exhaust flow, raises efficiency and gets you a car that you just can’t put down.
Why Upgrade From the Stock System?
Lower pricing also means cost-cutting measures, and the factory exhaust is one of the parts bearing the brunt. Factory piping comes in narrower tubing with multiple bends made of crush-bent mild steel. While adequate for most uses, you’ll feel the limitations when you’re harder on the gas. Bends restrict airflow, the mild steel can’t handle the heat and pressure that comes with more power, and parts are known to stain or rupture in direct impact from road obstacles, such as potholes. Moreover, crush bending leads to kinking, further impacting how fast exhaust gases leave the car.
Benefits of Aftermarket Exhausts for Your Mustang
To address the shortfalls of stock systems, better built mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing along the whole length gets the performance upgrade both Mustang engine variants deserve. The cars might be good in factory trim, but the addition of an bespoke exhaust transforms the Mustang into a completely different beast. Consider upgrading if you also appreciate the following benefits:
- More horsepower and torque – wider and straighter exhaust pipe layouts in aftermarket systems improve airflow, and reduce restrictive backpressure that delays the next combustion cycle. The result is increased power and torque, leading to real-world gains like better acceleration, faster overtaking and livelier throttle response.
- Better sound – airflow efficiency from wider tubing means spent gases produce a louder, deeper sound on their way out. The biggest gains are in the V8 engines, but there are also substantial gains in the sound profile in the Ecoboost Mustang. The sound can also be tuned to individual tastes with separate parts like resonators, mufflers and straight pipes.
- Durability – mandrel-bent stainless steel ensures strength and durability. Exhaust parts are less prone to rusting, ruptures or kinking on impact. Moreover, with lower temperatures and pressures, there’s less stress on vital engine parts, particularly exhaust valves and cams.
- Customization options – aftermarket Ford Mustang exhaust Ecoboost systems and parts come in modular designs, with separates as simple bolt-on additions. Mustang owners can mix and match parts according to individual needs, be this more power, improved torque delivery at defined rev ranges, louder sound and lower emissions and fuel use.
- Better turbo spooling – specifically for the turbocharged powerplant, exhausts help with utilizing excess backpressure in improved turbo spooling. This results in reduced turbo lag, power that comes on earlier, improved turbo efficiency with faster spooling and less stress on parts like the thrust bearings.
- Lower weight – full systems that remove all stock parts shed considerable weight. This can be up to 40 pounds in dual layouts like in the V8s or 20 pounds in the smaller engines. This is beneficial if you’re using the Mustang in racing applications.
Parts and Layouts
Mustang owners can benefit from complete systems or separate parts added to existing exhaust piping. Axle-back systems improve the sound, get better-looking exhaust tips, and stronger builds in the mufflers. Cat-back systems, with new parts from the catalytic converter to the tips, include wider mid-pipes (3″ against the stock 2.28″), straight-tube resonator and muffler combos and improved overall builds for tangible power gains when putting your foot down.
The system is a good balance between performance and price and one most Mustang owners choose. For sheer power, look to turbo-back systems. These change out all the factory piping, with parts that include revised downpipes in wider diameters, cat and resonator deletes for cars used solely on the track and more durable mounting hardware that also reduces vibrations or exhaust droning.
The combo improves heat cycling, helps with turbo spooling and reduces weight. Just check local regulations regarding noise and pollutant emissions. When shopping for Ford upgrades, be this throttle controllers for the F-150, interior goodies like seat covers or floor mats, or a Mustang Ecoboost exhaust system, compatibility in terms of sizing and fit is a must. The 3″ is standard, but there are also adapter kits if you’re adding exhaust separates to existing systems.
