Questions & Suggestions

[poletone]

Hi guys, I've been a long lurker for the past month or so. I've finally had the time to make an account and hopefully get in touch with you guys.

I'm relatively new to the car scene but I've always loved cars.

I owned a 2008 Civic and sold it literally right before the pandemic hit.

I hit a good job and now I own a 19 GT Prem with PP1 with the 10r80. I bought it used with 8k miles, currently has 17k miles now since May of 2020. I have an extended warranty (honestly, not sure why).

I've been looking at some threads here and there but I've never really got a full answer so here's just like two questions or so.

1. As much as I want to mod my cars and learn about doing it, are there mods that would keep that car legal, pass smog, or not get ticketed? I live in Fresno, CA.
I've been looking at a lot of exhausts. I still live with my parents so I care about the loudness of the car (no active exhaust). Stock, the car is kinda loud, but nothing to gawk at. I was looking at some good options like the MBRP Street Catback. I was looking at some videos and it is definitely less loud than the MBRP Race counterpart. Any suggestions? I just definitely want it louder than stock, but not so loud that cops would have to look my way (I go to regular car meets here in Fresno & I hear a TON of LLOUUDD cars, I just maybe want half of that). I do daily drive the car and I do take 3-4 hour drives to SF/LA, so I've been learning about droning, etc.

2. I want to get a tune & CAI but I saw some threads that it can fail emissions? I saw the ford performance one, but damn that's about $1.3k but it does have the CAI and all the stuff right?
I have a drop in filter from K&N, I assume that's good right?

I'm drawing a blank for other questions now, but if there are any questions, I'll just ask on the thread.

If these questions have been asked, sorry! Also, thanks a ton guys.

Sponsored

 

[OGFSU]

#1: Exhaust tones are subjective but I would suggest looking into Borla Touring or Borla S-Types as they are relatively quiet until in high RPM Range and have a deeper note than most exhaust setups ive heard. Raspier setups are much louder on cold start.

#2 Most aftermarket CAI's will see minimal gains over a K&N Drop filter in the factory air box and living in Cali most CAI's do not come with a CARB EO sticker which will get u in trouble if pulled over and will fail emissions testing. After market "No Tune Required" CAI's are just cosmetic from what ive heard as the gains are slim to none. Regarding a tune I know a article was published stating that smog stations will now be checking for aftermarket tunes on cars but tbh I pay extra for a more "thorough" smog test when that time comes around. Never really looked into it but ive seen good reviews on the Ford Performance mods as they are CARB Legal and have a CARB Legal Tune. Living in cali your options are either that or a CARB Legal Forced induction kit.

 

[Rael]

Welcome!

The one thing I know can't be CARB-legal are long tube headers. You might be OK for a while with non-CARB-legal stuff, unless you get stopped for any reason and the officer wishes to inspect under your hood. (I have the MBRP Race cat-backs; I drive conservatively on the streets, but I still sometimes switch the exhaust to "normal" or "quiet" when an officer is behind me.)

As to your second question, yes the Ford Performance upgrade comes with the air intake and the larger 87 mm throttle body that comes in the Bullitt and the GT350.

Just be careful, or hang around others who will draw law enforcement's attention before you do.

 

[poletone]

Welcome!

The one thing I know can't be CARB-legal are long tube headers. You might be OK for a while with non-CARB-legal stuff, unless you get stopped for any reason and the officer wishes to inspect under your hood. (I have the MBRP Race cat-backs; I drive conservatively on the streets, but I still sometimes switch the exhaust to "normal" or "quiet" when an officer is behind me.)

As to your second question, yes the Ford Performance upgrade comes with the air intake and the larger 87 mm throttle body that comes in the Bullitt and the GT350.

Just be careful, or hang around others who will draw law enforcement's attention before you do.

You have the MBRP Race catbacks? Are they really that loud in person? I watched videos and got damn, they sounded pretty damn loud. I'm opting to get the Street one now.

#1: Exhaust tones are subjective but I would suggest looking into Borla Touring or Borla S-Types as they are relatively quiet until in high RPM Range and have a deeper note than most exhaust setups ive heard. Raspier setups are much louder on cold start.

#2 Most aftermarket CAI's will see minimal gains over a K&N Drop filter in the factory air box and living in Cali most CAI's do not come with a CARB EO sticker which will get u in trouble if pulled over and will fail emissions testing. After market "No Tune Required" CAI's are just cosmetic from what ive heard as the gains are slim to none. Regarding a tune I know a article was published stating that smog stations will now be checking for aftermarket tunes on cars but tbh I pay extra for a more "thorough" smog test when that time comes around. Never really looked into it but ive seen good reviews on the Ford Performance mods as they are CARB Legal and have a CARB Legal Tune. Living in cali your options are either that or a CARB Legal Forced induction kit.

They are definitely subjective, is there a video that really helps with raspy vs deep growl mustang sounds? I don't really mind one of the other. I've been looking at the Borla ones but damn, they are like $1.5k, not bad, but pretty expensive. Any other less expensive alternatives?

 

[OGFSU]

You have the MBRP Race catbacks? Are they really that loud in person? I watched videos and got damn, they sounded pretty damn loud. I'm opting to get the Street one now.



They are definitely subjective, is there a video that really helps with raspy vs deep growl mustang sounds? I don't really mind one of the other. I've been looking at the Borla ones but damn, they are like $1.5k, not bad, but pretty expensive. Any other less expensive alternatives?

if you're looking strictly for sound you can purchase an Axel back which is much cheaper, used market I was able to get an S Type Axel back for $400. I have since opted to get a Thermal R&D Catback which is a slight step higher in volume compared to the S-types but not that much louder. I believe MSRP on a Thermal R&D Cat Back is $1800 but I bought mine off of a member on this forum for $300 in really good used condition.

 

[poletone]

if you're looking strictly for sound you can purchase an Axel back which is much cheaper, used market I was able to get an S Type Axel back for $400. I have since opted to get a Thermal R&D Catback which is a slight step higher in volume compared to the S-types but not that much louder. I believe MSRP on a Thermal R&D Cat Back is $1800 but I bought mine off of a member on this forum for $300 in really good used condition.

I was thinking of axle-backs but that requires you to cut off part of your exhaust right? I don't really have any tools to cut it off, how would I go with that?

 

[OGFSU]

I was thinking of axle-backs but that requires you to cut off part of your exhaust right? I don't really have any tools to cut it off, how would I go with that?

I believe they are clamp on when bought new but the used set I got was cut without clamps, any muffler shop will do it for cheap I believe I was charged like $60 give or take for the weld job.

 

[The Demon]

Welcome! I have a 2019 GT premium myself. I went the route of the Ford Performance by Borla sport exhaust with black dual tips. It can get very loud when you get on it but you can leave from lights nicely and not cause a problem. What I normally do is if there’s a cop around that I’m leery about I put it in normal mode but I drive in track all day long. As far as the CAI goes I got the Roush power pack that has the sleeve you can take out when you get tuned. It has a CARB number which I keep on the box and on my frame under the hood but who knows. I have a Lund 91/93 tune with the sleeve out and I like it. I definitely can tell that is pulling more and I love the sound of it. When emissions comes around in 2026 or so I will put the tune back to stock if I’m not already out of the state. The plan is to get out of California.

 

[beefcake]

Hi guys, I've been a long lurker for the past month or so. I've finally had the time to make an account and hopefully get in touch with you guys.

I'm relatively new to the car scene but I've always loved cars.

I owned a 2008 Civic and sold it literally right before the pandemic hit.

I hit a good job and now I own a 19 GT Prem with PP1 with the 10r80. I bought it used with 8k miles, currently has 17k miles now since May of 2020. I have an extended warranty (honestly, not sure why).

I've been looking at some threads here and there but I've never really got a full answer so here's just like two questions or so.

1. As much as I want to mod my cars and learn about doing it, are there mods that would keep that car legal, pass smog, or not get ticketed? I live in Fresno, CA.
I've been looking at a lot of exhausts. I still live with my parents so I care about the loudness of the car (no active exhaust). Stock, the car is kinda loud, but nothing to gawk at. I was looking at some good options like the MBRP Street Catback. I was looking at some videos and it is definitely less loud than the MBRP Race counterpart. Any suggestions? I just definitely want it louder than stock, but not so loud that cops would have to look my way (I go to regular car meets here in Fresno & I hear a TON of LLOUUDD cars, I just maybe want half of that). I do daily drive the car and I do take 3-4 hour drives to SF/LA, so I've been learning about droning, etc.

2. I want to get a tune & CAI but I saw some threads that it can fail emissions? I saw the ford performance one, but damn that's about $1.3k but it does have the CAI and all the stuff right?
I have a drop in filter from K&N, I assume that's good right?

I'm drawing a blank for other questions now, but if there are any questions, I'll just ask on the thread.

If these questions have been asked, sorry! Also, thanks a ton guys.

Being in Cali you are limited a little on what you can do performance wise to keep the car CARB compliant. Most catbacks and axlebacks you're going to be fine with; depending on the cop you pass....We have a ton of options catback/ axleback wise from mild to wild and in stock as well.

CAI's aren't going to be CARB compliant along with tuning. If you are wanting to bump the power up we could do a CARB Compliant supercharger. All of the major superchargers are going to have a complete kit that is going to be CARB compliant and give you really great gains.

Feel Free to DM me or call with any questions.
Terry "Beefcake" Reeves
Office - 855-TBR-RACE
Owner Team Beefcake - 20+ Years Experience
Deal Directly with the boss, no pushy sales guys!!!!!!!
https://www.beefcakeracing.com - Your Forced Induction Specialists
#beefcakeracing #teambeefcake

 

[poletone]

I believe they are clamp on when bought new but the used set I got was cut without clamps, any muffler shop will do it for cheap I believe I was charged like $60 give or take for the weld job.

Ahh. I see. I've seen those clamps on those axle backs. Is it worth to get axle-back and just cut off the stock exhaust? My thought process is that if one day I needed to change back to normal exhaust, it would just be smarter to just buy a whole cat-back vs dealing with either buying a stock exhaust or having a muffler shop weld the old axle back again.

Would a muffler shop help with installing an axle-back if hypothetically I go the route of axle-backs? Again, I'm alone, with no car friends and no tools. I don't even have a jack/jack lift :(.

 

[poletone]

Welcome! I have a 2019 GT premium myself. I went the route of the Ford Performance by Borla sport exhaust with black dual tips. It can get very loud when you get on it but you can leave from lights nicely and not cause a problem. What I normally do is if there’s a cop around that I’m leery about I put it in normal mode but I drive in track all day long. As far as the CAI goes I got the Roush power pack that has the sleeve you can take out when you get tuned. It has a CARB number which I keep on the box and on my frame under the hood but who knows. I have a Lund 91/93 tune with the sleeve out and I like it. I definitely can tell that is pulling more and I love the sound of it. When emissions comes around in 2026 or so I will put the tune back to stock if I’m not already out of the state. The plan is to get out of California.

Thank you for the warm welcome! I was looking at those Borlas & Corsa, but god damn! They are quite expensive. I'm still eye-ing those though, I know I can afford it but at the same time, I'm a cheapo, shrug.jpg.

I've seen people here in Fresno drive using those Corsa/Borla, and holy, they are LOUD. Especially the Corsas.

For the CAI, you have this one I assume:
https://www.roushperformance.com/2018-mustang-gt-performance-pac-level-1.html

Maybe when I get a little bit more comfortable with spending money, I'd definitely think about going this route.

How do you know emissions is for 2026? Is it the 8 years thing that I've been hearing about? Do we not have to have our cars checked for smog or all the stuff until 8 years from the year of the car?

 

[The Demon]

Thank you for the warm welcome! I was looking at those Borlas & Corsa, but god damn! They are quite expensive. I'm still eye-ing those though, I know I can afford it but at the same time, I'm a cheapo, shrug.jpg.

I've seen people here in Fresno drive using those Corsa/Borla, and holy, they are LOUD. Especially the Corsas.

For the CAI, you have this one I assume:
https://www.roushperformance.com/2018-mustang-gt-performance-pac-level-1.html

Maybe when I get a little bit more comfortable with spending money, I'd definitely think about going this route.

How do you know emissions is for 2026? Is it the 8 years thing that I've been hearing about? Do we not have to have our cars checked for smog or all the stuff until 8 years from the year of the car?

That is the CAI that I have. I did have it flashed at a dealer but then got it tuned by Lund which overrides that.

The 8 years is the California emissions time frame for new cars. I will put my tune back to stock for the test if I am still here.

The exhausts can be pricey but it is always my first mod on all my cars. I didn't get the AE on my car.

 

[OGFSU]

Ahh. I see. I've seen those clamps on those axle backs. Is it worth to get axle-back and just cut off the stock exhaust? My thought process is that if one day I needed to change back to normal exhaust, it would just be smarter to just buy a whole cat-back vs dealing with either buying a stock exhaust or having a muffler shop weld the old axle back again.

Would a muffler shop help with installing an axle-back if hypothetically I go the route of axle-backs? Again, I'm alone, with no car friends and no tools. I don't even have a jack/jack lift :(.

Well it depends on what your end goal is, if you just want a different sound I'd go with an aftermarket axelback of choice and keep the stock one for if you ever need to go back to stock for whatever reason, this will be easier than buying and aftermarket cat back and having to go back to stock therefore reinstalling the whole exhaust system back to stock. It will also save space i.e storing a stock cat back vs. storing a set of stock mufflers. And yes a muffler shop will help you with catbacks and axelbacks from my experience.

 

[Rael]

You have the MBRP Race catbacks? Are they really that loud in person? I watched videos and got damn, they sounded pretty damn loud. I'm opting to get the Street one now.

Yes, they're loud when you're on it, with a beautiful bark when I downshift quickly, but otherwise, they have a nice deep tone. Today, I was driving amongst a bunch of cops (conservatively, of course,) and I left it in the loudest track setting.

As for the difference between axle-back and cat-back, you'll save just a little bit of money going axle-back, but you'd gain just a little bit of power going cat-back.

It's all good fun. Best of luck.

 

[geezer stang]

Hi guys, I've been a long lurker for the past month or so. I've finally had the time to make an account and hopefully get in touch with you guys.

I'm relatively new to the car scene but I've always loved cars.

I owned a 2008 Civic and sold it literally right before the pandemic hit.

I hit a good job and now I own a 19 GT Prem with PP1 with the 10r80. I bought it used with 8k miles, currently has 17k miles now since May of 2020. I have an extended warranty (honestly, not sure why).

I've been looking at some threads here and there but I've never really got a full answer so here's just like two questions or so.

1. As much as I want to mod my cars and learn about doing it, are there mods that would keep that car legal, pass smog, or not get ticketed? I live in Fresno, CA.
I've been looking at a lot of exhausts. I still live with my parents so I care about the loudness of the car (no active exhaust). Stock, the car is kinda loud, but nothing to gawk at. I was looking at some good options like the MBRP Street Catback. I was looking at some videos and it is definitely less loud than the MBRP Race counterpart. Any suggestions? I just definitely want it louder than stock, but not so loud that cops would have to look my way (I go to regular car meets here in Fresno & I hear a TON of LLOUUDD cars, I just maybe want half of that). I do daily drive the car and I do take 3-4 hour drives to SF/LA, so I've been learning about droning, etc.

2. I want to get a tune & CAI but I saw some threads that it can fail emissions? I saw the ford performance one, but damn that's about $1.3k but it does have the CAI and all the stuff right?
I have a drop in filter from K&N, I assume that's good right?

I'm drawing a blank for other questions now, but if there are any questions, I'll just ask on the thread.

If these questions have been asked, sorry! Also, thanks a ton guys.

ford performance by borla axel backs on my 21 base gt..the initial "cut and clamp" resulted in a terrible fitment. the "EXHAUST SHOP" in birmingham re-fitted and welded them on and now my fitment is on point...he did cut 1 inch from each to get the truest fitment,i have the "sport" mufflers,and they're quiet on the inside of the car and those black chrome tips look amazing...i probably could have gone with the "extreme" as far as a "livable noise level"!

Sponsored