I don't understand them denting it that much. I know it's a tight fit but dang. I have Texas speed as well and I did the install 3yrs ago with no experience what so ever ( certified youtube mechanic at best ..lol ) there was just enough clearance. maybe I just got lucky.
There are several videos on youtube. It apparently was more of an issue with the f150 so i just looked at one of those videos . It took me maybe 45min start to finish and im at best a youtube certified mechanic ....lol
It's pretty raspy and extremely loud ( but still no drone ) and I'm on the fence if i like it . I've talked directly to Solo and they actually will make me a custom H pipe if I wanted. I've been catted but currently catless
they all are deep if you stay with the stock manifolds and volume is what will be the difference . If you go longtubes you'll lose all the deepness on the race and the mach xv would be the better choice. I have both the race and the mach xv on longtubes.
I'd send some data logs to your tuner and see if they'll look at the position of the cam phasers and the valves. Bank 2 exhaust was was cooler than the bank1 side.
Contact mbrp and see if you can purchase the muffler part of street catback version should be a direct fit from your race catback and you could switch back and forth depending on your mood
Actually try what you have , I had a similar set up when i installed my longtubes. I like it but wanted to go to a 3inch catback so i bought the closest to that set up i could find which is the solo performance mach xviii and absolutely love it.
Currently using a JLT and was considering switching back to a close air box, it does get hot down here in TN. Do you feel it is worth the switch?? I'm not sure yet if I'll need a tune update. I don't want to lose power. but they look really nice.
Next time when its running rough, let the car warm up if the exhaust on bank 2 feels cooler than bank 1 it would be your VVT solenoid ( exhaust ). Those were the same codes I got when i had to replace this .