retrofitting an active valved exhaust?

[junits15]

Hey everyone,

My name is Justin, I'm new to the mustang forum but not new to car modding. I had a Focus ST for 3.5 years that I had fully modified with a big turbo, built transmission and all the required supporting mods. (you can look at my old build here!)

I'm currently in the market for a new car, and I've always loved the s550 mustangs, when I bought my ST money was tight but now it isn't and trade values are still high so I'm seriously considering one.

I found a nice 2020 GT performance pack with a 6 speed that looks good and is priced where I want, it has everything I'm looking for except the active valved exhaust. I did some research and found that you can buy active exhaust systems aftermarket from roush and other companies, but they all require the use of an external controller or your phone to adjust them.

I'm looking to find out if anyone has ever retrofitted the OEM ford active exhaust into a car that did not originally include it. I'd guess that this would require modifying the as-built data with forscan and then adding in the mufflers, but I haven't been able to find a lot of info on it. It seems most people just throw on a whole exhaust and call it a day.

The main questions are:
- is there info on modifying the as-built data?
- is there a harness that needs to be added or modified?
- where is the best place to source the mufflers? (subjective)

I'm sure I could pay a ford dealer to do all this work but I expect that would be extremely expensive, and where's the fun in that?


Thank you all in advance! I've driven a few of these cars now and I'm really in love with them, the sound and power are just intoxicating!

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[Mach VII]

The info you are looking for is here - https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/2018-active-exhaust-install-guide.101913/

Cliff notes:

You will need to check for proper connector in back, relay and fuse in front and if that is GTG then purchase mufflers, actuators, harnesses. Forscan to activate in gauge cluster/digital dash as well as a tuner to activate system in the PCM or buy a MVPI2 device from HPTuners and turn it on yourself.

I added system to my 2019. It was more economical to purchase aftermarket mufflers than to buy stockers unless you can find used. Harnesses are available at Levitown Ford (forum sponsor) for a discounted rate and make sure to PM their online rep Benny for a discount code. You will find that Ford dealerships will not take this job on, they don't have the ability to perform the programming changes.

 

[Cobra Jet]

The info you are looking for is here - https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/2018-active-exhaust-install-guide.101913/

Cliff notes:

You will need to check for proper connector in back, relay and fuse in front and if that is GTG then purchase mufflers, actuators, harnesses. Forscan to activate in gauge cluster/digital dash as well as a tuner to activate system in the PCM or buy a MVPI2 device from HPTuners and turn it on yourself.

^^^ Nailed it. That thread and the quick info supplied is exactly what is needed for an AE "retro" installation.

 

[Andy13186]

get a varex active catback. Sounds better and 3"

 

[junits15]

The info you are looking for is here - https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/2018-active-exhaust-install-guide.101913/

Cliff notes:

You will need to check for proper connector in back, relay and fuse in front and if that is GTG then purchase mufflers, actuators, harnesses. Forscan to activate in gauge cluster/digital dash as well as a tuner to activate system in the PCM or buy a MVPI2 device from HPTuners and turn it on yourself.

I added system to my 2019. It was more economical to purchase aftermarket mufflers than to buy stockers unless you can find used. Harnesses are available at Levitown Ford (forum sponsor) for a discounted rate and make sure to PM their online rep Benny for a discount code. You will find that Ford dealerships will not take this job on, they don't have the ability to perform the programming changes.

Thank you for the reply this is really helpful. Looks like this isn't as easy as I thought, maybe some borla's would be a better option lol

having to buy an HPtuners device seems like a lot for just an exhaust upgrade, I'd like to avoid loading a tune for a while. One of the big anxieties I had with my focus was because I tuned it at 9k miles, something I'd like to avoid with a mustang.

 

[Conman1138]

Thank you for the reply this is really helpful. Looks like this isn't as easy as I thought, maybe some borla's would be a better option lol

That thread is fantastic, it has everything you need.

I took a simpler approach when I installed my AE system. I installed the OE active mufflers and a third-party electronics kit (actuators, controller, wiring harness) that uses a small wireless remote. I didn't have to mess with Forscan or worry about whether I had the right existing harnesses for plugging it in. However, my setup only has two modes: all the way open, or all the way closed (just on and off on the remote). It works great for me, since all I wanted was "loud" and "silent". So I can have the sound I want for daily driving, and a silent mode to keep my neighbors happy and make long trips more comfortable. Also, I don't have to change it from "normal" mode every time I start my car like with the OEM AE. Might not be exactly what you're looking for, but you do have options!

Edit: I just reread your first post, you said you don't want a system with external control. Oops. Just ignore me!

 

[Augy]

Cliff notes:

You will need to check for proper connector in back, relay and fuse in front and if that is GTG then purchase mufflers, actuators, harnesses. Forscan to activate in gauge cluster/digital dash as well as a tuner to activate system in the PCM or buy a MVPI2 device from HPTuners and turn it on yourself.

I added system to my 2019. It was more economical to purchase aftermarket mufflers than to buy stockers unless you can find used. Harnesses are available at Levitown Ford (forum sponsor) for a discounted rate and make sure to PM their online rep Benny for a discount code. You will find that Ford dealerships will not take this job on, they don't have the ability to perform the programming changes.

I'm researching this possibility. I have a 2018 and believe it's bit easier than your 2019 in that I only need to use Forscan to activate them. However, I am an unlucky one and don't have "the plug" so I'll have to do a fair amount of wiring. I really like the idea of having it tied to the factory system though and prefer to avoid an aftermarket solution that has a dedicated remote fob, switch, or dial (such as Roush's exceedingly expensive AE option).

What aftermarket mufflers did you buy and any issues getting them up and running? Thanks!

 

[Mach VII]

I'm researching this possibility. I have a 2018 and believe it's bit easier than your 2019 in that I only need to use Forscan to activate them. However, I am an unlucky one and don't have "the plug" so I'll have to do a fair amount of wiring. I really like the idea of having it tied to the factory system though and prefer to avoid an aftermarket solution that has a dedicated remote fob, switch, or dial (such as Roush's exceedingly expensive AE option).

What aftermarket mufflers did you buy and any issues getting them up and running? Thanks!

I bought Corsa AE system as it was cheaper than buying stockers from Ford though if you live in a metro area buying them used is the better deal for sure, more so if you can get the actuators with them. Actuators were tested before exhaust install to confirm my programming changes and stock hardware was sound so I simply installed them on the mufflers before install and no hitches.

Sucks you don't have 'the plug' but do you have the fuse and relay in place? That's part of the equation too...

 

[Augy]

I bought Corsa AE system as it was cheaper than buying stockers from Ford though if you live in a metro area buying them used is the better deal for sure, more so if you can get the actuators with them. Actuators were tested before exhaust install to confirm my programming changes and stock hardware was sound so I simply installed them on the mufflers before install and no hitches.

Sucks you don't have 'the plug' but do you have the fuse and relay in place? That's part of the equation too...

Awesome, thanks for the response. I have been looking but unable to source used OEM exhaust (with actuators).

Thankfully, I do have the relay & fuse. This gives me some confidence to buy an aftermarket AE exhaust and source the harnesses and wire it up. I know I'll have to run wire to kick panels...that'll suck. I would plan to bench test the actuators before I fully install everything :-) In fact, I might make the Forscan change before I order anything just to confirm that part of it works (should give me the AE screen but with an error, I suspect).

 

[Augy]

I bought Corsa AE system as it was cheaper than buying stockers from Ford though if you live in a metro area buying them used is the better deal for sure, more so if you can get the actuators with them. Actuators were tested before exhaust install to confirm my programming changes and stock hardware was sound so I simply installed them on the mufflers before install and no hitches.

Sucks you don't have 'the plug' but do you have the fuse and relay in place? That's part of the equation too...

I was able to find some used AE mufflers with actuators and ordered them. I wanted to test the enabling of the AE in Forscan while I wait for them to arrive. I know from lots of reading that I change 720-10-01 in the IPC module (this is for a 2018 with standard display cluster (not digital).

I think I understand what I need to do...can anyone verify the "0" circled in red in the picture below is the ONLY number I change (and I change it to "2"). I pulled this up this morning but wasn't quite ready to save any changes until I got some more info and/or confirmation (I haven't done any "As built" changes with Forscan :-) If I change that "0" to a "2", do I then just hit the Write All button?. Sorry for the newbie question...just want to be sure I do it right and don't muck something up. Appreciate any help!

 

[skinnyb]

I've got a full cat back system collecting dust off my 22 PP that has less than 2000 miles on it if anybody is wanting a stock system. I reused the actuators however on my Borla system. It's huge so shipping isn't really an option.

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