Downpipes consensus?

[302Xplorer]

Hey guys,

For those members who have upgraded from the factory downpipes, which model and place to buy from do your recommend?

I have already done the air intake and intercooler upgrades for my 2019 MAX Limited. It also has some tunes from 5 Star. The downpipes are next on my list.

I don't mind spending some extra money on downpipes that will last. That being said, what do you guy's recommend? Are there and downpipes that i should avoid?

Thank you for the help,
Ted

 

[5280tunage]

I haven't installed mine yet, but I went with SPD. I'm still waiting to see if i get my turbos replaced before I install them. Do to the fact that you have to remove everything anyways, I'm also doing the adapters at the same time. What I can say, is the craftsmanship and attention to detail on the SPD's so far looks awesome. I know some folks have had mediocre support from SPD (especially during Covid) but I had great luck when I actually called in. I'm excited to get them in some day, been fighting this warranty issue for about 6 months now.

 

[MHay]

Are there other options besides SPD? SPD is the only one that seems to show up when I search for downpipes that fit the 2018+ Expy.

 

[5280tunage]

Only one I know of. Baring custom work.

 

[Alhrir1982]

There is things I like more than SPD

full race

AMS

 

[FlyBry]

These SPD Turbo adapters are in my near future. Was hoping 5280 Tunage would install his first and report back!

2011-2020 F-150 Ecoboost 3.5L SPD Turbo Exhaust Adapter Kit

www.spdperformance.com

 

[5280tunage]

Hey @FlyBry , I'm actually surprised you didn't see some of my follow-up posts sometime ago. I did actually get the downpipes and the turbo adapters installed probably about 6 months ago. I then fought with exhaust sounds for probably 4 or 5 months because of the cat back issues. Here's my thing, I really really like the SPD down pipes and turbo adapters, if I had it to do all over again, I probably wouldn't have done a cat-back exhaust with all of it.

My first go with the cat back was immediately after doing the downpipe I installed the MagnaFlow cat-back kit. It was a nice quality kit and I liked the design, but the sound was terrible. The drone inside the vehicle was insane. It actually made it almost impossible to drive and talk to people on the backseat.

I then bought the lge-cts kit, which was also pretty nice. But again the sound was just too much. I actually worked with their customer service and we experimented with a couple of different mufflers. They were actually super awesome to work with, but ultimately, I should have worked with SPD from the beginning. They essentially told me that you must use their stage 2 resonator once you've done the down pipes. These engines are just not friendly to exhaust systems and sound once modified. The SPD stage 2 resonator was better than either of the two mufflers probably combined. I don't have a max, but I was barely able to squeeze in the SPD stage 2 resonator and the lge-cts 14" muffler. The drone is much better but it is still very loud. Louder than I would like it to be, but at this point I don't have many choices.

I will say this, this thing drives like crazy, and sounds amazing. Other than the exhaust of course. The turbo spool is insane and I absolutely love the feel of this car. I haven't officially measured it but I know I'm sub 5 second 0 to 60 (and that's at 6k feet). It's actually kind of scary how quick this thing can be.

I would definitely do it all again, but I would work with SPD from the beginning. I am using about 75% of the LGE-CTS kit, and sadly having almost brand new magnaflow cat-back system sitting in my garage I can't do anything with. The guys at SPD are phenomenal, sometimes they are very swamped and a little bit slow to get back to you, but once you get them on the phone, they are super helpful and very smart.

Oh and one more thing, my exhaust guy that I've been using for 20 years, that I went to to get some of this stuff spot welded together instead of just clamps, told me that he's often replacing at least one or two of the factory mufflers in these vehicles and the f-150s pretty regularly. He seems to believe that the engines design and the heat from the turbos, burns out mufflers quickly. Might be something just to keep your eyes on. He doesn't even like installing aftermarket mufflers on these, he thinks in most cases they're actually even worse off than the factory mufflers.

The worst thing though, is the fact that he's doing sometimes upwards of 20 cars a day for catalytic converter theft. He actually talked about the fact that he's over 2 months booked out right now for cat replacements. This thing is a real problem here. Makes me feel great that I have the RCI skid plates underneath this thing, pretty much impossible to get the cats out with those on.

 

[FlyBry]

Hey @FlyBry , I'm actually surprised you didn't see some of my follow-up posts sometime ago. I did actually get the downpipes and the turbo adapters installed probably about 6 months ago. I then fought with exhaust sounds for probably 4 or 5 months because of the cat back issues. Here's my thing, I really really like the SPD down pipes and turbo adapters, if I had it to do all over again, I probably wouldn't have done a cat-back exhaust with all of it.

My first go with the cat back was immediately after doing the downpipe I installed the MagnaFlow cat-back kit. It was a nice quality kit and I liked the design, but the sound was terrible. The drone inside the vehicle was insane. It actually made it almost impossible to drive and talk to people on the backseat.

I then bought the lge-cts kit, which was also pretty nice. But again the sound was just too much. I actually worked with their customer service and we experimented with a couple of different mufflers. They were actually super awesome to work with, but ultimately, I should have worked with SPD from the beginning. They essentially told me that you must use their stage 2 resonator once you've done the down pipes. These engines are just not friendly to exhaust systems and sound once modified. The SPD stage 2 resonator was better than either of the two mufflers probably combined. I don't have a max, but I was barely able to squeeze in the SPD stage 2 resonator and the lge-cts 14" muffler. The drone is much better but it is still very loud. Louder than I would like it to be, but at this point I don't have many choices.

I will say this, this thing drives like crazy, and sounds amazing. Other than the exhaust of course. The turbo spool is insane and I absolutely love the feel of this car. I haven't officially measured it but I know I'm sub 5 second 0 to 60 (and that's at 6k feet). It's actually kind of scary how quick this thing can be.

I would definitely do it all again, but I would work with SPD from the beginning. I am using about 75% of the LGE-CTS kit, and sadly having almost brand new magnaflow cat-back system sitting in my garage I can't do anything with. The guys at SPD are phenomenal, sometimes they are very swamped and a little bit slow to get back to you, but once you get them on the phone, they are super helpful and very smart.

Oh and one more thing, my exhaust guy that I've been using for 20 years, that I went to to get some of this stuff spot welded together instead of just clamps, told me that he's often replacing at least one or two of the factory mufflers in these vehicles and the f-150s pretty regularly. He seems to believe that the engines design and the heat from the turbos, burns out mufflers quickly. Might be something just to keep your eyes on. He doesn't even like installing aftermarket mufflers on these, he thinks in most cases they're actually even worse off than the factory mufflers.

The worst thing though, is the fact that he's doing sometimes upwards of 20 cars a day for catalytic converter theft. He actually talked about the fact that he's over 2 months booked out right now for cat replacements. This thing is a real problem here. Makes me feel great that I have the RCI skid plates underneath this thing, pretty much impossible to get the cats out with those on.

Thank you Tunage for the update. Yes, I do recall your muffler journey through the world of unbearable drone. I am happy with the sound of the big Boral & Muffler wrap. SPD Adapters are definitely in my future. They sound like a real quality company to do business with.

 

[fatgroundhog]

Just put the SPD downpipes on our 2018. We threw a code for a bad cat, and the Ford dealership wanted $1880 to replace it. Ordered the SPD and they got it out to me immediately and I was able to get it in that weekend. The truck seems to run much better--smoother, quieter (not sure how that happened), no more burning smell, and the transmission shifts are smoother (Makuloko has a video that explains computer responses to poor downpipe flow, including shifts). No CELs either.

Details: Our Expy just went over 100K miles. Mostly ran well, but had a couple episodes of the transmission running warm and harsh shifts. I was taking it to Ford due to a burning smell when it threw it's first code--cat efficiency. Install is doable, but removing the stocker is a pain. The videos on the F-150 install show that it somewhat easier than the Expedition, but with my wife's help, using most of my considerable tool collection, we got it done in closer to 6 hours than the estimated 3. Even on a 100K mile vehicle, all the bolts came off easily. If you're good at disconnecting O2 sensors, you'll beat my time .

I'm very happy about the build quality and performance! We feel like we have a new truck!

 

[MrBeej22]

Just put the SPD downpipes on our 2018. We threw a code for a bad cat, and the Ford dealership wanted $1880 to replace it. Ordered the SPD and they got it out to me immediately and I was able to get it in that weekend. The truck seems to run much better--smoother, quieter (not sure how that happened), no more burning smell, and the transmission shifts are smoother (Makuloko has a video that explains computer responses to poor downpipe flow, including shifts). No CELs either.

Details: Our Expy just went over 100K miles. Mostly ran well, but had a couple episodes of the transmission running warm and harsh shifts. I was taking it to Ford due to a burning smell when it threw it's first code--cat efficiency. Install is doable, but removing the stocker is a pain. The videos on the F-150 install show that it somewhat easier than the Expedition, but with my wife's help, using most of my considerable tool collection, we got it done in closer to 6 hours than the estimated 3. Even on a 100K mile vehicle, all the bolts came off easily. If you're good at disconnecting O2 sensors, you'll beat my time .

I'm very happy about the build quality and performance! We feel like we have a new truck!

I'm looking to put a set of the SPD downpipes on our 2020 (non max) Expedition. I was impressed with what 5 star had done and the dyno numbers. I already installed the S&B intake and planned on doing the intercooler and downpipes along with the tune. My only concern is the drone. This is the wife's primary vehicle and she could care less about performance. I don't want to install them if there's a drone noise and she can't hear the kids in the back seat. A little extra sound is to be expected and ok, but i've had some hideous drone on exhausts before and i swore i would never have it again. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[MrBeej22]

I would also like to add that I plan on sticking with the factory muffler

 

[5280tunage]

So here's the thing, if you're not worried about performance, why do all this stuff? I wanted mine to be crazy. Sticking with the factory catback setup will probably keep noise down. However, one thing I should note is both my local exhaust shop and the guys at SPD warned me that it could cause premature failure of the factory muffler. The added flow and hotter gasses could do it. They both talked about how it often happens regardless of downpipes, but that the old downpipes radiated a bit more heat than the SPD pipes do. I wish I had kept the factory cat back though. I've gotten more used to the noise but it's still more than I wanted. It's not so much drone though. Sort of the same sound you hear from say a Mclaren. It sounds cool outside, but you don't want it inside. I also suspect that having a side exiting exhaust doesn't help, I'm wondering if going back a rear exit would help at all.

 

[Team_Z]

So here's the thing, if you're not worried about performance, why do all this stuff? I wanted mine to be crazy. Sticking with the factory catback setup will probably keep noise down. However, one thing I should note is both my local exhaust shop and the guys at SPD warned me that it could cause premature failure of the factory muffler. The added flow and hotter gasses could do it. They both talked about how it often happens regardless of downpipes, but that the old downpipes radiated a bit more heat than the SPD pipes do. I wish I had kept the factory cat back though. I've gotten more used to the noise but it's still more than I wanted. It's not so much drone though. Sort of the same sound you hear from say a Mclaren. It sounds cool outside, but you don't want it inside. I also suspect that having a side exiting exhaust doesn't help, I'm wondering if going back a rear exit would help at all.

Interesting, I was a Service Manager for Ford for many years and not once have I seen a eco post come in with muffler failure. First I’m hearing of this. Thinking of doing just the SPD spacers but I know I’ll probably end up with the down pipes as well.

 

[5280tunage]

Interesting, I was a Service Manager for Ford for many years and not once have I seen a eco post come in with muffler failure. First I’m hearing of this. Thinking of doing just the SPD spacers but I know I’ll probably end up with the down pipes as well.

Couple things, this several posts on this forum of folks finding the wool blowing out of the back.

Also, I did both. Was going to only do the downpipes but figured since I would be in there, might as well do both. I bought the extra MAC stud remover, thank goodness as the one they sent with the stud kit stripped on the last stud.

 

[Team_Z]

Couple things, this several posts on this forum of folks finding the wool blowing out of the back.

Also, I did both. Was going to only do the downpipes but figured since I would be in there, might as well do both. I bought the extra MAC stud remover, thank goodness as the one they sent with the stud kit stripped on the last stud.

Still crazy, I’ve owned 15 F150 platinums almost with the eco boost and have tuned all of them and have never had a muffler blow out. Had many customers that I was their one and only servicer and never saw this happen. If it was a major issue it definitely would have been something that came across the service dept as a non tsb tsb, a bolo type thing. Just interesting. Not doubting you just find it interesting I never heard of such a thing.

I’m thinking I’ll do both, like you said, already there might as well. Mines a lease so someone is going to get a lowered super quick Max

 

[fatgroundhog]

I'm looking to put a set of the SPD downpipes on our 2020 (non max) Expedition. I was impressed with what 5 star had done and the dyno numbers. I already installed the S&B intake and planned on doing the intercooler and downpipes along with the tune. My only concern is the drone. This is the wife's primary vehicle and she could care less about performance. I don't want to install them if there's a drone noise and she can't hear the kids in the back seat. A little extra sound is to be expected and ok, but i've had some hideous drone on exhausts before and i swore i would never have it again. Any feedback is appreciated.

We have not noticed any change from stock in the exhaust sound or any drone. Surprising, I know.

We have about 2500 miles on this now, including some 6 hour trips. Works great and no CEL. Still very happy with our purchase.

 

[Mike Wolfe]

The 2022 Expedition Timberline has 440HP & 510LBFT of torque
It also has dual exhaust
Maybe that exhaust system would be quieter & have adequate flow to support very high HP tunes
I have owned 8 ECOBOOST vehicles
All recalibrated with LMS & 5 star
Never any other mods & they performed very well

 

[MrBeej22]

So here's the thing, if you're not worried about performance, why do all this stuff? I wanted mine to be crazy. Sticking with the factory catback setup will probably keep noise down. However, one thing I should note is both my local exhaust shop and the guys at SPD warned me that it could cause premature failure of the factory muffler. The added flow and hotter gasses could do it. They both talked about how it often happens regardless of downpipes, but that the old downpipes radiated a bit more heat than the SPD pipes do. I wish I had kept the factory cat back though. I've gotten more used to the noise but it's still more than I wanted. It's not so much drone though. Sort of the same sound you hear from say a Mclaren. It sounds cool outside, but you don't want it inside. I also suspect that having a side exiting exhaust doesn't help, I'm wondering if going back a rear exit would help at all.

I care about performance...the wife does not. She does, however, care about excessive drone/exhaust sound. Having had an F250 with bad drone, it's difficult to hear anything in the back seat. I imagine that problem is magnified with the expedition cab. When i'm not in my truck, my daily is a SS camaro, so the stock Expedition feels like a tank to me. I'm just wanting to pick up some extra power. 5 star has posted videos and dyno runs with this as a part of the setup and that's about the range i would like to be at. I have found nearly no info or reviews on the sound which led me here. I'm not too worried about the muffler. If it gets worn out, i'll get another one.

 

[MrBeej22]

We have not noticed any change from stock in the exhaust sound or any drone. Surprising, I know.

We have about 2500 miles on this now, including some 6 hour trips. Works great and no CEL. Still very happy with our purchase.

Perfect. This is the information I was looking for. Thank you!

 

[Ajames06]

What's up guys new to the Expedition forum,so bear with me. Just got our non max back from the mechanic having the SPD adapters and catted downpipes added. With a new revised five star daily driver tune can't say I noticed anything much performance difference then the original daily tune but I'm sure it's in there somewhere also a little disappointed that I didn't get as much turbo wine as I was hearing from F-150s and YouTube videos not sure what I'm missing but sounds pretty close to stock like fatgroundhog mentioned. Are there any turbo baffles or anything I should remove or leave alone? the next project I'm looking at is intercooler and bov mechanic tells me it will only help with Towing but In my Theory I'm hoping it would help cool down engine temp?less stress in Georgia summers?awaiting to see what DP and adapters does for my fuel economy does anyone else have any ideas that why my miles per gallon went down about 3 MPG after the tune was added I'm usually around 17 miles per gallon as of now does that sound normal to you guys and add up with you're noticing? Sorry I know it's a lot just have a lot of questions if these mods are really worth it and getting my bang for the buck and hopefully less chance of issues in the future thanks again!!