7.3L Exhaust Choices

ccradier · Nov 12, 2025

I found true duals to offset the midrange power to higher in the rpm band (which I was almost never there) noticeably on my truck, with 3.55 gears and 285 Duratracs. Went back to a big single and the band shifted back down. I would love a dual outlet setup for ocd reasons, I have toyed with ordering the MBRP diesel dual set up and working it in with the Borla. First world issues I know! The AFE Rebel looked good but have read many bad things about drone.

Gotbeer 🍺🍺 · Nov 12, 2025

Very happy with my AFE MACH Force-Xp

MACH Force-Xp 4 IN 409 Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust System

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } aFe POWER MACH Force-Xp Cat-Back exhaust...

afepower.com

xler8r · Nov 12, 2025

I've been eyeing the Ford Performance one but with black tips myself. Youtube reviews say they did a good job with the drone on the freeway.

BattleBornRonin · Nov 12, 2025

wessermgm said:
So, I turn to the collective wisdom of this great forum. Much like many other Godzilla owners, I desire a more traditional V8 sound. I also - like many - prefer minimal drone. Thus, I am left with hours of research and now I turn to you for real world examples of the following kits that I am considering.

1) Ford Performance Kit by Borla Part M-5200-FSDC - $1,380 - Probably the most expensive I am considering. It's by Borla, so quality is high, T304 Stainless construction. Seems like a moderate sound. Looks to be resonator back as opposed to a true cat back. Doesn't seem like any real performance gains. However, it is a Ford Perfomance product, which means if installed by Ford dealer or ASE tech, it will fit into Ford warranty scheme.

Ford Performance 7.3L Catback Sport Exhaust With Dual Side Exit Exhaust Tips Polished Chrome

Buy Ford Performance 7.3L Catback Sport Exhaust With Dual Side Exit Exhaust Tips Polished Chrome - PN: M-5200-FSDC. Shop discounted parts & accessories & save up to $144.06. Fitment, price & details available.

www.levittownfordparts.com

2) Flowmaster FlowFX Cat Back System Part 717943- $699.95 (Single exit) - Sounds pretty good. Actual cat back. T409 Stainless construction. Claims 7+ HP/12lb ft improvement. Straight thru exhaust system. Some concern that Flowmaster might drone.

https://www.flowmastermufflers.com/products/exhaust/exhaust_series/flowfx/parts/717943

3) Flowmaster Flow FX Dual Cat Back Part 718100 - $879.95 - Pretty much the same as above, but with dual 3 inch pipes instead of a single 3.5". Dual 4" exits on each side. Claims 11+HP and 15 lb ft increase. Definitely seems like this could drone, but for only $180 more bucks, seems like a better deal than above.

https://www.flowmastermufflers.com/products/exhaust/exhaust_systems/cat-back/parts/718100

4) MBRP 4" Cat Back Part S5247AL - $489.99 - Definitely the cheapest option. This one uses aluminized steel rather than stainless, but I live in Texas so I doubt that is a huge deal here. The T304 version is literally $300 more and maybe if I lived in Michigan that would be worth it, but I don't. Some folks here have used it. Some say it is great. Some say it is too loud.

Search

mbrpexhauststore.com

Any comments welcome, including the inevitable "just leave it stock" comments. As far the suggestions for other units, glad to hear them, but chances are I already considered them. Magnaflow is a real mystery to me on their Super Duty systems, so if someone has insight that would help. Thanks in advance.

I installed the MBRP single exit on my 2020 7.3. I've had it about 4 years. Great sound, not sure about house power, but it definitely didn't lose any. There is a little bit of drone every once in a while in 7th gear at about 3000rpms. The idle sound and cruising sound is amazing. It is a little lighter than stock. It removed a resonator.

dzrtdzl · Nov 12, 2025

If your goal is better sound, you can just remove the big muffler under the bed at a muffler shop for under $100. Gives you that deep V8 louder sound and no drone. Add a Ford Performance black tip and you got the look, as well. No performance loss, either.

McE · Nov 12, 2025

My plan to avoid drone entirely is to leave the stock system in place and install a vacuum cutout to a secondary system with a downturn under the bed. Choices

gatorblue92 · Nov 12, 2025

Had the Borla S Type on my old 5.0 F150 and until I got my 98 Mustang was the best sounding exhaust Ive ever owned. Zero drone and nearly silent at highway speeds but would really growl when you got on the skinny pedal. I'm keeping the stock exhaust on the 7.3 due to the aforementioned Mustang which has enough growl if I want to hear the exhaust.

Fozzy · Nov 12, 2025

Gotbeer 🍺🍺 said:
Very happy with my AFE MACH Force-Xp

MACH Force-Xp 4 IN 409 Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust System

.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } aFe POWER MACH Force-Xp Cat-Back exhaust...

afepower.com

I have the AFE Rebel side exit and have less than a grand on it and the paint is starting to burn off the tips. You have any issues with yours? They only warranty the finish for 90 days. They have sent me new tips as a "one time warranty". I want to get tips like Optimus.

Powermonkey · Nov 12, 2025

my used 24 7.3 came with the MBRP setup and my teenage boys and my coworkers approve! Sounds like single digit mpg to me but i enjoy the rumble more than my neighbors do when i leave for work early.

Gotbeer 🍺🍺 · Nov 13, 2025

Fozzy said:
I have the AFE Rebel side exit and have less than a grand on it and the paint is starting to burn off the tips. You have any issues with yours? They only warranty the finish for 90 days. They have sent me new tips as a "one time warranty". I want to get tips like Optimus.

View attachment 234380

View attachment 234381

Yes mine was the flat black with the SS steel AFE emblem. The paint is super faded and showing signs of coming off in spots. Overall I can't complain as I live in NH and the road salt kills everything. I have had it on for 2.5 years. The rest of the exhaust still looks great.

xrocket21 · Nov 13, 2025

Powermonkey said:
my used 24 7.3 came with the MBRP setup and my teenage boys and my coworkers approve! Sounds like single digit mpg to me but i enjoy the rumble more than my neighbors do when i leave for work early.

Eh, I wouldn't worry about it, with my long tubes, true duals, lift, 37s, and whipple, I still get 11 ish.

Im practically trying to kill my mpg at this point.

ccradier · Nov 13, 2025

Whose this MPG ya'll keep mentioning? I've never heard of her!

wessermgm · Nov 13, 2025

Well, I have considered all of these fine comments. I have ordered the Borla S Type full cat back. I did not reach this decision easy. This system (along with the Stainless Works) is about the most expensive system out there. However, I went with it for a few reasons.

First, the build quality appears to be first rate. I was disappointed to learn that the Flowmaster systems I was looking at were Chinese made and cheaply put together. Sad for a classic American company like Flowmaster.

I did strongly consider the MBRP system that many run on here. The price is fantastic, but looking at the system that muffler seems like a metal glass pack to me. Probably sounds killer, but likely too loud for what I need. I spend a lot of time in my truck and lot of that is on the phone (hands free of course).

The Ford Performance system was appealing, but it is similar in price to the full Borla and seems like you would get no performance boost at all. Not to mention, it is just a resonator back system, while the S-Type is a full cat back.

This left me with the S Type and the Stainless Works Legend. There I just asked my installer (Rich Performance Muffler - Wylie, TX) and he recommended the S-Type for drone reduction and overall performance. He quoted me a solid out the door price for the parts/labor/install (way less than the quote from Ford dealer for the FP kit installed). Thus, next week I will listen to the dulcet tones of sweet American V8 power.

Thanks to everyone who contributed here and helped me out with this!

MSparks909 · Nov 14, 2025

wessermgm said:
Well, I have considered all of these fine comments. I have ordered the Borla S Type full cat back. I did not reach this decision easy. This system (along with the Stainless Works) is about the most expensive system out there. However, I went with it for a few reasons.

First, the build quality appears to be first rate. I was disappointed to learn that the Flowmaster systems I was looking at were Chinese made and cheaply put together. Sad for a classic American company like Flowmaster.

I did strongly consider the MBRP system that many run on here. The price is fantastic, but looking at the system that muffler seems like a metal glass pack to me. Probably sounds killer, but likely too loud for what I need. I spend a lot of time in my truck and lot of that is on the phone (hands free of course).

The Ford Performance system was appealing, but it is similar in price to the full Borla and seems like you would get no performance boost at all. Not to mention, it is just a resonator back system, while the S-Type is a full cat back.

This left me with the S Type and the Stainless Works Legend. There I just asked my installer (Rich Performance Muffler - Wylie, TX) and he recommended the S-Type for drone reduction and overall performance. He quoted me a solid out the door price for the parts/labor/install (way less than the quote from Ford dealer for the FP kit installed). Thus, next week I will listen to the dulcet tones of sweet American V8 power.

Thanks to everyone who contributed here and helped me out with this!

View attachment 234602

Be sure to post back with initial impressions! It will also get a little louder and “settle in” after 5-10K miles. Mine is nicely broken in now and sounds wonderful without being obnoxious. Enjoy!

wessermgm · Nov 24, 2025

Went on today. I'll try and get pics tomorrow. My first impressions are - wow. I am so glad I went with Borla. Great cold start rumble, and as hard as it is to believe - no drone. You can hear it a little better in the cab than stock, but it is not loud at all. No need to even increase the volume on the radio. I did open it up on the freeway and the sound is satisfying at WOT. It definitely feels peppier and I think it might be from shedding all that weight from the stock system. I've read as much as a 11-15 hp increase and I don't doubt it. Pretty satisfied.

superbooty · Nov 25, 2025

wessermgm said:
Went on today. I'll try and get pics tomorrow. My first impressions are - wow. I am so glad I went with Borla. Great cold start rumble, and as hard as it is to believe - no drone. You can hear it a little better in the cab than stock, but it is not loud at all. No need to even increase the volume on the radio. I did open it up on the freeway and the sound is satisfying at WOT. It definitely feels peppier and I think it might be from shedding all that weight from the stock system. I've read as much as a 11-15 hp increase and I don't doubt it. Pretty satisfied.

I know you said no drone, but is there really no drone/annoying noise at highway speeds? Been debating getting this exhaust but don't want to annoy passengers on road trips.

MSparks909 · Nov 25, 2025

superbooty said:
I know you said no drone, but is there really no drone/annoying noise at highway speeds? Been debating getting this exhaust but don't want to annoy passengers on road trips.

If I tow 10K at 65-70 I can get very slight drone but that’s only on uphills and when I’m below 2,000RPM. If I’m unloaded there isn’t any drone on the highway. Exhaust noise has never bothered my wife or toddler when we take my truck places. The exhaust doesn’t get really noticeable unless you tip into the throttle a good bit. It’s definitely louder than stock but nothing like some of the 5.0 Mustangs and clapped out GM 1500s with no cats I see driving around. My Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATs with ~20K miles on them are louder than the exhaust on the highway. It’s the perfect gentleman’s/daily driver exhaust IMO.

Robpm · Nov 25, 2025

I have read through this whole thread. I am totally ignorant on exhaust systems. I can understand by opening the exhaust up you can gain some HP and torque which is a good thing. I would think that would be the main thing. I also understand having a little more sound out of the exhaust and I agree I would not want that constant or the droning as has been spoken about. I do not understand the CAT back or what that is. Does it have something to do with the catalytic converter. Thanks for putting up with my ignorance. I like the idea of increasing HP and torque but not losing MPG.

xrocket21 · Nov 25, 2025

Robpm said:
I have read through this whole thread. I am totally ignorant on exhaust systems. I can understand by opening the exhaust up you can gain some HP and torque which is a good thing. I would think that would be the main thing. I also understand having a little more sound out of the exhaust and I agree I would not want that constant or the droning as has been spoken about. I do not understand the CAT back or what that is. Does it have something to do with the catalytic converter. Thanks for putting up with my ignorance. I like the idea of increasing HP and torque but not losing MPG.

there are multiple parts to the exhaust. Starting from the engine you have you headers, then catalytic converters, then the rest of the exhaust.

Those terms just identify what part of the exhaust you're talking about. For example, cat back is the exhaust after the catalytic converters, axle back is just the very end. You dont need to replace the whole thing, depending on your goals, you can just replace part.