MBRP 2.5" Resonator-Back Exhaust 1.5L -- Thoughts & More

[primexjaytee]

I recently installed the MBRP 2.5" Resonator-Back exhaust system on my 2023 Bronco Sport Heritage Edition.

I will be uploading photos & videos once I get a chance, but for now, my thoughts:

Pros:

• No more tiny exhaust tips that look like the faucet on an antique bath tub.
• No more enormous suitcase mounted behind the rear axle (I want to estimate 20-30lb but don't quote me on that).
• Cold starts are fun, but I am not in any rush to ask my neighbors what they think.
• You get some nice turbo flutter noises when revving it, and in sport mode the exhaust note sounds nice when the ECU allows it to rev high enough.

Cons:

• Despite what the manufacturers might want you to believe, you do NOT receive any type of performance gains from this modification (and yes, I purchased it knowing very well that this was the case).
• The drone on the highway makes me want to... I will leave it at that. I have tried making sure everything was properly tightened and lined up to ensure there are no leaks causing this, but I think that there might just be no way around it. Between 70-80mph you are well above idle range, but you're also not moving enough air, so you end up with the most obnoxious drone I have ever experienced.

With all of this being said, I do still have the Momentum GT CAI by aFe on the way, along with their Scorcher GT module to get the ECU on my side when it comes to moving more air. I have no idea if this will have any effect on the drone, but it will actually allow me to start seeing some performance gains as a result of creating more boost. I will continue to update this thread with the results of my findings, but for now, I would love to hear any feedback you guys might have to offer. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

Disclaimer: I am not an engineer or a mechanic. I like to think that I am relatively competent (I did study mechanical engineering for a couple of years before dropping out and I have tinkered with machines my entire life), but this post is purely my own opinion, and should be taken with a grain of salt by anyone who is reading it.

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[jkeaton]

Drone is the single biggest reason why I detest aftermarket "performance" exhausts. I put an MBRP catback on my 2016 F150 5.0 and the drone was so bad the wife gave me an ultimatum....Needless to say, I still have the MBRP exhaust, but now it has a nice quiet walker OEM muffler that replaced the MBRP straight through muffler.

 

[sikedsyko]

Drone can be eliminated if the exhaust manufacturer does some proper R&D on the system. My experience is that MBRP doesn't care about eliminating drone, their exhaust I bought for my Fiesta ST droned like crazy at highway RPM's. Swapped it out for a Mountune exhaust and had no drone.

 

[Blue oval fan]

Goodbye warranty with a tune. Most every failure can be traced back to. Even worse are those Scorcher GT module things, just tricks the ECU with fake data.

 

[Dantanman]

I recently installed the MBRP 2.5" Resonator-Back exhaust system on my 2023 Bronco Sport Heritage Edition.

I will be uploading photos & videos once I get a chance, but for now, my thoughts:

Pros:

• No more tiny exhaust tips that look like the faucet on an antique bath tub.
• No more enormous suitcase mounted behind the rear axle (I want to estimate 20-30lb but don't quote me on that).
• Cold starts are fun, but I am not in any rush to ask my neighbors what they think.
• You get some nice turbo flutter noises when revving it, and in sport mode the exhaust note sounds nice when the ECU allows it to rev high enough.

Cons:

• Despite what the manufacturers might want you to believe, you do NOT receive any type of performance gains from this modification (and yes, I purchased it knowing very well that this was the case).
• The drone on the highway makes me want to... I will leave it at that. I have tried making sure everything was properly tightened and lined up to ensure there are no leaks causing this, but I think that there might just be no way around it. Between 70-80mph you are well above idle range, but you're also not moving enough air, so you end up with the most obnoxious drone I have ever experienced.

With all of this being said, I do still have the Momentum GT CAI by aFe on the way, along with their Scorcher GT module to get the ECU on my side when it comes to moving more air. I have no idea if this will have any effect on the drone, but it will actually allow me to start seeing some performance gains as a result of creating more boost. I will continue to update this thread with the results of my findings, but for now, I would love to hear any feedback you guys might have to offer. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

Disclaimer: I am not an engineer or a mechanic. I like to think that I am relatively competent (I did study mechanical engineering for a couple of years before dropping out and I have tinkered with machines my entire life), but this post is purely my own opinion, and should be taken with a grain of salt by anyone who is reading it.

Although I love the sound of a loud rumble. I personally only modify my exhaust if I have the horsepower to accompany it. The majority of my previous muscle cars had electric exhaust cut outs. The active exhaust on my Corvette was amazing. No cats and still no drone when closed. To each his own though. If you enjoy it, that's all that matters.

 

[Mrmike]

There is a post on this forum about a guy who eliminated the drone tube on his system, and it eliminated his "whistle". Maybe this would help with your drone. I'll be following this thread closely. I really like the looks of this system, and this is the last mod I want to make to my OBX.

I'll be watching this thread closely for any additional info.

 

[CrazyKZ]

I too used to own two Corvettes and had headers, CAI, Corsa exhaust with the "mild-to-wild" flap switch. With Corsa I never had drone at any speed and the loudness was truly amazing. I sure wish that Corsa made a kit for the Bronco Sport. I only see it for the full-size Bronco.

I'm making a list of all of the choices and links to youtube. It's a lot of money to just "try" one. I keep going back and forth and can't decide.

 

[Warped9]

I had Stainless Works cat-back dual exhaust as well as Stainless Works headers on my 2004 CrownVic. No drone, just sweet growl. It was perfectly fine on the highway. I also had a Police Interceptor air intake box, K&N air filter, intake tube, Ford Performance Mustang throttle-body and 3.55 gears. I probably added 20-30 horsepower. The suspension was also upgraded.

I’m interested in adding an upgraded exhaust to my Bronco Sport, and MBPR was one I was looking at, but I don’t like the idea of that drone.

 

[Bucko]

Drone can be eliminated if the exhaust manufacturer does some proper R&D on the system. My experience is that MBRP doesn't care about eliminating drone, their exhaust I bought for my Fiesta ST droned like crazy at highway RPM's. Swapped it out for a Mountune exhaust and had no drone.

Drone can be eliminated by.....just not paying ridiculous money for something that produces it without any benefit.

And Ford apparently did do some proper R&D on their design; quiet, so I can enjoy the radio and/or conversation with my wife.

 

[Mark S.]

And Ford apparently did do some proper R&D on their design;

Engine power has always been among the most important factors for marketing purposes. Given the importance of intake and exhaust systems on power output, it seems highly likely that Ford's designers and engineers spend significant portions of the R&D budget to get them right. The R&D budget aftermarket vendors work with is miniscule by comparison. Lacking access to the kind of data Ford collects during R&D, aftermarket vendors generally rely on hype rather than actual data to sell their products. If anyone has access to third-party, head-to-head testing--not from the vendor--showing performance gains with an aftermarket exhaust I'd like to see it.

If you want a different sound for your exhaust system, then by all means swap it out. If you seek more power you should probably get a vehicle that comes from the factory with the power output you need.

 

[Bucko]

.....

If you want a different sound for your exhaust system, then by all means swap it out. If you seek more power you should probably get a vehicle that comes from the factory with the power output you need.

Save your coffee cans. Weld 'em on, and get the same sound effect. The larger, the cooler, huh?

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