2011-2014 Mustang GT Exhaust Guide

Many of you own a 2011-2014 Mustang GT and want a guide to better understand the stock exhaust system components. Starting from the Mustang GT engine, we first have the factory headers, also called exhaust manifolds which are a Tri-Y or also known as a 4-1 header design. This type of header design is very good as this type of setup offers superior low end performance because of the 3 collectors in a Tri-Y design that optimize scavenging at both high and low RPM and not just one RPM range like you see in a typical 4-1 header design. So right from the factory Ford gave these Mustangs a very respectable factory header.

Next in line in the Mustang GT exhaust system, we have the Mid Pipes which also contain the catalytic converters. All 2011-2014 GT Mustangs come stock with a mid-pipe that has an H-formation or what we call an H-Pipe. An H-Pipe is generally more so to help with a little more low end torque versus no H-pipe at all. Then next in line in the exhaust system we have what is called the Cat-Back which bolts on behind the catalytic converters. The Cat-Back assembly also consists of the mufflers and the tailpipes which is the final destination of the exhaust gases from your engine. If you remove the section of the Cat-Back exhaust assembly that contains the mufflers, this part is called the Axle-Back part of the exhaust system. So the Cat-Back assembly also contains the Axle-Back portion of the exhaust system, so can be replaced by a complete Cat-Back assembly or if just wanting to replace the mufflers, you can just replace the Axle-Back portion of the Cat-Back assembly.

So you now know the 2011-2014 Mustang GT stock exhaust system is broken in to sections as Headers (exhaust manifold), Mid-Pipes, then Cat-Back section which also consists of the Axle-Back portion of the exhaust system. In stock form this factory exhaust really does a good over-all job, but many Mustang GT owners would either like to add more power or just a better sounding exhaust sound than you get from the factory. Adding more power by changing the exhaust manifolds and or you Mustang GT Cat-Back to an aftermarket set-up, will in most cases require a tune to bring it all together to work correctly, but just changing the Axle-Back part of the system which is very popular to do, will not usually require a tune and is more to do with easily changing your Mustang GT exhaust sound.

Most Mustang GT owners will focus on the Axle-Back part of the exhaust system first, as it is the area that most Mustang GT owners want to change to get a more performance oriented exhaust sound and some Axle-Backs can even add a little more power and even drop some weight of the vehicle as well. Mustang performance places such as American Muscle have many Axle-Back systems to choose from and some sound videos as well so you can hear what they sound like. If you like your Mustang GT basically in stock format but would like a more performance sounding exhaust, an Axle-Back is your easiest route and is generally very easy to install.

You now should have a much better idea what your stock 2011-2014 Mustang GT exhaust system consists of.

 

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