2011-2014 Mustang GT Kooks Axle Back Exhaust Install

Installing a Kooks Axle Back exhaust on your 2011-2014 Mustang GT is not too difficult and should take about two to three hours to complete. We chose to install the Kooks axle back on our 2012 Mustang GT, as we loved the nice deep tone they produce, without being to loud. The Kooks axle back is just a little louder than the stock ford axle back and the fact it is much lighter than the factory ford Mustang GT axle back system is a big plus. Dropping some weight off your 2011-2014 Mustang GT is always a good thing in our books, and of course a few extra ponies gained as well certainly cannot hurt.

We started our install by backing our 2012 Mustang GT up on a set of low profile car ramps and set the emergency brake, plus blocked the front wheels for added safety. Next we tied up the stock axle back on the drivers side and passenger side, so when all is ready to come off it will not fall. The stock axle back (muffler assembly) is on the heavy side and if fell could hurt you, so be very careful. Next we took a large flat head screwdriver and broke off the small welded on tabs that hold the ball clamps in place that attach the axle back to the mid pipe/cat back part of the exhaust. Once these were easily broken off, we took off the clamps attaching the axle back to the mid pipe/cat back part of the exhaust altogether and set them aside for re-use when installing the new Kooks axle back system. Then we removed all the bolts from the hanger brackets/rubber grommets that also hold the axle back in place. Once all bolts were removed from the brackets (did same for drivers and passengers side) the axle back assembly came down, luckily only a little, as remember we had tied up the front portion of the axle back, so as to not fall on top of us.

We then used some fine sandpaper to clean up the mid pipe/cat back attaching points for the new Kooks axle back system. We also cleaned up all bolt threads and put some anti-seize on the threads of the two ball clamp bolts to be re-used. We then removed the brackets/rubber grommets from the stock axle back assembly and installed it onto our new high performance Kooks axle back assembly. We then just put all back together in reverse order and lining up the exhaust tips perfectly so was even on both drivers side and passenger side (took a while to get them exactly the same). When all was lined up to our liking, we then tightened the ball clamps to 40 ft/lbs torque, or nice and tight is fine. It is so much easier to install the Kooks axle back then removing the stock axle back, as the Kooks assembly is smaller so more room, you can easily get to all bolts to tighten.

After all was installed we fired up the Mustang and let it idle for a while to possibly let the computer re-learn, as the axle back flows much better than the stock ford axle back. The Kooks axle back sounded just right, not to loud, but loud enough that others know this Mustang GT mean business. Now people look every time we drive by, as they hear our Mustang GT approaching.

Kooks Axle Back Pros:

– Very small gain in performance about 4-5 HP/Ft lbs torque and only seen if have a tune.

– Drops about 16 pounds of weight total (Kooks axle back weighs 29 lbs total versus stock ford at 45 lbs total)

– Very nice deep sounding tone, not to loud and sounds like a Mustang GT should.

If you want a deeper sounding exhaust sound that is not to loud, just a little louder than the stock Mustang GT , yet sounds much meaner and definitely more powerful sounding, the Kooks Axle Back exhaust for all 2011-2014 Mustang GT is for you!

Tools We Needed For Kooks Axle Back Install:

13 mm wrench

15 mm wrench

3/8 ratchet

3/8 extension

13 mm deep socket

15 mm socket

Large flat screwdriver

WD-40 or Silicon Spray

Car Ramps

Large Pliers

Silicon Spray