My exhaust journey: OEM factory > Kooks > aFe 3" cat-back (sound clip videos included)

[WildtrakBronco]

Aftermarket exhausts have been a hot topic for as long as I can remember in my journey of modifying vehicles. I'm not sharing for anyone's approval or opinions; just giving you the data and information I learned along the way with my Bronco.

I have a 2.7L 4-door Wildtrak for reference.

:edit: I realized I should also note, I have the OEM hardtop w/ the sound deadening liner installed. Soft top owners experience will likely be different regarding the inside the cabin noise.

Sound rating numbers are from quiet (1) to very loud (10)


OEM cold start:


My first purchase, after searching for an exhaust that wasn't marketed as overly loud and also had increased clearance over the large, stock, muffler, I chose the Kooks axle-back.
Ease of install; 2/10
cold start noise; 4/10
in-cabin noise; 2.5/10
WOT noise; 6/10

ratings are obviously subjective and based on my own hearing.

cold start with the Kooks axle-back


and lastly, where I am at today, I bought the aFe 3" cat-back exhaust. This one grabbed my attention for the slight increase in piping diameter, also high clearance by way of relocating the muffler further upstream in the piping. I am quite pleased with this one!

Ease of Install; 3/10
cold start noise; 5.5/10
in-cabin noise; 1/10
WOT noise; 5/10

cold start aFe video



I am really pleased with the aFe. I like to believe that a combination of intake mods, performance tune and exhaust offer up a smidge of increased peak performance. The setup I have now is the sweet spot for me and I am glad I stumbled upon this aFe cat-back. I know the iPhone recordings only offer a limited audio experience; but it's better than nothing I suppose.

I'm happy to give additional context on any area. Feel free to reply or DM me.

Cheers!

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[OR/Badlands]

love it, thanks for the quality compare!

 

[Mjasi3]

interesting... which model did you end up with. any pics underneath. interested in it being more tucked up and out of the way.

 

[Twovalvekid]

Thanks for the vids!

But...unless i have a backwards understanding of ratings, you seem to love the aFe, yet give it a in cabin of 1/10 and wot of 5/10?

 

[mjp2]

Thanks for the vids!

But...unless i have a backwards understanding of ratings, you seem to love the aFe, yet give it a in cabin of 1/10 and wot of 5/10?

I think that's referring to volume level rather than rating.

 

[WildtrakBronco]

I stuck with the aFe. Here is the system laid out on the ground. I can snap a pic of it all tucked up underneath.

 

[WildtrakBronco]

Thanks for the vids!

But...unless i have a backwards understanding of ratings, you seem to love the aFe, yet give it a in cabin of 1/10 and wot of 5/10?

I just chuckled because I never did specify and I see how that looks now. The install rating was meant to be in terms of difficulty and those ones related to sound from quiet (1) to loud (10)

I think that's referring to volume level rather than rating.

yep! I really should have specified.

 

[mjp2]

@WildtrakBronco that exhaust seems wonderfully quiet. I've been passively looking for an exhaust that's not louder than stock when cruising but frees up the space where the stock muffler resides. Borla with a resonator had been on my list but it's hard to justify $1k+.

I'm not looking for sound -- just space. I plan on installing the raptor tow hitch braces for durability reasons and need that rear underside clear so they'll fit. This aFe option now looks like my top pick. Thanks for posting!

 

[Valhalla]

What does it sound like under half throttle at gear shift. I put a exhaust on the wifes Heep and it sounds awful at gearshift but amazing everywhere else.

 

[1st 75th ranger]

Aftermarket exhausts have been a hot topic for as long as I can remember in my journey of modifying vehicles. I'm not sharing for anyone's approval or opinions; just giving you the data and information I learned along the way with my Bronco.

I have a 2.7L 4-door Wildtrak for reference.

:edit: I realized I should also note, I have the OEM hardtop w/ the sound deadening liner installed. Soft top owners experience will likely be different regarding the inside the cabin noise.

Sound rating numbers are from quiet (1) to very loud (10)


OEM cold start:


My first purchase, after searching for an exhaust that wasn't marketed as overly loud and also had increased clearance over the large, stock, muffler, I chose the Kooks axle-back.
Ease of install; 2/10
cold start noise; 4/10
in-cabin noise; 2.5/10
WOT noise; 6/10

ratings are obviously subjective and based on my own hearing.

cold start with the Kooks axle-back


and lastly, where I am at today, I bought the aFe 3" cat-back exhaust. This one grabbed my attention for the slight increase in piping diameter, also high clearance by way of relocating the muffler further upstream in the piping. I am quite pleased with this one!

Ease of Install; 3/10
cold start noise; 5.5/10
in-cabin noise; 1/10
WOT noise; 5/10

cold start aFe video



I am really pleased with the aFe. I like to believe that a combination of intake mods, performance tune and exhaust offer up a smidge of increased peak performance. The setup I have now is the sweet spot for me and I am glad I stumbled upon this aFe cat-back. I know the iPhone recordings only offer a limited audio experience; but it's better than nothing I suppose.

I'm happy to give additional context on any area. Feel free to reply or DM me.

Cheers!

i went thru 3 trials myself
strait pipe ..to very loud
climber can ...better but rasspy and tiiny loud
borla full exhuast ...just right rubbly slow around town stomp out it it groooowls

 

[WildtrakBronco]

What does it sound like under half throttle at gear shift. I put a exhaust on the wifes Heep and it sounds awful at gearshift but amazing everywhere else.

This video cracks me up every time it surfaces!!

I have an external mic and am thinking of how I can mount it to get some driving footage. I don't think it's bad sounding to be honest.

 

[the poacher]

Aftermarket exhausts have been a hot topic for as long as I can remember in my journey of modifying vehicles. I'm not sharing for anyone's approval or opinions; just giving you the data and information I learned along the way with my Bronco.

I have a 2.7L 4-door Wildtrak for reference.

:edit: I realized I should also note, I have the OEM hardtop w/ the sound deadening liner installed. Soft top owners experience will likely be different regarding the inside the cabin noise.

Sound rating numbers are from quiet (1) to very loud (10)


OEM cold start:


My first purchase, after searching for an exhaust that wasn't marketed as overly loud and also had increased clearance over the large, stock, muffler, I chose the Kooks axle-back.
Ease of install; 2/10
cold start noise; 4/10
in-cabin noise; 2.5/10
WOT noise; 6/10

ratings are obviously subjective and based on my own hearing.

cold start with the Kooks axle-back


and lastly, where I am at today, I bought the aFe 3" cat-back exhaust. This one grabbed my attention for the slight increase in piping diameter, also high clearance by way of relocating the muffler further upstream in the piping. I am quite pleased with this one!

Ease of Install; 3/10
cold start noise; 5.5/10
in-cabin noise; 1/10
WOT noise; 5/10

cold start aFe video



I am really pleased with the aFe. I like to believe that a combination of intake mods, performance tune and exhaust offer up a smidge of increased peak performance. The setup I have now is the sweet spot for me and I am glad I stumbled upon this aFe cat-back. I know the iPhone recordings only offer a limited audio experience; but it's better than nothing I suppose.

I'm happy to give additional context on any area. Feel free to reply or DM me.

Cheers!

That definitely sounds better than the OEM and the Kooks, hands down. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Pressurized]

I have aFe exhausts on multiple vehicles including my JKU. They make great stuff. One comment that often comes up with aFe is their choice of SS grade. Here in AZ, I have no issues at all and they look new after years of use. But some say in areas with high corrosion, they can have issues with corrosion of the exhaust system...

 

[mjp2]

I have aFe exhausts on multiple vehicles including my JKU. They make great stuff. One comment that often comes up with aFe is their choice of SS grade. Here in AZ, I have no issues at all and they look new after years of use. But some say in areas with high corrosion, they can have issues with corrosion of the exhaust system...

That's good info and painfully relevant to my situation.

 

[Tucker417]

@WildtrakBronco that exhaust seems wonderfully quiet. I've been passively looking for an exhaust that's not louder than stock when cruising but frees up the space where the stock muffler resides. Borla with a resonator had been on my list but it's hard to justify $1k+.

I'm not looking for sound -- just space. I plan on installing the raptor tow hitch braces for durability reasons and need that rear underside clear so they'll fit. This aFe option now looks like my top pick. Thanks for posting!

I went with the MBRP Touring Stainless 3” System and I absolutely love it. Part number S5245304.

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