Exhaust Shootout 1
'05 MUSTANG EXHAUST SHOOTOUT, PART 1
We test five aft-axle exhaust systems on an '05 Mustang GT.
BY MICHAEL GALIMI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDERSON FORD MOTORSPORT
ILLUSTRATION BY GEORGE TROSLEY
Parts are corning out quicker than ever for the '05 Mustang. This month we present the first of a three part exhaust shootout series on Ford's newest V-8 ponycar.
Anderson Ford Motorsport was kind enough to flog its in-house '05 Stang on the chassis dyne for the entire trip of articles. Rick Anderson and his crew slaved to accomplish the task of testing five sets of aft-axle exhaust, three X-pipes, and four sets of headers.
This month, we tackle the mufflers. We'll cover the X-pipe and header shootouts in the following two issues.) We refer to these products as aft-axle exhaust systems, which can be seen as a fancy way of saying mufflers. These systems come with muf-flers, tailpipes, and interme-diate pipes, thus they are more than just mufflers. We can't use the generic term "cat-back" anymore (which is what everyone calls them) because a certain company copyrighted the term and throws a fit if you refer to such systems that way unless they come from that specific company.
Stacked up and ready for action. We put the Ford Racing, Bassani, Magnaflow, Flowmoster, and JBA equipment to good use. These babies were singing sweet melodies, and we loved it.
Whenever doing a comparison test, it is important to keep everything constant. This ensures accurate results between all the parts. As we all know, the '05 Mustang computer system is finicky (to say the least) when it comes to aftermarket components. To eliminate any questions with the computer, Anderson installed an AFM Load Tuner. This component allows the user to adjust air/fuel ratio if needed. Each run was recorded and evaluated to ensure accurate and consistent results. The only modification to the '05 test mule was a modified airbox that jumped the power output by a few ponies.
Our test mule is a yellow '05 Mustang GT. Anderson Ford Motorsport's sole intention is to use this vehicle to flog parts and R&D new AFM products. Rick Anderson was kind enough to tie up his chassis dyno to conduct a three-part test. This first test compares five different oft-axle
Ford did its homework when designing the exhaust system for V-8-equipped '05 Stangs. It gave us a real 2.5-inch exhaust with high- flow mufflers and a good sound, but beauty is in the ear of the beholder. Each one of these aftermarket systems changed that note. The tones were noticeably different and louder your '05 Mustang GT will now say "look out, here comes trouble!"
We sampled five exhaust systems— Bassani, Flowmaster, MagnaFlow, Ford Racing, and JBA. Each one brings a different aspect to the table whether it is sound, stainless steel material, or performance. Any one of those systems will enhance your Mustang over the stock setup. The test subject was close to stock, and we are confident that with a blower or more serious mods, the gains over factory exhaust would be even higher.
The results reported are torque and horsepower numbers along with decibel levels. The decibel meter was used to measure the idle noise and at 2,000 rpm in Fifth gear. We figured the 2,000-rpm range was indicative of the average cruising rpm on the street.
STOCK AFT-AXLE EXHAUST
Muffler Weight : 16 lbs each
Idle Noise: 68 dBA
Cruise Noise at 2.000 rpm: 96 dBA
| RPM | TORQUE | POWER |
| 2,400 | 230.3 | 105.3 |
| 2,500 | 240.5 | 114.5 |
| 2,600 | 245.6 | 121.6 |
| 2,700 | 253.6 | 130.4 |
| 2,800 | 258.0 | 137.6 |
| 2,900 | 263.2 | 145.3 |
| 3,000 | 267.0 | 152.5 |
| 3,100 | 272.8 | 161.0 |
| 3,200 | 279.4 | 170.2 |
| 3,300 | 283.5 | 178.1 |
| 3,400 | 291.1 | 188.4 |
| 3,500 | 298.2 | 198.7 |
| 3,600 | 300.5 | 206.0 |
| 3,700 | 300.9 | 212.0 |
| 3,800 | 303.9 | 219.9 |
| 3,900 | 307.8 | 228.5 |
| 4,000 | 310.2 | 236.3 |
| 4,100 | 313.4 | 244.6 |
| 4,200 | 313.7 | 250.9 |
| 4,300 | 313.8 | 256.9 |
| 4,400 | 311.1 | 260.6 |
| 4,500 | 309.1 | 264.8 |
| 4,600 | 306.2 | 268.2 |
| 4,700 | 305.1 | 273.0 |
| 4,800 | 304.0 | 277.9 |
| 4,900 | 302.4 | 282.1 |
| 5,009 | 299.6 | 285.2 |
| 5,100 | 296.6 | 288.0 |
| 5,200 | 292.6 | 289.7 |
| 5,300 | 286.4 | 289.0 |
| 5,400 | 280.1 | 287.9 |
| 5,500 | 275.7 | 288.7 |
| 5,600 | 271.1 | 289.0 |
| 5,700 | 266.3 | 289.0 |
| 5,800 | 262.2 | 289.6 |
| 5,900 | 257.9 | 289.8 |
| 6,000 | 253.2 | 289.2 |
| 6,100 | 248.8 | 288.9 |
| 6,200 | 242.8 | 286.6 |
Column Max313.8 ft-lb, 289.8 hp
Column Average 282.5 ft-lb, 231.7 hp
The stock mufflers have been designed to offer great flow but also to remain reasonably quiet. This time around, Ford gave the Mustang a 2.5- inch exhaust.
UN-MUFFLED
Muffler Weight: 0 lbs
Idle Noise: 73 dBA
Cruise Noise at 2,000 rpm: 99 dBA
|
RPM |
TORQUE |
POWER |
|
2,200 |
252.1 |
105.6 |
|
2,300 |
275.6 |
120.7 |
|
2,400 |
276.1 |
126.1 |
|
2,500 |
273.3 |
130.1 |
|
2,600 |
275.6 |
136.4 |
|
2,700 |
276.1 |
141.9 |
|
2,800 |
275.6 |
146.9 |
|
2,900 |
275.3 |
152.0 |
|
3,000 |
276.6 |
158.0 |
|
3,100 |
276.9 |
163.4 |
|
3,200 |
280.1 |
170.7 |
|
3,300 |
282.7 |
177.6 |
|
3,400 |
290.8 |
188.2 |
|
3,500 |
297.3 |
198.1 |
|
3,600 |
299.9 |
205.6 |
|
3,700 |
299.2 |
210.8 |
|
3,800 |
302.0 |
218.5 |
|
3,900 |
306.3 |
227.4 |
|
4,000 |
307.0 |
233.8 |
|
4,100 |
309.5 |
241.6 |
|
4,200 |
311.2 |
248.9 |
|
4,300 |
310.7 |
254.4 |
|
4,400 |
309.3 |
259.1 |
|
4,500 |
308.7 |
264.5 |
|
4,600 |
306.9 |
268.8 |
|
4,700 |
305.1 |
273.1 |
|
4,800 |
303.4 |
277.3 |
|
4,900 |
302.0 |
281.7 |
|
5,000 |
299.7 |
285.3 |
|
5,100 |
297.2 |
288.6 |
|
5,200 |
292.9 |
290.0 |
|
5,300 |
286.4 |
289.1 |
|
5,400 |
280.7 |
288.6 |
|
5,500 |
274.8 |
287.8 |
|
5,600 |
269.8 |
287.7 |
|
5,700 |
264.7 |
287.3 |
|
5,800 |
261.2 |
288.4 |
|
5,900 |
255.1 |
286.6 |
|
6,000 |
250.4 |
286.0 |
|
6,100 |
245.2 |
284.7 |
|
6,200 |
239.1 |
282.2 |
Column Max 311.2 ft-lb, 290.0 hp
Column Average 84.9 ft-lb, 227.2 hp
BASSANI R BX-4605-5R
Muffler Weight: 10 lbs each
Idle Noise: 71 dBA
Cruise Noise at 2,000 rpm: 98 dBA
| 2,100 | 238.7 | 95.5 |
| 2,200 | 272.7 | 114.2 |
| 2,300 | 281.1 | 123.1 |
| 2,400 | 278.9 | 127.5 |
| 2,500 | 276.4 | 131.5 |
| 2,600 | 277.5 | 137.4 |
| 2,700 | 279.9 | 143.9 |
| 2,800 | 280.1 | 149.3 |
| 2,900 | 280.1 | 154.6 |
| 3,000 | 278.4 | 159.0 |
| 3,100 | 281.1 | 165.9 |
| 3,200 | 283.8 | 172.9 |
| 3,300 | 288.8 | 181.5 |
| 3,400 | 296.6 | 192.0 |
| 3,500 | 301.5 | 200.9 |
| 3,600 | 303.0 | 207.7 |
| 3,700 | 302.6 | 213.2 |
| 3,800 | 306.9 | 222.1 |
| 3,800 | 310.4 | 230.5 |
| 4,000 | 312.4 | 138.0 |
| 4,100 | 315.2 | 246.0 |
| 4,200 | 315.1 | 252.0 |
| 4,300 | 313.9 | 257.0 |
| 4,400 | 311.1 | 260.6 |
| 4,580 | 308.4 | 264.3 |
| 4,600 | 306.7 | 268.6 |
| 4,700 | 304.4 | 272.4 |
| 4,800 | 305.5 | 279.2 |
| 4,900 | 305.3 | 284.8 |
| 5,000 | 303.1 | 288.5 |
| 5,100 | 300.3 | 291.6 |
| 5,200 | 295.8 | 292.8 |
| 5,300 | 289.5 | 292.1 |
| 5,400 | 283.8 | 291.8 |
| 5,500 | 278.0 | 291.1 |
| 5,600 | 273.0 | 291.1 |
| 5,700 | 267.6 | 290.4 |
| 5,800 | 262.9 | 290.4 |
| 5,900 | 258.6 | 290.5 |
| 6,000 | 253.7 | 289.9 |
| 6,100 | 248.4 | 289.7 |
| 6,200 | 243.2 | 287.0 |
Column Max 315.2 ft-lb, 292.8 hp
Column Average 287.5 ft-lb, 226.7 hp
FORD RACING M-5230-5GT
Muffler Weight: 7.5 lbs each
Idle Noise: 71 dBA
Cruise Noise at 2,000 rpm: 96 dBA
| RPM | TORQUE | POWER |
| 2,000 | 237.9 | 90.6 |
| 2,100 | 266.6 | 106.6 |
| 2,200 | 275.3 | 115.3 |
| 2,300 | 278.5 | 122.0 |
| 2,400 | 279.9 | 127.9 |
| 2,500 | 278.2 | 132.4 |
| 2,600 | 278.7 | 137.9 |
| 2,700 | 278.7 | 143.3 |
| 2,800 | 278.1 | 148.2 |
| 2,900 | 277.0 | 152.9 |
| 3,000 | 276.6 | 158.0 |
| 3,100 | 277.7 | 163.9 |
| 3,200 | 279.0 | 170..0 |
| 3,300 | 284.7 | 178.9 |
| 3,400 | 292.6 | 189.4 |
| 3,500 | 298.9 | 199.2 |
| 3,600 | 301.4 | 206.6 |
| 3,700 | 300.9 | 212.0 |
| 3,800 | 304.2 | 220.1 |
| 3,900 | 308.5 | 229.1 |
| 4,000 | 311.6 | 237.3 |
| 4,100 | 313.3 | 244.5 |
| 4,200 | 314.9 | 251.9 |
| 4,300 | 314.3 | 257.3 |
| 4,400 | 312.9 | 262.1 |
| 4,500 | 309.4 | 265.1 |
| 4,600 | 306.4 | 268.4 |
| 4,700 | 306.5 | 274.3 |
| 4,800 | 305.9 | 279.5 |
| 4,900 | 305.3 | 284.8 |
| 5,000 | 302.9 | 288.3 |
| 5,100 | 299.6 | 290.9 |
| 5,200 | 295.4 | 292.5 |
| 5,300 | 289.6 | 292.3 |
| 5,400 | 282.8 | 290.8 |
| 5,500 | 278.6 | 291.7 |
| 5,600 | 272.2 | 290.2 |
| 5,700 | 267.9 | 290.8 |
| 5,800 | 263.9 | 291.4 |
| 5,900 | 260.5 | 292.7 |
| 6,000 | 254.4 | 290.6 |
| 6,100 | 248.3 | 288.3 |
| 6,200 | 245.8 | 290.2 |
Column Max314.9 ft-lb, 292.7 hp
Column Average 286.4 ft-lb, 223.5 hp
FLOWMASTER
Muffler Weight: 16 lbs each
Idle Noise: 72 dBA
Cruise Noise at 2,000 rpm: 97 dBA
| RPM | TORQUE | POWER |
| 2,100 | 206.0 | 82.4 |
| 2,200 | 253.1 | 106.0 |
| 2,300 | 275.5 | 120.6 |
| 2,400 | 285.0 | 130.2 |
| 2,500 | 281.0 | 133.8 |
| 2,600 | 282.1 | 139.7 |
| 2,700 | 285.5 | 146.8 |
| 2,800 | 286.0 | 152.5 |
| 2,900 | 284.5 | 157.1 |
| 3,000 | 282.3 | 161.2 |
| 3,100 | 281.9 | 166.4 |
| 3,200 | 284.1 | 173.1 |
| 3,300 | 287.7 | 180.8 |
| 3,400 | 293.8 | 190.2 |
| 3,500 | 299.8 | 199.8 |
| 3,600 | 301.8 | 206.9 |
| 3,700 | 301.4 | 212.3 |
| 3,800 | 304.4 | 220.3 |
| 3,900 | 309.2 | 229.6 |
| 4,000 | 310.8 | 236.7 |
| 4,100 | 313.6 | 244.8 |
| 4,200 | 314.5 | 251.5 |
| 4,300 | 313.8 | 256.9 |
| 4,400 | 311.3 | 260.8 |
| 4,500 | 311.3 | 266.8 |
| 4,600 | 308.6 | 270.3 |
| 4,700 | 307.4 | 275.1 |
| 4,800 | 305.3 | 279.0 |
| 4,900 | 303.8 | 283.4 |
| 5,000 | 302.1 | 287.6 |
| 5,100 | 298.4 | 289.8 |
| 5,200 | 293.9 | 291.0 |
| 5,300 | 288.9 | 291.5 |
| 5,400 | 283.3 | 291.3 |
| 5,500 | 277.7 | 290.8 |
| 5,600 | 273.5 | 291.6 |
| 5,700 | 269.1 | 292.0 |
| 5,800 | 264.3 | 291.9 |
| 5,900 | 259.7 | 291.7 |
| 6,000 | 255.3 | 291.6 |
| 6,100 | 249.5 | 289.8 |
| Column Max | 314.5 ft-lb, 292.0 hp | |
| Column Average | 187.8 ft-lb, 225.0 hp | |
MAGNAFLOW
Muffler Weight: 14 lbs each
Idle Noise: 66 dBA
Cruise Noise at 2,000 rpm: 98 d BA
| RPM | TORQUE | POWER |
| 2,000 | 232.5 | 88.6 |
| 2,100 | 269.2 | 107.7 |
| 2,200 | 277.3 | 116.2 |
| 2,300 | 280.3 | 122.8 |
| 2,400 | 280.1 | 128.0 |
| 2,500 | 278.3 | 132.4 |
| 2,600 | 279.1 | 138.2 |
| 2,700 | 282.8 | 145.4 |
| 2,800 | 282.0 | 150.3 |
| 2,900 | 280.0 | 154.6 |
| 3,000 | 277.5 | 158.5 |
| 3,100 | 278.3 | 164.3 |
| 3,200 | 282.9 | 172.4 |
| 3,300 | 285.3 | 179.2 |
| 3,400 | 292.9 | 189.6 |
The MagnaRow exhaust came with mid-pipes that connected the mufflers to the factory H-pipe. All the other systems we tested connected to the factory mid-pipes.
MAGNAFLOW (cont'd)
| 3,500 | 298.9 | 199.2 |
| 3,600 | 300.1 | 205.7 |
| 3,700 | 300.9 | 212.0 |
| 3,800 | 303.5 | 219.6 |
| 3,900 | 307.0 | 228.0 |
| 4,000 | 308.7 | 235.1 |
| 4,100 | 310.9 | 242.7 |
| 4,200 | 311.2 | 248.8 |
| 4,300 | 311.8 | 255.3 |
| 4,400 | 310.0 | 259.7 |
| 4,500 | 307.8 | 263.7 |
| 4,600 | 307.2 | 269.1 |
| 4,700 | 305.7 | 273.5 |
| 4,800 | 304.6 | 278.4 |
| 4,900 | 302.4 | 282.1 |
| 5,000 | 301.2 | 286.7 |
| 5,100 | 297.2 | 288.6 |
| 5,200 | 293.1 | 290.2 |
| 5,300 | 286.1 | 288.7 |
| 5,400 | 281.3 | 289.2 |
| 5,500 | 276.0 | 289.0 |
| 5,600 | 270.1 | 288.0 |
| 5,700 | 265.3 | 287.9 |
| 5,800 | 261.1 | 288.3 |
| 5,900 | 256.8 | 288.5 |
| 6,000 | 251.5 | 287.4 |
| 6,100 | 246.9 | 286.8 |
| 6,200 | 240.1 | 283.5 |
Column Max 311.8 ft-lb, 290.2 hp
Column Average 285.5 ft-lb, 222.4 hp
JBA
Muffler Weight: 12 lbs each
Idle Noise: 71 dBA
Cruise Noise at 2,090 rpm: 98 dBA
RPM |
TORQUE |
POWER |
|
2,000 |
58.4 |
22.2 |
|
2,100 |
217.9 |
87.1 |
|
2,200 |
250.0 |
104.7 |
|
2,300 |
256.0 |
112.1 |
|
2,400 |
258.0 |
117.9 |
|
2,500 |
258.1 |
122.9 |
|
2,600 |
261.6 |
129.5 |
|
2,700 |
272.8 |
140.2 |
|
2,800 |
280.0 |
149.3 |
|
2,900 |
279.4 |
154.2 |
|
3,000 |
276.9 |
158.2 |
|
3,100 |
275.3 |
162.5 |
|
3,200 |
279.5 |
170.3 |
|
3,300 |
282.5 |
177.5 |
|
3,400 |
290.0 |
187.7 |
|
3,500 |
296.5 |
197.6 |
|
3,600 |
299.1 |
205.0 |
|
3,700 |
299.1 |
210.7 |
|
3,800 |
301.4 |
218.1 |
|
3,900 |
306.6 |
227.7 |
|
4,000 |
307.9 |
234.5 |
|
4,100 |
311.7 |
243.3 |
|
4,200 |
313.0 |
250.3 |
|
4,300 |
312.1 |
255.5 |
|
4,400 |
310.0 |
259.7 |
|
4,500 |
308.9 |
264.6 |
|
4,600 |
305.6 |
267.7 |
|
4,700 |
303.3 |
271.4 |
|
4,800 |
302.2 |
276.2 |
|
4,900 |
301.5 |
281.2 |
|
5,000 |
298.4 |
284.1 |
|
5,100 |
296.0 |
287.4 |
All the systems came with chrome tips and were a positive addition to the Mustang's new styling.
It wasn't easy to install muffler kit after muffler kit and then run them on the chassis dyno. But the Anderson Ford Motorsport crew didn't complain one bit. Thanks, guys!
The JBA mufflers came into the test with the lowest price tag, while the Bassani and Ford Racing products made the most power. If you dig the classic 5.0 growl, as does your author, then you should check out the Flowmaster stuff. The tone is reminiscent of the 5.0 days of yesteryear. MagnaFlow not only gives you the mufflers and chrome tips, but also a set of mid-pipes. It adds a couple of bucks to the price, but you are also getting more for your money with the extra pipes.
Each kit offers something different from great sound to power. The best suggestion we can make when looking for an aft-axle exhaust for your '05 is to check outwhat each has to offer.
Tune in next issue, as we will evaluate X-pipe offerings for the '05 Mustang GT.
SOURCES
ANDERSON FORD MOTORSPORT
Dept. MMFF
1001 State Rte. 10 W.
Clinton, IL 61727
217/935-2384 www.andersonfordmotorsport.com
BASSANI XHAUST
Dept. MMFF
2900 E. La Jolla
Anaheim, CA 92806
866/782-3283
www.bassani.com
FLOWMASTER MUFFLERS
Dept. MMFF
100 StoneyPoint Rd., #125
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
800/544-4761 www.flowmastermufflers.com
FORD RACING PERFORMANCE
PARTS
Dept. MMFF
44050 N. Groesbeck Hwy.
Clinton Township, MI 48036
586/468-1356 www.fordracingparts.com
JBA PERFORMANCE EXHAUST
Dept.MMFF
7149 Mission Gorge Rd., Ste. D
San Diego, CA 92120
800/830-3377 www.jbaheaders.com
MAGNAFLOW PERFORMANCE
EXHAUST
Dept. MMFF
22961 Arroyo Vista
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
800/824-8664 www.magnaflow.com
|
JBA (cont.)
|
||
|
RPM
|
TORQUE
|
POWER
|
|
5,200
|
291.5
|
288.6
|
|
5,300
|
285.2
|
287.8
|
|
5,400
|
279.3
|
287.1
|
|
5,500
|
273.5
|
286.4
|
|
5,600
|
270.7
|
288.7
|
|
5,700
|
266.3
|
289.0
|
|
5,800
|
260.8
|
288.0
|
|
5,900
|
257.7
|
289.5
|
|
6,000
|
252.7
|
288.7
|
|
6,100
|
247.1
|
287.0
|
|
6,200
|
241.7
|
285.4
|
|
Column Max
|
313.0 ft-lb, 289.5 hp
|
|
|
Column Average
|
276.7 ft-lb, 218.6 hp
|
|