Just got back from the speed shop. I ordered the new 2005 Mustang GT Borla catback exhaust system. After ALOT of research, forum perusing and magazine research I elected to go with Borla for a few reasons. They offer the catback T-304 Stainless Steel aircraft grade mandrel bent tubing (same diameter as stock), have great sound bites, offer 3.0 inch highly polished chrome tips in the same style as the stock ones (down cut chamfer) and save weight over the stock system ( I guess by feel appx 20+ pounds total). More than all of that, I felt nobody else had this system according to forums and I wouldn't regret an annoying drone so many others are mentioning.
I don't have a lift so I figured why not let a shop install them, cost me about $120 bucks (1.5 hours instl). You can pick up the kit from $700 to $900 bucks depending on how long you want to wait.
Results; Superior throatier sound over stock especially at low rpm's. Totally finishes the back end (the "worst" part of the '05 imo) with 3 inch chrommies poking out. No drone! The only way I could get them to make me even slightly annoyed was to use a higher gear at too low of rpm on the freeway and bog the motor down, like 1500 rpm in 5th gear and stomp on it, who would do this normally anyways? Once it hit 2000 rpm it got mellow again.
Data; I knew going in that per all forums I would realize virtually no gains. In fact I have posted on this many times prior. The stock exhaust is done extreemly well by Ford. I felt at least with the weight changes and the fantastic looks and the sound, this is where the decision comes in.
The dyno proved the same. No noticable gains although, it was hotter than the last time I dyno-ed and I didn't see the same high powered fan in front of the CAI but, I think these points are negligible.
I really think the main RWHP gains are in the X-pipe, headers and hi-flo cats. Some company needs to offer a stock cat replacement with hi-flo cats that will hook up to the O2 sensors and give better flow and not trip the dummy lights. I really feel there is untapped power there. I plan to wait until more developement is done in this area. I am not too thrilled to drive around cat-less with "tricked" O2 sensors.
For now, I am happy with my mods and am looking forward to summer. I get the louvers put on tomorrow and will post pix of my Pony thereafter.
Borla rocks and I recommened them to anybody wanting more growl in their Pony. http://www.borla.com/products/produc...rod_sku=140135
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C&L CAI with MAF, Steeda UP's, FR 4.10's, Predator "C&L-MAF" Tune, Borla 3" tip catbacks, Kooks LT/ Catted X-pipe, Nitto 255/45/18(F) 285/40/18(R), Steeda Springs, Tri-Ax, Adj Pan Hard, Camber plates, Cowel Hood, Tokico Adj Dampers.
dyno; 315 RWHP/ 320 RWTQ
I love the sound of the Borla also. I intend on purchasing the Bassini 50 state legal X pipe to add to the Borla cat back. It requires cutting the aft cat and forward axel pipes, and also adds about $300 to the total cost. I have not purchased either yet, but I have contacted Borla about both X pipe and "axel backs" new products to see if I couldn't save some bucks! They did tell me that there was some reasearch & development for those products, but could not provide a time table. The stock exhaust system is great, and the only way to increase hp is to install an X pipe, as far as I can tell. I don't know if I can wait! Congrats on your purchase! I am sure it sounds great.
I I picked up my '05 GT 14 Jan, three weeks later I had the Borla Cat-back exhaust installed. I have been very pleased with is since day one! Although your Dyno results show no improvements to HP or TQ.....By the seat of the pants I think the torque curve is a little smoother than stock after the install and break-in of the Borlas. I have owned a number of muscle cars and sports cars over the years and have not seen as surprising an improvement in a car's performance.
Since the install of the Borlas, I have done several additional mods to the car since: Steeda CAI, removed intake cataylist, DiabloSport Predator tune for CAI w/91/93 Octane tune. These all have improved the overall torque, performance and drivability of the car. I am pretty happy with all of it. I have considered the Ford Racing Shorty headers, but may not change the stock ones out. Mostly due to results others seem to be getting (only 4-5 hp/tq gains) and it will be a pain to install them myself. But then again who knows.
Glad to hear from some people who like the Borlas as much as I do. I think I am the only one in my area with them installed on their GT.
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"Safety Fast"
2008 Bullitt, #0546, Black
2005 GT Coupe, Performance White
Yeah, the Borla's are really sweet. It basically adds "growl" to the lower rpm's and has no annoying drone. As stated above, if you over bog the engine at 1500 rpm and mash pedal you will get the most amplitude of the lower frequencies but, it means, "shift please if you don't like this". I can't say enough about the back end looks, I was wondering what to do to make it better but, didn't care for the 3M rage I have seen in posted pix. I will now leave as is, the chrome ties in with the trunk logo and looks great.
Anybody looking to do an axle back/ cat back, I highly recommend Borla.
Regarding future HP potential gains, it really appears the Ford Engineers outdid themselves on the stock exhaust regarding numbers. That said I am reading you may get appx 10-15 RWHP/ 15-20 RWTQ with JBA long tube headers but, I know this makes you extend the "post O2 sensors" and I wonder if any emissions lights will trip. If you go long tube you will need to redo the cats as well. Could be alot of cost, fine tweaking the sensors and a bit of hassle to get those attractive gains. Read the June edition of Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords magazine. They got like 357 STOCK flywheel HP out of the 4.6 with open throttle body, and stock manifolds with no cats or mufflers. The JBA's give some boosted HP (no regards to the legal aspect of cats). They finally supercharge the damn thing and get from high 500's to low 600's HP (diff pullies)! All this with no 'puter control over the variable cam. These 4.6's with the variable cam timing are nasty lil guys.
At this point I am waiting for R&D to catch up to the 2005 and see what the exhaust manufacturors can do, with dyno results.
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C&L CAI with MAF, Steeda UP's, FR 4.10's, Predator "C&L-MAF" Tune, Borla 3" tip catbacks, Kooks LT/ Catted X-pipe, Nitto 255/45/18(F) 285/40/18(R), Steeda Springs, Tri-Ax, Adj Pan Hard, Camber plates, Cowel Hood, Tokico Adj Dampers.
dyno; 315 RWHP/ 320 RWTQ
I need to find a local Dyno facility and get it checked. I think most of the baseline numbers are alll very similar, so not as worried as to where it was, but would like to know where it is today. When I was looking for a different exhaust, my Dealer Service Advisor told me about the Borlas. He was dead on as to sound and feel of the car after installation. He is a real Mustang nut, so I trust him on what I can do to my car. I will probably wait till the Fall to do much else to my car and let the rest of the afternmarket catch up. My only real changes next will be to or not to install the Steeda Charge Motion Control Valve Plates. I have them sitting at home, but as I said may not install them yet. Keep hoping that one of the Mustang Mags will do an article on them so I can decide to install or not. They sounded like a good option when I ordered them, but am now a little standoffish. Ditto on headers.....
Back to the Borlas....A few weeks ago I was at the dealer ordering some parts for the outside of the GT and cranked it up for the parts guys. They were very impressed with the sound! One guy was way back in the Warehouse and heard me crank it up and came out to see what sounded so great! He was totally amazed at the deep rumble coming out of the '05. One of the Parts guys had seen a white GT the previous weekend going down a main intown road (had his windows down) and thought that car sounded great. Then after hearing mine up close, he realized it had been my GT he had heard!
Hopefully next month at the Mustang Rally here in Huntsville, AL there will be some interesting older and maybe good examples of mods of the '05 GT. Who knows, maybe mine will generate some lookers. Not gonna show it, but I will clean it up and pop the hood for people who want to look.
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"Safety Fast"
2008 Bullitt, #0546, Black
2005 GT Coupe, Performance White
Hey, did your Steeda shock tower brace do anything noticible?
From what I know the stock CMP on the 4.6 give you low rpm turbulent mix of air/ fuel which = torque. The deletes may give you higher rpm HP at the cost of low end torque. I haven't seen dynos so don't take this as gospel, only what I have learned.
Also, not sure the shorties give much more gains but, I bet they will sound nice and you won't have to dick with the cats. Let me know if you add them cuz I was thinking of doing same.
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C&L CAI with MAF, Steeda UP's, FR 4.10's, Predator "C&L-MAF" Tune, Borla 3" tip catbacks, Kooks LT/ Catted X-pipe, Nitto 255/45/18(F) 285/40/18(R), Steeda Springs, Tri-Ax, Adj Pan Hard, Camber plates, Cowel Hood, Tokico Adj Dampers.
dyno; 315 RWHP/ 320 RWTQ
Well it seems the Strut tower brace does stiffen up the front end a bit more, but it is hard to tell with the stock 235/55/17 Pirelli tires on it. The pirelli's do not have that stiff of a side wall, feel a bit mushy but handle ok for the most part. Don't get me wrong, you can tell a difference, however, I just got it on a couple of weeks ago and have not really pushed the car on a real curvy road. May do that this weekend and will let you know more then. I actually did it more for looks....if nothing else it really makes under the hood look more finished. Would I do it again???? Yes...
As to the CMCVPs, I posted a question to some guys on another forum to see if any of them knew more of any improvements they would provide. No real good info yet. As I said, hopefully, one of the Mustang Mags will do an article on them in the near future. I just look at them each day and wonder...lol
Shorty Headers....they are a lot less hassle to install....but what if any real power gains would I experience??? Sound is a different thing...it should open it up a bit more, but hopefully not too much more since I do like the way the GT sounds with the Borlas. We shall see.....
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"Safety Fast"
2008 Bullitt, #0546, Black
2005 GT Coupe, Performance White
As to the CMCVPs, I posted a question to some guys on another forum to see if any of them knew more of any improvements they would provide. No real good info yet. As I said, hopefully, one of the Mustang Mags will do an article on them in the near future. I just look at them each day and wonder...lol
It's hard for me to say how much of the awesome throttle response I have is coming from the CMCPs and from the tune, but it is instant! There is unfortionately a low end lagg! It's kinda fun/handy for easy driving as it's pretty 'nice' in the lower register. At 3800 RPM all hell breaks loose. Almost like having a turbo added (not in power of course but in feel...) The stock ones are NOT bad! But these are wide open and larger. I'd guess worth 10-15 RWHPs and a bit more high end TQ, maybe 20 lbs. I got a deal on mine and am prepairing for that blower... and wide open is good right...?!?
After parts have been on, some been taken off, here is what I'd do...
1. Catted X-pipe 2. CAI and wait for X-Cal2 tuner 3. Pulley System (3.5 Short Throw) 4. Flywheel 5. CMPS
(6. Alcohol Spray) (7. New Top) (8. New Crank) (9. Super Charger, maybe with block and pistons)
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KJ, poorer but happier
Thanks to: Modular Depot Fox Lake Racing Tunable Induction Power House 411 Sun Coast Creations
The X-pipe is a proven modest gain. The jury is out on shorty headers. The CMD plates, I have seen zero dyno results. I would be curious as to exactly what the power curve looks like after mod.
Regarding the heads, I am confident if one were to spend $1700 and get ported heads (JohnnyZ told me he got appx 50 HP gains on the blow-by job http://www.blowbyracing.com/05_head.htm) you would have very sweet gains. I feel this is a great dollars to HP gain. I would like to see dyno results on the heads regarding HP/ TQ. I may do this one day.
I am not sure how much the stock short block can take but, a blower can give you 580-620 HP gains but, that was done with very high boost, too much imo (MM&FF mag June '05). With more conservative boost and modest gains for street longevity, say you get 450 RWHP alone with S/C. However, these are between 4000 to 5000 dollars installed and tweaked correctly. A huge cost to the average owner. The bigger question is how much HP is too much for stock? I am reading 400 to 450 RWHP can be handled and from what I have read on these 4.6 3 valves, I believe it.
I am in a wait and see mode on the 2005 at this point. The after market on these street ready racers are going to be huge.
kj_cinci, thanks for the shorty antenna hook up, it makes the Mustang look fatter and meaner if one can believe an antenna can do that.
Pix to follow after my louvers go on next week.
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C&L CAI with MAF, Steeda UP's, FR 4.10's, Predator "C&L-MAF" Tune, Borla 3" tip catbacks, Kooks LT/ Catted X-pipe, Nitto 255/45/18(F) 285/40/18(R), Steeda Springs, Tri-Ax, Adj Pan Hard, Camber plates, Cowel Hood, Tokico Adj Dampers.
dyno; 315 RWHP/ 320 RWTQ
I don't get it...why would you replace a perfectly good cat back (I have a stock 2006 GT) with anyone cat back. They arn't bigger (2.5") they are both SS, and the H design has reduced resonance. They (manufacturers) claim added HP. How???? unless u replace the H with an X design maybe. But not seat in your pants feel.
It seems like a waste of money (adding freeflow mufflers, Axel back would accomplish more). Gee, lets spend 5 6 7 hundred for what? Do we all think the Ford Racing team are idiots?
All I'm gonna do is add a COLD AIR Kit, and Axel back free flow mufflers and hope I see some improvement some where like gas milage, and maybe a better sound.
Looking for better sound, louder but not much, still not sure which mufflers to get...Flowmasters, dynomax, Borla (pay for name) , corsa, Bassani all seem ridiculously expensive...so after I intall the cold air will see.
I'd like the feeling i got 20 years ago with my '86 (stock) GT now that was a GT! fast, good sound and you could break the tires loose anytime you wanted.
Borla lists two different type cat-backs. One of them is labeled "S-Type" which after a phone call to Borla, I was informed that the S-Type is ALOT more agressive sounding than the stock Borla catbacks. Their tech told me their stocks are up to 60% louder than the stock GT exhaust where as the S-Type is up to 90% louder. That's a pretty big difference. Does anyone here have the S-Types on their Stang and how loud are they exactly? I don't want anything too excessive. Thanks....
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2005 Black GT with Red upgrade interior, fully tinted, 18's with ASA/BBS 5 spoke studded wheels, Michelin Pilots, Borla S-Type catbacks, K&N FIPK cold air injection system.
Why bother then? 60% louder I'd say is plenty... 90% is allot... In a while (be it a month or years) you'll get headers etc. and then you need some muffling to keep your car semi normal... The nice thing with 'tighter' muffs is that they work better at low rpm muffling most out but when you get on it you get that V8 roar... I mean if you wanna be quiet you can, if you wanna show off you can.... why be loud all the time? And maybe annoyed yourself....?!?
Also look into the FRPP ones that are the same and cheaper...
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KJ, poorer but happier
Thanks to: Modular Depot Fox Lake Racing Tunable Induction Power House 411 Sun Coast Creations
Borla exhaust catback 
