As you may have read in our last post about our 2016 Ecoboost Ford Mustang, we added the CORSA Performance Intake to replace the stock air intake box. With a sleeker design and perfect fit, the CORSA Performance Intake was the first step in starting the build. In part two of our build thread, we decided to go with the full three-inch CORSA Performance Exhaust system. We headed on over to Torque Motorsports in Edmond, Oklahoma, for help with the installation.
We decided to go with CORSA Performance exhaust system because of their patented RSC Technology. CORSA Performance entered the exhaust category in 1998, re-writing the rulebook for what a performance exhaust should be with the launch of their revolutionary RSC® (Reflective Sound Cancellation®) Technology. RSC®Technology allows CORSA Performance the unique ability to selectively target and eliminate resonant frequencies that cause drone, by reflecting sound waves out of phase, while custom tuning the exhaust note. Since the debut of RSC® Technology in 1998 on the C5 Corvette, CORSA Performance has invested countless resources developing proprietary tools used in “perfecting the science of sound”, resulting in world-wide recognition for high-performance, aggressive exhausts systems that eliminate drone.
We started by taking off the stock exhaust system, which was a breeze to remove – not surprisingly. First we unhooked both O2 sensors connected to the downpipe – one before the cat and one after. Once the car was lifted on the hoist, we loosened the two bolts on the sleeve from the downpipe to the rest of the exhaust. Once removed, the whole back portion of the exhaust slides right out of the hangers with ease. We then loosened both bolts on the back side of the turbo, and the two bolts on the downpipe hanger and removed the downpipe. It was amongst the easiest exhaust system removals we have ever done – elapsed time was only about 20 minutes.
We went with the full exhaust system setup from CORSA – from turbo to tailpipes – to maximize performance from the 2.3-liter Ford Ecoboost platform. All of CORSA’s exhaust systems are constructed from premium stainless steel to deliver lasting performance, sound and appearance. We started off with the downpipe. Right away you could see the size difference from stock piece as CORSA’s eliminated the massively restricting catalytic converter located midway on the downpipe. The new downpipe fit to the stock turbo like a glove. The benefit of an aftermarket downpipe is simple – significantly reducing exhaust restrictions enables the car to make fairly dramatic improvements in horsepower. On any turbo car, an aftermarket downpipe is a must if you would like to increase the performance of your car.
After installing the downpipe, we connected the rest of the exhaust system. Each piece from the downpipe-back slid together and fastened perfectly with CORSA’s provided clamps. The design was made to mimic the stock application, and no changes had to be made for it to fit into place. Once everything was correctly in place and tightened down, we lined up the exhaust tips to perfectly line up with the openings in the bumper.
Usually, when it comes to installing an aftermarket exhaust system on a vehicle, there are a few problems that arise during installment and the most common is the fitment of the product. It’s not unusual to have to modify the provided pieces or be forced to make your own mounts, but that wasn’t at all the case with this system from CORSA. Leading manufacturers in the automotive aftermarket – such as CORSA – have a keen sense of the car community in 2016, and the need to provide consumers with true bolt-on performance parts is a directive they have clearly embraced. From start-to-finish, installation of this downpipes-back performance exhaust system was easier than expected (an hour and 15 minutes total) and the improvement in sound alone would have been worth 10x the time and effort.
Before and After
(More photos at the bottom of article of the install, and close-ups of the CORSA Performance Exhaust along with part list and link on where to order your very own.)
Now that the CORSA Performance Intake and Full Exhaust system have been installed, the car needed to be tuned to run correctly with the added modifications. Stay tuned for part three of our Ecoboost build with the Cobb Tuning Accessport V3.
Special thanks to Shawn and the entire team at CORSA Performance on providing us with these modifications for our Ecoboost Ford Mustang, as well as Cole and Shelby at Torque Motorsports for assisting us with installing the exhaust system.
Parts List
3″ Downpipe – http://www.corsaperformance.com/viewpart.aspx?year=2016&make=Ford&model=Mustang&submodel=EcoBoost&partnum=14344&cfg=1976
Full 3″ Cat Back – http://www.corsaperformance.com/viewpart.aspx?year=2016&make=Ford&model=Mustang&submodel=EcoBoost&partnum=14343BLK&cfg=1975
Additional Photo Gallery
