Dual Solo Mach X/ Single MR400 Solo for 5.0
09-26-2012, 12:31 AM
#11
Beer Gut Extraordinaire
Solo's claim to fame is exhaust systems for modern American V8's that put out great sound with NO drone so they've gone to great lengths to uphold their reputation with these systems. I have slight drone (reasonable amount to be expected) when I'm towing up a hill and holding low RPMs in 5th or 6th gear. If I drop another gear and RPM up the drone disappears and is replaced by the sound of a thousand Gods ripping chilli farts while blasting Motorhead at a Nascar race (FYI - that's a good thing, hahaha). Once you hit cruising speed the noise is almost non-existant other than a low rumble. I get a bit of drone at 132-133km/h; nothing up to 131km/h and nothing past 134km/h. Basically all it does is remind me to either slow down, or "f**k it, hit the gas and speed up man". The only "complaint" I've had about the drone was while sitting in the magic spot just above 131km/h one of my buddies, hungover as all hell said "remind me again why the hell I'm putting an exhaust system on my Mustang (2013 5.0L)????". I kicked it up to 135km/h and he said "ohhh ya, THAT'S why. Sweeeet." I've even driven my grandmother around with no complaints, although she always was a bit of a "car chick" hahaha.
I bought an Ecoboost, so no need to worry about exhausts....I like my V6 to stay quiet, not sound like a minivan with a fart can.
The following users liked this post:
blackbeast_FX4 (09-26-2012)
09-26-2012, 12:45 AM
#12
Brianm825
Cool. I do love the sound of a V8, but I love the quiet muffled refinement of a Ford V8....it's a tradeoff really. The SI/DO magnaflow on the 6.2 is just plain LOUD.
I bought an Ecoboost, so no need to worry about exhausts....I like my V6 to stay quiet, not sound like a minivan with a fart can.
I bought an Ecoboost, so no need to worry about exhausts....I like my V6 to stay quiet, not sound like a minivan with a fart can.
Of course if I bury the throttle, my truck sounds, as I said earlier, like a Chilli cook-off, center-field at a Nascar race. But I have the choice of when I want it to sound like that. Good stuff.
10-13-2012, 09:09 PM
#13
I installed the Mach X on my 5.0 today, and am thrilled to pieces! They sound perfect at every RPM, and the no-drone claim is 100% on the mark. One puzzling thing, however, is that there are two rods welded to the midpipe for hanging, but only one hanger on the frame. Even then, it didn't come close to fitting. Nevertheless, the length and diameter were perfect, and the entire system is rock solid.
I'll try and post some pics for the OP tomorrow morning. I'm still grinning, just thinking about the sound.
I'll try and post some pics for the OP tomorrow morning. I'm still grinning, just thinking about the sound.
10-14-2012, 03:31 PM
#14
OK, here are the best photos I managed to get with my cheapie camera. Yes, I scuffed those mirror-polished stainless tips with scotchbrite and went to town with the high-temp flat black enamel. Deal with it!
Looking from bow to stern where the Solo midpipe connects to the factory exhaust.
Not sure what the deal is, but there is only one stock hanger, not two, and even that hanger would not fit, so it was removed altogether. The instructions mentioned two hangers, and as you can see, the midpipe was welded that way, but darn it to heck if I know why. Even still, when it's all tightened up, it's solid.
The band clamp connecting the midpipe to the front of the muffler. Works like magic!
The band clamps connecting the dual 2.5" pipes to the rear of the muffler. I'm glad I don't have OCD, because those babies are anything but even!
The passenger side pipe winding its way over the axle.
From the rear, looking forward: The passenger exhaust utilizes the factory hanger.
Again from the rear: The drivers side pipe, with a lil' heatshield welded to it. The differential venthose has to be ever so slightly rerouted to make way. The stickers on the pipes were applied with some form of dark magic, and I gave up on trying to scrape them off. I'll let the heat and the elements do what I was too lazy to do!
Another shot of the drivers side pipe arching over the axle.
The Solo-supplied hanger for the drivers side. So simple to install, even a dunce like me could do it!
Looking from bow to stern where the Solo midpipe connects to the factory exhaust.
Not sure what the deal is, but there is only one stock hanger, not two, and even that hanger would not fit, so it was removed altogether. The instructions mentioned two hangers, and as you can see, the midpipe was welded that way, but darn it to heck if I know why. Even still, when it's all tightened up, it's solid.
The band clamp connecting the midpipe to the front of the muffler. Works like magic!
The band clamps connecting the dual 2.5" pipes to the rear of the muffler. I'm glad I don't have OCD, because those babies are anything but even!
The passenger side pipe winding its way over the axle.
From the rear, looking forward: The passenger exhaust utilizes the factory hanger.
Again from the rear: The drivers side pipe, with a lil' heatshield welded to it. The differential venthose has to be ever so slightly rerouted to make way. The stickers on the pipes were applied with some form of dark magic, and I gave up on trying to scrape them off. I'll let the heat and the elements do what I was too lazy to do!
Another shot of the drivers side pipe arching over the axle.
The Solo-supplied hanger for the drivers side. So simple to install, even a dunce like me could do it!
Last edited by The Machinist; 10-14-2012 at 03:34 PM.
10-14-2012, 03:33 PM
#15
Drivers side exit.
Passenger side exit.
The midpipe hanger issue notwithstanding, I'd recommend this kit to any 5.0 owner.
PS: I can't wait to get rid of those stock wheels and tires!
10-15-2012, 11:45 AM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the great info Machinist!! Best 5.0 system on the market IMHO. The MR400 sure sounds sweet too; just trying to make a final decision on dual or single.
10-16-2012, 10:41 AM
#17
SW Rep
The connection points on the EcoBoost and the 5.0L are the same so exhausts are interchangeable. HOWEVER I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT UNLESS IT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY TESTED. The R&D department at Stainless Works went through several muffler designs before we found one that worked on the 5.0L. Standard things that work on the 4.6/5.4/6.2 just don't agree with the new 5.0L and the firing order causes some awful droning with mufflers not specifically designed for that motor. You might just get lucky if you tried an Ecoboost muffler on a 5.0 but chances are you are going to get drone.
Have you considered a Stainless Works exhaust? You won't find a better sound. The 304L Stainless, lifetime warranty and 100% American craftsmanship mean you'll be hard pressed to find a better product.
Have you considered a Stainless Works exhaust? You won't find a better sound. The 304L Stainless, lifetime warranty and 100% American craftsmanship mean you'll be hard pressed to find a better product.
Last edited by Stainless Works; 10-16-2012 at 10:50 AM.
10-16-2012, 11:27 AM
#18
2011 XLT XTR SCrew 4x4 EB
Originally Posted by Stainless Works
The connection points on the EcoBoost and the 5.0L are the same so exhausts are interchangeable. HOWEVER I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT UNLESS IT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY TESTED. The R&D department at Stainless Works went through several muffler designs before we found one that worked on the 5.0L. Standard things that work on the 4.6/5.4/6.2 just don't agree with the new 5.0L and the firing order causes some awful droning with mufflers not specifically designed for that motor. You might just get lucky if you tried an Ecoboost muffler on a 5.0 but chances are you are going to get drone.
Have you considered a Stainless Works exhaust? You won't find a better sound. The 304L Stainless, lifetime warranty and 100% American craftsmanship mean you'll be hard pressed to find a better product.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-EmXlvW6xQ&hd=1
Have you considered a Stainless Works exhaust? You won't find a better sound. The 304L Stainless, lifetime warranty and 100% American craftsmanship mean you'll be hard pressed to find a better product.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-EmXlvW6xQ&hd=1
10-16-2012, 11:38 AM
#19
SW Rep
Sounds like they found something that will work for both! That certainly makes manufacturing easier. If we didn't have to design mufflers to work with headers and then other mufflers to work with manifolds, we might have been able to go that direction as well.