Most European Sounding Exhaust

[Erik]

As much as I love my ZR-1, it does bug me that my 2019 Mustang Bullitt sounds a lot better. I'd love to add an exhaust to my ZR-1, but what I don't want is something that makes it sound like a typically rumbly Yankee V8. I'd prefer something that highlights the Lotus/European 4 cam sound of the LT5. Of all the exhausts available, which would be closest to what Im describing?

[Mystic ZR-1]

Here ya go Erik!
Right up thru the hood!!!😀

[Erik]

Here ya go Erik!
Right up thru the hood!!!😀

Exactly what I was looking for. How did you know? :P

[EvanZR1]

Corsa. Has a higher, more exotic tone. Here's a video of mine on a back road drive. This was from inside the car, but with a hatch vent in place so you can really hear it. Granted mines a 391cid with stage 2 cams, so it's a little rowdier than a stock LT5:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20ZOyqaoweQ&t

[WARP TEN]

As much as I love my ZR-1, it does bug me that my 2019 Mustang Bullitt sounds a lot better. I'd love to add an exhaust to my ZR-1, but what I don't want is something that makes it sound like a typically rumbly Yankee V8. I'd prefer something that highlights the Lotus/European 4 cam sound of the LT5. Of all the exhausts available, which would be closest to what Im describing?

I tested many exhausts in the early years ('90s, early 2000s) and concluded at the time that Corsa had a more "European" sound, which I would describe as a little higher pitched that the typical Mustang type rumble. The sound difference from the Mustang is partly due to different firing orders I think. The difference between aftermarket brands on the ZR-1 was more due to exhaust pipe diameter (bigger was deeper and louder) and general exhaust and muffler design. The Corsa was the best aftermarket system at reducing drone or resonance. I used Corsa for years on both Z's until I finally went to the stock system with cutouts on the '95. One thing I did not like about the early Corsa was that I could perceive individual firing pulses more than I liked which was due mostly to the almost complete segregation of the left and right sides (only a tiny "H" pipe at the front of the center resonator connected the two sides). I modified my Corsa resonators to allow much more sound wave crossover from each side to the other and it improved and smoothed the sounds for me. Nowadays X pipes accomplish this to a certain degree.--Bob

[Erik]

Corsa. Has a higher, more exotic tone. Here's a video of mine on a back road drive. This was from inside the car, but with a hatch vent in place so you can really hear it. Granted mines a 391cid with stage 2 cams, so it's a little rowdier than a stock LT5:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20ZOyqaoweQ&t

That sounds magnificent. Thank you!

[Erik]

I tested many exhausts in the early years ('90s, early 2000s) and concluded at the time that Corsa had a more "European" sound, which I would describe as a little higher pitched that the typical Mustang type rumble. The sound difference from the Mustang is partly due to different firing orders I think. The difference between aftermarket brands on the ZR-1 was more due to exhaust pipe diameter (bigger was deeper and louder) and general exhaust and muffler design. The Corsa was the best aftermarket system at reducing drone or resonance. I used Corsa for years on both Z's until I finally went to the stock system with cutouts on the '95. One thing I did not like about the early Corsa was that I could perceive individual firing pulses more than I liked which was due mostly to the almost complete segregation of the left and right sides (only a tiny "H" pipe at the front of the center resonator connected the two sides). I modified my Corsa resonators to allow much more sound wave crossover from each side to the other and it improved and smoothed the sounds for me. Nowadays X pipes accomplish this to a certain degree.--Bob

The Bullitt was actually designed to sound like a 68 with a 390. It does sound fantastic, especially starting in the garage. It also has 4 different modes, from polite to very rowdy, and is one of the best parts of the driving experience. The Coyote is NOT an LT5 however, regardless of the fact that it has 100 more horsepower. Just no where near as special.

[Mystic ZR-1]

Years ago I had Monza mufflers on my 84
Black crinkle finish, two slim glasspacks each side,
chrome slash tips, nice mellow sound. Monza made after market
exhausts mostly
for European cars. Dunno why they made them for a Vette?
Don't think they're around any more?

[conesare2seconds]

^^^ Used to see Monza offered in Mid America, Eckler?s, Corvette Central, etc.

[Paul Workman]

I agree w/ the Mustang exhaust note being "mo bettah" than the old (pre-LS) Chevy V8s, including the LT5.

However, the firing order (the actual cylinder position firing order, shall we say) of the LS motors is now the same as the FORD 5.0, 351s (both), 400, and the modular V8s

Attached is a chart of "Common Firing Orders". If you trace the firing orders of the FORD V8s and the newer GM LSx V8s, beginning at the #1 cylinder for the LS and the #5 cylinder for the FORD engine and proceed to trace the routes, you'll notice the cylinder position firing orders are identical.

The difference in these examples (I'm told) is in the firing order dictated by the cam(s). One could (I suppose) start with billet cams and grind the LT5 cams to emulate LS and FORD firing orders.

Start with the lower right cylinder in the LS and Ford motors and trace the position of the cylinder firing order and see whacha discover!

.

[WARP TEN]

The Bullitt was actually designed to sound like a 68 with a 390. It does sound fantastic, especially starting in the garage. It also has 4 different modes, from polite to very rowdy, and is one of the best parts of the driving experience. The Coyote is NOT an LT5 however, regardless of the fact that it has 100 more horsepower. Just no where near as special.

That's what I liked about going back to a stock system with QTP electric cutouts in front of the mufflers on my '95. I could cruise around quietly all day with them closed or open them part way to give a nice rumble or all the way to set off car alarms and scare small children. :) My Z06 also has an adjustable exhaust using exhaust flaps with three settings. I keep it in the middle--flaps open on starting and until you get up to a cruising speed then closed. Best of both worlds.--Bob

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Corsa indeed is the most F1 / European sounding exhaust system for a ZR-1

Mustangs, since the fox body days until now, hands down have the best exhaust note if you are into muscle car rumble.

If stock was not good enough, just add flow masters, and that Mustang would turn the head of every car guy and gal.

Having driven my son's 2020 Mustang GT with the Roush system we put on as a Dad and Son project I have to say the sound was absolutely intoxicating!
Upshift, downshift, on it off it, it just sounded bad *** no matter what you did.
He thinks the ZR-1 sounds better.
I however, am not so sure.
Was that said in a politically correct fashion?
:cheers:
Marty