Need Some Assistance WIth My Exhaust Conundrum.

I recently purchased a 2023 ST online and drove a few hours to pick it up. When I arrived and test drove it all seemed fine except for the exhaust. The Ford dealership marketed the vehicle as if was in factory condition and although the exhaust did seem loud, I had nothing to compare to know otherwise. A day or two later, i really started getting to the my new wheels and I come to realize that the exhaust is actually aftermarket and with a little research, it turns out to be an MBRP Armor Pro cat back system. Now for some people this might be a huge win. For me, I am annoyed that the dealership did not disclose this information and while I like the idea of the 2.5" exhaust upgrade, the sound is just not for me and the Mrs.

To me, the sound doesn't match the vehicle. I like the lower tone when idling but when you rev up even into relatively low RPM's, it gets a higher tone BRRRRR sound with some popping in higher RPM's that just doesn't sound right. I have a bit of a hill on the way up into my development and when I'm doing 35 it sounds like I am doing 60. That, and I generally do not like to draw attention especially when I'm doing 25 over the limit and don't want the cop to hear me coming! I would not mind a lower tone rumble like a muscle car if that's possible kinda like you get from some the others like Gibson, Thermal, and Borla.

I am just trying get an Idea of what would be the best approach to resolve this problem. I have done a lot of reading on here and research elsewhere and have a few options to choose form, some being better than others.

Go back to a full OEM system.... I would rather not because it would kind of be a step backwards.
Completely change out system to a new Borla for Gibson... Looking for a simpler/cheaper fix as I paid cash for the ST.
Change out the MRBP axle back to a different axle back like a Gibson (I don't see axle back only on Borla's Website).... This is preferred based on cost and simplicity but can it be done? I don't know if the pipes from two different aftermarket brands will fit together and hang properly so the tips line up.

Any other options?

Thanks in advance,
ST Tom

You mention both catback and axleback. They are two different things. Also axlebacks may not cut the stock pipe in exactly the same spot so you may not be able to swap one axleback with anither. If I were you, go with a full catback system.

The MBRP is just a fancy muffler delete, so I agree with you it doesn’t belong on these vehicles. I’d never go with Borla, because the flex pipes aren’t replaced on most of their systems, plus they will drone. I’d say either go back to stock (not a great option but one nonetheless), most people give away their stock exhaust after getting an aftermarket one so that would be no cost to you, or go to a full Thermal system.

I am not well versed on the in's and out's of exhaust systems. I was under the impression that most of the sound/tone came from the rear most mufflers that the tips are attached to. Are you implying that the resonator has a bigger effect than the rear mufflers? Would it be possible to cut out the X pipe and have a new 2.5" resonator put in or would that be blasphemy, lol?

Yeah, the current system is a cat back MBRP. I was wondering if it would be possible to just replace the axle back part with another mfg. My concern is just what you eluded to, that different aftermarkets brands may not have joints in the same location. I was trying to avoid replacing the whole system because I just paid cash for it a week ago and need some time for the bank account to bounce back.

I am not well versed on the in's and out's of exhaust systems. I was under the impression that most of the sound/tone came from the rear most mufflers that the tips are attached to. Are you implying that the resonator has a bigger effect than the rear mufflers? Would it be possible to cut out the X pipe and have a new 2.5" resonator put in or would that be blasphemy, lol?

No I was saying the MBRP is just a muffler delete, hence why it drones so much. You’re correct the mufflers muffle the most, res takes away all the bad frequencies and some sound. The MBRP is simply an axle back so the stock resonator is still there, don’t know what x pipe your referring too.