• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


I need to reduce the DRONE

Cyberdeth

New Member
Messages
11
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Rutland, VT, USA
#1
Purchased the MBRP cat-back carbon fiber tipped exhaust.

Overall I’m happy with it, but my wife is starting to hate the DRONE whenever there is acceleration. It’s BOOMING.

I’m open to suggestions and I’m willing to replace the mufflers if needed, but must keep those carbon tips
 

CareerFiremanGuy

1000 Post Club
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
1,083
Reactions
812
Points
262
Location
USA
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#2
Messages
307
Reactions
120
Points
37
Location
Bear, DE, USA
#3
Messages
158
Reactions
136
Points
37
Location
Omaha, NE, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#4
I had an MBRP cat back system on my 2013 MKZ 2.0 and hated it. They said no drone but it was the worst exhaust I ever owned. I tried everything to get rid of the drone but ended up tossing it and building a custom setup.
 

ARC

Member
Law Enforcement
Messages
314
Reactions
101
Points
27
Location
Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Vehicle
2022 ST Black
#5
I agreee with nzaf985 Thermal makes a great setup with no drone.
I had the mbrp also and while I liked it and felt it helped open up the exhaust it was too much drone for me.
Had it for 5k miles then replaced it with the Thermal downpipe back system.
I replaced the factory flex pipes with the Thermal as well, and it was just in time as at only 9k miles the factory flex pipes were beginning to rattle.
All stainless 2.5 inch exhaust with new flex pipes for 1500.00.
 

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,555
Reactions
1,296
Points
262
Location
Utah
Vehicle
Exploder
#6
People are probably tired of hearing me say this but +1 on Thermal R&D's product. I hear zero drone.
 

Last edited:

CareerFiremanGuy

1000 Post Club
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
1,083
Reactions
812
Points
262
Location
USA
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#7
thermal as well does a great job at no drone on this platform.
Cool, didn't know that.

... I replaced the factory flex pipes with the Thermal as well, and it was just in time as at only 9k miles the factory flex pipes were beginning to rattle ...
My ST is going in soon to the dealership for the rattle.
 

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,572
Reactions
5,346
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#9
Helmholtz resonators are the cure for drone. If you cancel the drone frequency…it can’t drone.
 

Last edited:

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,555
Reactions
1,296
Points
262
Location
Utah
Vehicle
Exploder
#10
As I hear no drone, I'll pass and leave mine unHelmholtz-resonated.
 

Last edited:

CareerFiremanGuy

1000 Post Club
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
1,083
Reactions
812
Points
262
Location
USA
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#11
You'd have to get an audio app to find the resonance frequency (Hz) of the drone in your exhaust and then weld on the appropriate resonators...or you can just buy a Borla.
 

Messages
196
Reactions
159
Points
37
Location
US
#12
You also can't go wrong with aFe's system, no drone either.
 

Stinger

Member
Active Duty U.S. Navy
Messages
193
Reactions
76
Points
27
Location
Madison, WI, USA
#13
Purchased the MBRP cat-back carbon fiber tipped exhaust.

Overall I’m happy with it, but my wife is starting to hate the DRONE whenever there is acceleration. It’s BOOMING.

I’m open to suggestions and I’m willing to replace the mufflers if needed, but must keep those carbon tips
The drone on my MBRP stainless system got better with time. I really noticed it drone the other day picking up people with lots of luggage at the airport. It was loaded down and at lower rpm there was a lot of drone when on the throttle.

I considered adding a resonator like the Borla in place of the X tube.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

CareerFiremanGuy

1000 Post Club
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
1,083
Reactions
812
Points
262
Location
USA
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#14
You also can't go wrong with aFe's system, no drone either.
Hard to have any faith in a manufacturer that doesn't advertise their system as "drone free."
 

DarthRed

New Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Messages
15
Reactions
6
Points
2
Location
Austin, TX, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST, Rapid Red
#15
Maybe contact MBRP for a solution? Otherwise, here's an article that might help you:
https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/what-is-exhaust-drone

If I ever get an exhaust, I'd have to go with BORLA as they're the only manufacturer who absolutely guarantees no drone:
https://www.borla.com/2020-2022-ford-explorer-exhaust-systems/
YES! Borla, "S" Type is the way to go! Carbon tips system all S Steel is a little over $2K but really is worth it. There is another Type called "ATAK" with a much more aggressive tone. Too loud for me.
 

CareerFiremanGuy

1000 Post Club
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
1,083
Reactions
812
Points
262
Location
USA
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#16
YES! Borla, "S" Type is the way to go! Carbon tips system all S Steel is a little over $2K but really is worth it. There is another Type called "ATAK" with a much more aggressive tone. Too loud for me.
Steel Tips are sold for $1,543.99, not bad.
 

Messages
144
Reactions
74
Points
27
Location
San Diego
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#17
It’s cuz of the X-pipe they use. Thermal and Afe both have mufflers and both are drone free. I replaced my X-pipe with a muffler from an exhaust shop and now the drone is gone and it’s only slightly louder than stock with a full 2.5” cat back exhaust.
 

Mattypdub

New Member
Active Duty U.S. Army
Messages
1
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
NC
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#18
Did you ever get the Drone reduced? I thought 2.5” woudn’t have been so loud. I even used Forscan to get rid of the fake engine noise. I sometime turn the music up just a litle bit and it helps even it out.
 

Messages
98
Reactions
71
Points
17
Location
Chattanooga, TN, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#19
Messages
33
Reactions
8
Points
2
Location
Columbus, Ohio
Vehicle
2x 2023 Explorer STs
#20
+1 for the Thermal 3in setup... I love in on my ST and zero drone.
 



Top