New Catback Valved Exhaust Install Sound Clips vs resonator delete / tips (on 2024 Ranger Raptor)

[DirtDerrick]

I want my truck to identify as a Raptor.
Two things bothered me from day one. White running lights instead of Amber, and chrome exhaust tips instead of black. Amber lights in a later post.

For some reason it didn't sound as aggressive/deep (hard to explain) as my bronco raptor did. I tried painting the tips black, then I removed the resonators. Removing the resonators helped. Still wasn't the sound I was hoping for. After looking around the world for a new exhaust, I found Milltek near Knoxville, TN. They'd developed a catback valved exhaust. Contacted them, they did the install, sound clips, and even put the truck on their homepage. I still have all the exhaust modes, & each mode has a much deeper, more mellow sound. I love it. Here are some clips from them and pics I took.
Sound Comparison
Driving

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[pablo94sc]

Should have put a bigger resonator in instead of whatever that tiny muffler is. The new open exhaust sounds terrible.

 

[DirtDerrick]

Dang, I love it. Now my feelings are hurt ?. My friend did this one while on vacation, does it sound any better to you?

 

[NPTR]

I can already tell, exhaust on this truck is gonna be a battleground of personal preferences. Reality is, a twin turbo six is one hell of an engine, but sound is not its strong suit, on any car. It will always have somewhat of a muffled tone, and there will be ways to work around it and downplay weaknesses / enhance strengths, but it will never sing like an N/A engine.

My BMW M2 CS is one of my favorite cars of all time, S55 twin turbo online 6…the car is a 10/10, except for the exhaust note. I’ve tweaked many things, including removing resonators and doing an “equal length” midpipe setup to enhance tone, but it still sounds lackluster next to any N/A 6 or 8. And some exhaust systems actually make the car sound worse as they just enhance the badness haha. I’ve determined that the best thing to do was keep the car reasonably quiet and focus on induction tone, adding carbon fiber intakes and inter cooler piping to create an incredible turbo spool sound that is intoxicating.

I have a hunch I’ll feel the same about the RR. Sound is subjective, I get it…but exhaust on these cars will be polarizing and I’ve always found myself scratching my head when YouTubers are raving about the exhaust note. I love every inch of this truck, but I enjoy it more on normal than Baja or sport exhaust, it just doesn’t do it for me…sounds too flat. Doesn’t sound bad at all, and maybe over time after my muffler and resonators break in I’ll like it a bit more. But for now, it’s one part of the truck I don’t love, and I understood that coming in after owning many turbo cars over the years.

I may be proven wrong and some exhaust setups may come out over the years that really enhance the tone, but for now, it’s not on my mod list.

Good news is, im sure you can get some incredible induction sound on this bad boy to make up for it

 

[DirtDerrick]

I can already tell, exhaust on this truck is gonna be a battleground of personal preferences. Reality is, a twin turbo six is one hell of an engine, but sound is not its strong suit, on any car. It will always have somewhat of a muffled tone, and there will be ways to work around it and downplay weaknesses / enhance strengths, but it will never sing like an N/A engine.

My BMW M2 CS is one of my favorite calls of all time, S55 twin turbo online 6…the car is a 10/10, except for the exhaust note. I’ve tweaked many things, including removing resonators and doing an “equal length” midpipe setup to enhance tone, but it still sounds lackluster next to any N/A 6 or 8. And some exhaust systems actually make the car sound worse as they just enhance the badness haha. I’ve determined that the best thing to do was keep the car reasonably quiet and focus on induction tone, adding carbon fiber intakes and inter cooler piping to create an incredible turbo spool sound that is intoxicating.

I have a hunch I’ll feel the same about the RR. Sound is subjective, I get it…but exhaust on these cars will be polarizing and I’ve always found myself scratching my head when YouTubers are raving about the exhaust note. I love every inch of this truck, but I enjoy it more on normal than Baja or sport exhaust, it just doesn’t do it for me…sounds too flat. Doesn’t sound bad at all, and maybe over time after my muffler and resonators break in I’ll like it a bit more. But for now, it’s one part of the truck I don’t love, and I understood that coming in after owning many turbo cars over the years.

I may be proven wrong and some exhaust setups may come out over the years that really enhance the tone, but for now, it’s not on my mod list.

Good news is, im sure you can get some incredible induction sound on this bad boy to make up for it

Funny you say that about the BMW M2, MillTek has a ton of exhaust options for it, it was their SEMA car last year.

 

[NPTR]

Yes but I think the best sounding brands put a ton of time and R&D into the midpipe setup / configuration…that’s where the biggest sound enhancements came from and I assume the same will be true here as this isn’t as simple as removing resonators and making it free flowing…it’s about shaping the tone and that will require some serious time put into pipe shape, size, resonator use and then muffler as well of course. We’ll see, but for now, I’m gonna sit tight and enjoy the power train stock until the aftermarket really opens up and my warranty runs out haha.

 

[DirtDerrick]

Yes but I think the best sounding brands put a ton of time and R&D into the midpipe setup / configuration…that’s where the biggest sound enhancements came from and I assume the same will be true here as this isn’t as simple as removing resonators and making it free flowing…it’s about shaping the tone and that will require some serious time put into pipe shape, size, resonator use and then muffler as well of course. We’ll see, but for now, I’m gonna sit tight and enjoy the power train stock until the aftermarket really opens up and my warranty runs out haha.

Yes, you're correct Milltek put a year into this one. What aftermarket parts are you referring to? I already have CAI, BOV, Charge pipes, Turbo back exhaust, Intercooler, HPFP, Bigger injectors, Bigger Turbos, Catch can, Trans Cooler, Trans upgrade, etc. Every bolt on performance related part I can think of. I've not went internal yet, but there is already parts for that too. Warranty, I usually void mine before I leave the dealership.

 

[sikedsyko]

I'm interested to see what you plan to do about the white running lights. Amber running lights would really help the appearance of these trucks.

 

[Deleted member 6814]

I don’t think it sounds bad. I just don’t think it sounds different enough for the increased cost of a new exhaust

 

[Snkrjeff020]

I was too spoiled with cold stars on my RS3. Might be the thing I missed the most.

 

[RedNose1]

The only thing I’ll do later is do bigger down pipes when I find a tune to remove the check engine light, that plus adding the Fabulous 4 inch tips, in the exhaust note department.

I would really like to know your solution in replacing the white day lights.

 

[olefordguy]

I realize its all personal preference, but for me, I don't care for it at all. If one wants a mean throaty sound, it's gotta be a V8. All the exhaust mods for 4 and 6 cylinder engines produce that rice burner coffee can exhaust tip noise imo. But all that counts is YOU like and and that's ALL that matters!!!

 

[cc1999]

I do like the sound of the cold start at the 55 sec mark.
‘That almost sounds like a v8 right there. Impressive .

I agree with others, being a v6 I don’t think it will ever have that v8 sound that I love.
Which is why I have mine programmed to stay in quiet mode.

I will say again that startup sound was as close to v8 sound I have ever heard from a v6.
It does not seem to stay sounding like that but still impressive.

 

[cc1999]

The only thing I’ll do later is do bigger down pipes when I find a tune to remove the check engine light, that plus adding the Fabulous 4 inch tips, in the exhaust note department.

I would really like to know your solution in replacing the white day lights.

I am still considering the fab 4 tips, just still struggling with insane cost for a couple exhaust tips.
‘That $900 price tag for tips just seems about 3-4 times higher than it should be. I just don’t understand why those tips are so expensive. Plus I am concerned about how removing the resonators will affect the sound level. I do tend to like a v6 to remain quiet.

 

[Deleted member 8469]

I was too spoiled with cold stars on my RS3. Might be the thing I missed the most.

Those 5 cylinders sound awesome

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