Active Exhaust - Meh?

[System]

I am a big fan of the active too. I had captain's call on a boat once and have electric cutouts on my 1970 GTO. So, getting the option was a no brainer for me. However, one thing I didn't see mentioned in this thread is that despite popular belief, the fake exhaust sound through the audio system isn't just an ecoboost thing. The 5.0 has it as well and when you have AE, it actually changes along with the valve position. It really makes a big difference too. I turned mine off with FORScan because I'm adding a sub and amp and didn't want the sound amplified. I was shocked at how much was coming from the speakers/sub as opposed to the actual exhaust. With the top/windows up I can barely hear the difference between the top 3 modes (although yes, they are still much louder than quiet mode.) I was kind of disappointed because it sounded a lot better before but now that I know it wasn't all real, I couldn't bring myself to turn it back on... sub/amp or not...

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[Frogdog1]

I don't ever turn on my audio so what I hear is not much with the windows up. Fine with me. I can feel and hear enough. In either sport or track mode, I can tell others hear it by watching them. It tells them how cool I am besides the cool electronic energy I have in a surrounding 20 yard perimeter, LOL...

 

[Bear376]

I have been on the track where they have used active exhaust and it definitely makes a difference at high rpms. On my EcoBoost, I was very surprised at how much the noise level increased when I replaced the catalytic converter with a down pipe and flow through cat.

 

[System]

I don't ever turn on my audio so what I hear is not much with the windows up. Fine with me. I can feel and hear enough. In either sport or track mode, I can tell others hear it by watching them. It tells them how cool I am besides the cool electronic energy I have in a surrounding 20 yard perimeter, LOL...

It's coming through your audio whether your system is on or not. Ford did a really good job of hiding it through the APIM but it's always there. I'm not saying it's not sounding great outside the vehicle and I love how mine sounds! I'm just saying, what you're hearing inside is modified somewhat. It's not like total v8 exhaust sounds added like with what they do on the V6. It's more like a supplemental growl. It's hard to explain. If you try to listen to it with it turned on, you'll never notice. But the second you shut it off, you'll be amazed at the difference.

 

[dusman59]

Ford has to have any exhaust 50 state legal. They make sound through the inside speakers to help satisfy owners and keep them from getting tickets.
I put a Borla on my 2011 that is only 49 state legal. I never plan on driving in that state and couldn't care less what their laws are.

 

[Frogdog1]

It's coming through your audio whether your system is on or not. Ford did a really good job of hiding it through the APIM but it's always there. I'm not saying it's not sounding great outside the vehicle and I love how mine sounds! I'm just saying, what you're hearing inside is modified somewhat. It's not like total v8 exhaust sounds added like with what they do on the V6. It's more like a supplemental growl. It's hard to explain. If you try to listen to it with it turned on, you'll never notice. But the second you shut it off, you'll be amazed at the difference.

I had a feeling that was coming. Now, I must listen for it. Ford really didn't need to do something like that. Makes no sense. I guess it helps them sell more Mustangs, ya think?

 

[System]

I had a feeling that was coming. Now, I must listen for it. Ford really didn't need to do something like that. Makes no sense. I guess it helps them sell more Mustangs, ya think?

LOL, it does sound much better with it on. I have to admit that. It's like sausage. You don't want to know how it's made. Just that it tastes good....

 

[Frogdog1]

LOL, it does sound much better with it on. I have to admit that. It's like sausage. You don't want to know how it's made. Just that it tastes good....

I'm still sitting here trying to figure out why Ford thought I really needed that. What next in the world? Things used to be simpler. And to think I paid for this kind of garbage.

 

[System]

I'm still sitting here trying to figure out why Ford thought I really needed that. What next in the world? Things used to be simpler. And to think I paid for this kind of garbage.

Well, active exhaust is still really cool. I don't regret the option at all. That snap/pop when you let off the clutch with the valves open is always great too. I just don't think they needed to add to it. Sounds great as is. The way my wife described the difference was this. Before I shut off the added sounds with forscan, it sounded more deep like a rumble. Not it's more raspy and high pitched. Still really cool. Just less muscle car and more super car. Some would say that's better.

 

[MegaMan]

From the other thread … I almost forgot … I added a resonator delete on my s550 with active exhaust and it was perfect…. Was a little too quiet from the factory …

Anyone with an S650 and active exhaust with resonator delete that can comment if same thing?

Also have a s650 with AVE and Steeda H pipe and man it’s perfect. A few hairs louder and gave it a deeper growl. Wicked.

 

[Coloradovrs]

It's coming through your audio whether your system is on or not. Ford did a really good job of hiding it through the APIM but it's always there. I'm not saying it's not sounding great outside the vehicle and I love how mine sounds! I'm just saying, what you're hearing inside is modified somewhat. It's not like total v8 exhaust sounds added like with what they do on the V6. It's more like a supplemental growl. It's hard to explain. If you try to listen to it with it turned on, you'll never notice. But the second you shut it off, you'll be amazed at the difference.

Any chance it can be captured on a recording to compare the fake sound on, and then fake sound off?!

 

[AZ_Ryan]

It's coming through your audio whether your system is on or not. Ford did a really good job of hiding it through the APIM but it's always there. I'm not saying it's not sounding great outside the vehicle and I love how mine sounds! I'm just saying, what you're hearing inside is modified somewhat. It's not like total v8 exhaust sounds added like with what they do on the V6. It's more like a supplemental growl. It's hard to explain. If you try to listen to it with it turned on, you'll never notice. But the second you shut it off, you'll be amazed at the difference.

What's an APIM, and how do you know this?

 

[Kevi]

Ford has to have any exhaust 50 state legal. They make sound through the inside speakers to help satisfy owners and keep them from getting tickets.
I put a Borla on my 2011 that is only 49 state legal. I never plan on driving in that state and couldn't care less what their laws are.

That's the whole point of the active exhaust. Track mode specifically says for off-road use only. Not street legal.

 

[Zig]

It's coming through your audio whether your system is on or not. Ford did a really good job of hiding it through the APIM but it's always there. I'm not saying it's not sounding great outside the vehicle and I love how mine sounds! I'm just saying, what you're hearing inside is modified somewhat. It's not like total v8 exhaust sounds added like with what they do on the V6. It's more like a supplemental growl. It's hard to explain. If you try to listen to it with it turned on, you'll never notice. But the second you shut it off, you'll be amazed at the difference.

Wheres the source?

 

[Zig]

Any chance it can be captured on a recording to compare the fake sound on, and then fake sound off?!

Seems any modification to the exhaust (resonator delete) would funk up a prerecoded soundtrack pretty harshly. Also this would imply the ‘ghost cam’ is just a sound file?

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