Adding Active Exhaust After Purchase

[MAT1955]

I have a 2024 Mustang GT Premium Convertible. I love everything about it except that it does not have active exhaust. I spent countless hours chasing a solution. Nothing was good and having a convertible with the frame stiffening bars underneath greatly complicated matters. So, I ordered a 2026 Mustang GT Premium Convertible that is a twin of what I have except it will have active valve exhaust. BUT - I always want a plan B. I think my plan B will work for both the Coupes and Convertibles that do not have factory active exhaust. What made this easier? RTR's latest piece of genius. Their development of the insert that allows owners to cut our the space for a twin exhaust tip in their valence then place, IMO, as good looking a "cover" as any OEM part would - changes the game. Owners would no longer have to replace their entire valence for a good look. Second, talking with a parts guru I know indicated I could purchase the entire factory active valve exhaust system (which I knew) but more easily than I thought. His buddy in service "thought" there was a harness for the active exhaust valves wired into all mustang GTs just "hanging there" at the rear of the cars. Is that true? If so, where does it terminate - maybe in a harness at the firewall? If so, could that harness be energized by hooking it up to the battery and then adding a 4-way switch to the harness to manually (everyone agrees that there is - at this time - no way to link any aftermarket, even Ford, active exhaust to the screen) - activate the 4 positions of the valves? Such a switch, for the sake of argument, could be placed in the center counsel, like Valvetronic does. Yes, for the coupes there are aftermarket switchable exhausts but IMO they have no where near as many choices (usually just on/off) or as good a sound as the Ford System AND if there is no harness why can't owners run their own harness that energizes the the two solenoids that control the valves and also connect wiring from them do a 4 position switch in the cockpit? I have done this with switchable through hulls on high performance boats dozens of times. Sooooo, I think I may have a decent plan B in case my 2026 Mustang doesn't happen......and given that my 2026 will not have lighted Mustang sill plates, no carpet protecting mats, possibly no aluminum pedals and possible no lighted Mustang logos that shine on the ground from the mirrors.....maybe I am better off keeping my 2024 and adding the OEM Ford active valve exhaust myself? Too much time on my hands, definitely. Will this work, I think it might.

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[Westphal]

Our 2026 has the lighted Mustang logos as "puddle lamps". We don't miss anything else that was deleted from the 2026s except maybe the lighted sill plates, but that's just a showy thing not a practical thing.

 

[IFFV68]

Our 2026 has the lighted Mustang logos as "puddle lamps". We don't miss anything else that was deleted from the 2026s except maybe the lighted sill plates, but that's just a showy thing not a practical thing.

It depends how far you want to go moneywise I would find a new 2025 GT with what you want.
i’m sure there’s a few on the lot somewhere?
please be sure to find one with the 401-A, Active Exhaust
You may not get the color you want, but you’ll have all the options except the phone charger in the 2024.
I have a 2024 GT 401-A, Active Exhaust, Brembo Brakes. . The Brembo brakes are worth your money in Gold. If you need them in a bad traffic situation, they will stop on a dime and give you a nickel worth of Change.
Also, if you find the performance Pack don’t get scared off with those 12,000 mile tires. It’s also worth money but when I purchased mine, I couldn’t find one in my area anywhere.
Find a Local Ford Dealership you can trust.
Good Luck

 

[Gvsukids (SCAMMER)]

I have a 2024 Mustang GT Premium Convertible. I love everything about it except that it does not have active exhaust. I spent countless hours chasing a solution. Nothing was good and having a convertible with the frame stiffening bars underneath greatly complicated matters. So, I ordered a 2026 Mustang GT Premium Convertible that is a twin of what I have except it will have active valve exhaust. BUT - I always want a plan B. I think my plan B will work for both the Coupes and Convertibles that do not have factory active exhaust. What made this easier? RTR's latest piece of genius. Their development of the insert that allows owners to cut our the space for a twin exhaust tip in their valence then place, IMO, as good looking a "cover" as any OEM part would - changes the game. Owners would no longer have to replace their entire valence for a good look. Second, talking with a parts guru I know indicated I could purchase the entire factory active valve exhaust system (which I knew) but more easily than I thought. His buddy in service "thought" there was a harness for the active exhaust valves wired into all mustang GTs just "hanging there" at the rear of the cars. Is that true? If so, where does it terminate - maybe in a harness at the firewall? If so, could that harness be energized by hooking it up to the battery and then adding a 4-way switch to the harness to manually (everyone agrees that there is - at this time - no way to link any aftermarket, even Ford, active exhaust to the screen) - activate the 4 positions of the valves? Such a switch, for the sake of argument, could be placed in the center counsel, like Valvetronic does. Yes, for the coupes there are aftermarket switchable exhausts but IMO they have no where near as many choices (usually just on/off) or as good a sound as the Ford System AND if there is no harness why can't owners run their own harness that energizes the the two solenoids that control the valves and also connect wiring from them do a 4 position switch in the cockpit? I have done this with switchable through hulls on high performance boats dozens of times. Sooooo, I think I may have a decent plan B in case my 2026 Mustang doesn't happen......and given that my 2026 will not have lighted Mustang sill plates, no carpet protecting mats, possibly no aluminum pedals and possible no lighted Mustang logos that shine on the ground from the mirrors.....maybe I am better off keeping my 2024 and adding the OEM Ford active valve exhaust myself? Too much time on my hands, definitely. Will this work, I think it might.

Man, I feel you! That RTR insert is a game changer for the twin tip look without swapping the whole valence.

About the harness newer GTs might have pre-wired connections for the active exhaust, but it’s not always plug and play. Your idea of a 4 way switch to manually control the valves could work, just make sure the solenoids get the right power and don’t conflict with the ECU.

Honestly, if the 2026 ends up missing the little luxuries, keeping the 2024 and adding the OEM active exhaust yourself might be the smarter and way more fun move .

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