What’s the Best V8 F-150 Exhaust? (Magnaflow vs Borla vs MBRP)

To figure out the BEST V8 F-150 exhaust, Town and Country TV compares three big-name exhaust systems for the brand-new F-150.

Which one is your favorite?

If there’s one upgrade that can completely alter a vehicle’s character almost instantly, it’s the exhaust. Having a quality, resonant exhaust note’s been a staple of the American V8 for decades. And the F-150’s 5.0L Coyote is no exception. Boasting anywhere from 360 to 400 horsepower in stock trim (though 500-plus is certainly on the table), the Coyote’s factory engine note fits the rugged F-150 like a glove. The engine breathes deep, with new examples peaking at 6000 RPM, a characteristic reflected in its bass-heavy rumble. That said, at the end of the day, it’s still a stock exhaust. It’s quieter, more refined, and lacks the range and impact of high-quality aftermarket pieces. But it’s all good to wax lyrical about such a distinction – what’s the best V8 F-150 exhaust available today?

To help answer this question, we turn to  Town and Country TV, as they compare exhaust systems by MBRP, Borla, and Magnaflow side-by-side. Weighed against the factory exhaust, each of these brands unquestionably improves on that characteristic V8 growl. However, when compared to one another, they all bring very distinct notes out of the Coyote. So, which exhaust sound is the right for your build? Well, let’s check it out!

Comparing the Exhaust Systems

First up is the MBRP. Uniquely, this exhaust features a single, flat-black tip. A point worth mentioning, Town and Country TV uses a decibel meter to measure the sound from the tip and within the cab. Noting the results, the exhaust is marginally louder, but produces a noticeably deeper tone. The difference compared to the factory unit is night and day. Its more resonant notes still convey refinement within the cab as well, comfortably producing just slightly more noise than factory. And with those deeper notes, the exhaust brings vibes of classic muscle cars. All in all, an excellent choice if you’re going for a sound that’s noticeably beefier without sacrificing refinement.

Second, we have something completely different. The Borla exhaust, a dual-tipped smaller-diameter unit, produces some visceral, raspy screams at high RPM. Impressively enough, it accomplishes this without sacrificing that characteristic Coyote low-RPM rumble. This unit sounds more at home on a Roush or similarly modified Mustang. It’s certainly emphasizing the harsh bite of the V8, fully coming alive above 4000 revs when it really sings. If you’re after a tuned, aggressive sound, this exhaust is definitely worth a listen.

And finally, we have the Magnaflow black chrome dual-tipped exhaust. This unit fits the factory regulator and is plug-and-play on all F-150s from 2015 to present, a factor worth considering over the other units. As for its sound, this exhaust produces by far the quietest note of the lot. While still noticeably altered from stock, it lacks the range of the Borla or the punch of the MBRP. But that subtlety may just be what you’re looking for. And if that’s the case, then Magnaflow has you covered. It’s quiet enough for any small town in the morning, but still has the presence of a V8 prominently displayed when you put your foot down.

In truth, we couldn’t select which exhaust note is “best.” Rather, each has their own individual pros and cons that suit very distinctive builds. A tastefully-tuned muscle truck? That’s the MBRP. Performance truck that’s not afraid of a few revs? Definitely the Borla. Or just factory but enhanced? Magnaflow’s got that. But that’s just what we think. Which would you put into your F-150 build?

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M.C. Cuccio

I've been an automotive aficionado since I had baby teeth. My path was set when I first leaned on my grandfather's classic Porsche as I learned how to walk. One of my first memories was my mother sitting me behind the wheel of her Pontiac and talking me through the instrumentation and controls. Even though I was a mere three or four years old, I was instantly sold, and filled notebooks with technical drawings, sketches, and collections of manuals of all sorts of cars. I've actively tracked developments in automotive and motorsport technology for well over 20 years, and pride myself on being intimately familiar with the functions and history of a wide range of vehicles.

My primary goal as a writer and enthusiast is to equally learn and share what I've learned in a constructive and interesting way. I maintain connections with people from around the world and can read technical manuals in Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, granting me access to a wide array of resources. My primary focuses are deep-dives into historical topics, motorsport discussion, and learning about the complex mechanical elements of such vehicles. As such, my research is never perfect; as anyone into cars will attest, the more you learn about cars, the more you realize how little you actually know. Therefore, I always welcome fresh knowledge and corrections to help me better my work in the future.