Install Guide: 2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Kit on our 2012 FX4 Project Truck!

Posted by Jason Locke on 12/11/2013 to Install guides

MBRP has one of the most legendary names in the truck exhaust industry, though they're probably better known for their huge lineup of diesel exhaust systems and kits. With MBRP being one of the more popular exhaust choices for the 2011 to 2014 F150 5.0Ls, we were chomping at the bit to get a few of their systems onto our 2012 F150 5.0L FX4 Project truck, starting with the MBRP 3" Single Side Exit Cat-Back Kit. The Single Exit kit is billed to give your truck a factory-style look while improving its exhaust note. Being a OE-style exit, the system was a good bit easier to install than a dual exit kit, especially considering some of our more difficult systems. MBRP's kit turned out to be a great option for anyone looking for a deeper tone and some extra volume without changing the appearance of their truck. While not the loudest or most aggressive system we've tested, the MBRP kit did add a nice sound without being too rowdy.

Just like all our installs, our first step was to head down to Extreme Performance out in Goodyear, Arizona, to meet up with Kris, Marty, and all the guys for a little bit of help getting our MBRP 3" Single Side Exit Cat-Back kit installed on our truck. We drove down, got the truck up on Extreme's lift, and went to work ripping out our factory exhaust system for the installation of the MBRP kit. Install was pretty simple and the MBRP kit fit extremely well.

The stock cat-back kit is built to keep your truck quiet and features both a forward resonator and mid-mounted muffler. The first step of our cat-back installation was to hit all the piping connections with penetrating oil to help make Kris's life much easier.

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

After letting the penetrating oil do some work, Kris removed the bolts holding the resonator pipe to both the muffler's pipe and our F150's mid-pipe, before completely removing the whole assembly.

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

With the resonator pipe out, Kris maneuvered the muffler tube and over-axle pipe out of its hangars, over the axle, and out of our truck.

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

Now on to the MBRP kit. Step one was to install MBRP's mid-pipe connection tube that features a small resonator just before the outlet. Kris fit the tube into our factory mid-pipe and tightened down the included bolts to finger tightness before using an axle stand to support the tube.

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

MBRP includes a clamp with a built-in hangar for this kit that needs to be fit on before the muffler section of the system of the kit is installed. Once the hangar clamp was in place next to the resonator, Kris fit the muffler on and tightened the clamp with his fingers.

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

After the hangar clamp was tightened down and the muffler looking decently secure on another axle stand, Kris slid the over-axle pipe and its clamp into the muffler while slipping its hangar through the bed's exhaust mount.

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

With the over-axle tube in place, Kris slipped over another clamp and fit on the tailpipe tubing. Once the tailpipe was in the kickover tube, Kris rotated it around and slipped the hangar through the rear exhaust mount. Once in place, Kris centered the clamp and tightened it down with his fingers.

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

Now that everything was basically in place, Kris installed MBRP's polished 3.5" rolled 304 stainless steel tip and went back through and tightened up all the clamps while checking tip alignment and positioning.

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

Once everything was tightened down and aligned, our MBRP 3" single side exit system install was complete.

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

2011-2014 F150 5.0L MBRP 3" Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Install

1 Comments

Tim Robertson

Date 4/26/2014

Thanks you for the photos and description. I installed one of these systems on my 2013 F-150 5.0 4X4 with the 187" wheel base (so I had to use the included extension pipe between the resonator and the muffler. I struggled with this install going from the included instructions and pictures, so after two hours on not getting things to line up I did a search online and founf your pics and description. I then saw my error, I has the first pipe section with the step in it turned to the outside toward the frame. When I looked at your pictures I could see that pipe was oriented so that it dropped down prior to the resonator and was tuned towards the drive shaft (at about 10 o'clock). I went back and loosened the connection so I could rotate the pipe and form there it all lined up and it only too me about 20 minutes to get it all finished. Thanks again for the your article and pictures.