Top Mods: Top 5 2021-2022 F150 Cat-Back Exhaust Kits!

Posted by Jason Locke on 5/6/2022 to Top Mods

Even though parts in general have been coming out pretty slow for the 2021-2022 F150s (especially for my taste), one set of 2021-2022 upgrades that aren't in short supply are cat-back exhaust kits. In fact, there's so many that it can be pretty tough to choose which cat-back system is right for your 2021-2022 F150. That's why we here at Stage 3 are picking out our Top 5 2021-2022 F150 cat-back exhausts to help you narrow it down. While we don't have complete sound clips of these new 2021-2022 F150 cat-backs, we've tried many of them in the past on our various F150 Project Trucks, and these exhaust systems will be a great addition to practically any F150 build, regardless of engine option.

2021-2022 F150 Corsa Sport Pre-Tire Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Kit

Our first contender doesn't have much to complain about. The Corsa Sport Pre-Tire Exit Kit for 2021-2022 F150s offers up a solid combination of high-quality construction, awesome exhaust note, slick exit style, and a perfect fit all in one place. The Corsa Sport System is made out of 304 stainless steel, which makes it nearly impervious to corrosion and discoloration in nearly any climate or application. The Corsa Sport System features 3" diameter tubing and comes with a new Corsa Muffler with their patented RSC technology that keeps its drone low while still producing a much deeper and more noticeable sound than stock that is sure to turn some heads. This version of the Corsa Sport system features a pre-tire exit behind the passenger's side rear wheel which gives your F150 a slick, SVT Lightning-style looks. The system is topped off with Corsa's twin-tip design with a polished finish (version of this kit with black tips is also available) that looks great on just about any truck. The only downside of this kit is its price, but you're getting an extremely high-quality system that sounds great. Check out our video below for an install and sound clips at the end:

Corsa Pre-Tire Cat-Back Specs:

Exhaust Material: 304 Stainless Steel
Diameter: 3.00"
Exit Style: Pre-Tire Side Exit
Tips: Twin 4" Polished Tip

2021-2022 F150 Magnaflow 4" Street-Series Single-Exit Cat-Back Exhaust Kit

When it comes to exhaust, you really can't go wrong with one of the biggest names in the business. The Magnaflow 4" Single-Exit Cat-Back Kit is a great way to add an awesome sound to your F150 in a high-quality kit. Magnaflow builds each of these kits out of 409 stainless steel which allows the kit to resist corrosion in most climates and applications. The system uses 4" diameter tubing and a straight-through muffler that produces a big, bad sound that is sure to catch attention. The Magnaflow cat-back kit comes topped off with a big, 5" tip that exits in the stock location, which gives your F150 a subtle change in looks while using all of the OEM mounting points for a great fit. With a fairly small muffler and a resonator delete, this system produces a pretty aggressive sound that may be right up your alley, but this system will likely give you a bit of drone at cruising. Like the Corsa system, the Magnaflow system is on the pricey side, especially considering it's made out of 409 stainless steel instead of higher-quality 304, however, 409 still a great choice for most climates, but if you're in a place that uses a ton of salt in the winter, you may want to go with a 304 system.

Magnaflow Cat-Back Specs:

Exhaust Material: 409 Stainless Steel
Diameter: 4.00"
Exit Style: OE-Style Single-Side Exit
Tips: Single 5" Polished Tip

2021-2022 F150 MBRP Installer Series 4" Black Tip Single-Exit Cat-Back Kit

While the Corsa and Magnaflow kits are on the pricey side, here's something a bit more budget friendly from our good friends over at MBRP. The MBRP Black Tip 4" Installer Series Cat-Back Kit for 2021-2022 F150s gives you a lot of sound and a great look without breaking your bank. The MBRP Installer Series is made out of low-cost aluminized steel, which functions perfectly fine in more mild climates, but should not be used in areas with heavy salt use during the winter. The kit features 4" diameter tubing that's used in conjunction with an MBRP straight-through muffler to produce a deep, rumbling sound. The muffler included in this kit is fairly long, which helps to keep drone at least some amount of control, though some can still be expected with the lack of a forward resonator. The kit is topped off with a 5" diameter, black powder coated tip that exits in the stock location behind the passenger's side wheel well. The tip helps change up your truck's look while the OE-style exit makes the kit easy to install. The major con to this kit is its aluminized steel construction. Aluminized steel really can't handle salt or extremely humid and wet climates very well, but if you're in a fairly mild or dry area, then this kit makes for one heck of a bang-for-your-buck F150 exhaust system.

MBRP Cat-Back Specs:

Exhaust Material: Aluminized Steel
Diameter: 4.00"
Exit Style: OE-Style Single-Side Exit
Tips: Single 5" Black Tip

2021-2022 F150 Borla S-Type Black Tip Dual-Exit Cat-Back Kit

Borla is one of the most legendary names in the aftermarket exhaust industry, and we'd be remiss if we didn't include at least one exhaust system from our old friends over at Borla. The Borla S-Type Black Tip Dual-Exit Cat-Back for 2021-2022 F150s offers up a great sound, new look, and near-flawless quality and fitment that we've come to expect from Borla. Each Borla F150 cat-back is made entirely out of 304 stainless steel, allowing it to hold up in even the heaviest salt and harshest climates. The system features 3" diameter tubing at its inlet which then splits into dual 2.25" diameter tubing after the muffler which still gives you an overall increase in exhaust volume over stock. The S-Type system deletes your F150's muffler and only includes a fairly large, forward resonator that helps to keep drone under control while still product a very mean, very noticeable exhaust note. This version of the Borla Cat-Back features a dual rear exit design with each tip exiting on either side of your F150's rear bumper. Borla tops the kit off with 4" diameter black tips that look great on just about any F150 build. Like most 304 systems, the biggest downside of this kit is the price, but that's pretty much standard with 304 stainless steel and having two exits. The exits themselves can also be an issue when you're towing. Rear, straight-out-back tailpipes tend to reflect a lot of sound back at you if you're towing a trailer, not to mention, you can get a lot of carbon all over whatever you happen to be towing, which isn't great.

Borla Cat-Back Specs:

Exhaust Material: 304 Stainless Steel
Diameter: 3.00" inlet, 2.25" tailpipes
Exit Style: Dual rear exit
Tips: Dual 4" Black Tips

2021-2022 F150 Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back Kit

Our friends over at Flowmaster don't get enough love. Yes, their exhaust systems tend to be a bit rude, crude, and downright loud, but they're also customizable, of excellent quality, and feature great fitment. Last, but not least, we have the Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back Kit for 2021-2022 F150s. The American Thunder System (as its name implies) has a loud, noticeable, and very aggressive exhaust note that is bound to catch attention. The system features an extremely compact muffler with their unique Delta internal design that lets your truck's motor really sing, while still tamping down on some sound volume. That being said, this kit does produce a good amount of drone, which definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea. The American Thunder Kit is made out of 409 stainless steel, which gives it excellent corrosion resistance for most climates and applications. Each American Thunder Kit uses 3" diameter tubing at its inlet that then drops to 2.5" diameter tubing after the muffler that provides a bump in exhaust system volume. One of the most unique features of the American Thunder system is its configurable tailpipe exits. The system can be set up for either a dual rear exit straight out back of the rear bumper or as a dual side exit behind either rear tire, giving you options for how you want your F150 to look. In either case, the American Thunder kit is topped off with 3.50" diameter exhaust tips with a dual-wall design that gives them a very unique and aggressive look. The only real con to this kit is that it is pretty aggressive, and you should expect a good amount of drone. If you do want a very mean exhaust, then this kit will probably be right up your alley, just be prepared for the consequences.

Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back Features:

Exhaust Material: 409 Stainless Steel
Diameter: 3.00" inlet, 2.50" tailpipes
Exit Style: Dual rear exit
Tips: Dual 3.50" Polished Tips

In all honesty, you probably can't go wrong with nearly any F150 cat-back kit. The 2021-2022 F150s are extremely quiet from the factory, and getting a bit more sound along with a more unique look is not a bad thing in the slightest. Which system is your favorite? Do you disagree with my undoubtedly perfect list? Let us know in the comments below!