Ford 2.7 EcoBoost Exhaust Upgrade Guide
Meet Austin
Austin holds a technical writing degree and has 5 years of experience working as a Technical Product Specialist at BMW. He is an avid car enthusiast who is constantly watching F1, consuming automotive content, racing on his simulator, and working on his Toyota’s and BMW’s. Austin’s technical writing skills, extensive automotive knowledge, and hands-on experience make him an excellent resource for our readers.
The Ford 2.7 EcoBoost engine is one of the primary powerhouses of the current Ford truck and SUV lines. The engine provides more than ample horsepower and torque for most people, even matching the 5.0 Coyote V8’s peak torque figure at a lower RPM. Beyond being a solid engine from the factory, the 2.7 EcoBoost is one of the most modifiable turbo engines in the Ford lineup. While we have covered popular Ford 2.7L EcoBoost modifications in another article, this one will be focused exclusively on Ford 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust setups.
Ford 2.7 EcoBoost Exhaust Benefits
It is important to start by saying that upgrading to a cat-back exhaust on your 2.7 EcoBoost is not going to yield very significant power gains. Ultimately, there might be a slight improvement over stock if you throw your 2.7L EcoBoost F150 or Bronco on the dyno, but don’t expect to see more than a 5-10 horsepower gain from a cat-back alone.
With all of that out of the way, let’s talk about why people do buy 2.7 EcoBoost exhausts. At the end of the day, cat-back exhausts are cosmetic and sound-improving modifications. The factory 2.7 F150 exhaust is very underwhelming from a sound perspective, especially when compared to Ford’s other V8 offerings in the F150. While a twin-turbo V6 isn’t ever going to sound like a V8, a cat-back exhaust is a fantastic way to better match the sound of your truck with the speed of your truck.
The other aspect is the look of the exhaust itself. The factory 2.7 EcoBoost F150 has a single rear exit exhaust, pointing off the passenger side rear of the truck. The 2.7 Bronco’s exhaust isn’t even visible. While this is obviously a personal preference, some owners want to have a unique-looking exhaust to match the upgraded sound.
2.7 EcoBoost Exhaust Supporting Mods
As we established before, a cat-back exhaust for your 2.7 EcoBoost will provide only marginal performance gains, and none that you’ll likely notice with your butt dyno. With that being said, there are ways to maximize the performance of an aftermarket 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust by combining it with other performance mods.
An EcoBoost cat-back can provide more significant power gains when paired with other performance modifications that improve exhaust flow and airflow overall. If you are looking for more noticeable gains, a high-flow or catless 2.7 EcoBoost downpipe is where most of the performance will come from. If you want to learn more about 2.7 EcoBoost downpipe upgrades, take a look at our Ford 2.7 EcoBoost Downpipe Upgrade Guide here.
An aftermarket 2.7 EcoBoost air intake will also help to make the most of an aftermarket exhaust as well. The more air that enters the engine, the more exhaust gasses it produces, which is where an aftermarket 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust has an advantage over the stock setup.
Of course, a 2.7 EcoBoost tune is the most important piece of this equation. Without a tune, the engine’s PCM will fight against the changing airflow and exhaust parameters, pretty much nullifying the positive effects of the mods. A tune is needed to get the full benefits of a 2.7 EcoBoost cat-back exhaust and pretty much any other performance modification.
If you are interested in learning more about the best performance modifications for the Ford 2.7 EcoBoost, take a look at our 5 Best Ford 2.7 EcoBoost Performance Upgrades Guide.
Other Cat-Back Exhaust Considerations
When choosing a cat-back exhaust for your 2.7 EcoBoost F150, there are a few things that you need to think about first. Your main considerations should be sound, appearance, price, build quality, and fitment. All of those factors can vary quite a bit when it comes to 2.7 EcoBoost cat-backs, so it’s important to know what you want before pulling the trigger.
The sound factor is completely subjective. Some people want a screaming exhaust that lets everyone know that they’ve arrived. Others don’t care for the exhaust tone at all and want something very close to stock sound levels. Even others want an exhaust that is somewhere in between the two. Luckily, there are options out there for everyone.
Exhaust style actually plays into how they sound as well. There are a few different styles of 2.7 EcoBoost cat-back exhaust on the market. Some of the most popular include upgraded single-exit exhausts, rear dual-exit exhausts, and side-exit exhausts. While rear single and dual exit exhausts will typically produce a similar amount of sound, side exits are notably louder inside the cabin. For that reason, a side exit isn’t a good way to go if you don’t want exhaust drone in the cabin.
Price and build quality are also pretty heavily correlated when it comes to 2.7 EcoBoost exhausts. Expect to pay somewhere in the ballpark of $900-$2,000 for a quality 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust. In that price range, most options are made from 304 stainless steel, guaranteeing longevity and corrosion resistance.
Best Ford 2.7 EcoBoost Exhausts
Upgrading to a 2.7 EcoBoost cat-back exhaust is a popular modification. A very popular modification. As a result, the Ford EcoBoost aftermarket is full of options. The sheer number of exhausts can get overwhelming and it can be hard to decide on one particular exhaust. But that’s why we’re here. Here are our top picks for the best Ford 2.7 EcoBoost exhausts:
- Livernois 2.7L EcoBoost Single Exit Cat-Back Exhaust
- Corsa Performance 3” Cat-Back w/ Twin 4” Tips
- Borla 2.7 EcoBoost ATAK Cat-Back Exhaust
- Flowmaster FlowFX Cat-Back Exhaust System
- Roush Performance F150 Cat-Back Exhaust
If you’re more of a visual learner, take a look at our video that covers the best 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust options in detail.
1) Livernois Single Exit Cat-back Exhaust
Livernois is a name that has plenty of skin in the game when it comes to modifications for a number of Ford engines. Known for their Ford EcoBoost tunes, Livernois has been working with the 2.7 EcoBoost since its release. Their 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust is a full single-exit cat-back system that comes with everything you need to replace the factory 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust.
Livernois’ 2.7 EcoBoost cat-back system was designed, manufactured, and tested in the US from the highest-grade materials available. The cat-back is made entirely from mandrel-bent 304 stainless steel, ensuring maximum longevity and corrosion resistance. The system is also equipped with Livernois’ sound-deadening technology to prevent excessive drone.
In comparrison to the rest of the 2.7L EcoBoost cat-back exhausts on this list, the Livernois cat-back is one of the quietest but has a great tone. The split dual 4” exit exhaust tips add another level of aggression without being too overstated.
Livernois Sound Clip
2) Corsa Performance 3” Cat-Back with Twin 4” Tips
Corsa is another one of the biggest names in the aftermarket exhaust market and for good reason. Since Corsa entered the exhaust game in 1998, they have been providing some of the most popular American-made exhausts for a number of communities. In terms of overall design, the Corsa Performance 2.7 EcoBoost cat back is very similar to the Livernois exhaust above. The Corsa is also a 3” single exit exhaust with split 4” tips. However, they sound and perform differently.
The Corsa Performance 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust is built with Corsa’s famed reflective sound cancelation technology, allowing them to selectively target and eliminate resonant frequencies that cause exhaust drone. That means that excessive cabin drone isn’t a concern here. Even with the inbuilt drone-deadening tech, the Corsa cat-back still manages a 17% flow improvement over stock and an impeccable exhaust tone.
The Corsa is a good option if you are looking for a cat-back that won’t wake your neighbors in the morning. While it still makes a nice noise, it requires getting higher in the rev range for it to truly qualify as loud. The Corsa probably offers the most notable turbo noises of the bunch as well.
Corsa Performance Sound Clip
3) Borla ATAK Cat-Back
As the first dual exit exhaust on our list, the Borla 2.7 EcoBoost ATAK is also one of the most aggressive. That goes for both sound and styling. Borla specifically designed the ATAK to be the “loudest, proudest, and most aggressive system” that they manufacture for the 2.7 EcoBoost engine. Beyond just the look and sound, the Borla ATAK cat-back is built to last, made from mandrel-bent 304 stainless steel and backed by Borla’s million-mile warranty.
To ensure that the Borla ATAK was the loudest 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust on the market, Borla used mufflers with a multi-core design. The mufflers used on the exhaust have a multi-core internal structure which allows for better exhaust flow and more noise as a consequence. It also deletes the factory resonator. The split 4” rear dual exit design with black chrome exhaust tips truly rounds out the Borla ATAK as the most brutal 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust option here.
As a side note, the Borla ATAK cat-back was designed for use on 145” wheelbase F150s. However, they do sell adapter pipes for both 157” and 163” F150s which will make the ATAK compatible with longer wheelbase trucks.
4) Flowmaster FlowFX Exhaust
The Flowmaster FlowFX 2.7 EcoBoost cat-back is our ultimate budget option if you aren’t looking to spend $1,000+ on an F150 exhaust. Coming in at less than $600, the Flowmaster FlowFX cat-back is one of the least expensive options on the market, but also one of the best sounding. As with the Livernois and Corsa exhausts, the Flowmaster cat-back is also a single-exit exhaust, but without a split tip.
Compared to the sound of the other 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust options here, the Flowmaster certainly has a deeper and richer tone than some of the other single-exit options. A lot of that likely boils down to the fact that Flowmaster develops their own specialized performance muffler for the 2.7 EcoBoost. Unlike both the Livernois and Corsa offerings, however, the Flowmaster doesn’t have any in-built drone-reducing measures. That could knock the Flowmaster down a few pegs if you do a lot of highway or long-distance driving.
The only other sacrifice that comes with the Flowmaster’s dramatically lower pricetag is its build material. Unlike the other exhaust options on this list, the Flowmaster is made from 409 stainless steel rather than 304 stainless. That means that the Flowmaster has less corrosion resistance than the others and likely won’t hold up as well.
5) Roush Performance Exhaust
Roush is a company that truly needs no introduction to the die-hard Ford crowd. Obviously, their deep connection with the Ford brand has made them one of the most celebrated and beloved brands in the Ford aftermarket community. As with all of their other parts, their 2.7 F150 cat-back exhaust is high quality and performance-oriented,
Like most of the other options on this list, the Roush Performance F150 cat-back system is made from madrel bent 304 stainless steel for peak exhaust flow characteristics and strength. The kit comes with everything you need to replace your factory exhaust including a performance muffler, y-pipe, and inlet and outlet pipes. The Roush Performance cat-back will work on any 2015-2020 EcoBoost F150 except the Raptor.
In terms of sound, the Roush cat-back provides a deep rumble at idle that really suits the F150. The Roush is a side exit exhaust which makes the noise significantly more noticeable in the cabin. Some owners of the Roush F150 cat-back also claim that the drone can be pretty bad at highway speeds.
Ford 2.7 EcoBoost Exhaust Guide FAQ
Ultimately, the question of the best Ford 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust is subjective. Since there are so many 2.7 EcoBoost exhaust options on the market, it really depends on your budget and your personal preferences in terms of looks and sound. With your budget in mind, take a listen to the sound clips in this article and determine which sounds best to you.
Outside of a cat-back exhaust upgrade, some of the most popular 2.7 EcoBoost modifications include a cold air intake, an upgraded downpipe, a tune, an upgraded intercooler, and fueling mods. Some of those mods compliment a 2.7 EcoBoost cat-back nicely. For example, an upgraded air intake, downpipe, tune, and cat-back combo would yield some pretty impressive performance gains over a stock F150.
If you are purchasing a 2.7 EcoBoost F150 cat-back purely for performance gains, you are better off investing in other, better power for money, modifications for your 2.7 EcoBoost. While an F150 exhaust will bump horsepower and torque marginally, you aren’t going to notice much of a difference. However, if you are interested in making your truck look and sound better, a F150 exhaust is definitely worth it. There are plenty of great-sounding exhaust options available for the 2.7 EcoBoost F150 that can transform its sound for the better.