Borla - loss of power
Thread Starter
V6 Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Hi All,
I just fitted my Borla axle back system yesterday. It sounds awesome, it's so musical and not too boomy. In my opinion it makes the Mustang sound like it should do. Mine crackles and pops on coming down from a rev up to red line. Awesome, can't fault it.
But...
The car has lost a whole ton of power!? The car has lost it's sparkle, it willingness to rev, and it doesn't scare me anymore. I swear it's like someone just wiped 60 Bhp off the slate, it's that bad.
Now, I have read that some people have had to reset their computers in the car to re-learn the fuel trim, etc. When I fitted my exhaust I did not do this. Do I have to do this, or can I leave my car as is and just let it learn the new exhaust breathing?
Has anyone experienced this problem, and in the end, was everything ok once the computer has re-learned?
Cheers
Dazza
I just fitted my Borla axle back system yesterday. It sounds awesome, it's so musical and not too boomy. In my opinion it makes the Mustang sound like it should do. Mine crackles and pops on coming down from a rev up to red line. Awesome, can't fault it.
But...
The car has lost a whole ton of power!? The car has lost it's sparkle, it willingness to rev, and it doesn't scare me anymore. I swear it's like someone just wiped 60 Bhp off the slate, it's that bad.
Now, I have read that some people have had to reset their computers in the car to re-learn the fuel trim, etc. When I fitted my exhaust I did not do this. Do I have to do this, or can I leave my car as is and just let it learn the new exhaust breathing?
Has anyone experienced this problem, and in the end, was everything ok once the computer has re-learned?
Cheers
Dazza
Thread Starter
V6 Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Aha!
I need to update my profile...
My previous Ford was a Probe 24valve.
But I have had 2 Corvette's as well...
a 1982 and a 1984 model.
I most definately have a Mustang GT in my garage now!!!
Cheers
Dazza
I need to update my profile...
My previous Ford was a Probe 24valve.
But I have had 2 Corvette's as well...
a 1982 and a 1984 model.
I most definately have a Mustang GT in my garage now!!!
Cheers
Dazza
Cobra Member
Joined: January 4, 2005
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 1
From: 'neath a cactus
Theres something still odd here... In reading the symptom I think it safe to say that there's something else at play. The symptom sounds more like what happens when true duals are installed on a V-6... not a byproduct of simply installing axlebacks.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: October 3, 2004
Posts: 741
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From: South Jersey
Maybe it just sounds that way? 
When I first put my exhaust on I almost thought the same thing. Seems to have lost a little at low RPM. But then again, where your car used to purr when you stomped it, now it growls.
Maybe you're subconsciously reluctant to push it to very high rpms because of how loud it is, associating that with pushing it past the safe operating rpm rate causing you to operate in a lower rpm and thus your perception of lost power?
When I first put my exhaust on I almost thought the same thing. Seems to have lost a little at low RPM. But then again, where your car used to purr when you stomped it, now it growls. Maybe you're subconsciously reluctant to push it to very high rpms because of how loud it is, associating that with pushing it past the safe operating rpm rate causing you to operate in a lower rpm and thus your perception of lost power?
Thread Starter
V6 Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 71
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Er no. I had my foot welded to the floor and took it up to the redline. It definitely lacks power since the Borla install, it's lacking a lot of power at the moment. I'm sure it's just because the computer needs to adjust. Just wondering if anyone else experienced this.
I have a Mustang GT V8, not V6. Although I probably posted this in the V6 section by mistake. How do I move this?
Cheers
Dazza
I have a Mustang GT V8, not V6. Although I probably posted this in the V6 section by mistake. How do I move this?
Cheers
Dazza
Bullitt Member
Joined: July 20, 2005
Posts: 253
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Not only that... you shouldnt have to make the comp relearn anything... These comparison numbers originally from a magazine shootout (but put in excel by a fellow member) illustrate just how much MORE is picked up below 3500 rpms... Which in turn should make it rev harder and should have a lil more kick below 3500. Just refer to the Ford Racing mufflers and the stock numbers 
In the file Borla's are considered ford racing as well they are the same.
In the file Borla's are considered ford racing as well they are the same.
FR500 Member
Joined: August 23, 2004
Posts: 3,153
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Do You Remember Me?
Joined: January 29, 2004
Posts: 6,000
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I haven't noticed any problems. I bought the actual Borla but that shouldn't make a difference.
Like the dyno number from the magazine review of the FFRP, I do notice more low end torque but its pretty much the same for the rest of the range.
But definately no loss in power?
Is it REALLY obvious for you guys? Or did you all get used to the 300 poines at the same time you got your Borla/FFRP??
Like the dyno number from the magazine review of the FFRP, I do notice more low end torque but its pretty much the same for the rest of the range.
But definately no loss in power?
Is it REALLY obvious for you guys? Or did you all get used to the 300 poines at the same time you got your Borla/FFRP??
GT Member
Joined: September 14, 2005
Posts: 119
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That's a concern...no way I can see 60 ponies galloping away from the addition of an axle back kit from any vendor...they would not be in business long. Yet this is from not 1 but 2 sources.
:scratch: :bang:
My FRPPs should be in tomorrow and I am NOT willing to give up that kind of power for the sake of a deep, throaty rumble...PERIOD
:scratch: :bang: My FRPPs should be in tomorrow and I am NOT willing to give up that kind of power for the sake of a deep, throaty rumble...PERIOD
GT Member
Joined: September 14, 2005
Posts: 119
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Problem solved!!! ...I think! Could it be the extra packing material stuffed into the pipes??? Adds A LOT of weight and is highly recommended that it be removed prior to operating vehicle!!! Sorry sixtysix...ha!ha! 
Thread Starter
V6 Member
Joined: May 14, 2005
Posts: 71
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Hi all,
I have reset the computer on my car. I disconnected the battery and hit the brake pedal. Left it for 40 mins and then connected the battery back up. The car horn briefly honked!
I started the car and have followed the procedure in the manual for warm up, idle with aircon and did a minimum 10 mile trip. So far I can't tell if it's better because traffic was bad this morning. I think it might be a little better.
Maybe I will have to do a lot more miles before the fuel map settles down.
I will re-post here when I've got a few more miles under the belt.
Cheers
Dazza
I have reset the computer on my car. I disconnected the battery and hit the brake pedal. Left it for 40 mins and then connected the battery back up. The car horn briefly honked!
I started the car and have followed the procedure in the manual for warm up, idle with aircon and did a minimum 10 mile trip. So far I can't tell if it's better because traffic was bad this morning. I think it might be a little better.
Maybe I will have to do a lot more miles before the fuel map settles down.
I will re-post here when I've got a few more miles under the belt.
Cheers
Dazza
Bullitt Member
Joined: July 20, 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
If you take a look at the dyno for the ford racing mufflers in that excel file.. it looks like tq is a lot higher than stock from 2400 - 3400 or so... Then it pretty much follows the stock tq line... Now stock the tq line increased at a steeper angle in that 2400-3400 range but on the new frpp setup the tq line starts higher and does not increase anywhere near the same angle.. While thats great to have a gob of tq its not changing all that much over the same interval so it could create the illusion of not accelerating as quickly based on your SOTP dyno. Just a random thought what do you guys think? Does this make any sense
FR500 Member
Joined: August 23, 2004
Posts: 3,153
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Originally posted by jlb@September 15, 2005, 10:41 PM
That's a concern...no way I can see 60 ponies galloping away from the addition of an axle back kit from any vendor...they would not be in business long. Yet this is from not 1 but 2 sources.
:scratch: :bang:
That's a concern...no way I can see 60 ponies galloping away from the addition of an axle back kit from any vendor...they would not be in business long. Yet this is from not 1 but 2 sources.
:scratch: :bang: The battery being disconnected combined with a Predator update and reflash completely cured it immediately.
If you don't have a tuner, either disconneting the battery or just letting the car figure it out over time will probably work too.
FR500 Member
Joined: September 18, 2004
Posts: 3,108
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Let the new mufflers break in a bit and the computer get use to them and the car will get a bit louder and the performance should come back.
Also the mileage will improve. Don't be in such a hurry to judge changes to the car.
Also the mileage will improve. Don't be in such a hurry to judge changes to the car.
Bullitt Member
Joined: July 20, 2005
Posts: 253
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so i guess this means i should reset my comp when i work on mine late tonite.. BTW they are sitting at my dealer in sterling yayay as long as they are the right ones.. OMG better be 5GT .. parts guy says thats what it says
