2025 Maverick Lobo Cat-Back Exhaust Comparison

[Big Kahuna]

My opinion on cat back exhausts on the Maverick after a long time with the Magnaflow on my 22 Maverick and after hearing all of the other options.

The Magnaflow is the only option that isn't loud enough to be annoying. The other exhausts just TRY WAY TO HARD and it ends up sounding exactly like what you'd expect.

With the Magnaflow no one will look at you when you drive by and it you won't wake up your neighbors. It honestly sounds almost like what you would expect if they had actually made a true sport tuned LOBO maverick.

If I had to buy again it's still the one I'd choose and the one I'd recommend.

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[BLUEOVALRACER]

I'm amazed that ppl are willing to spend that kind of money on box kits. The exhaust on the Maverick isn't that complicated. I'm on my second exhaust and have spent less than the borla kit. I went side exit. Any competent exhaust shop should be able to fabricate this in an hour or two plus parts. Any 14" offset/center 2.5" muffler, 2.5" 90° mandrel, 2.5" 180° mandrel, two 3/8" hangers, tip of your choice and a couple feet of 2.5" pipe. The midbody resonator was from the first exhaust I put on but isn't really needed with the current set up.

IMO looks like it would be pretty restrictive with those bends.

 

[Chops]

IMO looks like it would be pretty restrictive with those bends.

I like the straight pipes of the Borla - including the minuscule “muffler”. Going to fit a resonator in there somewhere though to muffle it a bit more…

 

[WJOHNM]

I’d rather walk or buy a junker than a Hindu.
Last I heard Dodge uses Fiat electronics and I know two Dodge Ram owners that pull trailers, both needing new engines well before 100,000 miles.
One got his new engine from the dealer, it lasted three short trips pulling his bass rig.
Screw that.

My buddy needed new tranny on his 3-year-old Ram they covered it after waiting 2 weeks to get approved and another 2 weeks to get and install, then a week later losing power he brough it back they said he needed a engine, again 2 weeks to get approved and 2 weeks to install a week later back at dealer, has no compression in one cylinder its still there a week later their scratching their heads, they only gave him a loaner for 1 week of this mess.
I feel bad for him he's easy-going guy; truck is beautiful has a lot invested in truck, I would be climbing the walls. Service manager called him said their TRYING TO GET HIM A LOANER, that was a week ago. This is no Rinky Dink dealer its a large dealership in the area, think its the dealer or Ram, I bought one in 2014 kept it for 2 years I enjoyed it but it was just too big for me and my driveway. My Lariat has all the features of those 70/80k trucks more than some, fits in my driveway perfectly.

 

[Earl313]

Another vote for the Magnaflow cutback system. Sound is modest but that is fine with me.
whats not being discussed is the exhaust flow….which should be the main reason for putting on a cat-back system. Better systems will let the exhaust flow without many restrictions. My personal experience is the Magnaflow helped the turbo flow My engine doesn’t work as hard to accelerate.
If you can find a shop that mandel bends pipe and uses SS go for it.

 

[Headcase650]

IMO looks like it would be pretty restrictive with those bends.

This is my second setup. The first one was an aero turbine, sideways with about 6 in of pipe between the muffler and the tip. I just couldn't live with the drone. Added the midbody resonator, it helped but it was still piss off your neighbors loud. Second Time around is a MagnaFlow style Street Max. I wanted as much pipe as I could fit in there between the muffler and the tip. The mandrel bends offer minimal restriction. I guarantee the entire setup has less restriction than factory exhaust. It sounds awesome, cold start is mildly loud but quiet down as soon as the choke kicks off. Basie rumble that comes up with the accelerator, from 80% to full throttle the turbo sounds like a jet engine shooting out the side of the truck. I'm very happy with it!

 

[wdninja]

UPDATE! 9/29/25

Thermal R&D have seen this post and provided a limited time discount code for 5% off their system. Use code 2025MAVERICK at checkout to save up to ~$30 depending on the sale price at the time.

 

[r0tax]

Sound is subjective, and almost always a bit different for each human ear.

Some don't like a tuned, performance sounding 4 cylinder...no prob, don't do a straight pipe or small muffler w/o a resonator then. (keep it stock)

Some want a bit more noise to please their ear, that's fine, there are muffler swaps to do that.

Some want a loud exhaust, or to hear more turbo noises out the exhaust. - Straight pipes and de-catted down pipes are for you!

Pick what works for your ears and for your preference.


Sure, you'll have to hear some of the loud ones now n then.. But, it won't be anywhere near as bad as a straight piped Harley going by or pulling away from a stop sign.. (I don't know how they get away with it sometimes, but I've learned to just enjoy the sound instead of get upset over it.)


I wanted a bit more noise to please my ears and improve the 'driver experience', without upsetting my neighbors, or being too obnoxious or attention grabbing under WOT.
I will be installing my 'muffled' MRT later this week.

 

[Escapologist]

Since the noughts I have always favored Walker SoundFX for what it sounds like and what I like the sound of when I am replacing system. I have had Borla on cars and while suitably snarly, they are a bit on the loud side for me on a DD. The 3 times I had Walker SoundFX fitted it was great, low rumble at idle, give it a nudge it's like a bull snorting and pawing the ground, lean on it a bit and you get a purposeful grrrrr and stomp it on the highway and it's up to the BRAAAAARRRR, BROWWWWWW notes in the high rev range. While not being obnoxious loud. Then all three times, I picked up MPG and felt a modicum of buttdyno improvement and throttle response. I got the last two with Borla also but never noticed any MPG bump. Unfortunately, they don't seem to offer a complete ready to fit system for the Maverick (yet?) so it would have to be the generic 2.5" box and fit your own pipes to go that way.

 

[Chops]

Neighbors

Sound is subjective, and almost always a bit different for each human ear.

Some don't like a tuned, performance sounding 4 cylinder...no prob, don't do a straight pipe or small muffler w/o a resonator then. (keep it stock)

Some want a bit more noise to please their ear, that's fine, there are muffler swaps to do that.

Some want a loud exhaust, or to hear more turbo noises out the exhaust. - Straight pipes and de-catted down pipes are for you!

Pick what works for your ears and for your preference.


Sure, you'll have to hear some of the loud ones now n then.. But, it won't be anywhere near as bad as a straight piped Harley going by or pulling away from a stop sign.. (I don't know how they get away with it sometimes, but I've learned to just enjoy the sound instead of get upset over it.)


I wanted a bit more noise to please my ears and improve the 'driver experience', without upsetting my neighbors, or being too obnoxious or attention grabbing under WOT.
I will be installing my 'muffled' MRT later this week.

Good points. I’ll just add that neighbors & other folks within earshot are one thing - but the cabin sound is for your ears only.

I enjoy the natural intake & subtle artificial engine sounds of the Lobo. A cabin drone that overpowers both those sounds is a deal breaker for me I want my catback to add a low deep natural rumble to the existing cabin sound. Still working on it!

I wonder if a body on frame is more drone resistant than a unibody? Or a vehicle with better soundproofing is more drone resistant than our steel/plastic minimalist Mavericks?

Enjoy your MRT adventure!

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

My buddy needed new tranny on his 3-year-old Ram they covered it after waiting 2 weeks to get approved and another 2 weeks to get and install, then a week later losing power he brough it back they said he needed a engine, again 2 weeks to get approved and 2 weeks to install a week later back at dealer, has no compression in one cylinder its still there a week later their scratching their heads, they only gave him a loaner for 1 week of this mess.
I feel bad for him he's easy-going guy; truck is beautiful has a lot invested in truck, I would be climbing the walls. Service manager called him said their TRYING TO GET HIM A LOANER, that was a week ago. This is no Rinky Dink dealer its a large dealership in the area, think its the dealer or Ram, I bought one in 2014 kept it for 2 years I enjoyed it but it was just too big for me and my driveway. My Lariat has all the features of those 70/80k trucks more than some, fits in my driveway perfectly.

What Year Ram is it?

 

[WJOHNM]

What Year Ram is it?

Must be a 22/23 he said its 3 years old.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Must be a 22/23 he said its 3 years old.

Thanks I missed that.

 

[DesertSandTremor]

I wish Thermal RD had a side exit for the 25 Tremor.

 

[Escapologist]

I wish Thermal RD had a side exit for the 25 Tremor.

Well they could certainly do better than needing to turn it through 270 degrees of bends. I would imagine that a good one could be fit with a short enough box with dual exit at 45 degrees off the parallel to shaft bit. However, often with turbos you basically just need something for the depleted energy gases to fall out of, so no penalty going large, like 2.75... 3.0 and spiralling the thing if you want.

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