I agree with your comments. That is what I started with in an effort to fix my gas pedal vibration issue, but it didn't work, so Corsa recommended that I add the X-pipe. The X-pipe fixed the vibration, but also made my exhaust system fairly loud. That said, I kind of like it. The only time I don't necessarily care for it is if I am cruising at 75 MPH or higher on the highway. Below that speed everything is pretty quiet, but starting at 75 MPH you will hear a constant note from the exhaust which can get old on long trips.
As for the sound difference, the Corsa muffler definitely provides a better sound than the stock exhaust and a little more rumble without being extreme. If you add the X-pipe, it is a lot louder, but the sound deepens and it honestly sounds like an eight cylinder.
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I only did it because my gas pedal had the most annoying vibration caused by something the dealer called "harmonic frequency vibrations". As he described it, because the truck has a true dual exhaust, your get sound waves pulsing down both exhaust pipes which somehow play against each and can cause vibrations at certain frequencies. By adding the X-pipe, the sound waves are forced to cross and balance out which helps eliminate the harmonic frequency issue. I never thought I would like a much louder exhaust system, but in the Raptor, it really works for me in most situations.
Here is how I would summarize my experiences modifying the exhaust system. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give the stock exhaust a 4 for the amount of noise. It definitely does not sound like an eight cylinder, but I didn't hate how it sounded. If you add just the Corsa muffler, I would say the sound level goes to a 6 with a slightly better note (a little deeper). If you add the X-pipe to the Corsa muffler, the sound level jumps to a 10, but the sound is much deeper and sounds like an eight cylinder.
Thanks for this review. Corsa muffler and resonator delete is definitely going to be my next mod.