Lucas Bell 
When it comes to celebrity car guys, there is none more famous than Jay Leno. Thanks to his rather incredible collection of cars and near encyclopedic knowledge of them, Leno has been an automotive figurehead for some time. His YouTube channel provides a wealth of great content, including his Restoration Blog series. In this month’s episode, Leno gives us a detailed look at a new Heffner Performance exhaust system for the Ford GT supercar.
Heffner Performance are no strangers to the world of modifying supercars. With twin-turbo packages available for cars like the Audi R8, Lamborghini Huracan and Aventador, Dodge Viper and the 2005-era Ford GT, Heffner can be trusted to bring out a high quality product.
This new titanium exhaust is no different weighing just 5.2 pounds, providing over 30 pounds of weight savings compared to the factory unit. Ford is familiar with this system too, as they purchase it from Heffner for use on the track-only Mk II variant of the Le Mans-inspired supercar. That car costs an incredible $1.2 million, and they are all sold out.
The Heffner Performance exhaust system was designed with the original CAD drawings for the GT’s standard exhaust system, which makes for an exhaust that is much easier to install. The exhaust is a one-piece X-pipe that bolts on so easily that Leno and Heffner are able to install it in a couple of minutes.
While Heffner doesn’t specify just how much extra power owners will pick up with this new system, it is surely going to help open up that EcoBoost V6. If there was one complaint to be held against the GT, it is the fact that it doesn’t sound particularly good from the factory. Even Ford has acknowledged this issue, by fitting every new 2020 and up model with an Akrapovič titanium exhaust. That exhaust allows for a pickup of 13 horsepower, a figure that the Heffner system will likely approach as well. For the record, Borla also offers a system for the mighty Ford GT.
Go ahead and fast forward the video to 13:09 to watch Leno and Heffner discuss this new exhaust, as well as the installation process. Should you want to hear the difference in sound, there are clips of Leno revving the car at both the very beginning as well as 23:09. Although if you’re keen on the Pontiac Firebird, you should start from the beginning.
The Heffner Performance titanium exhaust for the Ford GT retails for $5,000, with optional heat shielding running buyers an extra $1,200. Not cheap by any means, but we are dealing with a car that retails for well over $400,000. So, we don’t think owners will mind too much.
