Borla Exhaust System vs Just Rear Section

[gibblet342]

I had this in the wrong section:

Hey everybody,

I have looked around and cannot find the answer to my question, so thought I woud throw it out there.

I am a newbie, not afriad to admit it, and am curious: I am going to buy the Borla ATAK exhaust, but, if I do just the rear section versus the setup with Xpipe, what am I losing?

Is the rear section just the sound and the xpipe gives you the performance? It is half the price and I do not plan on tuning my Camaro, just looking to beef up the sound (I read with CAI/Exhaust/etc you really need to tune to take full gains). I have a 2SS/L99

Thanks for the help in advance and I hope I didn't embarrass myself

- Chris

[Apex Motorsports]

You are pretty much dead on, axle back is just for sound and cat back is for those looking to add a little performance and sound.

[gibblet342]

Thanks for the help and quick response, its been bothering me for a few days

[Duke]

I installed the axleback ATAK and the sound is much improved over stock. I have the L99 and I was afraid of the drone from the catback. I think performance increase from a catback is minimal at best. I think I made the right choice. One thing about the axleback, the tips don't pertrude far enough.

[R Kern]

I'm debating axle-back over cat-back, as I just want a more aggressive sound, and not really wanting to get every extra HP out of it. As far as the amount the tips protrude out from the rear valance, I would think they could adjust.

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by Duke

I installed the axleback ATAK and the sound is much improved over stock. I have the L99 and I was afraid of the drone from the catback. I think performance increase from a catback is minimal at best. I think I made the right choice. One thing about the axleback, the tips don't pertrude far enough.

The real gains to be had in the exhaust are before the cats, but for the guys trying to squeeze every last pony out they can pick up a few with a cat back over the axle back.

[MarylandSpeed]

You can always buy the axleback first, and then the X-pipe later. It costs a little more that way..but lets you try things first. Personally, I think going axleback on an L99 and keeping the center resonater really handicaps and axleback. We have an SLP LM2 axleback on my wifes L99, and that resonater sucks up so much volume that the exhaust is barely noticable.

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

If you do go with xpipe, make sure you hear it. You may love it, but I do not like the sound with the xpipe.

[brantley847]

Originally Posted by MarylandSpeed

You can always buy the axleback first, and then the X-pipe later. It costs a little more that way..but lets you try things first. Personally, I think going axleback on an L99 and keeping the center resonater really handicaps and axleback. We have an SLP LM2 axleback on my wifes L99, and that resonater sucks up so much volume that the exhaust is barely noticable.

I agree man...but the L99 without the res makes the AFM a pain.

[phenixdragon]

You also can just cut the mufflers out. Like said before, basically axle back is for what you prefer is sound.

[Duke]

Originally Posted by R Kern

I'm debating axle-back over cat-back, as I just want a more aggressive sound, and not really wanting to get every extra HP out of it. As far as the amount the tips protrude out from the rear valance, I would think they could adjust.

If this could be adjusted, then I would love to hear it, because there is no way to adjust it and keep the tips in the center of the holes. Borla would have to supply longer tips, or a longer straight section at the inlet to the muffler.

[Bonemaro]

I love the axle back and keeping the mids stock. From reading the x pipe is approx. a 5 HP gain with a complete exhaust; headers on back, but keeping the mids stock gives it a bit louder sound. I chose the sound

[MTI Racing Kevin]

The axle back systems are primarily for better sound, catback systems will gain you a couple hp, long tube headers and high flow cats is where the power is as well as better sound. We have installed American Racing Headers with x-pipe and high flow cats with the stock mufflers and have had very nice results with sound and power. The stock mufflers flow pretty well. The best sound is achieved with the header system and axle back muffler system combination. If the full system is not in the budget we just installed the Borla S Type axle back on a bone stock 2010 and were very impressed with how good it sounded. The car had a very nice rumble at idle and really opened up under acceleration. The Solo Performance cat back systems are very nice and sound terrific on a stock Camaro, they are made from 304 stainless all the way to the tips.
With how many choices are out there you can go crazy trying to figure out which system is best for you. I would try to stay with the well known names in the business due to the fact they all make a very good product.(Borla, Magnaflow, Kooks, American Racing Headers and others)

[axis]

So the bottom line is, neither is going to be a HP mod. Both are purely sound change. If it's the Xpipe you're wondering about, you can buy one and have it installed for around $150.