Are you planning to upgrade your Chevy’s exhaust system but end up deciding between Borla vs Flowmaster Silverado? What’s the difference? The aftermarket exhaust benchmark shows Borla really pricy, whereas Flowmaster can offer louder exhaust at an affordable price.
Listen, yet car enthusiasts fall for the aggressive Borla. Do you want to know why? Let’s Dive inside and help you find the best deal for your Silverado exhaust upgrade by showcasing some crucial differences between the premium Borla and aftermarket-winning Flowmaster exhaust.
Borla Vs Flowmaster Silverado Difference
Borla |
Flowmaster |
| Body | |
| Made with high-end stainless steel | Made with aluminized, or the 400 series stainless steel |
| Available Exhaust Series | |
| American Thunder, DBX Series, FlowFX, Force II, Outlaw | ATAK, Touring, S type |
| Sounding | |
| Great rumbling sound | Louder, burst in sound |
| Power Gain | |
| Noticeable extreme power boost (see also ‘What Is Boost In A Car‘) | Power gain is not that high on all series |
| Droning | |
| Least drone | Better droning, especially the 40-series with the loudest drone |
| Price | |
| Highly pricy | Cheaper alternative with good drone |
You must be heading for some comparison breakdown. And yes, we have done the homework, and below here is the outcome. So let’s get into the battle and find out the best exhaust for your Chevy Silverado.
Flowmaster Vs Borla Build Quality
While comparing exhaust systems, most car enthusiasts show concern for is the sounding, the build material impacts, especially when it comes to durability in the long run.
The design and art of the Borla exhaust body are developed near the Pacific shore in Oxnard, California. After that, they sent the design to Tennessee, where the 100-acre of Borla manufacturing complex is in Johnson City.
Borla names the fame in terms of quality and durable exhaust build. Most of the Borla exhaust is made and welded from the premium T-304 stainless steel, making them durable and rust-free for an extended period.
Contrarily, the Flowmaster exhaust system and muffler are made from mild steel to Aluminized steel. That is too sturdy enough. Some of the Flowmaster also comes with 400- series stainless steel made.
However, if you made up your mind with the Flowmaster and looking for the best Flowmaster muffler for 5.3L Silverado 1500 2019-1021 year model, the new FlowFX dual-mode muffler with 409 stainless steel is an excellent way to go with.
Borla Vs Flowmaster Sound Comparison
Here comes major comparing-the-sounding. Most car enthusiasts like to have louder sounds from the engine from the start-up to the idling. And many like some milder tone but richer than the stock.
Well, so far as Borla exhaust system can give you a rich rumbling sound. Besides, Borla S-type cat-back exhaust aggressive sound can offer some dramatic upgrade to the sounding as the pipe cutting here uses Borla’s ultra-smooth mandrel bends piping technology.
However, Borla’s axle-back exhaust might not give you the same sound as it is with the cat back but can render the job with minimal cost.
On the contrary, the Flowmaster catalytic mufflers are the beast of bold sounding. Therefore, when you compare Borla Atak vs Flowmaster 40 series, Flowmaster will win for its aggressive, louder tone build using the Flowmaster’s Delta Flow technology resulting in a beneficial low interior resonance.
Recently one of the Flowmaster 40 users reviewed for his 2012 Silverado 1500 4WD with a 5.3L V8,
“Wow, it’s the perfect sound! I find that I don’t listen to the stereo much anymore because this muffler sounds so amazing especially on light throttle cruising or when towing and hauling. The interior resonance is noticeable, but my wife and kids haven’t even complained. The exterior sound is not too loud either. It has the perfect bass tones and Flowmaster sound we all love. Everyone who hears the truck loves it. “
Borla’s ATAK (Acoustically-Tuned Applied Kinetics) offers some custom-tuned exhaust sounds where the mufflers are solid-made with multicore tube shaping, and some innovative graphic precision equalizes the tone.
Performance Beneficial- Borla or Flowmaster?
Borla and Flowmaster offer the best and industry-leading aftermarket exhaust systems and mufflers. For more than 40 years, Flowmaster has been rendering its best with its different series. Conversely, Borla is not behind here.
For maximizing the voice of your Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Borla has all 3 types of exhaust matches. In addition, the exhaust valves in Borla are fully compatible with modern race-proven vehicles and hard-working trucks like the Silverado as well.
These innovative technology used exhausts can conserve fuel and boost performance by offering cockpit control in the throttle system.
According to Borla,
‘’Manufactured in the USA under rigorous standards, Borla valves are tuned and optimized to maximize the performance and sound of our exhaust systems while providing years of driving enjoyment.’’
On the other side, the Flowmaster Force II Cat-back exhaust system offers some quality exhaust with an improved throttle response that not only benefits with giving mild to moderate interior tone but an increase in power and mileage.
If selecting the Flowmaster cat back Silverado 1500 with a 4.3L, 4.8L or 5.3L engine, it can offer some subtle custom appearance with power gain and efficient tone with SOS (single outside) systems
Borla Vs Flowmaster Drone
Most Borla exhausts work for no droning (see also ‘What Is Exhaust Drone?‘) and giving you the efficient space inside the cab for conversation. However, an improved sound than the stock is visible as well with the Borla ATAK exhaust. However, the Borla Pro-XS exhaust offers a quite decent sound, according to many Chevy users.
So, the result shows that if you like an aggressive tone with droning, Flowmaster mufflers can beat up your needs. But, conversely, milder rich tone with no droning or least drone, Borla is your preferable fit.
Price Difference- Flowmaster & Borla
This is the fact that we all know after reaching out to all these highlighting facts. Borla is going to cost more than Flowmaster, no doubt. After all, the premium and durable stainless steel and well-crafted design by the industry-leading engineers you are getting underneath your car.
By the way, Flowmaster is not lacking in years of experience as well as the off-road crawler features performance output at an affordable pricing list. And your jaw will drop after watching some of the reviews for Chevy Silverado Flowmaster 40 series muffler.
Though some rate the Borla as overly pricey, if you get the chance to experience its longevity, your perspective will change and tell with regret that it’s worth the bucks.
What Is Better Flowmaster or Borla for Silverado?
Flowmaster offers mainly 2 different types of exhausts- the cat-back system and the axle-back system exhaust for the Chevrolet Silverado. And for deeper to bolder sound, Flowmaster Super 40 series and the Super 50 series are available to do the job of dream tone from your Silverado.
Then, the Borla offers some premiumly build exhaust system with milder to growling sound. Borla offers 3 aftermarket exhausts- Borla Touring, Borla ATAK, and Borla S-type. Among them, only the S-type features compatible exhausts for Silverado 2500 vehicles so far.
Most say Borla to be less aggressive loud but improved growling than the stock, whereas the Flowmaster Super 40 series and the American Thunder Cat-back can offer deep aggressive interior and exterior sound, respectively.
Borla exhausts never seem to wear out so easily, and this is a plus point for those who don’t want to bear the cost for servicing after some years.
Head to Head Spec Comparison
Let’s have some head-to-head comparison for some of the remarkable exhausts and mufflers from Flowmaster and Borla.
Borla ATAK Vs Flowmaster Outlaw Exhaust
Product Series |
Borla ATAK |
Flowmaster Outlaw |
Exhaust Type |
Cat-back system | Cat-back system |
Pipe Diameter |
2.75″ into muffler dual 2.25″ out | Dual 3” tailpipe |
Weight |
54.2 pounds | 65.8 pounds |
Vehicle Compatibility |
2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 2014-2019 (Classic body) Chevrolet Silverado 1500 |
Tip Size |
4” Black chrome finish on T-304 stainless steel tips | 4” black ceramic coated stainless steel tips |
Key Benefit |
CNC manufactured with distinctive Borla Sound | Aggressive sound with ceramic tips |
Price |
Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
Customer Reviews |
“Just outstanding…. in every way!” | “Loud but not totally Intolerable easy install” |
Borla ProXS Vs Flowmaster 50 Series Muffler
Product Series |
Borla ProXS |
Flowmaster 50 |
Exhaust Part |
Universal Chambered Muffler | Chambered Muffler |
Tube Size |
2.5 In(C)/Out(O) | 3 In(C)/Out(O) |
Weight |
8 pounds | 17 Pounds |
Muffler Shape |
Oval | Oval |
Material |
304 Stainless Steel | Aluminized Steel |
Key Benefit |
Continuous Filament Fiber (CFF) acoustic material controlling sound | Mild tone with minimal interior resonance |
Price |
Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
Customer Reviews |
“With the muffler sounds a lot quieter but still sounds great when you step on it no drone.” | “Perfect amount of rumble. If you’re past the part of your life where you want an obnoxious exhaust and you don’t want to irritate your neighbors.” |
Borla S-Type Vs Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust System
What Should You Pick?
When you come into competing 2 renowned brands Borla vs Flowmaster Silverado purpose, the exhaust tone and price come up on the considering points.
Well, many fall for the aggressive, louder tone of the Flowmaster 40 series muffler but for a moderate sound with the least droning to zero drone, Borla is the best choice.
However, in terms of long-term performance durability, the built design and material of Borla wins, which might compel you to break your bank sometimes. But you get better longevity without facing worn-out issues.
By the way, Flowmaster 70 series muffler can give a milder tone at your desiring price tags.
Yet, Flowmaster wins over the most off-road enthusiasts for the deep and bold tone with an affordable set of costs.