Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 1
From: Henderson NV
Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone?
Despite my intention of keeping my Ruby strictly stock, there is one thing that I am not too happy with. The stock mufflers sound to me, wimpy. So, I'm thinking about putting on a pair of performance mufflers and the Borlas seem to be my choice. At $500 per pair, (plus frieght) this makes me cringe a bit. If I cut off my pipes and install them and it turns out I don't like them, it would not be easy to trash $500 worth of mufflers. There are no local dealers, so this is a mail order/shipping thing. If anyone is using these mufflers, I'd appreciate your thoughts on them. Eckler's would be my resource. :smash: They claim a 13 hp increase; I've used Monzas on my earlier C4's and there was a marked improvement in low end torque and gas mileage. Noisy though, but that didn't bother me.
[Modified by vetteseniorcit, 9:34 PM 9/7/2003]
[Modified by vetteseniorcit, 9:34 PM 9/7/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (vetteseniorcit)
I wouldn't count on gaining much.... if any, 13 hp? :bs
If you're ONLY doing the muffler, I'd say just go with flowmaster, they sound basically the same at half the price. (at least where I've looked)
And if you think about cat-back, don't do Borla, aren't they 1/4" smaller piping? :confused: :rolleyes:
But I guess my suggestion to you will be muffler elims.. Cheap, easy, very available, and I've only heard it on one C4 before, but without tearing your ears apart in anyway, it lets out a mean roar at WOT. :cheers:
If you're ONLY doing the muffler, I'd say just go with flowmaster, they sound basically the same at half the price. (at least where I've looked)
And if you think about cat-back, don't do Borla, aren't they 1/4" smaller piping? :confused: :rolleyes:
But I guess my suggestion to you will be muffler elims.. Cheap, easy, very available, and I've only heard it on one C4 before, but without tearing your ears apart in anyway, it lets out a mean roar at WOT. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (vetteseniorcit)
Too loud for me. But probably not louder than the Monza.
I'm planning to cut mine off and go back to stock. Previous owner put them on.
Definitely listen to some first. If you find yourself in San Diego you can listen to mine.
I'm planning to cut mine off and go back to stock. Previous owner put them on.
Definitely listen to some first. If you find yourself in San Diego you can listen to mine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (89 Paul in Cal)
I would GUESS that they're like Flowmasters with the walls directing flow, BUT Borla sells XR1s which are pretty much straight pipe.
Can anyone tell if the Borlas are "straight thru" design? Their website doesn't mention internal design.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 401
Likes: 41
From: Parrish FL
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (vetteseniorcit)
I have the Borla Mufflers only, and they sound great. Don't have any resonance either. And they are not too loud and I have a convertable, I was surprised. They were on the car when I bought it. At the price I probably wouldn't have bought them myself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,404
Likes: 45
From: Arlington Tx
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (jstkrsn)
I bought a pair of barely used Borlas 6 years ago for 250. they are still on my car. I have spot welded and riveted the LT1 tips SEVERAL times to keep them together, beacuse they separate at the bottom and had a gross bbwwaannnggg at low RPMs. They resonate pretty bad at 1800? RPM. When I had these muffs installed, I had my resonator replaced with straight pipes... I'm not sure if this has any effect on the resonance. Other than that, they sound really great. I want to get rid of them and get some decent muffler elims.. Go buy B+B, Flows or Corsa.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (rsafier)
I have been runnig Borla's since 1992 when I bought the car new. That was my 1st mod. All I can say is borlas + headers = resonance between 12-1500 rpm. I love'em. :D
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati OH
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (honas)
I have the Borlas and they resonate alot. Get the Corsas. No resonance and loud at wide open throttle. BH
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone?
we all have different opinions obviously.
i have a borla 2.5" system, long headers...and i'll admit, beneath 2000 sometimes they resonate a tad. it's tolerable(to me) at wide open throttle, they sound :reddevil
if i had to replace them with another brand of exhaust, it'd be b+b tri-flo.
i have a borla 2.5" system, long headers...and i'll admit, beneath 2000 sometimes they resonate a tad. it's tolerable(to me) at wide open throttle, they sound :reddevil
if i had to replace them with another brand of exhaust, it'd be b+b tri-flo.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (vetteseniorcit)
These will give you the sound you are looking for for A LOT less money.
Their new catalog also shows availability for 92-96's, with two different tip styles to choose from.
http://www.madvet.com/shop?store=3&frame=987
Their new catalog also shows availability for 92-96's, with two different tip styles to choose from.
http://www.madvet.com/shop?store=3&frame=987
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: sykesville md
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (vetteseniorcit)
Jerry dont buy the new ones i havea set here at home for sale 200.00$ less than 1000k miles on them . my loss youre gain . They have the square LT1 tips . email if me interested sstirn@yahoo.com :chevy
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (vetteseniorcit)
I think Borlas sound awesome. They have a race car sound with a sweet low growl, like a big cat. I almost got em. But I liked the Magnaflow sound just as much and I percieved them to be better with performance and they only cost me around $350 installed with 4 tips. :troll
[Modified by McShagger, 10:35 PM 9/10/2003]
[Modified by McShagger, 10:35 PM 9/10/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,153
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (Nathan Plemons)
I would try to listen to a set before you buy them. I've never cared for the borla sound myself.
No doubt!!!!!!!!! :U
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 799
Likes: 1
From: Fremont CA
Re: Borla performance mufflers: feedback anyone? (89 Paul in Cal)
Can anyone tell if the Borlas are "straight thru" design? Their website doesn't mention internal design.
I like the sound; although mine resonated at cruise. I replaced the rear Y pipe with the crossover Y and that helped alot.