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Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone here has extensive experience with different Borla products. I bought my car with a Borla system on it. I'm not 100% sure which one it is but I believe it's this one:
I kinda like the sound profile at higher RPM, but around town and on the freeway, it drones pretty bad (for my taste at least). I'm sensitive to drone.
So my question is: Do the higher-level Borla systems (Touring and Atak) also have drone? I really don't want to drop 2k only to find out it's gonna drive me crazy on long drives anyway lol
Any insight would be appreciated!
Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone here has extensive experience with different Borla products. I bought my car with a Borla system on it. I'm not 100% sure which one it is but I believe it's this one:
I kinda like the sound profile at higher RPM, but around town and on the freeway, it drones pretty bad (for my taste at least). I'm sensitive to drone.
So my question is: Do the higher-level Borla systems (Touring and Atak) also have drone? I really don't want to drop 2k only to find out it's gonna drive me crazy on long drives anyway lol
Any insight would be appreciated!
If drone is a concern Corsa is the ultimate option to counter that. And, I have Corsa polished tip axlebacks on 10% off promo for black friday, ending 12/2/25:
__________________ http://www.corvetteexhaustsystems.com
845-476-8881 sales@corvetteexhaustsystems.com
201-575-0861 (cell to call or text)
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Pictures of your current system would be helpful but if you do in fact have the Borla S Type Classic then yes that was an older design that was known to have some drone. After getting feedback about the drone on the S Type Classic Borla then came out with the Borla S Type II part #140427 which is what I have on my car. Zero drone at any speed but it has that deeper sound that Borla is known for. If you want a screamer then Corsa is also a good no drone option.
Last edited by Midwest19942000; Nov 23, 2025 at 10:58 PM.
You should also photograph the exhaust and posts pics here so we can help you identify your current Borla system.
Originally Posted by Midwest19942000
Pictures of your current system would be helpful but if you do in fact have the Borla S Type Classic then yes that was an older design that was known to have some drone. After getting feedback about the drone on the S Type Classic Borla then came out with the Borla S Type II part #140427 which is what I have on my car. Zero drone at any speed but it has that deeper sound that Borla is known for. If you want a screamer then Corsa is also a good no drone option.
The old Borla were known for Drone but they revamped their systems and it is gone. You have an old system.
I am running the Borla Atak and x pile and absolutely no drone what so ever. In side the car top up or down it is not overly loud unless you step on it hard.
Here's the Corsa Xtreme for C5 14961 that have even better drone control and a little more bark, currently on black friday promotion.
Originally Posted by hyperv6
The old Borla were known for Drone but they revamped their systems and it is gone. You have an old system.
I am running the Borla Atak and x pile and absolutely no drone what so ever. In side the car top up or down it is not overly loud unless you step on it hard.
Originally Posted by Trickskier
I installed the Borla ATAK with the Borla X-Pipe. No drone under normal driving conditions. Plenty loud enough when I get on it.
Thanks all!
in terms of how loud it is, how does the Atak compare to the S type and the Corsa xtreme?
I watched Borla's video comparing the different systems and I like the sound of the Atak a little better than S Type. But I'm wondering if those cold starts are gonna have my neighbors wanting to key my car up lol
Thanks all!
in terms of how loud it is, how does the Atak compare to the S type and the Corsa xtreme?
I watched Borla's video comparing the different systems and I like the sound of the Atak a little better than S Type. But I'm wondering if those cold starts are gonna have my neighbors wanting to key my car up lol
If you're sensitive to drone I would not recommend the Atak. Atak will have more drone than the S Type II's. Atak will have more volume on the outside. Corsa will have more volume than either on the outside when you get on it. Quieter on the inside than all Borlas too.
What about long tube headers and xpipe? Do these add to the drone sound? Sorry for the newbie question. But I’m a new c5 owner and trying to learn as much as possible. And want to replace my existing exhaust system but worry about it being too annoying in the sound department. Thanks
Add headers and xpipe and you're drone levels will go up, let's say by about 20-30%. Once you add headers that's where Corsa shines...way less drone than any Borla system you put on the car. If you were leaving the factory manifolds and cats you might find the drone levels of the milder Borlas acceptable. Add header's and there's no chance. Run the car around 2000rpm's on the highway for extended periods of time you'll find the Corsas to be milder inside the car than others.
Add headers to most systems you run the risk of more drone.
Just don’t add headers. Gains are small unless you do heads, cam and intake. Headers also can leak adding to noise or drone.
Again my Atak do not drone.
Corsa and Borla are similar in most ways. Borla has a little more edge to the sound the Corsa has better tips. Can’t go wrong with either.
I’m not trying to sell you one just stating my experience.
The exhaust you have now was back when it was an issue. They rarely go bad so they never go away. Borla revamped the line due to drone. Flowmaster and other had similar issues especially on SUV models.
Thanks all!
in terms of how loud it is, how does the Atak compare to the S type and the Corsa xtreme?
I watched Borla's video comparing the different systems and I like the sound of the Atak a little better than S Type. But I'm wondering if those cold starts are gonna have my neighbors wanting to key my car up lol
I have no idea how the ATAK compares to the S Type. I don't have any drone traveling on the interstate @ 75 MPH. I can listen to the radio and carry on a conversation with my wife with no problem.
It's a litter louder on startup than the stock exhaust due to the high idle. But it quiets down quickly.
Bottom line it's a Corvette! It's going to be louder than your neighbors 4-door sedan!
I have no idea how the ATAK compares to the S Type. I don't have any drone traveling on the interstate @ 75 MPH. I can listen to the radio and carry on a conversation with my wife with no problem.
It's a litter louder on startup than the stock exhaust due to the high idle. But it quiets down quickly.
Bottom line it's a Corvette! It's going to be louder than your neighbors 4-door sedan!
If you're sensitive to drone I would not recommend the Atak. Atak will have more drone than the S Type II's. Atak will have more volume on the outside. Corsa will have more volume than either on the outside when you get on it. Quieter on the inside than all Borlas too.
Im honestly mostly concerned with normal around town and freeway driving. I'm okay with hearing the engine's rumble, but it's the super low pitch vibration (aka drone) that I cannot stand.
I have a Corsa system on my C4 LT4 and I love how it sounds inside and outside. At 2500 to 3000 it's loud as crap inside the cabin but it's a beautiful sound. No unwanted vibration.
But from all the videos I've seen, I haven't been convinced about the way it sounds on the C5. The Borla ATAK, on the other hand, sounds real good to me on videos.
Im honestly mostly concerned with normal around town and freeway driving. I'm okay with hearing the engine's rumble, but it's the super low pitch vibration (aka drone) that I cannot stand.
I have a Corsa system on my C4 LT4 and I love how it sounds inside and outside. At 2500 to 3000 it's loud as crap inside the cabin but it's a beautiful sound. No unwanted vibration.
But from all the videos I've seen, I haven't been convinced about the way it sounds on the C5. The Borla ATAK, on the other hand, sounds real good to me on videos.
If you want a deeper tone and you want to reduce the chance of you not dealing with drone, do the S Type II. If you want the max volume setup do Borla Atak. Drone is very subjective, but most who are sensitive to drone will find a more comfortable ride in a C5 equipped with Corsa.
Do the Borla Atak on my website. You might love it. It's less of a gamble doing the Corsa option.
If you find the Borlas to have too much drone I hearby declare the Borla owners on this thread pool their money towards a Corsa from my website, sent to you, if you find the Borlas to have excessive drone. 🤣
It is what it is. Just go out to a Corvette show and ask for a ride or start up.
The exhaust drone will be mostly lugging around at lower RPM around town in 3rd or 4th gear.
The Atak and most are much louder at cold start up but that goes away.
We sell about any type Corvette exhaust and seldom do we get any drone complaints. Most companies have eliminated it unless you have done something else unrelated to the exhaust that did not meet up with the exhaust as designed. Some headers and H pipes can create this as well Some non stock cams can do it too.
Borla exhaust systems
