C8 Tech/Performance Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD
View Poll Results: Which exhaust should I choose for a C8 Z51?
Borla ATAK
33.33%
Corsa Variable
33.33%
Neither
33.33%
Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll

New Exhaust - How do I actually decide?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 2, 2026 | 03:28 PM
  #1  
Niebs's Avatar
Niebs
Thread Starter
1st Gear
 
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default New Exhaust - How do I actually decide?

I'd like to put a new exhaust on my 2026 C8 Stingray with Z51 and NPP. I used to have a Harley VRod with Screaming Eagle pipes and a TRX. I have to say that I'm underwhelmed with the stock exhaust.

I live in a subdivision and really need to be able to maintain the ability to be as un-obnoxious as possible when necessary. I do flip the NPP valves open as soon as I start driving. This is a fun car for me, not a daily driver.

The Corsa Variable seems to be the correct choice? It can be quiet, but twice as loud as stock with the valves open?
But, I feel like I'll be missing out if I don't go with the Borla ATAK? I've had friends with exhaust delete and that was just way too much to exist around every day.

Can I get opinions? Can the Borla ATAK be civilized when it needs to be?
Reply
Old May 2, 2026 | 04:05 PM
  #2  
Fore58's Avatar
Fore58
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,046
Likes: 884
From: Tampa Florida
Default

I have the Corsa 21103Blk. It sounds great and it has the NPP function like stock.
Reply
Old May 3, 2026 | 07:56 AM
  #3  
BlueF14's Avatar
BlueF14
6th Gear
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 6
Likes: 19
Default

Following, same spec and reqs
Reply
Old May 3, 2026 | 09:00 AM
  #4  
Joe's Eray's Avatar
Joe's Eray
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,317
Likes: 803
From: Naples Florida
Default

I have the Atak and when I put it in tour mode it is quiet. Almost as quiet as the stock exhaust in track mode. Cold start ups though are brutal though.
Reply
Old May 3, 2026 | 01:09 PM
  #5  
MerakiAutoworks's Avatar
MerakiAutoworks
Supporting Vendor
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 81,913
Likes: 717
From: Orange County, CA
Default

Meraki Autoworks 10 Year Anniversary Sale! 10% off Select Brands! Contact Us for Details.
Text: (213) 394-2886
Email: Info@MerakiAutoworks.com
Or PM!
www.MerakiAutoworks.com

-Josh
Reply
Old May 3, 2026 | 01:11 PM
  #6  
MerakiAutoworks's Avatar
MerakiAutoworks
Supporting Vendor
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 81,913
Likes: 717
From: Orange County, CA
Default

Our #1 selling exhaust is the Borla S Type, however if you want loud. I'd say the Corsa and ATAK are going to be what you want.

Corsa is a little higher pitch and Borla is deeper. I'd say if you have either brand on your TRX, do the same for the Vette.

We have both in stock!

-Josh
Reply
Old May 3, 2026 | 06:00 PM
  #7  
FORZAMOTORWORKS's Avatar
FORZAMOTORWORKS
Supporting Vendor
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,212
Likes: 410
From: Philadelphia
Default

You can't go wrong with either, really depends on tone preference.

I personally prefer the Corsa valved set up but Borla is a great option as well. I find Corsa to be raspier but does the best job of mitigating any drone. The ATAK set up is aggressive but can be tame with the valves closed.

We have a ton of actual hands-on experience installing different set ups - feel free to give me a shout to discuss

- Alec
267.788.4897
__________________
Alec @ Forza Motor Works
(267) 788.4897 Call/Text
info@forzamotorworks.com
www.forzamotorworks.com

Your trusted source for premium parts - offering competitive pricing, exceptional service, and professional installation options.

Corsa | Borla | AWE Tuning | Girodisc | Halltech | American Racing Headers | Milltek | Soler | Weld | Fabspeed | SOUL | Kooks | BC Forged & 100's more!













Reply
Old May 3, 2026 | 08:45 PM
  #8  
JohnStuttle's Avatar
JohnStuttle
Do Not Quench The Spirit
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 349
From: Fishers IN
St. Jude Donor '13,'19 thru '26
Default

Put on Corsa high flow cats combined with your NPP you will be happy 👍
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old May 5, 2026 | 09:44 AM
  #9  
EvanZR1's Avatar
EvanZR1
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,441
Likes: 3,923
From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Default

Had the Corsa on my previous E-Ray, and it's a great exhaust if you want louder than stock while maintaining the valves. In Tour, the Corsa is about the same volume as the stock NPP in Track, but you can hear it through the entire RPM range. It sounds like the car should have to begin with, not obtrusive, but just loud enough you know the engine is running and so you can shift by ear if you're driving in manual mode. In Track, the Corsa is LOUD without having a bunch of drone (there's just a little bit of resonance at around 3-4K RPM if you have an HTC and are running with the roof up and rear window down).
Reply
Old May 5, 2026 | 07:48 PM
  #10  
ZORANGE's Avatar
ZORANGE
Racer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 478
Likes: 412
From: Old Dominion
Default

Originally Posted by JohnStuttle
Put on Corsa high flow cats combined with your NPP you will be happy 👍
That's what I did and although it's not as loud at the Borla ATAK, it's enough for me--deeper rumble at idle, nice pops in Z-mode on upshifts, and burbles on decel. It takes a couple hundred miles to develop those sounds, maybe less if you drive in Z mode alot.
Reply
Old May 20, 2026 | 03:04 PM
  #11  
DFA's Avatar
DFA
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 791
Likes: 177
From: Hilton New York
Default

Love my Borla ATAK. I heard them all and the picked the ATAK.
DFA
Reply
Old May 20, 2026 | 07:18 PM
  #12  
Bluefire's Avatar
Bluefire
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,835
Likes: 225
From: Hillsboro OR
Default

I have a new in box S-Type waiting to be installed. I was convinced to buy it because of how it sounds in this video.

Last edited by Bluefire; May 20, 2026 at 07:21 PM.
Reply
Old Today | 12:06 PM
  #13  
Bigfoot16's Avatar
Bigfoot16
Instructor
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 244
Likes: 144
From: Newburgh Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by Bluefire
I have a new in box S-Type waiting to be installed. I was convinced to buy it because of how it sounds in this video.
https://youtu.be/Zr_AXQXJhrw?si=XcTGJcIuBgdl-WMN
I think this convinced me, as well.
Reply
Old Today | 04:05 PM
  #14  
tzoid9's Avatar
tzoid9
Drifting
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 449
Default

...and you made the best choice! The Borla S is the best of all of the others. With your NPP system you can run quietly or wind it up to very loud..really loud. I wouldn't get the Borla Atak model, the S model is superior.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To New Exhaust - How do I actually decide?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:02 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE