AWE vs Borla Exhaust Review. Answers, not questions.

[Krewton]

I do the same thing. Guys installing upgraded sound systems in their trucks, to be honest I don’t even know if all my stock speakers work. That Atak and supercharger whine (with the cornerstone intake) is all I want to hear.

The Harmon kardon speaker system is nice for stock. I have subs in my beater vehicle but I’m not driving my Rex to listen to music lol. Intake will probably come before an ATAK exhaust cause it’ll be slightly cheaper and easier to install. I definitely crave more whine but don’t want to overpower the exhaust sound. You have good balance with the cornerstone and atak?

 

[MASSTRX]

You might be getting old…. Most of the time I don’t even put the radio or music on when driving just to sit in silence and listen to the exhaust and supercharger whine lol

I guess I am just getting old! Oh well!

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

I have the AFE Vulcan so it's loud and deep tone...best of both worlds

X2 on the AFE system. But also have the ARH mid length headers

 

[DMR]

The Harmon kardon speaker system is nice for stock. I have subs in my beater vehicle but I’m not driving my Rex to listen to music lol. Intake will probably come before an ATAK exhaust cause it’ll be slightly cheaper and easier to install. I definitely crave more whine but don’t want to overpower the exhaust sound. You have good balance with the cornerstone and atak?

I chose the cornerstone because I can now see that beautiful hellcat engine, it increases the whine substantially but also uses the stock hood vents. The Atak and cornerstone complement each other well. Whine and crack of the exhaust, doesn’t get any better. Check out the different intake options (top engine- s&b, afe, k&n or side mount- Cornerstone, j&b, bwoody etc), we have plenty to choose from. Top engine will provide more whine (can take off the glass window of these intakes for some more whine) but won’t be as much whine as the side mount intakes.

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

Aesthetics: Borla
The AWE 5" black tips are not deep enough, they are too short. When driving behind the AWE/TRX your eyes see the silver 3" pipe inside of the 5" black tips. This is really noticeable at night with headlights, looks like a rebel exhaust from behind (AWE pro tip, buy chrome tips so the 3" metal pipes blend in better, the 3" pipe will still be visible however).

The AFE tips are 6 inch diameter and are deep. The stock tips actually fit inside

 

[RedEyeTRX]

Nice write up!
Borla exhaust with an S&B intake......as close to perfection as you can get !

 

[trxmanusa]

I used an SLP for a few weeks, but I though it sounded like crap at WOT. The clamps kept slipping despite using shims. I made an appointment at an exhaust shop to weld it, but they canceled on me after I had already driven there. Frustrated, I decided to switch to Borla's ATAK. The installation was straightforward, and the system is secure with no slipping or rattling; it also sounds good.

However, I have one concern:
The Borla ATAK uses four 2-inch tubes for the crossover + pass-through, which collectively provides less airflow than the two 3-inch tubes used in the stock's x-pipe. I think this could potentially create a bottleneck. I couldn't find any dyno data and Borla's customer service did not respond to my email asking for performance data on this system.

Take a look at the collector; the two tubes appear too small, and the quality of the welded transitions is disappointing.

 

[RTG]

I have the AFE Vulcan so it's loud and deep tone...best of both worlds

X2 on the AFE system. But also have the ARH mid length headers

Aesthetics: Borla
The AWE 5" black tips are not deep enough, they are too short. When driving behind the AWE/TRX your eyes see the silver 3" pipe inside of the 5" black tips. This is really noticeable at night with headlights, looks like a rebel exhaust from behind (AWE pro tip, buy chrome tips so the 3" metal pipes blend in better, the 3" pipe will still be visible however).

The AFE tips are 6 inch diameter and are deep. The stock tips actually fit inside

I loved the simplicity of the AFE but didn't find enough reviews to give it a try. Have you guys noticed any drone at certain speeds or RPM ranges?

 

[RTG]

I’m torn between this and Corsa. I had AWE on my other TRX and I agree it’s a great system just not loud or changing enough for the price. Also the tips are spot on. Great looking but not deep enough and look great from behind but weird from the side kinda.

I read several positive Corsa reviews but a few people suggested it creates a more European sound. I didn't want to europhile my truck, so that scared me away. I'll probably never hear one to know for sure. I guess one nice thing about big cities is you may have a chance to hear these things first hand...if it doesn't get stolen first LOL

 

[GC34]

I loved the simplicity of the AFE but didn't find enough reviews to give it a try. Have you guys noticed any drone at certain speeds or RPM ranges?

Yep, drone becomes very noticeable to meat ~65mph+. I am also running long tubes so that doesn't help. I was setting off car alarms just driving by so I added some resonators but it's still loud.

 

[DirtMcGirt8732]

I posted this in November on another exhaust post:


I had the AWE installed first on my TRX, and a couple of weeks later the Borla went onto the wife’s TRX. There are a lot of opinions out there, and everyone thinks their system in best. It's like that when we spend money, we have a personal stake in being right.

Without the ability to hear both systems side by side, with your own ears, it's really a leap of online faith. Based on online reviews, I expected to like both systems, but I was wrong. There is one clear winner, and there is one clear path that will be best for most TRX owners. One exhaust makes me wonder if it is better than OEM. The other produces an uncontrollable smile like the first time I saw big tits.

As I ordered both systems from Johnny @ Just Bolt Ons, I thought I would take decibel readings and hit you with nerd statistics, make a real nerd post that covers all the bases. But this wasn't even close, and I’m not a nerd, so I won’t bother.

Instead, I have developed a scientific approach to help TRX owners pick which exhaust is best for them. Follow the science, and complete this quiz to learn which aftermarket exhaust is best for you.

TRX EXHAUST: AWE VS BORLA QUIZ:
1. Would you like to get a BJ from the hottest women you ever met while driving down the highway at 110MPH? If you answered yes, you definitely want Borla.
2. Would you like to give your husband a BJ, while he is driving at a moderate rate of speed to a Barbara Streisand concert? If you answered yes, you want AWE.
3. Do you pass fords at 6500 RPM just because? Borla!
4. Do you wish your TRX was a Ford? AWE
5. Do you carry multiple guns in your vehicle at all times? Borla!
6. Do you think guns are scary? AWE
7. Do you want your neighbors to feel and hear the sound of American Freedom every morning? Borla!
8. Are you afraid that your husbands boyfriend will accuse you of having toxic masculinity? AWE
9. Do you want to smile every morning when you push the START button? Borla!
10. Do you think nobody should smile because Donald Trump is president? AWE

Now where does this leave me? I own both. If I had to do it over again, I would have replaced the broken OEM section and installed Borla on both vehicles. Now I am normally an "if it aint broke don't fix it" kind of guy, but I wish I had installed Borla when it was first released. This thing has improved my quality of life...but only when I drive my wife's truck

For the unconvinced:

Packaging: TIE
Tie: Both companies did a great job packaging their products for safe transport.

Free stuff: BORLA
Borla included directions, a hat and stickers. AWE included directions.

Directions: TIE
Tie: Both companies included clear and easy to understand directions.

Aesthetics: Borla
The AWE 5" black tips are not deep enough, they are too short. When driving behind the AWE/TRX your eyes see the silver 3" pipe inside of the 5" black tips. This is really noticeable at night with headlights, looks like a rebel exhaust from behind (AWE pro tip, buy chrome tips so the 3" metal pipes blend in better, the 3" pipe will still be visible however).
The Borla 5" black chrome tips on the other hand are cavernous. They are so much deeper and look better from every angle. You do not see the 3" pipes from behind, just a dark black abyss that imprisons the soul of every ford driver you pass.

Sound at start up: Borla
This isn’t even close.
The AWE sounds fine, sounds nice, but when cold starting the AWE, my mind wonders if is this was actually better than stock (side by side, it was, but not by a huge margin). The AWE is 2 decibels louder than OEM at cold start, but quickly settles down to a subtle, deep rumble.
The Borla fires up with authority like you awoke a sleeping dragon. This thing rumbles up front and out back like nothing I had heard from a TRX. Borla takes a fair bit longer to settle down, it is actually loud while warming up. Absolutely louder than OEM.

Sound at normal driving speeds: Different strokes for different folks
The AWE is quieter than OEM while driving down the highway. If you spend a bunch of time on the phone, or really want to hear the lyrics of the latest Beyonce song, then this is a real advantage for AWE.
Borla calms down to a civilized rumble but you still know you're holding the thunder god by the leash. At a constant speed it's as loud as OEM, but sounds better.

Sound when standing on the peddle: Borla
The AWE has a nice, deep toned, bab-bab-bab rumble and sounds different than OEM. This is where AWE sounds best, while driving hard, sounds better than OEM when making power. But also leaves you wishing for more of that rumble when it goes away.
Borla screams. Borla wants to kill fords. Borla drank moonshine and is at the Motley Crue concert. Borla is just a twitch of the peddle away from screaming, and you feel it when driving.

I know this post may bother some AWE owners, and AWE is better if you yap on the phone a lot or if you want the drive through operator to understand what you're ordering. But I don't think that is why most people buy a TRX.

Really glad I went with the Borla. I had a hard time deciding between these 2 and was on the fence for a while. My main concern with the AWE from the reviews that I watched and some things I read was that it was too quiet. I had no doubt the tone was good but wasn’t about to spend 2k to hear less in the cabin lol. I had the opposite concern with the Borla - that it would be too loud.

I came across a video on IG that really captured the sound of the Borla from behind during a normal takeoff and I was sold. I honestly don’t know how anyone can say it’s too loud in the cabin during normal driving situations. It’s really not. My wife didn’t even say anything about it lmao. I honestly would have been disappointed if it was any quieter.

For anyone on the fence - just get the Borla. It sounds insanely good and the rowdiness really matches the truck. There’s no drone and your wife won’t give you shit about it being obnoxious while driving. You’ll save yourself a few bucks vs some of the other systems too.

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

I loved the simplicity of the AFE but didn't find enough reviews to give it a try. Have you guys noticed any drone at certain speeds or RPM ranges?

Very little, mostly at about 80-85. But just by turning the radio up a notch or 2, drowns it out. But I actually enjoy the sound. I can hear the supercharger(S&B intake) and the exhaust, and sometimes turn off the radio to listen to the sound of freedom the truck makes

 

[dkmma]

I posted this in November on another exhaust post:


I had the AWE installed first on my TRX, and a couple of weeks later the Borla went onto the wife’s TRX. There are a lot of opinions out there, and everyone thinks their system in best. It's like that when we spend money, we have a personal stake in being right.

Without the ability to hear both systems side by side, with your own ears, it's really a leap of online faith. Based on online reviews, I expected to like both systems, but I was wrong. There is one clear winner, and there is one clear path that will be best for most TRX owners. One exhaust makes me wonder if it is better than OEM. The other produces an uncontrollable smile like the first time I saw big tits.

As I ordered both systems from Johnny @ Just Bolt Ons, I thought I would take decibel readings and hit you with nerd statistics, make a real nerd post that covers all the bases. But this wasn't even close, and I’m not a nerd, so I won’t bother.

Instead, I have developed a scientific approach to help TRX owners pick which exhaust is best for them. Follow the science, and complete this quiz to learn which aftermarket exhaust is best for you.

TRX EXHAUST: AWE VS BORLA QUIZ:
1. Would you like to get a BJ from the hottest women you ever met while driving down the highway at 110MPH? If you answered yes, you definitely want Borla.
2. Would you like to give your husband a BJ, while he is driving at a moderate rate of speed to a Barbara Streisand concert? If you answered yes, you want AWE.
3. Do you pass fords at 6500 RPM just because? Borla!
4. Do you wish your TRX was a Ford? AWE
5. Do you carry multiple guns in your vehicle at all times? Borla!
6. Do you think guns are scary? AWE
7. Do you want your neighbors to feel and hear the sound of American Freedom every morning? Borla!
8. Are you afraid that your husbands boyfriend will accuse you of having toxic masculinity? AWE
9. Do you want to smile every morning when you push the START button? Borla!
10. Do you think nobody should smile because Donald Trump is president? AWE

Now where does this leave me? I own both. If I had to do it over again, I would have replaced the broken OEM section and installed Borla on both vehicles. Now I am normally an "if it aint broke don't fix it" kind of guy, but I wish I had installed Borla when it was first released. This thing has improved my quality of life...but only when I drive my wife's truck

For the unconvinced:

Packaging: TIE
Tie: Both companies did a great job packaging their products for safe transport.

Free stuff: BORLA
Borla included directions, a hat and stickers. AWE included directions.

Directions: TIE
Tie: Both companies included clear and easy to understand directions.

Aesthetics: Borla
The AWE 5" black tips are not deep enough, they are too short. When driving behind the AWE/TRX your eyes see the silver 3" pipe inside of the 5" black tips. This is really noticeable at night with headlights, looks like a rebel exhaust from behind (AWE pro tip, buy chrome tips so the 3" metal pipes blend in better, the 3" pipe will still be visible however).
The Borla 5" black chrome tips on the other hand are cavernous. They are so much deeper and look better from every angle. You do not see the 3" pipes from behind, just a dark black abyss that imprisons the soul of every ford driver you pass.

Sound at start up: Borla
This isn’t even close.
The AWE sounds fine, sounds nice, but when cold starting the AWE, my mind wonders if is this was actually better than stock (side by side, it was, but not by a huge margin). The AWE is 2 decibels louder than OEM at cold start, but quickly settles down to a subtle, deep rumble.
The Borla fires up with authority like you awoke a sleeping dragon. This thing rumbles up front and out back like nothing I had heard from a TRX. Borla takes a fair bit longer to settle down, it is actually loud while warming up. Absolutely louder than OEM.

Sound at normal driving speeds: Different strokes for different folks
The AWE is quieter than OEM while driving down the highway. If you spend a bunch of time on the phone, or really want to hear the lyrics of the latest Beyonce song, then this is a real advantage for AWE.
Borla calms down to a civilized rumble but you still know you're holding the thunder god by the leash. At a constant speed it's as loud as OEM, but sounds better.

Sound when standing on the peddle: Borla
The AWE has a nice, deep toned, bab-bab-bab rumble and sounds different than OEM. This is where AWE sounds best, while driving hard, sounds better than OEM when making power. But also leaves you wishing for more of that rumble when it goes away.
Borla screams. Borla wants to kill fords. Borla drank moonshine and is at the Motley Crue concert. Borla is just a twitch of the peddle away from screaming, and you feel it when driving.

I know this post may bother some AWE owners, and AWE is better if you yap on the phone a lot or if you want the drive through operator to understand what you're ordering. But I don't think that is why most people buy a TRX.

Thank you for this fantastic review, you got me sold on the Borla.

Anyone know who’s offering the best price on these right now?

 

[DMR]

Thank you for this fantastic review, you got me sold on the Borla.

Anyone know who’s offering the best price on these right now?

@Nick797 can hook you up with the Borla. Awesome service and quick shipping.

 

[RamRex]

The ATAK is awesome!! I've had it on the truck since it was new, will be 3 years already in June. Never gets old! It's also super easy to install I did it by myself in my driveway without having to jack up the truck.

 

[RTG]

Nice write up!
Borla exhaust with an S&B intake......as close to perfection as you can get !

I just looked at S&B's website. Wow, they have gone all out and published a ton of data. I may try one. Hate losing the dead raptor being eaten by a T-Rex on the OEM...

Which filter did you choose, Cotton Cleanable or Dry Extendable?

 

[MyWifeLetMe]

I just looked at S&B's website. Wow, they have gone all out and published a ton of data. I may try one. Hate losing the dead raptor being eaten by a T-Rex on the OEM...

Which filter did you choose, Cotton Cleanable or Dry Extendable?

Some people on here have used a heat gun to heat up the plastic to mold it around the S&B intake so they can keep the trex eating the raptor.
I have both filters. When I clean the cleanable one, I put the dry filter in. They also only had the dry filter when I bought the intake.

 

[RTG]

Some people on here have used a heat gun to heat up the plastic to mold it around the S&B intake so they can keep the trex eating the raptor.
I have both filters. When I clean the cleanable one, I put the dry filter in. They also only had the dry filter when I bought the intake.

Two filters is smart.

Heat gun, I would probably screw that up. A custom sticker/decal may have to be the route for these hands.

 

[GC34]

Two filters is smart.

Heat gun, I would probably screw that up. A custom sticker/decal may have to be the route for these hands.

Or get the AFE magnum force one. Pretty much same design as S&B

 

[RedEyeTRX]

I just looked at S&B's website. Wow, they have gone all out and published a ton of data. I may try one. Hate losing the dead raptor being eaten by a T-Rex on the OEM...

Which filter did you choose, Cotton Cleanable or Dry Extendable?

I went with the dry filter and bought an extra to have on hand. Honestly, the increased SC whine is worth the $699. I "felt" zero difference in the trucks acceleration and I was not expecting to. There is a post where members upgraded the worm clamps with T clamps, I definitely recommend this. The stock clamps seen to need regular tightening.
I have "cleanable" filters on all my offroad toys and while I understand the benefits of oiled filters in heavy dust, I just did not want ONE MORE oiled filter I had to clean.