Borla ATAK Exhaust for FL5

[Dreamers103013]

It sounds gnarly as hell, but I think it’s too aggressive for me personally. I also don’t love the look of the CF tips or that support bracket thing. I think they sell it with stainless tips tho, which would be what I’d go with.

While I do think it’s expensive, there aren’t many cheaper that include the valve.

Milltek exhaust is pretty good too on the FL5, with almost zero drone. I had it before is also valved and around $200 cheaper. Also by emailing them directly customer might get a better price

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[Clark_Kent]

Somewhat adjacent but my DE5 is with Borla right now as they are fitting the Atak exhaust to it (based off the FL5 version).

I'll be sure to offer insights on the ITS forum and here if that's welcome.

Thoughts on the exhaust after extended seat time?

 

[NoviceFL5owner]

I am going to fab up my own custom 3" exhaust vs their 2.65" piping. I'll be using borla s type bullet mufflers and their 3" resonator. It will have a custom 3" valve. 4" black and cf tips. Hoping to have it be a small improvement in sound but not as extreme as the atak. I've always loved borla

 

[DNTypeR]

I am very close on finally pulling the trigger on Borla. I can only find one YouTube video and the Borla’s promo video with the exhaust. Based on those videos, to me, Borla sounds second best after 27Won with their DP from everything I’ve heard.

All that is to say that I am confused as to why the vast majority of everyone here dismissed Borla earlier on. It appears it’s mostly based on high price and the heavy use of clamps. On the price, top Borla option is just under $3,000. Cheapest one is around $2,400. Most exhausts are in this price range or slight lower. The clamps should not be an issue if correctly installed and then regularly checked to make sure they are not getting loose.

Borla in general has a very good reputation and has been around for a while. Was even mentioned in Tokyo Drift lol.

So what am I missing? Why is it not a top choice? Just subjective sound preference?

 

[Brittania]

I am very close on finally pulling the trigger on Borla. I can only find one YouTube video and the Borla’s promo video with the exhaust. Based on those videos, to me, Borla sounds second best after 27Won with their DP from everything I’ve heard.

All that is to say that I am confused as to why the vast majority of everyone here dismissed Borla earlier on. It appears it’s mostly based on high price and the heavy use of clamps. On the price, top Borla option is just under $3,000. Cheapest one is around $2,400. Most exhausts are in this price range or slight lower. The clamps should not be an issue if correctly installed and then regularly checked to make sure they are not getting loose.

Borla in general has a very good reputation and has been around for a while. Was even mentioned in Tokyo Drift lol.

So what am I missing? Why is it not a top choice? Just subjective sound preference?

When I went to the Hondata event in Charlotte, one of the guys there had the Borla. Even with stock downpipe it was very loud. It sounded pretty good but I wouldn't even think about it with an aftermarket DP. Personally I don't like the way the tips look, I think it's at least $1000 overpriced, and even if I had stock DP, I wouldn't want the kind of attention this exhaust is sure to bring. I've only ever heard the A'pexi in person on a car with the TSP DP installed and I'd say the volume was similar to the Borla but it sounded better, looked better and of higher quality construction, and for the price you can basically have the A'pexi and a DP for the price of the Borla alone.

 

[timestamped]

I am very close on finally pulling the trigger on Borla. I can only find one YouTube video and the Borla’s promo video with the exhaust. Based on those videos, to me, Borla sounds second best after 27Won with their DP from everything I’ve heard.

All that is to say that I am confused as to why the vast majority of everyone here dismissed Borla earlier on. It appears it’s mostly based on high price and the heavy use of clamps. On the price, top Borla option is just under $3,000. Cheapest one is around $2,400. Most exhausts are in this price range or slight lower. The clamps should not be an issue if correctly installed and then regularly checked to make sure they are not getting loose.

Borla in general has a very good reputation and has been around for a while. Was even mentioned in Tokyo Drift lol.

So what am I missing? Why is it not a top choice? Just subjective sound preference?

Valved, flanged, stainless 3” is available for around $1200 (not including front pipe)

 

[NoviceFL5owner]

What 3" exhaust is $1,200?

 

[timestamped]

What 3" exhaust is $1,200?

MXP CompRS, I edited my comment to say without front pipe, which theirs is about $280

 

[timestamped]

And nothing against Borla, I have one on my other car, clamps and all no issues after 5+ years, but it was also like $800

 

[coldradio1]

I personally would do Magnaflow over Borla. It’s cheaper, has better clamps, and looks/sounds better (my opinion). That being said, it’s only 2.5” I think. That’s plenty for most people tho.

 

[Clark_Kent]

I am very close on finally pulling the trigger on Borla. I can only find one YouTube video and the Borla’s promo video with the exhaust. Based on those videos, to me, Borla sounds second best after 27Won with their DP from everything I’ve heard.

All that is to say that I am confused as to why the vast majority of everyone here dismissed Borla earlier on. It appears it’s mostly based on high price and the heavy use of clamps. On the price, top Borla option is just under $3,000. Cheapest one is around $2,400. Most exhausts are in this price range or slight lower. The clamps should not be an issue if correctly installed and then regularly checked to make sure they are not getting loose.

Borla in general has a very good reputation and has been around for a while. Was even mentioned in Tokyo Drift lol.

So what am I missing? Why is it not a top choice? Just subjective sound preference?

I think this exhaust has a lot working against it. This is what comes to mind:

1. Sound is certainly subjective, but this exhaust sounds "loud" to me even through the speakers on a laptop or my mobile device. It's also positioned as a system on the louder end of the decibel spectrum. When you pair an already loud exhaust with a downpipe, it will be unbearable.
2. Branding has an outsized impact on consumer behavior. It's there whether buyers realize and/or admit it. I don't believe people are lining up to give Borla their money for an exhaust for their Japanese hot hatch.
3. The design is nothing to write home about. The bracing underneath the muffler is unattractive, the carbon tip option doesn't look good, and the Borla branding on each of the three tips seems unnecessary.
4. Slip fit connections throughout is a turn off for many. Maybe it's founded, maybe not but the reality is the perception of them is not good.
5. And lastly, the tips appear to stick out beyond the rear diffuser/bumper. Seems to be a hard no for a lot of folks. Don't believe me? Check the 27WON Exhaust thread.

 

[egxflash]

Thoughts on the exhaust after extended seat time?

So I've had it for about a year now (though to be fair I still barely have 5k miles on the car).

I think it sounds great. The stock DE5 exhaust even at Sport+ was a little too quiet for me. Borla at Sport is perfect now and it stays at that about 90% of the time. I kick it to Sport+ when I am feeling like that teenager that grew up in the late 90s and want to be obnoxious but Sport+ is too rowdy for putzing around town. It pops and bangs at almost every liftoff NOT at WOT (I think it's mapped so it doesn't pop and bang shifting at higher rpms).

Comfort now is still very quiet and perfect for cruising around town with the family. I'd say it isright between stock comfort and stock sport. That being said: I highly recommend a valved exhaust to anybody looking - you get the best of both worlds.

Borla's claim of no drone is almost 100% true. Under normal driving, you shouldn't get any drone at all. I only ever get a little bit of drone when I am in too low of a gear. Either that or there's this weird resonance at too low of a gear.

The tip design (smaller outer tips a-la-FL5) was a controversial one over at the Integra forums and honestly, I wasn't so sure about it myself but it's grown on me and I've come to prefer it. I opted for the polished tips because I thought it went better with the DE5, not to mention the carbon ones look tacky to me.

What are my complaints? Mainly the price. $2700 bucks just feels too steep for it. At that price, I would've expected flanges. To be fair, I haven't had any issues with the slipfit but Borla DID install it themselves.

TL;DR: overall happy with Borla exhaust. It sounds great but priced a little too high IMO. Also, recommend anybody shopping to consider only valved systems

 

[egxflash]

only commenting as a follow up on my response to your inquiry - see my thoughts in red

I think this exhaust has a lot working against it. This is what comes to mind:

1. Sound is certainly subjective, but this exhaust sounds "loud" to me even through the speakers on a laptop or my mobile device. It's also positioned as a system on the louder end of the decibel spectrum. When you pair an already loud exhaust with a downpipe, it will be unbearable. - valid. it's definitely on the louder end but inside the car, it's perfect. I am definitely worried about the volume on sport once I get a dp though
2. Branding has an outsized impact on consumer behavior. It's there whether buyers realize and/or admit it. I don't believe people are lining up to give Borla their money for an exhaust for their Japanese hot hatch. - absolutely agree. especially for FL5 owners, I think japanese parts are important to a lot more people
3. The design is nothing to write home about. The bracing underneath the muffler is unattractive, the carbon tip option doesn't look good, and the Borla branding on each of the three tips seems unnecessary. - agree on the carbon tip, but disagree on the rest. the double walled tips look a lot better than 90% of the tips out there. I don't mind the borla embossed on the tips
4. Slip fit connections throughout is a turn off for many. Maybe it's founded, maybe not but the reality is the perception of them is not good. - agree
5. And lastly, the tips appear to stick out beyond the rear diffuser/bumper. Seems to be a hard no for a lot of folks. Don't believe me? Check the 27WON Exhaust thread. - not an issue on the DE5

 

[Clark_Kent]

@egxflash I appreciate your perspective. Quick but thorough review for anyone who wants a first hand account of this system. You're better off when you have options and there's no shortage of those on this platform.

Just a heads up, I'll be back with more questions once you add the downpipe.

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