Q. How much
horsepower can I expect to gain?
An engine is an air pump, and BORLA's exhaust
system allows the engine to pump and flow more uninterrupted air. The actual
horsepower increase depends upon the fuel management system's ability to provide
the right amount of fuel to match the extra air flow; 5 to 15% increases are not
uncommon. Under racing conditions, our XR-1® collector mufflers actually make
more horsepower than an open exhaust!
Q. How does FLOW
affect performance and sound?
BORLA exhaust systems’ patented, straight-through
design increases exhaust gas velocity and moves more uninterrupted air through
the engine. Since there are no restrictions, exhaust gases evacuate the cylinder
completely, thereby allowing the new charge to come into the cylinder and create
more power. The result is a larger volume of torque from the engine as well as
an enhanced exhaust tonal quality.
Q. Will I get
better gas mileage?
Yes, a better performing engine uses less fuel
more efficiently, increasing fuel economy under normal cruising conditions.
BORLA’s patented flow through design and proper diameter mandrel bent tubing
evacuate the exhaust gases out the system much faster and at a much greater
temperature than factory exhaust. This results in performance gains in HP when
you plant your foot and fuel economy at cruising speeds. And, the bigger the
vehicle, the bigger the engine, the bigger the load, the bigger the savings in
fuel. That's why UPS delivery trucks are Borla-equipped!
Q. Why does it
cost more?
The most commonly used metals in the manufacture
of exhaust systems are rusty mild steel, aluminized steel or an inferior
400-series stainless. BORLA uses only high quality austenitic stainless steel.
It costs more than the other lesser grades of steel. To cut, bend and hand
weld this grade of stainless steel takes special equipment too. Ask your local
muffler shop if they can make a smooth, precision mandrel bend in a 2.50" 201 or
304 Stainless Steel pipe for you. You won't find many that can, and it won't be
cheap. We also focus heavily on research and development to assure that the
system fits, performs and sounds better than any other system on the market. Add
to this pressure testing, our Million-Mile Warranty and the years of race
winning technology that go into the systems made at BORLA, and you will see why
we have so many loyal, repeat customers. A BORLA is actually very cost effective
when you take into account the fact that most exhaust systems will need
replacement within 18 months to 4 years while a BORLA exhaust is designed to
last the life of your vehicle.
Q. What does it
sound like?
BORLA Cat Back™ systems have a deeper, throatier
tone than stock. Our engineers take care in designing and tuning the systems
with the mellow sound of power, aggressive yet elegant. Picture yourself driving
down the road and turning up the bass on your stereo system but not changing the
volume. That's what Borla sounds like!
Q. Will it void my
factory warranty?
NO. Some cars even have BORLA systems as the OEM
exhaust. All of our street Cat-Backs™,
Rear Sections and Mufflers are 50-state
emissions legal. In fact, it is illegal for a dealer to deny you the OE warranty
because you have changed the exhaust system.
Q. Is a bigger
pipe and muffler system better?
No, there has to be a balanced design to enhance
the maximum engine output, exhaust gas velocity, and sound. If the diameter of
the tubing is too large, the exhaust gas velocity will be reduced and rob the
exhaust of thermal efficiency.
Unfortunately we often
disprove accepted racer mentalities like bigger is better. We must spend a great
deal of energy explaining to someone how a 4" exhaust pipe will not work as
efficiently as a 3" pipe. That is hard sometimes, but it is why we have magazine
editors. Even with our excellent "track record" winning more professional car
races than all the other muffler makers combined, we still often have to prove
our theories to very well know top racers. One of these issues is volume versus
velocity. The late John Lingenfelter helped us prove this over and over with his
legendary Corvette exploits. People were often amazed how he would run 600 plus
horsepower Vettes with 2 1/2" exhaust. If 4" would have made John go faster, he
would have run it. We need to have a pipe large enough to overcome the boundary
layer restriction in a dynamic flow situation while maintaining exhaust speed
and evacuation. This isn't a simple axiom to understand, but the second best
explanation is to say in race classes where let us say the budgets are seldom
limited and the rules are not restrictive regarding exhaust, you will observe
much smaller exhaust header tubing and exhaust pipes than some kids run on
their 190-horsepower hand-me-down Honda sports compacts on the street.
Q. My new car came
with Stainless Steel exhaust from the factory! What's the difference?
Material Difference: Many new-model
cars and trucks come factory-equipped with a low grade, 400 series stainless
steel exhaust. These are an improvement from the old, rusty steel systems and
are built to improve durability somewhat. Also, the inferior grade of stainless
is the only cheap material that will last through the factory warranty period.
But,
ferritic stainless steels, which are part of the 400 series of stainless alloys,
are magnetic, as compared to Austenitic stainless steels, which are part of the
200 & 300 series of stainless alloys and are non-magnetic. BORLA incorporates
Austenitic stainless, which is superior for automotive exhaust because it
exhibits higher hardness and yield strength as well as excellent
ductility. And, the higher nickel and
chromium content makes it much more resistant to corrosion. Because these
austenitic alloys are higher grade materials and harder to work with, they
are therefore too expensive for the OE to supply.
Q. Can I install a
BORLA system myself?
Yes, many of our customers enjoy installing their
BORLA system. In fact, we are told all the time that it's a tougher job to
remove the stock system than to install their BORLA! Just be sure you have good
clearance and access under your vehicle, have the proper tools, observe standard
safety procedures, and ensure the vehicle is secured by approved jack stands. We
do, however, recommend you have a professional installer do the work, especially
for a header installation, which requires more skill.
Q. Do I need to
make any modifications to my vehicle to install the system?
No. Our systems are designed to be completely
bolt -on to your vehicle. Factory locations are utilized and all necessary
installation hardware is included in the kit.
Q. What makes an
austenitic steel the best choice for an exhaust upgrade?
Borla Performance stands
behind our products by offering a lifetime warranty against defects in materials
and workmanship. After nearly 30 years, the reason we are able to do this is
because austenitic stainless steel is a superior material with optimum chromium
and nickel content to maximize resistance to corrosion and rust as compared to
400 series which contains iron that, as we all know, rusts.
