Aftermarket Exhaust - Arizona - AWE/Borla/Flowmaster/Rough Country

[MrGreen556]

Hey everyone,

I've got a 2025 Silverado 1500 5.3L and I'm looking to upgrade the stock exhaust. I've gone down the YouTube rabbit hole listening to a bunch of different setups, but it's just hard to judge how loud they really are without hearing them in person.

Right now, I'm considering:

• AWE 0FG** (this one is my top pick so far—love the tone, just worried it might be a bit too loud)
• Borla S-Type
• Flowmaster American Thunder (not sure if it's actually much louder than stock—also worried about drone)
• Rough Country (seems like a budget copy of the Flowmaster?)

If anyone in Arizona (I'm in Surprise, but willing to drive a bit) has one of these setups, would you be cool with me meeting up real quick just to hear it in person? Would really help me make the right choice before dropping the cash.

Appreciate any help!

 

[Stormin08]

From MY personal expirience...the AWE is bit too much for what sound should come from a truck.

Too much bark, no bite....unless your a blown 700hp plus.

On a camaro is is fitting...I personally like.my Borla S type much better.

 

[MrGreen556]

From MY personal expirience...the AWE is bit too much for what sound should come from a truck.

Too much bark, no bite....unless your a blown 700hp plus.

On a camaro is is fitting...I personally like.my Borla S type much better.

I'd love to hear in person. Do you live in Arizona?

 

[Alster]

Hey everyone,

I've got a 2025 Silverado 1500 5.3L and I'm looking to upgrade the stock exhaust. I've gone down the YouTube rabbit hole listening to a bunch of different setups, but it's just hard to judge how loud they really are without hearing them in person.

Right now, I'm considering:

• AWE 0FG** (this one is my top pick so far—love the tone, just worried it might be a bit too loud)
• Borla S-Type
• Flowmaster American Thunder (not sure if it's actually much louder than stock—also worried about drone)
• Rough Country (seems like a budget copy of the Flowmaster?)

If anyone in Arizona (I'm in Surprise, but willing to drive a bit) has one of these setups, would you be cool with me meeting up real quick just to hear it in person? Would really help me make the right choice before dropping the cash.

Appreciate any help!

I've heard the AWE OFG and Borla S Type in person outside of vehicle and inside, the Borla was and will be my choice when the time comes, the vehicle was a 2024 LT 5.3 Trail Boss same as mine, perfect tone levels and good quality parts especially liking the black chrome tips.
Bit pricey but it's my next mod for sure !!!

 

[MrGreen556]

I've heard the AWE OFG and Borla S Type in person outside of vehicle and inside, the Borla was and will be my choice when the time comes, the vehicle was a 2024 LT 5.3 Trail Boss same as mine, perfect tone levels and good quality parts especially liking the black chrome tips.
Bit pricey but it's my next mod for sure !!!

Thanks for the feedback. From the videos I've seen, it seems like the tone of the AWE is a little deeper, which I prefer. I also wish the Borla had quad 4" tips instead of 3.5". Regardless, I'd love to find a way to hear them in person.

 

[Stormin08]

The AWE has a slightly louder RASP to the hits...
The borla is a slightly more refined tone.

 

[dagreatgazoo]

I run an MBRP cat back system and am very happy. It's stainless and is plenty loud, without any drone. It's also cheaper than Borla.

MBRP Performance Exhaust Systems

Stand out from the crowd with performance exhaust systems that sound great.

www.mbrp.com

 

[Midnight TB]

All of the ones you listed usually have positive feedback with 0FG as the most liked (and also most expensive), not sure on the flowmaster though as not many run that. MBRP as mentioned above is also a great option especially for the price.

 

[carneyna]

I personally have the AWE and am loving it. Their 180 Technology gives you consistent tone. Also, I have had other cat back systems that left me with an annoying interior drone. I don't get this with AWE. When you get on it, it gives you a great sound and when cruising at highway speeds, you barely know you have an aftermarket exhaust.

 

[JGiovanni13]

I personally have the AWE and am loving it. Their 180 Technology gives you consistent tone. Also, I have had other cat back systems that left me with an annoying interior drone. I don't get this with AWE. When you get on it, it gives you a great sound and when cruising at highway speeds, you barely know you have an aftermarket exhaust.

I also have the AWE on my 24 6.2. The cold start will wake the dead but does calm down after a min or so. Overall I love it and agree with you about the 180 tech. At cruising speed you don't even know its aftermarket exhaust. Great deep tone. I can't speak to the S-type borla but have heard the Attack and it's nice to. It's tough picking exhaust.

 

[Stormin08]

i really think it depends on the system and driving style more...the BORLA i have is DUAL pipe from the cats, into an X-Styled muffler and back to dual pipe. i have not heard a system yet, that sounds the same.

mine BARKS very hard on cold start much like the AWE, clams quickly and has a fantastic on throttle sound. cruising is zero drone, and even better in lower gears cruising when keeping RPM at 1900-2000...

the few AWE systems i have heard, have a RASP or slight CLAP on hard throttle hits...just not what i like.

Flowmasters have always sounded good (depending on muffler), but he CHAMBERED designs rob far to much power for me, i will continue to stay with a quieter packed straight through muffler over the chambered.

 

[MrGreen556]

I personally have the AWE and am loving it. Their 180 Technology gives you consistent tone. Also, I have had other cat back systems that left me with an annoying interior drone. I don't get this with AWE. When you get on it, it gives you a great sound and when cruising at highway speeds, you barely know you have an aftermarket exhaust.

I also have the AWE on my 24 6.2. The cold start will wake the dead but does calm down after a min or so. Overall I love it and agree with you about the 180 tech. At cruising speed you don't even know its aftermarket exhaust. Great deep tone. I can't speak to the S-type borla but have heard the Attack and it's nice to. It's tough picking exhaust.

Thank you both for the feedback! That's basically what I'm looking for. Deep, no drone, and a good rumble even at idle. I just don't want it so loud that kids cover their ears when I drive by.

i really think it depends on the system and driving style more...the BORLA i have is DUAL pipe from the cats, into an X-Styled muffler and back to dual pipe. i have not heard a system yet, that sounds the same.

mine BARKS very hard on cold start much like the AWE, clams quickly and has a fantastic on throttle sound. cruising is zero drone, and even better in lower gears cruising when keeping RPM at 1900-2000...

the few AWE systems i have heard, have a RASP or slight CLAP on hard throttle hits...just not what i like.

Flowmasters have always sounded good (depending on muffler), but he CHAMBERED designs rob far to much power for me, i will continue to stay with a quieter packed straight through muffler over the chambered.

Yeah, I've heard the Flowmaster chambered mufflers have a lot of drone too. I like the Borla too. It sounds like you have a true dual system. Was that custom, or did you buy it as a kit? Do you have any pictures?

 

[Stormin08]

it is a kit that Borla offers... Part# 140783 is for a 6.2L, but they do offer a 5.3L variant as well.

this is all i have currently for the pics... you can see the DS crossover pipe, muffler and some of the tails. the PS side pipe tucks up fairly well and cannot be seen here... it is a very tight fitting system, i had to adjust the roll of the pipes after a few miles of settling.

 

[MrGreen556]

it is a kit that Borla offers... Part# 140783 is for a 6.2L, but they do offer a 5.3L variant as well.

this is all i have currently for the pics... you can see the DS crossover pipe, muffler and some of the tails. the PS side pipe tucks up fairly well and cannot be seen here... it is a very tight fitting system, i had to adjust the roll of the pipes after a few miles of settling.

View attachment 20789

Nice, thank you! I see the dual in, dual out muffler in your picture. It's interesting that even part 140783 on the Borla website shows a single in dual out muffler (link). Hopefully I can find one near me to hear in-person.

 

[Stormin08]

i clipped the wrong number....140785 is the dual inlet.