The Hemi V8 in the Ram 1500 is one of the best-sounding truck engines available, and Borla's ATAK system is designed to fully unlock that. Here's what you actually get.
Borla has three main sound levels across their product range. S-Type is their street-friendly, performance-refined option — aggressive under throttle but liveable at cruise. ATAK sits above that, designed to be louder and more aggressive than S-Type while still maintaining Borla's multi-core technology that keeps drone lower than single-chamber competitors. Then there's Touring, which is the quietest and most understated of the three.
For the Ram 1500 specifically, ATAK is the most popular choice in Borla's lineup. The Hemi's firing order and displacement produce a distinctive exhaust note that the ATAK system amplifies without tipping into the drone-heavy territory that makes some exhausts unbearable on long drives.
This is the whole reason to consider this exhaust, so it deserves a straight answer. Under hard acceleration, the 5.7L Hemi with an ATAK system produces one of the better V8 sounds available in a truck — deep, authoritative, with a distinct character that's different from Chevy or Ford applications. The Hemi's cylinder deactivation (MDS) creates an interesting shift in exhaust note as the engine drops between 8 and 4 cylinders, which you can hear through the ATAK more clearly than stock.
At highway cruise, the ATAK is louder than stock but doesn't have the sustained drone that Flowmaster single-chamber designs produce at the same speeds. Borla's multi-core technology genuinely does what they claim here — the frequencies responsible for cabin drone are reduced without eliminating the sound under acceleration. Most Ram ATAK owners describe it as "present but not tiring" at 70mph, which is an accurate summary from the forum feedback.
| System | Sound Level | Highway Drone | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borla Touring | Mild | Very Low | Subtle improvement, daily | 00-1,100 |
| Borla S-Type | Medium-Loud | Low | Daily driver, occasional highway | ,100-1,400 |
| Borla ATAK | Loud | Low-Moderate | Back roads, occasional highway | ,300-1,600 |
Most Ram 1500 trucks built since 2009 have Mopar's Multi-Displacement System, which shuts off four of the eight cylinders under light load. Borla's ATAK system is fully compatible with MDS — the system doesn't interfere with cylinder deactivation in any way. The note you hear through the ATAK during MDS activation is actually part of what makes the Ram's exhaust character interesting — the shift between 4-cylinder and 8-cylinder mode becomes more audible, which is something most Ram ATAK owners describe as a feature rather than an annoyance.
Cat-back installation on the Ram 1500 is a bolt-on process. The system replaces from the cat flanges back and is designed specifically for Ram fitment, so routing and hanger positions match the factory layout. Most installs take 2-3 hours for someone who's done exhaust work before, slightly longer for a first-time install. No welding, no cutting, no specialist tools required beyond basic hand tools and a safe way to get under the truck.
One practical note: the Hemi's exhaust manifolds run hot. Give the truck time to cool down fully before working underneath, especially if you're removing the stock system which will have heat shields that have been on there for years and may be rusted to the hangers.
The 5.7L Hemi has a distinctive exhaust character that's genuinely different from the Ford Coyote or GM 5.3L EcoTec3. The Hemi's firing order (1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2) and the way Chrysler engineers designed the exhaust manifolding creates a deeper, more bass-heavy note at idle that brightens significantly under load. A well-matched exhaust like the Borla ATAK doesn't impose a sound on top of the engine — it uncovers what the engine is naturally trying to produce.
What you'll actually notice day to day: at idle in your driveway the truck sounds noticeably different from stock — deeper, more present, a genuine V8 burble rather than the muffled stock rumble. Under hard acceleration pulling onto a highway you get the full sound. At steady 70mph cruise the ATAK is louder than stock but not tiring on most drives, which is the meaningful benchmark for a daily driver truck.
Ram owners who tow regularly sometimes worry about how an aftermarket exhaust interacts with towing loads. The practical answer: the exhaust itself doesn't change how the truck handles tongue weight, trailer sway, or towing dynamics at all. What does change is how the engine sounds under sustained towing load — pulling a trailer at 65mph with the engine working harder than at light cruise means the ATAK is producing more sound than it would empty. Most owners who tow describe this as a good thing — it reinforces how hard the engine is working in a satisfying way rather than being annoying.
One genuine consideration for frequent towers: exhaust tip clearance when backing up to a trailer. After-market systems sometimes have different tip positioning than stock, which can affect how close you can get to a trailer hitch ball without the tips contacting the trailer. Worth noting but rarely a real problem in practice with a properly installed ATAK system.
Borla builds their exhaust systems from T-304 austenitic stainless steel — the same grade used in food processing equipment and marine applications for its corrosion resistance. It's a more expensive material than the 409 stainless steel used by Flowmaster and many other brands, and the difference shows up in long-term rust resistance, particularly in salt-belt states where road salt is a reality from November through April.
The million-mile warranty Borla advertises is a genuine product confidence statement rather than a marketing gimmick. It covers defects in materials and workmanship — if the system develops a crack, corrosion issue, or structural failure under normal use, Borla replaces it. This is meaningfully different from the 1-2 year warranties that budget exhaust brands typically offer, and it changes the cost calculation when you consider that a quality exhaust system should outlast multiple vehicles if properly maintained.
For Ram 1500 owners who keep their trucks for many years and put real miles on them, the Borla cost equation becomes more favorable over a 10-year timeframe than the initial price comparison with cheaper alternatives suggests. A $1,400 Borla ATAK that lasts 15 years is a different proposition than three $400 budget systems over the same period.
The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and V6 versions don't apply here — this guide is specifically for the 5.7L Hemi. On the Hemi, the sound character changes noticeably between different throttle and load conditions in ways that make the ATAK particularly satisfying on a truck with a variety of driving styles.
Cold start sound is one thing Borla ATAK owners consistently mention. The Hemi's startup note through the ATAK has a depth and richness that stock trucks simply don't produce — the system isn't muffled enough at startup to hide what the engine is naturally doing, and the Hemi's startup character is genuinely good. This is the daily reminder every morning that the modification was worth making, separate from performance or highway sound discussions entirely.
For owners with the Ram's Sport mode or performance-oriented drive modes, the ATAK pairs well with the more aggressive throttle mapping — the exhaust note scales appropriately with how hard you're driving rather than sounding the same at 40% throttle as it does at 90%. This responsiveness to driver input is part of what makes a quality exhaust feel integrated with the truck rather than like a bolt-on accessory.
Is Borla ATAK worth it for a Ram 1500? Yes, if sound is a priority. The Hemi responds exceptionally well to exhaust upgrades and the ATAK produces one of the better V8 truck sounds available without the highway drone of single-chamber alternatives.
Does the Borla ATAK drone on the Ram 1500? Less than Flowmaster alternatives. The multi-core design reduces cabin drone at cruise. Most owners describe it as present but not tiring on highway drives.
Will this work with Ram MDS cylinder deactivation? Yes, fully compatible. The note shifts when MDS activates, which most owners consider a feature of the system.
ATAK or S-Type for a daily driver Ram? S-Type for primarily highway driving. ATAK for more mixed driving with a preference for louder sound. Both are significantly better on drone than Flowmaster alternatives.
Will Borla ATAK void my Ram warranty? Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, Ram must prove the exhaust caused any specific failure to deny a warranty claim. A cat-back alone is unlikely to affect unrelated powertrain coverage.
Is the Borla ATAK compatible with the Ram 1500 active exhaust system? Some Ram 1500 trims have an active exhaust system from the factory. Borla makes specific systems for these applications — confirm your trim level and whether it has the active exhaust before ordering, since the fitment requirements differ.
How much does Borla ATAK installation cost at a shop? A straightforward cat-back installation on the Ram typically runs $150-300 in labor at an exhaust shop. The job takes 1-2 hours. DIY is also feasible for anyone comfortable doing basic mechanical work.
Is the Borla ATAK louder than the S-Type on the Ram? Yes. The ATAK is Borla's more aggressive option — noticeably louder under acceleration and slightly more present at cruise than the S-Type. If drone at highway speeds is a genuine concern, the S-Type is the better daily driver choice between the two.
Does the Borla ATAK improve Ram 1500 performance? Modestly — 5-15 horsepower from improved exhaust flow on the naturally aspirated Hemi. The more significant benefit for most owners is the sound transformation, not the power number.
Does the Ram 1500 Hemi benefit more from exhaust than other trucks? The Hemi V8 is particularly responsive to exhaust upgrades due to its firing order and engine character. The sound transformation on a Hemi is more dramatic than on many competing V8 platforms, which is why Ram owners consistently rate exhaust as one of the most satisfying modifications on this truck.