Borla Atak vs FR500s axle backs and drone

Ron

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My current axle back mufflers are Borla Ataks. The rest of the exhaust is stock. I am getting some drone with these in 5th gear between 55-60 mph.

Curious to know if the FR500s do the same? Also, do these sound similar than the Borlas? They seem to be slightly larger.

I'd honestly like to quiet it down a tad but think going to the Bullitt muffler may be too quiet.

Trying to listen to exhaust videos on my crappy laptop isn't working too well.

Thanks for any help!!
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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Currently, I have the Borla S-type axle back mufflers which drone horribly with the stock exhaust. I actually considered making the switch to the Borla Atak mufflers, but after reading reviews on several other Mustang forums, the reviews were mixed to where 50% claim they experienced very minimal to no drone at all while the remaining 50% claim they experience more than just minimal drone. I also considered the Ford Racing FR500S mufflers which have been confirmed on this forum and also on several other Mustang forums to have zero drone. Also, keep in mind the Ford Racing FR500S axle backs are NOT the same mufflers as the Bullitts but were the "OEM" muffler for the 40th-anniversary edition 2008-09 Shelby GT500KR which have a more aggressive and throatier sound than the Ford Racing M-5230-GTB Bullitt muffler. But in the end, I narrowed my choice down to the Roush extreme cat-back exhaust as I much prefer their mid-mounted resonator and axle back delete design over a traditional muffler that's located after the rear axle. The Roush exhaust has also been confirmed on both YouTube and by at least one member on this forum to have very minimal to no drone at all. At any rate, you most definitely won't be disappointed with either the Ford Racing FR500S or Roush Extreme Cat-Back Exhaust.
 
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Ron

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Thanks 06 T-RED S/C GT! When it came down to purchasing last year, I narrowed it down to the Atak and the FR500S. Found a deal on the Ataks so I went with them. Wish I would've went with the FR500s.
 

Shaffe

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I could be wrong, but IIRC the FR500S is the same as the Borla S types. It's been a long time since I researched exhaust for Mustangs lol. But my 07 GT I had the Ford racing S type mufflers because they were identical to the Borla S Types (I believe Borla made them for Ford Racing or something similar)

The drone you are experiencing is about as minimal as you will get. the FR500s will drone about the same but compared to many other exhausts Borla is pretty drone free.

If you want to talk about drone, I had Flowmaster 40 series with a new H pipe. Drone was so bad it damn near rattled the car apart!
 
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Pentalab

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I installed FRS-500's on my 2010. No drone at all with oem exhaust setup. That all went out the window after the JBA titanium ceramic LT's and mating JBA catted H section were installed. Then it was way too loud..and bad drone at 1900 rpm. My fix for that was to weld in a pair of pypes M80 resonators...just before the rear axle. Drone almost gone, and overall level is way down...to acceptable.

If you have oem exhaust setup, you won't have an issue with FRS-500's and drone.
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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Thanks 06 T-RED S/C GT! When it came down to purchasing last year, I narrowed it down to the Atak and the FR500S. Found a deal on the Ataks so I went with them. Wish I would've went with the FR500s.

As previously mentioned, I considered making the switch to the Borla Ataks until coming across the reviews I read concerning drone issues. Needless to say, after reading your post, you've confirmed the reviews I read are most definitely spot on to say the very least :cool:

I could be wrong, but IIRC the FR500S is the same as the Borla S types. It's been a long time since I researched exhaust for Mustangs lol. But my 07 GT I had the Ford racing S type mufflers because they were identical to the Borla S Types (I believe Borla made them for Ford Racing or something similar)

The drone you are experiencing is about as minimal as you will get. the FR500s will drone about the same but compared to many other exhausts Borla is pretty drone free.

If you want to talk about drone, I had Flowmaster 40 series with a new H pipe. Drone was so bad it damn near rattled the car apart!

You are 100% dead wrong about the FR500S being the same as the Borla S-types, as they have absolutely nothing in common whatsoever nor are they identical in any way. First off, the designs are completely different from one another and second, Borla only constructs their exhaust systems exclusively from 304 grade SS, while the Ford Racing FR500S mufflers are constructed from 409 grade SS. And finally, I know from personal experience as I've been running the Borla S-types for nearly 2 years. I first started out running the S-types with the Mac off-road ProChamber setup and stock manifolds and then just 2 days ago reinstalled the stock cats to find out if adding them would help in reducing the drone? Well, needless to say adding the stock cats did absolutely nothing to help dampen the drone produced by the Borla S-types. Therefore you're also dead wrong when it comes to Borla exhausts as being drone free, especially when it comes to the Borla S-types which btw: are identical to the Ford Racing M-5230-5GT (Ford Racing S type) and Ford Racing M-5230-SGT (Ford Racing S type) in which Borla produced for Ford Racing from 2005-2009 which unfortunately also produced horrible droning issues as well. As for the FR500S mufflers? every person on this forum who has them on their 2005-10 Mustang has confirmed that with the stock exhaust in place, there is zero drone. The bottom line is, Borla did not address the droning issues with their exhaust systems until they were redesigned for the 2011-14 Coyote 5.0 4v and current 2015-19 S550 Models. That being said, I strongly suggest you update your research regarding exhaust systems for Mustangs lol.
 
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Shaffe

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Just trying to help out man no need to be a dbag about it.

You are correct, I got my part numbers mixed up. Forgive me for going of off memory for something I had 10+ years ago.

When I had the Ford Racing S-Types the drone wasn't that bad, either that or my previous experience with the Flowmaster 40 series was so bad it made the S types a blessing LOL. But I ran the S-types with the stock midpipe for about year before adding a Magnaflow Catted X pipe. Sounded awesome.
 
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06 T-RED S/C GT

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Wasn't trying to be a dbag about it. I'm just really pissed off in regards to the droning issues I've had with the Borla S-types. Therefore my apologies if I came across that way as that really wasn't my intention. Perhaps with a Magnaflow catted X pipe as you mentioned with the Borla S type, might dampen the drone and sound better than with the stock midpipe? But I honestly don't know, as I didn't really consider it for thinking that by making the switch to a catted X pipe probably wouldn't have made any significant difference anyhow. However, I can surely understand where you're coming from when comparing the differences between Flowmaster 40 series vs Borla S types as far as drone is concerned lol.
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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Come on 06 T-RED S/C GT you know you need the Roush Extremes.


And you can be certain that I'll be getting them, as I finally made the decision to pull the trigger in response to your post on page 1281, post # 25604 in the "What have you done to your Mustang today" thread? :waytogo:
 
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Ron

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Thanks to all for the replies!

On another note, how much quieter are the Bullitt mufflers to the Fr500s or Ataks?
 
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Phil1098

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I installed FRS-500's on my 2010. No drone at all with oem exhaust setup. That all went out the window after the JBA titanium ceramic LT's and mating JBA catted H section were installed. Then it was way too loud..and bad drone at 1900 rpm. My fix for that was to weld in a pair of pypes M80 resonators...just before the rear axle. Drone almost gone, and overall level is way down...to acceptable.

If you have oem exhaust setup, you won't have an issue with FRS-500's and drone.


+1000, I was very surprised when LT headers went on and ORH, it COMPLETELY changed the FR500 mufflers, not just more of the same, but entirely different sound. I still don't get much drone, but Geeeezzzuuussss are they loud now. They trumpet now too and never did that with stock manifolds and cats.
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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Thanks to all for the replies!

On another note, how much quieter are the Bullitt mufflers to the Fr500s or Ataks?
Ron, from what I've read about the Bullitt GTB mufflers are they have the same resonated tips as the FR500S, but aren't much louder than the stock GT mufflers and are also oval shaped like the stockers as well. The FR500S mufflers, on the other hand, are considered as more aggressive and throaty but not near as loud as the Borla Atak or Corsa Extreme axle back mufflers. From everything you've described in this thread, I get the impression you're searching for a muffler that's significantly louder than the stock mufflers, but without the annoying interior resonance drone. Therefore I really think you would be disappointed if you didn't choose either the Ford Racing FR500S axle back mufflers or the Roush Extreme Cat-back exhaust which is clearly going to be my choice for my next exhaust setup. Although as much as I like the fact that the FR500S mufflers have zero drone with the stock exhaust in place and were also the OEM mufflers for the 2008-09 Shelby GT500KR, I just don't think they would be quite loud enough for my liking? But that's just my own personal opinion. Anyway, for what it's worth, I really hope this provides some answers concerning your questions about the Bullitt GTB mufflers.


-Rocky
 
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06 T-RED S/C GT

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+1000, I was very surprised when LT headers went on and ORH, it COMPLETELY changed the FR500 mufflers, not just more of the same, but entirely different sound. I still don't get much drone, but Geeeezzzuuussss are they loud now. They trumpet now too and never did that with stock manifolds and cats.

Phil, the reason is Ford Racing designed the FR500S mufflers to be used with the stock manifolds and stock cats in place. They were also the "OEM" factory muffler for the 2008-09 40th-anniversary edition Shelby GT500KR. Anyhow, just saying.
 

Iceman62

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So, from what I read above, the "newer" Borla ATAK axle-back mufflers may not have same drone issues as earlier generations? Reason I ask is I bought a set last year to install on '09 Bullitt and was holding off b/c of the droning issues I read. Not an exhaust expert by any means, but looking for a tad more sound fm the Bullitt. If all goes well (installed & no drone) I might have a set of FR-500-S axle-backs for sale soon (wink-wink = OP).
 
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Ron

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Thanks Rocky!!!! That definitely answers my questions.


So, from what I read above, the "newer" Borla ATAK axle-back mufflers may not have same drone issues as earlier generations? Reason I ask is I bought a set last year to install on '09 Bullitt and was holding off b/c of the droning issues I read. Not an exhaust expert by any means, but looking for a tad more sound fm the Bullitt. If all goes well (installed & no drone) I might have a set of FR-500-S axle-backs for sale soon (wink-wink = OP).

Iceman62 please let me know. I'm interested.
 

my89foxbody

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My current axle back mufflers are Borla Ataks. The rest of the exhaust is stock. I am getting some drone with these in 5th gear between 55-60 mph.

Curious to know if the FR500s do the same? Also, do these sound similar than the Borlas? They seem to be slightly larger.

I'd honestly like to quiet it down a tad but think going to the Bullitt muffler may be too quiet.

Trying to listen to exhaust videos on my crappy laptop isn't working too well.

Thanks for any help!!
I have Borla S type with the resonators deleted and I have absolutely no drone
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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So, from what I read above, the "newer" Borla ATAK axle-back mufflers may not have same drone issues as earlier generations? Reason I ask is I bought a set last year to install on '09 Bullitt and was holding off b/c of the droning issues I read. Not an exhaust expert by any means, but looking for a tad more sound fm the Bullitt. If all goes well (installed & no drone) I might have a set of FR-500-S axle-backs for sale soon (wink-wink = OP).

The newer generation Borla exhaust systems I was referring to that you read above were redesigned in 2011 for the 2011-14 Coyote 5.0 4v and once again in 2015 for all 2015-current S550 models. If your car is a 2005-10 S197 model in which you do have, then you'll end up with the earlier generation exhaust systems which have the drone issues. Also just to make clear that you didn't misinterpret what was posted above, Borla did NOT redesign any of their exhaust systems made for 2005-2010 S197 models.

I have Borla S type with the resonators deleted and I have absolutely no drone
What year is your Mustang? If yours is a 2011-14 Coyote 5.0, Borla redesigned their entire exhaust system line-up in 2011 for the 2011-14 Coyote 5.0 and again in 2015 for all 2015-current S550 models. If your car is a 2005-10 S197 4.6 3v? then you would have the old Borla design which has the drone issues. By looking at your avatar, if your car is a Fox body? the Borla exhaust systems made for the Fox-body era cars were also a completely different design as well.
 
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Riptide

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I tried Borla S and Outlaws. Both were just too raspy for me and the latter was particularly god awful though it was loud.

Borla has some nice craftsmanship and I loved the rolled tips. Low on volume and non-rolled tips are my biggest complaint with the GT500 axle backs but so far it's about the only one I can stand that I've tried.
 

my66bug

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My current axle back mufflers are Borla Ataks. The rest of the exhaust is stock. I am getting some drone with these in 5th gear between 55-60 mph.

Curious to know if the FR500s do the same? Also, do these sound similar than the Borlas? They seem to be slightly larger.

I'd honestly like to quiet it down a tad but think going to the Bullitt muffler may be too quiet.

Trying to listen to exhaust videos on my crappy laptop isn't working too well.

Thanks for any help!!
 

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