What Is ATAK® Exhaust and How Do You Choose It?

ATAK® is Borla's most aggressive exhaust sound level, positioned above S-Type and Touring in the brand's lineup. Choose it if you want the loudest, most attention-grabbing tone Borla offers for your vehicle and can live with that intensity on a daily basis. If you want a noticeable but more controlled upgrade, S-Type or Touring is the better fit. ATAK is a sound technology and system family, not a single part — it appears in Cat-Back and Axle-Back systems, engine-specific CrateMufflers, and vehicle-specific applications across cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Where ATAK Fits in Borla's Sound Lineup

Borla organizes its exhaust systems around three sound levels: Touring, S-Type, and ATAK. The company describes ATAK as its most aggressive option, and its own comparison videos pit ATAK and S-Type systems against stock exhaust on vehicles like the S650 Mustang GT, the Ford F-150 Raptor R, and the BMW M8. Those comparisons are the most reliable way to judge the gap between the two, because the difference is a matter of tone and volume rather than a spec sheet number.

Borla's site also highlights its Polyphonic Harmonizing Technology, which it says uses organ-pipe formulas to shape exhaust sound, and the patented SwitchFire™ X-Pipe, which eliminates the turbulent center intersection of a standard X-Pipe to blend combustion pulses from both engine banks. The company states this produces a more aggressive sound and improved power. These technologies shape the character of Borla systems generally; ATAK is the loudest expression of that character.

ATAK vs. S-Type vs. Touring: How to Decide

The decision comes down to three tradeoffs:

• Volume and attention. ATAK is the loudest. If you leave for work early or live in a close-knit neighborhood, that matters.
• Daily-driving comfort. A louder system is more present at cruising speed and under light throttle. Borla's own comparison videos are the best proxy for judging this before you buy — watch the ATAK and S-Type clips for your specific vehicle back to back.
• Headroom for future changes. If you plan to add headers or other airflow modifications later, starting with the loudest cat-back may push the result past what you want. Some buyers choose S-Type for that reason.

There is no universal "right" answer here; the choice depends on your tolerance for volume and how you use the vehicle.

System Formats: Cat-Back vs. Axle-Back

ATAK sound is available in more than one system format, and the format determines how much of the factory exhaust you replace and how involved installation is.

• Cat-Back systems replace the exhaust from the catalytic converter rearward, including piping and mufflers. They typically involve more installation work and cost more, but they change more of the exhaust path. Borla's site shows ATAK Cat-Back applications such as the BMW M8.
• Axle-Back systems replace only the rear section behind the axle. Installation is simpler and the price is generally lower, but the scope of change is smaller.
• CrateMufflers are engine-specific mufflers — Borla lists ATAK and S-Type versions tuned for LS-series engines — for builders who are assembling a system rather than buying a vehicle-specific kit.
• Component options like the SwitchFire™ X-Pipe can serve as an alternative to a full Cat-Back in some applications. Borla notes that on the 2015–2020 Mustang GT, the SwitchFire replaces the front resonator and retains the stock rear section, delivering a dramatic sound upgrade without a full system.

If you are weighing Cat-Back against Axle-Back more broadly, the same logic applies: Cat-Back changes more of the exhaust and costs more; Axle-Back is the lighter-touch option.

What Shapes the Result in Your Specific Vehicle

The same ATAK system can sound different from one vehicle to another. Factors that matter:

• Engine type and configuration. Borla's lineup spans twin-turbo V8s, twin-turbo inline-sixes, flat-fours, and V8s, and the site's video library is organized around these differences — a Ranger Raptor, a GR86/BRZ, and a C8 Corvette will not produce the same ATAK tone.
• Existing exhaust setup. Upgrading from stock versus from an already-modified system changes the starting point and the final result.
• Installation constraints. Borla notes that mid-engine cars like the C8 present space and heat challenges, which is why vehicle-specific engineering matters. Fitment is not universal across models.

A Practical Selection Checklist

1. Confirm ATAK is offered for your exact vehicle. Use Borla's vehicle selector ("Select to find your exhaust") rather than assuming a system fits.
2. Watch the ATAK vs. S-Type comparison video for your vehicle, if one exists. Borla publishes these for several models, and they are the clearest guide to relative volume.
3. Decide on format. Cat-Back if you want the fuller change and accept more installation work; Axle-Back if you want a simpler, lower-cost upgrade; a component like SwitchFire if a full system isn't necessary for your application.
4. Consider your daily routine. Early starts, close neighbors, and long highway commutes all argue for weighing S-Type seriously.
5. Check warranty coverage. Borla advertises a Million-Mile Warranty on its exhaust systems, mufflers, and headers — confirm the terms apply to the specific product you choose.

If maximum sound is the goal and your vehicle has an ATAK option, it is Borla's loudest choice. If you want a strong but more livable upgrade, S-Type is the middle ground, and Touring is the conservative pick.