The Borla ATAK Cat-Back Exhaust with black tips is available for the 2015 or newer five-liter
F-150 owner who's looking to pick up the absolute loudest cat-back available on the market with
a huge upgrade over the factory sound while also getting the highest quality materials
in construction with a split rear exit.
Now the installation isn't too hard but it might require one small cut to the extension
pipe in the kit depending on your bed length and cab size.
Either way, I'm giving it one out of three wrenches on our difficulty meter, and I'll
talk more about that later on.
First thing's first, let's break down the sound this cat-back puts out.
Now as you heard from our sound clips, this is a no joke kind of system.
The startup is a loud bark and the idle has a very noticeable rumble.
Once you get going on the street, it's definitely a head turner, but at wide open throttle it's
extremely aggressive, very noticeable and easily one of the loudest cat-backs on the
market.
The ATAK or Acoustically-Tuned Applied Kinetics technology, is built into the muffler which
basically was created to keep perfect sound clarity at louder volumes and a deeper tone.
Now it's got some rasp to it for sure, but this technology also helps to keep interior
drone to a minimal.
Now overall, I'm definitely giving it the full five out of five on our loudness meter.
This Borla option along with all the other exhaust pieces they offer, is a hands-down
the highest quality material available and the best construction on the market and in
the category.
Now they're also alongside brands like Kooks and Stainless Works, but obviously, this one's
going to be at the top as well.
Now, this option is fully welded, has mandrel-bent three-inch 304 stainless steel tubing from
head to toe, inside and out, and it's extremely strong which is another huge upgrade over
stock.
Now the stock option, although durable, won't hold up as long as this one will, especially
if you're planning on hitting the trails or if you live in wintry weather areas seeing
a lot of road salt.
Now the same goes for aftermarket options that are made from a 409 or aluminized steel.
They just won't hold up as long as this one.
This option also has four inch huge black powdered coated dual tips that will split
under the truck and exit through the rear bumper, exactly why it's called a split rear
exit.
The ATAK muffler offers a three-inch inlet with a dual two and a quarter inch outlet
and internally was built for the highest decibel level allowed for a street legal muffler,
while avoiding distortion, as I mentioned earlier.
Since this is one of the better quality systems, the pricing is set right around the $1,100
range for the full cat-back, which, look I get it, it's pretty steep but if you're looking
to get the best of the best, then the price is well worth it because you know what you're
getting here.
Now there are other Borla options available like the Stinger S-Type, which produces an
aggressive sound with a deeper not as loud tone.
There's also the Touring which is much mellower, quieter rumble, something that offers a slightly
better growl than stock.
Now there's a sound fitting every preference you may have, but if the volume is what you're
looking for, this is definitely going to have it.
The installation, like I mentioned in the beginning, may require a single slice to the
extension pipe included in the kit, depending on your bed length and wheel base package,
and all of that is detailed completely for you in the manual included in the kit if that
stage is required.
Other than that, it's a direct bolt-on install, getting one out of three wrenches on our difficulty
meter here, so it's very straightforward.
You want to have a simple ratchet and socket on deck to get the job done, as well as maybe
WD-40 for the bolts and hangers.
That's about it.
If you do need to cut, you'll want to have a saw Sawzall or something you're comfortable
using on hand.
The first thing you want to do is unbolt and loosen the clamp at the stock muffler and
remove the muffler inlet pipe.
Slide the muffler and tailpipe toward the rear and out of the isolators, which...where
you might want to spray some WD-40 in case they're being a little stubborn.
From here you can install your ATAK muffler piece and the proper midpipe extension and
clamp it down.
The tailpipes will connect to the other end of the muffler and work their way back to
their split rear exit style.
The tips are already welded to the pipes coming out of that muffler.
Once everything's bolted down and torqued, you are good to go.
Well, just to wrap things up here, if you're the owner of a 2015 or newer five-liter F-150,
you might want to check out the Borla ATAK Cat-Back Exhaust with the black tips and the
split rear exit design, which of course, you can find right here at americantrucks.com.