Borla Cat Back Vs. SLP Cat Back exhaus

[AllForGT]

For a GT, will the Borla and SLP systems both show the same increase in horsepower eventhough the SLP system is $220 cheaper? And what is the difference in sound, will the SLP be louder or the same as the Borla?

Thanks

[el gordo loco]

Welcome to the boards.

There are many threads on this topic already. Borla is one of the quietest aftermarket exhaust, but is also the priciest. SLP is noticably louder than borla. If you search you'll find sound clips. There are also some pics of exhaust in the member's gallery. SEARCH button is the green one up top.

[IanGT99]

There was a thread a few days ago about the sounds of the exhaust systems. If you go to www.exhaustsoundclips.com and go under GM, there is a sound clip of all the exhausts you'll want to look at. I personally think SLP sounds better....more of a low rumble and not too much "ricing" sounds in the upper RPM range. It's a hell of a lot cheaper, too...

[5-lO]

As far as gains go, at first they should be genrally the same. But as you add more things (CAI, Ported Throttle Body, Intake Manis, etc) the SLP will be better becuase it has 2.5" piping as apposed to Borlas 2.25"

Jon

[PontiacGT2K]

Welcome to the site!

Borla is quiet, sounds a bit louder and lower than stock. SLP is a head turner when it comes to sound.

Borla and SLP have fairly similar HP gains. Some say one's more hp than the other, I say SLP is prolly a lil higher. Fairly straight-through transverse muffler, and 2.5" pipe if you ever decide to get headers and such.

Also...do a search if you ever have a question. In my over 3 years of being on this forum, I have seen this asked like 1,000,000 times. Never gets old though....

[Green99GT]

I love my SLP im glad i didnt get borla...to quite

[Avsguy01]

I think the only better thing Borla has going for it is that its made out of better material and will last longer.

[Green99GT]

i like the tips better

[Avsguy01]

Yes Borla has the best tips around but you can also get just the tips put on your aftermarket exhaust of choice.

[PontiacGT2K]

For the low low price of $90 a tip....

[Warthog]

$90? that seems a bit high...i got dual stainless steel tips for $60 a piece, and i could have got them cheaper had i dug around a little bit.

[MetaGTP1]

Borla is what I have and it is the best. Expensive, but of the highest quality. I have had mine on for 4 years. I love the sound. :thumbs:

[Avsguy01]

Yes i do agree. Almost a year now. Has the sound leveled off or has it changed since you first put it on?

[ArcticGT]

Originally posted by Avsguy01
Yes Borla has the best tips around but you can also get just the tips put on your aftermarket exhaust of choice.

By the time you buy the borla tips and put it on another exhaust system, plus installation of the tips, your at or exceed the price of a borla exhaust! Ive had mine for two years now and I couldnt be happier with anything else. Im with Kman:thumbs:

Flat out, your paying for quality, hands down!

[Avsguy01]

Never thought of it that way!! Hell im just glad i bought the Borla str8 up anyway. It will sound killer once i get my headers.

[IROCZ350SS]

alright ive got a looks question for you guys.
ive got a 00 grand am gt, and im looking at buying a cat back for it
and it comes with those typical slp tips right. well what if i cut off the tips, and weld on a set of single 3" tips. like what my camaro has. thank that it would look sweet? or no? im looking to do something different, and if 2 3"tips sticking out doesnt make it stand out , i donno what else will.
later guys
shaun

[5-lO]

the SLP looks different actually. YOu can tell from a distance...

[PontiacGT2K]

Originally posted by IROCZ350SS
alright ive got a looks question for you guys.
ive got a 00 grand am gt, and im looking at buying a cat back for it
and it comes with those typical slp tips right. well what if i cut off the tips, and weld on a set of single 3" tips. like what my camaro has. thank that it would look sweet? or no? im looking to do something different, and if 2 3"tips sticking out doesnt make it stand out , i donno what else will.
later guys
shaun I was thinking of the same thing....go for it. Tips is sorta a personal preference.

[snowman]

I'm thinking about getting the Borla for the quality and looks because the hp is about the same. I know that SLP is louder and has larger tips on it, but what if you remove the resonator on the Borla so it's a straight pipe like the SLP? Would that make much of a difference in sound to make it more like the SLP? I think someone on here did that to their Borla but I can't remember who it was.

[PontiacGT2K]

Of course if you removed the resonator it'd be louder, but your idea about borla and slp is wrong. SLP will give you more hp (no matter which one boasts more through marketing tactics). SLP has 2.5" pipe, you have more opportunity for flow, whereas the borla is 2.25". If you were to get headers, you'd get much more out of the SLP system.

[Avsguy01]

Is that absoulutely true? Theres been major discussion on this board about that and ive seen it go both ways. Ive heard things about back pressure vs flow. Im not trying to deny what you said but its insane how Borla can sell there exhaust almost twice as much and be out done completely.

[IROCZ350SS]

as for my tips idea, i think im gonna have to take a better look at the exhaust to see if would even work, the tips arent exactly tips, there prolly like a foot and a half long or so. also i think they are 4" instead of 3" thats all i know is it looked tough on my camaro,
and im thinking the all black and almost chrome tips sticking out a little would be a nice touch.

[teambeechstreet]

Originally posted by PontiacGT2K
Of course if you removed the resonator it'd be louder, but your idea about borla and slp is wrong. SLP will give you more hp (no matter which one boasts more through marketing tactics). SLP has 2.5" pipe, you have more opportunity for flow, whereas the borla is 2.25". If you were to get headers, you'd get much more out of the SLP system.

The guy who works on my car said that SLP probably has 2-3 more hp, just because of the 2.5" pipe. But hey, every mechanic says different things. :thumbs:

[Avsguy01]

Well i can definately see this post being closed. This matter has been talked over and over again.

[Kdawg207]

and over and over and over

then reposted

etc


lol....like chinese water torture

[Avsguy01]

lol:cheers:

[PontiacGT2K]

Hahhahaha...good call. It's not absolute, but yeah SLP has much more versatility. If you're going for a tad better but similar stock sound/performance, Borla's the way to go. If you're going for more power more torque and more sound....get the SLP, with headers and a complete 2.5" setup. You can hook headers up to the borla, but you're sorta screwing yourself over. It's only 2.25" pipe, it's not taking full advantage of the headers....unlike the SLP which does (minus the flange which is 2.25" which is very very easy to have removed).

Only reason I post on this is cuz I know....I've got headers, and the SLP kit sitting in my bed room, waiting for install.

[Kdawg207]

Originally posted by PontiacGT2K
Only reason I post on this is cuz I know....I've got headers, and the SLP kit sitting in my bed room, waiting for install.


Lucky Bastard:thumbs:

[PontiacGT2K]

Lucky, sure....but I still have to find $$ for o2 sim, and tips for exhaust.
Explination: Sold the muffler/tips from the SLP to get a higher flowing Magnaflow transverse muffler. Ran out of money for tips, so I think no tips for exhaust, for now. So sad....so ghetto!

[IanGT99]

I'd agree with this all. The SLP's 2.5" piping is a lot better. If you're going for sound and performance, SLP edges Borla. If you're going to be installing headers, you'll need the 2.5" pipe for the right amount of flow. The reason Borla is so damn expensive is that its made with a lot higher quality material. It's like, aircraft grade metal. That sort of stuff will last longer than your car will. Borla is for the GA owner that wants more power and a classy low rumble. SLP is for the GA owner that wants more power and a deap growling exhaust that would stop the heart of any mortal being....lol

[Avsguy01]

Are you telling me i have to sell my Borla to get the SLP since im getting headers to maximize flow. Dang, why didnt anyone say this before i got my Borla :rage:

[AllForGT]

So how much power would i be missing out on by getting the Borla over the SLP if i'm getting headers, TB, upper intake and a Cold Air Intake to go with it?

The SLP also seems too loud and i've read about people who have gotten pulled over by cops because of it. Other people have said that they hear a rattling sound and it cost them around $100 to fix it. Any one have any experience with their SLP to comment on this? I haven't heard anything like this about the Borla so i'm thinkin i wanna go with Borla, but not if i'm missing out on a lot of power with the mods that i'm getting.

Thanks!

[Avsguy01]

I just cant see SLP having a much stronger powerhouse over the Borla. Whats the difference with headers, CAI, with the Borla as compared to the SLP, 2-3 hp? Thats nothing. If its more than 5 then i would consider selling my Borla and getting the SLP.

[PontiacGT2K]

Whoa....don't say that. Headers makes a huge difference when it comes to which system is more efficient. Stock, it's a 2-3 hp difference. When you've got headers, that's 2.5" piping back to your cat-back. You're going to notice a HUGE difference between the borla and SLP....probably around 10+hp.

Let's look at this logically. Headers have a 2.5" outlet, stock exhaust manifolds a 2.25". SLP has 2.5" piping, borla has 2.25" piping. So obviously until you bump up to headers, there isn't going to be too much of a difference (other than the fact that the SLP muffler is much more free-flowing than the Borla muffler). When you bump up to headers, you're going to see the huge difference becase the Borla will be very restrictive for ya.
It won't be a 2-3 hp difference, that's for sure!

[PontiacGT2K]

Originally posted by AllForGT
The SLP also seems too loud and i've read about people who have gotten pulled over by cops because of it. Other people have said that they hear a rattling sound and it cost them around $100 to fix it. Any one have any experience with their SLP to comment on this? I haven't heard anything like this about the Borla so i'm thinkin i wanna go with Borla, but not if i'm missing out on a lot of power with the mods that i'm getting.

Thanks!

That's the down side to getting 20+ hp out of headers....loudness. Well, that and install hastles. But yeah SLP will be loud no matter what, and it is a slightly less expensive grade stainless steel (but still a good grade, good enough to last a long long time). You're going to see a HUGE difference between borla and slp if you get headers. It's all about the piping from headers back, borla has 2.25" and slp has 2.5". You won't be taking advantage of headers with the borla.

Don't get me wrong, I think the Borla kit is very very nice, it sounds great, and it performs well. It's made to last a long time with T-304 stainless. Very good kit, but trust me you'll be shooting yourself in the back if you use that with the headers. I mean...you'll get gains, but you will see much higher gains with the SLP kit or a custom 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust.

[AznGA]

I say go for SLP and save some money for other stuff. I am going to order SLP in less than 2 weeks. I personally had hard time deciding as well, but after hearing SLP in person I decided to go with SLP. It's not as loud as some people say. I rode in a Grand AM GT with SLP and it's not that loud. Honestly I wished it were louder. I don't think it's louder than stock Trans Am. I am sure I am gonna be disappointed with quieter Borla sound.

[PontiacGT2K]

Yeah, I'm not even for the loudness, I'm going for more performance (hence why I got the SLP kit, sold the muffler, got a Magnaflow muffler)....it'll be just as loud, but much better flow than the SLP muffler.
Some like the quiet Borla sound, but those people have to realize headers aren't going to help them much with the Borla system.
Keeping the Borla system with headers is like keeping a sock in your intake. Sure it might quiet things down...but it's gonna suck performance.

[AllForGT]

What kind of Magnaflow muffler PontiacG2K? Is getting one of those going to make the car even louder?

[SilverGT1]

i have headers with my borla.. i can definetly fell the difference.. the power is there for sure.. don't worry about getting headers with borla

[Avsguy01]

You guys have me worried now. That sounds ridiculous. Why would they sell a Borla exhaust if you dont get any gains with the Borla and headers together. If i can remember Aleroboy dynoed his car with the Borla and headers and had an 18hp gain. I have a Borla and nothing has ever been said about not having gains with headers before i got it. I understand SLP has larger diameter piping but does that really make a huge improvment over the Borla? I could see a few hp but not nothing too noticable. I could be wrong but does anyone have the dyno to prove a 20+ hp gain with the SLP?

[eric99gt]

to tell u the truth avsguy i think alot of people are misinformed. I'm no expert but I believe the borla actually provides more hp than slp. Not to start a flame war but I'm just trying to help u in deciding to get the headers. It's not all about the piping size. If that were true then why the hell not get some 3" straight pipe and run it back from the headers. I would talk to aleroboy, he has a pretty good handle on all that stuff.

[MetaGTP1]

Between SLP and Borla, the difference in HP gain is minimal. It all comes down to personal preference. If you want quality, you have to pay for it(Borla). If you want loud and a slight HP gain over the Borla, than go with SLP. It also depends on your finances. Personally, I go for quality construction and durability. :thumbs:

[iceman]

That's a bold statement there... SLP is just as solidly made, if not better, than borla.

[Avsguy01]

I must say iceman, thats a bold statement too! Theres alot of bold statements going around......lol

P.S. Eric99GT, im still getting the headers :D

[MetaGTP1]

Originally posted by iceman
That's a bold statement there... SLP is just as solidly made, if not better, than borla. If you take a good look at both exhaust systems, you will see what I mean.;)

[iceman]

Ok, I've looked at both, go on and explain...

[mfuller]

Well, SLP's system does have a (albeit small) bottleneck at the flange wher it bolts up to the cat. Also it comes with cheap U-clamps.....and let's face it, the muffler just looks like total a$$.

That said, I think Borla should ditch the resonator - all it does is decrease ground clearance. Also, the welds on the muffler look like they were done by a 6-year-old....very sloppy, but it's better than the SLP canister. Borla's band clamps are much nicer.

[iceman]

No bottleneck on the Borla because the piping stays the same size...

As far as the clamps, I for one have no problems with the ones that come with the SLP. They seem to be holding the exhaust on.

Muffler looking bad ? Uhm.... cause you really have people on their backs checking out how your muffler looks all the time.

What was aleroboy saying about the inside of the Borla muffler ??


All valid points but really miniscule complaints IMO

[PontiacGT2K]

The Borla muffler, inside, is much worse for flow than the SLP one.
The welds on the Borla kit are ****ty.
If you're getting the SLP kit, get it welded up for like $20 at a shop.
The bottleneck is because the flange is 2.25" and the rest is 2.5" in case the install of headers (u cut off the flange and weld up a new one).
Borla doesn't have this "bottleneck' because it's 2.25" piping the entire way (restrictive).
Stock for stock SLP for Borla, they're about the same.
With headers, SLP will give you more gains.
John didn't dyno with a Borla kit, he dyno'd with my exhaust setup. That's an SLP cat-back, swapped the SLP muffler with a Magnaflow muffler(better flow).
Not to speak for him, but he's all about performance, nothing else. He even had a resonator put on his exhaust, so if he had thought the Borla put out more hp, he prolly would have used it.
Listen....until we get people up on dyno's with exact same setups, we can't prove anything, but there are some facts that support arguments. The SLP has 2.5" piping, which can take full advantage of headers. Borla have 2.25" back. And of course there's that whole "oh straight pipes...." argument, but we're not talking about straight pipes. We're talking about bottlenecks, and the Borla potentially acts like a bottleneck when you have headers.

And BTW: I'm dynoing my before/after exhaust/header setup within the week (install is on saturday if all goes well). So that'll be interesting.

[Ant]

wow...this is one cunfusing, opinionated thread. So let me lay out what I've read, in an easy to swallow package.

SLP:

PROS

-Nice, Deep Sound
-A little more power than Borla
-Leaves lots of room for other mods, allowing them to be more effective
-Cheaper Price

CONS

-Questionable build quality
-Appearence isn't to great
-Loudness may be too much for some people

Borla:

PROS

-Sound isn't as obnoxious as SLP
-Higher Quality = Longevity
-Nice look from the start


CONS

-Not as much power as SLP
-Price...$200 could be spent elsewhere...(Dr. Speed stage 3 CAI)
-Skinny (relative) piping can make other mods not worth it.

correct me if I'm wrong guys...just tried to sum everything up. My question(s) is(are):

1.) Is the quality on the SLP system THAT much worse...I mean...will it rust and stuff?

2.) Is the noise on the SLP THAT loud? AznGA's opinion made it very appealing for me.

[PontiacGT2K]

Very good grasshopper.

1.) The quality on the SLP isn't that much worse. It just uses a bit different grade of stainless steel. It won't rust.

2.) It's not that loud. I put on the SLP kit, with a technically louder muffler, and I still was disappointed (hoping it'd be louder). It'll be louder when I put on my headers :-D

Oh yeah...and the Borla and SLP don't look way off, just the muffler on the SLP has some nasty welding job on the outisde, which doesn't matter for sound or performance, just makes it look bad if you ever happen to fall underneath the rear section of your car face up.

[Kdawg207]

nuff said about this dead horse

time to close and delete

[PontiacGT2K]

Good call....though this thread has brought out a lot of valid points.....

[aleroboy]

Good points both sides.
While I like the look of borla's clamps more they seal like crap.
Borla slots it pipes to get them to work right.
I had to tighten the crap out of them to get them to seal.

I sell both systems so this is not a one sided opnion.
The slp clamps seal better but dont look as nice.
slp is 409 stainless and doesnt look as nice as 304 in the begining
then agian how many times are you under your car staring at the exhaust??
after pulling my borla off from being on for a year and a half is was less than pretty, after cutting open a borla muffler I can argue that slp will perform better.
The bottle neck is small on slp and borla has a bend right there. Which is prolly they same restriction.
They both have pros and cons but with borla I feel your buying the name.

My solution to the situation
SLP pipe Magnaflow muffler(s).
magnaflow has great looking and performaing mufflers.
the straight through design is hard to beat.
but they also have glass inside unlike the slp so it will be a touch quieter.

With my system I used a 4" round as a resonator to make sure it was not too loud with headers.
those that have herd it love the sound
I drive with the back seat down and the sound doenst bother me or stop normal conversation level.

I also welded much of the pipe and dotn have the clamps to look at.

to me this is the best route
if you want looks you could prolly send your pipe to tog and have it nickel coated inside and out.
this will stand up even better than the 304 stainless.

most people can sell the slp muffler and pipe for what will cos tot buy a magnaflow muffler so it ends up with no additional cost.
even with the nickel coat its cheaper than borla's retail price

[PontiacGT2K]

Thanks for the help, John:thumbs: :cheers:

[AllForGT]

Well i think i've decided to go with the SLP system along with a Magnaflow muffler and tips. I'm planning on getting TOG headers later on, is it worth getting a magnaflow cat to go with all fo this or is it not gonna show any gains? And when i do come around to getting the TOG's, is there anything else that i have to buy to go with them or do they come with everything i need?

[AznGA]

Originally posted by AntTheGreat
wow...this is one cunfusing, opinionated thread. So let me lay out what I've read, in an easy to swallow package.

SLP:

PROS

-Nice, Deep Sound
-A little more power than Borla
-Leaves lots of room for other mods, allowing them to be more effective
-Cheaper Price

CONS

-Questionable build quality
-Appearence isn't to great
-Loudness may be too much for some people

Borla:

PROS

-Sound isn't as obnoxious as SLP
-Higher Quality = Longevity
-Nice look from the start


CONS

-Not as much power as SLP
-Price...$200 could be spent elsewhere...(Dr. Speed stage 3 CAI)
-Skinny (relative) piping can make other mods not worth it.

correct me if I'm wrong guys...just tried to sum everything up. My question(s) is(are):

1.) Is the quality on the SLP system THAT much worse...I mean...will it rust and stuff?

2.) Is the noise on the SLP THAT loud? AznGA's opinion made it very appealing for me.

You did a good job summing up. :thumbs:
The car I was in was 01 GA GT that had SLP and CAI. He floored it and with windows down and it was a lot quieter than I thought. That's just my opinion. You really should hear it in person. I think you will like it though.

[AznGA]

I would never doubt the quality of SLP, which is a company that has a huge lineup of "upgraded" GM cars.

Is it really worth it to get the SLP exhaust welded?

[aleroboy]

Originally posted by AznGA


Is it really worth it to get the SLP exhaust welded?

thats more of a personal thing than anything
I only welded the tips because I didnt want visable clamps