5.3L RST: Looking For Mild-Sounding Exhaust

Dreww · May 19, 2021

Have a 2020 5.3L RST, and would like to pep up things up in the tone department, but being almost 40 years old and utilizing this is a family daily and even occasionally hauling the in-laws around in it, I also don't want it to be a lot louder inside than stock nor "redneck teenager-level" obnoxious on the outside. Just a nice, solid tone that's clearly not stock.

Any recommendations? I really like the sound of the Corsa system, but it seems to be quite loud. The Borla Touring kits I've read reviews ranging from "too quiet" to "sounds great." Some of the Flowmaster systems sound nice, as do Magnaflow. But none of the videos I can find talk about cabin volume at normal highway RPM of these various kits.

Edited May 19, 2021 by Dreww

kodiakdenali · May 19, 2021

I don't know how much this will help you, I have the Borla ATAK and based on your post its almost certainly much louder than what you're looking for. even so, its very comfortable in-cabin at highway cruising speed. its designed to be a loud exhaust, but even that is quiet enough to easily have a conversation in the cabin on the highway. The Borla S type or touring systems would certainly have the same cruising speed quietness with a more subdued startup/idle/acceleration sound level. just something to consider.

one thing I would recommend though, stick with a big brand name cat back, if you look at cheap options like just swapping the muffler on its own you run the risk of unwanted harmonics, such as drone, which can impact in-cabin noise comfort. a properly engineered cat back will be designed to make sure this doesn't happen. the Borla I have is virtually drone free. I've had it done before, but very rarely and only in very specific circumstances (easily fixable). for a manufacturer-described "Super Aggressive" sounding exhaust, absolutely 0 drone at cruising speeds. a testament to a well engineered product.