Borla ATAK

Denk · 08-12-2012, 04:54 PM

Due to a certain illness, I like to check out exhausts. When I heard that this "Race" exhaust doesn't drone I just had to try it, especially for the price. I ordered it from Turner MS about a month ago, it took 3 wk's to receive and I've had 7 days with it on. My previous exhaust's are the MPE, AA Sig, and E. Race. Sorry, I don't have any sound clips but here are my impressions.

Fitment: No problems installing at all and lines up beautifully, not at all like the Borla I tried on my e46 which was a PITA!

Looks: It has a very clean design. The angle cut tips are 3.5", polished and rolled. Kinda reminds me of Remus tips.

Weight: ~21lbs lighter than stock.

Sound: I'm impressed, Borla did a great job tuning this exhaust! The ATAK doesn't drone, as advertised! I'm hyper sensitive to drone and am surprised that a "Race" exhaust can be drone free. There is no cabin resonance through the RPM range! Even the AA with their noise canceling chambers drones at low rpms. You can definitely hear the exhaust in the cabin but it's not in the form of drone. Idle sounds very muscular, it has a little of that gurgling American V8 sound. It's not really a loud exhaust until you get on it a little, as soon as there is some throttle input it really opens up and I mean in a big way! Treating the throttle with kid gloves is key for maintaining good relationships with neighbors. The tone is smooth and high pitched, similar to the AA, not as aggressive as the E. Race. I'd say the volume level is about on par with the E. Race, a little louder maybe especially at WOT, it can get loud! A little too much for me at times.

Bottom line: Due to the absense of drone, to me this is a much more livable exhaust than the AA Sig and E. Race. That said...the ATAK is ultimately just going to be too loud for me. Some days I'd prefer that but not all of the time. So, my MPE still reigns King with a nice overall balance. I can honestly say that the Borla ATAK is definitely worth checking out if you want an exhaust with Race db's that sounds and looks good but isn't plagued with annoying drone.

THE TECH · 08-12-2012, 04:59 PM

Can I assume that you are making comparisons to the axle-back systems only and are running the OEM x-pipe in all of these scenarios?

Denk · 08-12-2012, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Can I assume that you are making comparisons to the axle-back systems only and are running the OEM x-pipe in all of these scenarios?

Yup, axle back only. Everything else OEM in the exhaust path.

ajvee · 08-12-2012, 05:24 PM

would you mind posting price? Great review.

Denk · 08-12-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajvee

would you mind posting price? Great review.

PM'd

BASELINE · 08-12-2012, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denk

PM'd

please record clip

THE-FN-MAN · 08-12-2012, 07:24 PM

Enjoy man! It's a great exhaust!

L4ces · 08-12-2012, 09:49 PM

Thanks for the great review. You are always unbiased and accurate in my opinion.

Snig · 08-12-2012, 10:14 PM

I have this exhaust. I effing love it! 4sevens has it on his car and has a few youtube videos on the forum as well.

Peahi · 08-13-2012, 12:40 AM

Great review....sound without drone is the holy grail. Too loud can be too much of a good thing I guess.

I will have to look up the videos.

Snig · 08-13-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peahi

Great review....sound without drone is the holy grail. Too loud can be too much of a good thing I guess.

I will have to look up the videos.

L4ces · 08-13-2012, 11:42 AM

So Denk, are you going to post a video in response to this. I know you can top this one! Lol just joking.

Peahi · 08-13-2012, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snig

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peahi

Great review....sound without drone is the holy grail. Too loud can be too much of a good thing I guess.

I will have to look up the videos.

I've seen that one before, pretty good one! I was just too distracted thinking of those tires going to heaven.

Maybe a video of street driving might be more useful. Lol

Denk · 08-13-2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L4ces

So Denk, are you going to post a video in response to this. I know you can top this one! Lol just joking.

Haha, you know better...you're the crazy GoPro video guy!

Here is a good rev clip, I believe this M3 belongs to a forum member. I talked to a guy at Borla and according to him this is just the axle-back Atak. This is a good representation to my ears.

THE-FN-MAN · 08-13-2012, 01:46 PM

That's my baby

just the axle back. 100% stock otherwise. No tune, nothing

Denk · 08-13-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE-FN-MAN

That's my baby

just the axle back. 100% stock otherwise. No tune, nothing

Thanks!

Dave07997S · 08-13-2012, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denk

Due to a certain illness, I like to check out exhausts. When I heard that this "Race" exhaust doesn't drone I just had to try it, especially for the price. I ordered it from Turner MS about a month ago, it took 3 wk's to receive and I've had 7 days with it on. My previous exhaust's are the MPE, AA Sig, and E. Race. Sorry, I don't have any sound clips but here are my impressions.

Fitment: No problems installing at all and lines up beautifully, not at all like the Borla I tried on my e46 which was a PITA!

Looks: It has a very clean design. The angle cut tips are 3.5", polished and rolled. Kinda reminds me of Remus tips.

Weight: ~21lbs lighter than stock.

Sound: I'm impressed, Borla did a great job tuning this exhaust! The ATAK doesn't drone, as advertised! I'm hyper sensitive to drone and am surprised that a "Race" exhaust can be drone free. There is no cabin resonance through the RPM range! Even the AA with their noise canceling chambers drones at low rpms. You can definitely hear the exhaust in the cabin but it's not in the form of drone. Idle sounds very muscular, it has a little of that gurgling American V8 sound. It's not really a loud exhaust until you get on it a little, as soon as there is some throttle input it really opens up and I mean in a big way! Treating the throttle with kid gloves is key for maintaining good relationships with neighbors. The tone is smooth and high pitched, similar to the AA, not as aggressive as the E. Race. I'd say the volume level is about on par with the E. Race, a little louder maybe especially at WOT, it can get loud! A little too much for me at times.

Bottom line: Due to the absense of drone, to me this is a much more livable exhaust than the AA Sig and E. Race. That said...the ATAK is ultimately just going to be too loud for me. Some days I'd prefer that but not all of the time. So, my MPE still reigns King with a nice overall balance. I can honestly say that the Borla ATAK is definitely worth checking out if you want an exhaust with Race db's that sounds and looks good but isn't plagued with annoying drone.

Sounds like you are going to sell it...I'm interested if you are.

Dave

Denk · 08-24-2012, 01:06 AM

FYI, the exhaust is up for sale in the private seller's section.

THE-FN-MAN · 08-24-2012, 12:22 PM

Already moving on to something different?

Denk · 08-24-2012, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE-FN-MAN

Already moving on to something different?

I put my quieter MPE back on.

THE-FN-MAN · 08-24-2012, 04:18 PM

Right on man

L4ces · 08-25-2012, 04:03 PM

Don't stop now :-). At least you can give the evolve a try. I know, waaaayyy too expensive :-)

08-12-2012, 04:54 PM	#1
Denk Major Drives: 2013 SSII e92 DCT M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 1,166 iTrader: (0)	Borla ATAK Due to a certain illness, I like to check out exhausts. When I heard that this "Race" exhaust doesn't drone I just had to try it, especially for the price. I ordered it from Turner MS about a month ago, it took 3 wk's to receive and I've had 7 days with it on. My previous exhaust's are the MPE, AA Sig, and E. Race. Sorry, I don't have any sound clips but here are my impressions. Fitment: No problems installing at all and lines up beautifully, not at all like the Borla I tried on my e46 which was a PITA! Looks: It has a very clean design. The angle cut tips are 3.5", polished and rolled. Kinda reminds me of Remus tips. Weight: ~21lbs lighter than stock. Sound: I'm impressed, Borla did a great job tuning this exhaust! The ATAK doesn't drone, as advertised! I'm hyper sensitive to drone and am surprised that a "Race" exhaust can be drone free. There is no cabin resonance through the RPM range! Even the AA with their noise canceling chambers drones at low rpms. You can definitely hear the exhaust in the cabin but it's not in the form of drone. Idle sounds very muscular, it has a little of that gurgling American V8 sound. It's not really a loud exhaust until you get on it a little, as soon as there is some throttle input it really opens up and I mean in a big way! Treating the throttle with kid gloves is key for maintaining good relationships with neighbors. The tone is smooth and high pitched, similar to the AA, not as aggressive as the E. Race. I'd say the volume level is about on par with the E. Race, a little louder maybe especially at WOT, it can get loud! A little too much for me at times. Bottom line: Due to the absense of drone, to me this is a much more livable exhaust than the AA Sig and E. Race. That said...the ATAK is ultimately just going to be too loud for me. Some days I'd prefer that but not all of the time. So, my MPE still reigns King with a nice overall balance. I can honestly say that the Borla ATAK is definitely worth checking out if you want an exhaust with Race db's that sounds and looks good but isn't plagued with annoying drone.
	Tweet

08-12-2012, 04:59 PM	#2
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 12,075 iTrader: (39)	Can I assume that you are making comparisons to the axle-back systems only and are running the OEM x-pipe in all of these scenarios? __________________ Check us out on Facebook at BPMsportlabs

08-13-2012, 12:40 AM	#10
Peahi Captain Drives: 2012 M3 CPE Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 631 iTrader: (0)	Great review....sound without drone is the holy grail. Too loud can be too much of a good thing I guess. I will have to look up the videos. __________________

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

08-12-2012, 05:24 PM	#4
ajvee Major Drives: None Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: None Posts: 1,377 iTrader: (12)	would you mind posting price? Great review.

08-12-2012, 07:24 PM	#7
THE-FN-MAN Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 x2 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: the wood Posts: 516 iTrader: (0)	Enjoy man! It's a great exhaust!

08-12-2012, 09:49 PM	#8
L4ces Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Alpine White Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nj Posts: 472 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Thanks for the great review. You are always unbiased and accurate in my opinion.

08-13-2012, 11:42 AM	#12
L4ces Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Alpine White Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nj Posts: 472 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	So Denk, are you going to post a video in response to this. I know you can top this one! Lol just joking.

08-13-2012, 01:46 PM	#15
THE-FN-MAN Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 x2 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: the wood Posts: 516 iTrader: (0)	That's my baby just the axle back. 100% stock otherwise. No tune, nothing

08-24-2012, 01:06 AM	#18
Denk Major Drives: 2013 SSII e92 DCT M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 1,166 iTrader: (0)	FYI, the exhaust is up for sale in the private seller's section.

08-24-2012, 12:22 PM	#19
THE-FN-MAN Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 x2 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: the wood Posts: 516 iTrader: (0)	Already moving on to something different?

08-24-2012, 04:18 PM	#21
THE-FN-MAN Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 x2 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: the wood Posts: 516 iTrader: (0)	Right on man

08-25-2012, 04:03 PM	#22
L4ces Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Alpine White Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nj Posts: 472 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Don't stop now :-). At least you can give the evolve a try. I know, waaaayyy too expensive :-)