C7 Corvette Z06 Exhaust: Akrapovic vs Borla Compared

A C7 Corvette exhaust is a rear-axle or cat-back system that swaps the factory mufflers to unlock the LT1 and supercharged LT4 V8’s real voice, shed weight, and sharpen throttle response. On the 2014–2019 Corvette Stingray, Grand Sport, and Z06, the two names that dominate the conversation are Akrapovic, whose titanium Slip-On Line is the lightest system money can buy, and Borla, whose stainless ATAK and S-Type systems deliver most of the sound for a fraction of the price. Below we put them head-to-head on material, decibels, weight, fitment, and cost so you can pick the right C7 Corvette exhaust for your car.

Which C7 Corvette exhaust is right for you?

Choose the Akrapovic Slip-On Line (Titanium) if you own a Z06 and want the lightest system on the planet with an exotic, motorsport-grade tone; choose a Borla ATAK if you want the loudest bang-for-buck; and choose a Borla S-Type if you daily-drive and want aggression without constant cabin drone. All five systems below are direct bolt-on parts that require no tune, retain the factory NPP active-exhaust valves where equipped, and install in roughly 1.5–2 hours. Here is how the five most popular C7 systems we sell compare.

C7 engines and why exhaust choice matters

The C7 Corvette shipped with three headline engines, and the one under your hood changes which exhaust you buy. The base Stingray and 2017–2019 Grand Sport run the naturally aspirated LT1 6.2L V8, rated at 455 hp and 460 lb-ft (460 hp / 465 lb-ft with the factory NPP performance exhaust). The Z06 steps up to the supercharged LT4 6.2L V8 making 650 hp and 650 lb-ft – enough for a 0–60 mph run in about 2.95 seconds. The 2019 ZR1 tops the range with the 755 hp supercharged LT5. More power means more exhaust energy, which is exactly why a lighter, freer-flowing system pays off most on the Z06.

Two factory acronyms decide fitment. NPP is Chevrolet’s dual-mode active exhaust: electronically actuated valves that stay quiet at cruise and snap open under throttle or in Track mode – a roughly 17 dB swing between the quiet and loud modes on NPP cars. Aftermarket systems labeled “w/ NPP” keep those valves working. AFM (Active Fuel Management) deactivates four of the eight cylinders at light load to save fuel, so some Borla rear sections specify “w/ AFM” or “w/o AFM” to keep the muffler tuning matched to your car. Match your build sheet to the fitment column above and you cannot go wrong.

Akrapovic Slip-On Line (Titanium): the premium pick

The Akrapovic Slip-On Line for the C7 Z06 is the most exotic exhaust in this comparison. It is built from lightweight titanium with hand-finished carbon fiber tailpipe tips, and it retains the Z06’s valve-controlled sound so it can whisper through your neighborhood and scream at wide-open throttle. Titanium is the headline: Akrapovic’s own data puts the weight saving at about 11.7 lb (5.3 kg) versus the factory assembly – rear-biased mass a track-focused Z06 owner genuinely feels – and the company publishes a peak gain of roughly +8 hp and +8.7 lb-ft at high rpm. At $6,829.80 it is a statement piece, priced like the LT4-powered machine it bolts to.

Borla ATAK vs S-Type: the stainless value play

Borla is the volume king in the C7 world, and its systems are graded by loudness. ATAK (Acoustically Tuned Applied Kinetics) is Borla’s loudest, most aggressive tune; S-Type is the aggressive-but-livable middle; and Touring is the mildest. Independent stationary sound tests give a sense of scale: stock NPP measures around 87–89 dB, Borla S-Type roughly 92–101 dB, and Borla ATAK about 101–104 dB from cruise to full song. Every Borla C7 system is built from patented T-304 stainless steel with straight-through, multi-core mufflers, is 50-state street legal, and is backed by Borla’s Million-Mile Warranty. Expect single-digit to low-teens wheel-horsepower gains on a bolt-on system – the real payoff is sound and a lifetime of durability at roughly one-third the Akrapovic price.

Axle-back vs cat-back: what actually bolts on?

An axle-back exhaust replaces everything from the rear axle back – the mufflers and tips – and is the fastest, cheapest way to change your C7’s sound. A cat-back (or rear-section) replaces the mid-pipes and mufflers for a bigger jump in flow and volume. On the C7 both are true bolt-on jobs: no cutting, no welding, and no tune required, because you are not touching the catalytic converters or the tune-sensitive front pipes. In our Tampa shop, a C7 axle-back typically goes on in about 1.5 hours on a lift, and the factory NPP valve harness plugs straight back in on NPP-compatible systems. One install tip: automatic-transmission C7s often need AFM spacer plates with an aftermarket exhaust to prevent a check-engine light, so factor that in on auto cars.

Titanium vs stainless: is Akrapovic worth double?

Titanium is worth the premium only if weight and exclusivity matter more than dollars. The Akrapovic Slip-On’s titanium construction sheds about 11.7 lb (5.3 kg) versus the factory system – titanium is up to roughly 50% lighter than steel for equivalent parts – and its carbon tips and motorsport pedigree are simply in a different league of finish. Borla’s T-304 stainless is heavier but far more affordable, every bit as durable thanks to the Million-Mile Warranty, and available in three distinct sound levels. For a street-driven Stingray or Grand Sport, a Borla ATAK or S-Type delivers the head-turning sound most owners actually want. For a no-compromise Z06 build, the Akrapovic titanium is the halo piece. Either way, browse our full performance exhaust collection to match the system to your C7.

Sound and drone: picking a C7 exhaust by how you drive

The best C7 exhaust is the one matched to your driving. Independent stationary tests put the stock NPP system around 87–89 dB, a Borla S-Type at roughly 92–101 dB, and a Borla ATAK at about 101–104 dB from quiet mode to full song – and notably, ATAK in its quiet mode is nearly as loud as the S-Type at wide-open throttle. If you commute in your Corvette, that gap matters: an S-Type or an NPP-valved ATAK keeps highway cruising civil, while a non-valved ATAK can drone at 70–80 mph. Drone is mostly a function of muffler design and whether the factory valves are retained, not the brand on the tip.

For a garage-kept weekend or track Z06, go loud and light: the Akrapovic titanium Slip-On or the Borla Z06 ATAK. For a daily-driven Stingray or Grand Sport that still needs to turn heads at cars-and-coffee, the Borla S-Type is the sweet spot. And if you want more than an axle-back delivers, you can build a full cat-back by pairing a Borla rear section with a Borla X-pipe for extra flow and a fuller tone – all still no-tune, bolt-on, and NPP-compatible. Our Tampa team fits these systems on C7s every week and can help you match sound level to your exact model and transmission.