Next Level Performance
October 23, 2026 • 9 min read
Our Verdict
For most 2017-2022 Colorado 3.6L owners, the MBRP Installer Series cat-back is the best all-around value — a 3-inch mandrel-bent system that wakes up the LGZ V6 for around $440.
Choose the MBRP if you want the most sound and throttle response per dollar. Step up to the MagnaFlow BRExhaust stainless direct-fit if corrosion resistance and a refined, drone-free tone matter most, or the Flowmaster FlowFX if you want the deepest, most aggressive exterior note. All three are in stock and ship to your door.
Shop Our Top Pick →The best cat-back exhaust for a 2017-2022 Chevy Colorado 3.6L comes down to three proven systems: the budget-friendly MBRP Installer Series, the stainless MagnaFlow BRExhaust direct-fit, and the aggressive Flowmaster FlowFX. All three bolt onto the 308-horsepower LGZ V6 (and the same-chassis GMC Canyon) using the factory hanger locations, and all three ship from our Tampa, FL warehouse. In this comparison we break down material, sound, warranty, power, and price so you can pick the right one the first time.
Why Upgrade the Exhaust on a 2017-2022 Colorado 3.6L?
A cat-back exhaust is the single best bang-for-buck bolt-on for the 2017-2022 Colorado 3.6L V6. From the factory the LGZ V6 makes 308 hp at 6,800 rpm and 275 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm, but it breathes through narrow, crush-bent factory piping and a restrictive muffler that muffle both power and sound. Swapping the section from the catalytic converter back for a 3-inch mandrel-bent system reduces backpressure, frees up a handful of horsepower, and gives the V6 the voice it should have had from the showroom floor.
"Cat-back" means the system replaces everything behind the catalytic converter — the intermediate pipe, muffler, and tailpipe — so it is 50-state emissions-friendly and never touches your cats. That is why a cat-back is the go-to first exhaust mod: it is legal, reversible, and installs in your own driveway in about an hour. The Colorado and its twin the GMC Canyon share the same exhaust routing, so every system in this guide fits both trucks.
MBRP Installer Series 3-inch cat-back — the value pick for the Colorado 3.6L.
MBRP vs MagnaFlow vs Flowmaster: Quick Comparison
Here is how the three best-selling cat-back systems for the 2017-2022 Colorado 3.6L stack up at a glance. The MBRP is the value champion, the MagnaFlow BRExhaust is the stainless-steel longevity pick, and the Flowmaster FlowFX is the loudest of the three. All prices reflect current pricing at NLP Performance.
| Kit | Material | Sound | Warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBRP Installer Series (S5090AL)Top Pick | Aluminized steel, 3 in. single | Moderate-aggressive | 3-Year | $439.99 |
| MagnaFlow BRExhaust (106-0766) | Stainless, direct-fit | Refined / near-OE | Limited Lifetime | $769.00 |
| Flowmaster FlowFX (717834) | 304 stainless, dual 2.25 in. | Deep & aggressive | Limited Lifetime | $849.95 |
MBRP Installer Series: Best Value Cat-Back
The MBRP Installer Series S5090AL is the best value cat-back for the 2017-2022 Colorado 3.6L, delivering up to 18 more horsepower and 28 lb-ft more torque for around $440. It is a full 3-inch mandrel-bent system built from heavy-duty aluminized steel with fully sealed tubing, so the seams that rust out on cheap budget systems are welded shut. It exits single-side out the back with a polished 4-inch tip, and because it reuses the factory hanger locations it bolts on with hand tools and no welding.
Key Specifications
What We Like
- + Lowest price of the three — best sound and power per dollar
- + Fully sealed, welded seams resist rust-through
- + Up to +18 hp / +28 lb-ft and lower EGTs on the 3.6L V6
Things to Consider
- – Aluminized steel is less corrosion-proof than stainless long term
- – Single-tip exit is less of a visual statement than dual tips
MagnaFlow BRExhaust: Best Stainless Direct-Fit
The MagnaFlow BRExhaust 106-0766 is the best choice if long-term durability and a refined, factory-quiet tone are your priorities. Unlike a loud performance muffler, this is a stainless-steel direct-fit replacement kit engineered to swap in for the OE exhaust with no bending or welding — the box includes all the gaskets and clamps you need. Its precision mandrel-bent pipes flow better than the crush-bent tubing found on many budget replacements, and the stainless construction shrugs off road salt and moisture far better than aluminized steel. If you tow, daily-drive year-round, or simply cannot stand exhaust drone on the highway, this is your system.
MagnaFlow's mandrel-bent stainless tubing flows better than crush-bent OE piping.
What We Like
- + Stainless steel resists salt and rust — ideal for year-round trucks
- + Refined, near-stock tone with no highway drone
- + Limited lifetime warranty and complete gasket/clamp hardware
Things to Consider
- – Direct-fit tuning means a quieter note than a performance muffler
- – Costs noticeably more than the aluminized MBRP system
Flowmaster FlowFX: Best for Aggressive Sound
The Flowmaster FlowFX is the loudest, most aggressive cat-back in this comparison and the pick for drivers who want their Colorado to be heard. It is a dual 2.25-inch system built entirely from mandrel-bent stainless steel, flowing into Flowmaster's FlowFX straight-through performance muffler for maximum power with a deep, throaty exterior tone and a moderate interior sound level. Dual tailpipes reuse all the factory hanger locations, clear the spare tire, and finish with twin 3.00-inch polished 304 stainless tips for a true dual-exit look.
The FlowFX straight-through muffler delivers a deep, aggressive exterior note.
What We Like
- + Deepest, most aggressive exterior tone of the three
- + All-304-stainless build with a limited lifetime warranty
- + True dual exit with twin 3-inch polished tips
Things to Consider
- – Most expensive option in this comparison
- – Straight-through muffler can drone more than a direct-fit system
How Much Power Will a Cat-Back Add to a Colorado 3.6L?
A cat-back exhaust on the 2017-2022 Colorado 3.6L typically frees up a handful of horsepower — MBRP rates its Installer Series system at up to 18 hp and 28 lb-ft of torque at the crank. In the real world you should expect smaller but noticeable gains, usually in the mid-to-high single digits of rear-wheel horsepower, concentrated in the mid-range where the LGZ V6 spends most of its time. The bigger payoff is throttle response, a louder and more satisfying note, and lower exhaust gas temperatures (EGTs) thanks to the freer-flowing 3-inch piping.
For the biggest power jump you would pair any of these cat-backs with a cold air intake and a tune, which together can add noticeably more than exhaust alone. On its own, treat a cat-back as a sound-and-response upgrade with modest dyno gains — which is exactly why it remains the most popular first mod for Colorado owners.
The MBRP system finishes with a single polished 4-inch tip.
Aluminized vs Stainless Steel: Which Lasts Longer?
Stainless steel lasts longer than aluminized steel, especially in wet, salty, or snowy climates. Aluminized steel — like the MBRP Installer Series uses — is carbon steel coated with an aluminum-silicon layer; it resists corrosion well and MBRP's fully sealed, welded seams add years of life, but the coating eventually wears and surface rust can appear. Stainless steel, used in the MagnaFlow BRExhaust and Flowmaster FlowFX, has corrosion resistance built into the metal itself, so it holds up far better over a decade of road salt and moisture.
If you live in the Sun Belt and keep your truck a few years, the aluminized MBRP is a smart, cost-effective choice. If you daily-drive through winters with salted roads or plan to keep the Colorado long term, the stainless MagnaFlow or Flowmaster earns its higher price through longevity and its limited lifetime warranty.
Stainless construction, like MagnaFlow's BRExhaust kit, resists salt and rust for the long haul.
Installation: Can You Install a Colorado Cat-Back at Home?
Yes — all three systems are designed as bolt-on, no-weld installs you can do at home in roughly 60 to 90 minutes. Each kit reuses the factory exhaust hanger locations and includes the clamps (and, in the MagnaFlow kit, the gaskets) needed to finish the job. You will need basic hand tools, a set of jack stands or a lift, and some penetrating oil for the factory clamps. Because these are cat-back systems, you never disturb the catalytic converters, so the truck stays emissions-legal and the swap is fully reversible.
The FlowFX finishes with twin 3-inch polished 304 stainless tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cat-back exhaust for a 2017-2022 Chevy Colorado 3.6L?
The MBRP Installer Series (S5090AL) is the best overall value cat-back for the 2017-2022 Colorado 3.6L at around $440, adding up to 18 hp and 28 lb-ft while reusing the factory hangers. Choose the stainless MagnaFlow BRExhaust (106-0766) for maximum durability and a quiet tone, or the Flowmaster FlowFX (717834) for the most aggressive sound.
Will a cat-back exhaust void my Colorado's warranty?
No, a cat-back exhaust will not automatically void your factory warranty. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealer cannot deny warranty coverage simply because you installed an aftermarket part, unless they can prove that part directly caused the failure. A cat-back is also emissions-legal because it leaves the catalytic converters untouched.
Does the Colorado cat-back also fit the GMC Canyon?
Yes. The GMC Canyon shares the same chassis, 3.6L LGZ V6, and exhaust routing as the Chevy Colorado, so all three systems in this guide fit both the 2017-2022 Colorado and the Canyon with the 3.6L V6. Always confirm your exact year, engine, and cab/bed configuration before ordering.
How loud is the Flowmaster FlowFX compared to the MBRP and MagnaFlow?
The Flowmaster FlowFX is the loudest of the three, using a straight-through performance muffler for a deep, aggressive exterior tone with a moderate interior sound level. The MBRP sits in the middle with a moderate-to-aggressive note, while the MagnaFlow BRExhaust direct-fit is the quietest, staying close to stock with no highway drone.
Is aluminized or stainless steel better for a Colorado exhaust?
Stainless steel is better for long-term durability and salt-belt climates, while aluminized steel is the more budget-friendly choice. The aluminized MBRP system uses fully sealed welded seams to resist rust-through, but the stainless MagnaFlow and Flowmaster systems have corrosion resistance built into the metal and carry limited lifetime warranties.
How much horsepower does a cat-back add to the Colorado 3.6L?
A cat-back exhaust adds up to about 18 hp and 28 lb-ft on the 2017-2022 Colorado 3.6L per MBRP's rating, with real-world rear-wheel gains typically in the mid-range. The main benefits are sharper throttle response, a stronger exhaust note, and lower EGTs; pairing the exhaust with a cold air intake and tune yields the largest overall power increase.
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