Best Cadillac ATS-V Exhaust Systems (2016-2019 Guide)

The 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS-V is one of the most underrated twin-turbo sports sedans of its era, and the right Cadillac ATS-V exhaust is the single most popular first modification its owners make. The car's 3.6L twin-turbocharged LF4 V6 is factory-rated at 464 hp and 445 lb-ft, yet the stock NPP dual-mode system muffles most of that character and is known to drone at highway cruise. A quality cat-back or axle-back wakes up the sound, trims a few pounds, and—on a full cat-back—frees a measurable 13 hp. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, this is our buyer's guide to the four best ATS-V exhaust systems we stock, plus the intake and blow-off upgrades that finish the build.

Why Upgrade the Cadillac ATS-V Exhaust?

The Cadillac ATS-V left the factory with a quad-tip NPP dual-mode exhaust—an electronically valved system that opens and closes flaps based on drive mode and throttle. It is genuinely clever, but it is tuned for refinement first. Two complaints come up again and again from ATS-V owners: a low-frequency cruise drone at highway speeds, and the fact that the valves restrict flow when closed, softening the twin-turbo V6's snarl in everyday driving. The car is programmed to run the valves open at wide-open throttle, so a lazy or stuck valve directly blunts the experience.

An aftermarket cat-back or axle-back solves both problems. Straight-through, mandrel-bent stainless piping with an X-pipe or reflective sound cancellation lets the LF4 breathe and sound like the 464-hp engine it is, while sound-cancellation designs keep the cabin drone-free. In our Tampa shop, exhaust is the first upgrade we install on the majority of ATS-V builds because it changes the car's personality more than any other bolt-on at this price. It is worth knowing that on a turbocharged engine the turbine itself acts as a large restriction and muffler, so post-turbo exhaust gains are real but smaller than on a naturally aspirated car—most ATS-V owners chase sound and throttle character as much as peak power.

Cat-Back vs Axle-Back on a Twin-Turbo ATS-V

A cat-back exhaust replaces everything from the catalytic converters rearward—the mid-pipe, mufflers, and tips—so it offers the most flow, the biggest sound change, and any measurable power gain. An axle-back replaces only the section behind the rear axle (mufflers and tips), so it is cheaper and easier to install, but it is primarily a sound-and-appearance upgrade with little to no power gain. On the ATS-V, the electronic exhaust valves live in the mid-section, which means a full cat-back can retain them while an axle-back simply leaves that valved section in place.

Material matters too. Every system in this guide is built from 304 stainless steel, the higher-nickel, higher-chromium alloy that resists rust and holds a bright polish—a step above the cheaper 409 ferritic stainless used on many OEM and budget systems. Full stainless cat-backs typically save a modest few pounds over the heavy factory setup; Corsa quotes a 3-pound reduction on its axle-back. Expect meaningful gains in sound and looks, and modest gains in weight and power.

Best Cadillac ATS-V Exhaust Systems Compared

Here are the four ATS-V exhaust systems we stock, ranked from our top overall pick to the best value. All four fit the 2016-2019 ATS-V with the 3.6L twin-turbo V6, and the three cat-backs fit both the sedan and the coupe. Prices and specs are current as of publication.

1. aFe MACHForce-XP 3-inch 304SS Cat-Back (Black Tips) — Top Pick

The aFe MACHForce-XP is our top recommendation because it does everything an ATS-V owner wants without a single serious compromise. It uses 3-inch mandrel-bent, MIG-welded 304 stainless piping with a balanced X-pipe and dual high-flow mufflers, and it retains the factory NPP dual-mode valve motors—so in Touring mode the car stays refined, and in Track mode it opens up to a hard twin-turbo bark. On aFe's own dyno the system is rated at up to 13 hp and 24 lb-ft in the mid-range, and it exits through aggressive quad 4-inch black tips that suit the V-Series bumper perfectly.

2. Borla S-Type Cat-Back — Best for a Drone-Free Cabin

Borla's S-Type is the choice for the owner who wants a genuine performance note without a boomy highway cruise. Built from patented T-304 austenitic stainless with 2.75-inch piping and a merge X-pipe, it retains the factory dual-mode valves and is engineered by Borla to deliver its signature aggressive tone with, in Borla's words, no drone inside the vehicle. It exits through dual 4-inch split rear tips and—like every Borla—carries the company's Million-Mile warranty, the strongest coverage in this comparison.

3. aFe MACHForce-XP Cat-Back (Polished Tips)

This is the same MACHForce-XP dual-mode system as our top pick—identical 3-inch 304 stainless construction, X-pipe, high-flow mufflers, and retained NPP valves—finished with bright polished quad tips instead of black. If chrome-look tips match your ATS-V better than blacked-out ones, this is the version to buy, and at $2,788.00 it is a touch cheaper than the black-tip kit. Sound and performance are unchanged; the choice is purely aesthetic.

4. Corsa Sport Axle-Back — Best Value

If you want a big jump in sound for the smallest investment, the Corsa Sport axle-back is the value pick at $2,061.74. It replaces only the rear mufflers and tips, so it installs quickly, yet it delivers Corsa's aggressive Sport-level bark thanks to patented RSC (Reflective Sound Cancellation) technology that Corsa engineers specifically to eliminate drone during cruise. It saves roughly 3 pounds over stock and finishes with twin polished 4-inch tips. Because it is an axle-back, it does not touch the valved mid-section—the trade-off for its lower price and easier install is essentially no power gain.

Complete the Build: Intake and Blow-Off Valves

Exhaust is the headline upgrade, but two more bolt-ons round out the ATS-V's induction side. A performance intake feeds the twin turbos more cool air, and upgraded blow-off valves sharpen throttle response and protect turbo longevity. Both pair naturally with any of the exhausts above.

K&N 57-Series Performance Air Intake

K&N's 57-Series kit swaps the factory airbox for a custom rotationally-molded intake tube, a dedicated heat shield, and a washable, reusable High-Flow oiled-cotton cone filter rated for roughly 100,000 miles between cleanings. K&N lists a peak-of-curve estimate of up to about 34 hp as a manufacturer claim—treat that as a best-case number on the dyno rather than a flat gain everywhere in the rev range. Crucially for California and other emissions-checked states, it is 50-state legal under CARB Executive Order D-269-61.

Turbosmart Kompact Dual Port BOV Kit

Because the ATS-V uses two turbochargers, this Turbosmart kit includes a pair of Kompact Dual Port valves—one per turbo—machined from billet aluminum with a black anodized finish. The dual-port design runs a 50/50 blend of vent-to-atmosphere and recirculation, so you get an audible whoosh between shifts while keeping the MAF-based ECU happy; an included blanking plug converts them to fully recirculating if you prefer no atmospheric noise. Beyond sound, upgraded valves eliminate compressor surge and help protect turbo longevity—it is a response-and-durability part, not a power adder.

How to Choose the Right ATS-V Exhaust

If you want the best all-around package—sound, a real dyno-verified power gain, and factory valve control—buy the aFe MACHForce-XP cat-back and pick your tip color. If your priority is an aggressive note that never drones on a long drive, the Borla S-Type is purpose-built for that and backs it with a Million-Mile warranty. If you want the biggest sound-per-dollar and a fast install, the Corsa Sport axle-back is the value winner. Add the K&N intake and Turbosmart valves when you are ready to complete the induction side. Every part here is in stock and ships from NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, and our team can help you match the right combination to your ATS-V and driving style.