Next Level Performance
November 12, 2026 • 10 min read
A cat-back exhaust is the single most popular bolt-on for the 2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and for good reason: it wakes up the 5.3L V8’s muted factory tone, trims weight behind the catalytic converter, and does it in about an hour in the driveway. The hard part is not finding a kit — it is choosing between a loud-and-proud Flowmaster, a refined MagnaFlow, a value-focused MBRP, or a legendary Borla note. Below we compare the five cat-back exhaust systems our Tampa shop recommends most for the 2019-2024 Silverado and Sierra 1500, with real materials, exit configurations, sound character, and pricing so you can match the system to how you actually drive.
Our Verdict
The Flowmaster Outlaw Extreme is our top pick — the biggest, boldest V8 tone on this list for around $416, backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Want a deep sound without constant highway drone? Step up to the 304 stainless MagnaFlow Street Series or Borla S-Type. On a tight budget, the MBRP single-side kit is a clean, no-fuss upgrade for well under $600.
Shop Our Top Pick →What Does a Cat-Back Exhaust Do on a 2019-2024 Silverado or Sierra 1500?
A cat-back exhaust replaces everything from the catalytic converter back — the mid-pipe, muffler, and tailpipe — with larger-diameter, mandrel-bent tubing and a freer-flowing muffler. On the 2019-2024 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500, the headline engine is the 5.3L EcoTec3 L84 V8, rated at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque; the optional 6.2L L87 makes 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Because a cat-back sits downstream of the cats, it is primarily a sound, flow, and weight upgrade rather than a big power-adder.
Be realistic about numbers: on an otherwise stock 5.3L, a quality cat-back frees up roughly 5 to 12 horsepower at the crank and a few lb-ft of torque, mostly in the mid-range, while shaving 10 to 25 pounds versus the heavy factory system. The transformation you actually feel is the exhaust note, a crisper throttle response, and — with a 3-inch system — better flow headroom if you later add a tune, intake, or long-tube headers. If maximum power is the goal, pair the cat-back with a cold-air intake and a tune; on its own, buy it for the sound and the durability.
Mandrel-bent tubing and a free-flowing muffler are the heart of any cat-back upgrade.
How We Chose: Material, Sound, Exit, and Drone
Four factors separate a great truck cat-back from one you regret on your first long highway trip:
- Material. Aluminized steel is the budget choice and will surface-rust over years in the salt belt; 409 stainless resists corrosion well and may develop a light patina; 304 stainless is the most corrosion-resistant and stays bright — the right call if you live where roads are salted every winter.
- Sound & drone. Every system here is louder than stock. The question is in-cabin drone at 70 mph. Aggressive mufflers (think Flowmaster Outlaw) trade some highway quiet for a bigger idle and wide-open-throttle bark; refined chambered or straight-through designs (MagnaFlow, Borla) stay civil at cruise.
- Exit configuration. Single side-exit is simplest and cheapest; dual split-rear looks factory-plus and balances tone side to side. Pick based on looks and whether you tow (side-exit keeps heat away from a trailer connector).
- Warranty & fit. We favor kits with mandrel bends, laser-cut flanges, and long warranties — Borla’s Million-Mile warranty and MagnaFlow’s lifetime coverage are the gold standard. All five bolt to the factory hangers with no cutting.
The 5 Best Cat-Back Exhausts for the 2019-2024 Silverado & Sierra 1500
1. Flowmaster Outlaw Extreme — Top Pick (Best Sound for the Money)
If you want the loudest, most aggressive V8 bark on this list without crossing into four-figure territory, the Outlaw Extreme is it. Flowmaster’s Outlaw muffler is their most aggressive street design, built from 409 stainless with mandrel-bent tubing, and it delivers a deep, unmistakable idle and a snarling wide-open-throttle tone for around $416. It is backed by Flowmaster’s limited lifetime warranty.
What We Like — Flowmaster Outlaw Extreme
- + Loudest, most aggressive tone on this list
- + 409 stainless resists corrosion in the salt belt
- + Limited lifetime warranty
- + Best sound-per-dollar at around $416
Things to Consider
- – Noticeable highway drone — not for drone-sensitive drivers
- – No power gain on its own without a tune/intake
2. MBRP Installer Series 3" Single-Side — Budget Pick
The best way into a true 3-inch cat-back for under $600. MBRP’s Installer Series uses full 3-inch mandrel-bent aluminized tubing and a single side exit with a polished 4-inch tip, for a moderate, mellow V8 tone that is easy to live with daily. The trade-off for the roughly $450 price is aluminized (not stainless) steel, so expect some surface rust over the years if you drive on salted roads — MBRP offers the same kit in T409 stainless if you want more longevity.
3. MagnaFlow Street Series — Best Refined Daily Driver
For buyers who want their truck deeper and richer but still quiet enough for a long tow or commute, the MagnaFlow Street Series is the pick. It is built from 304 stainless — the most corrosion-resistant material here — with a dual split-rear exit and polished tips, and MagnaFlow’s straight-through design keeps cruise drone to a minimum while adding a confident deep note under throttle. It carries a lifetime warranty and runs around $1,370.
The MagnaFlow Street Series uses 304 stainless and a dual split-rear exit for a factory-plus look.
4. aFe Vulcan Series 3" 304 Stainless — Best Build Quality
aFe’s Vulcan Series steps up to full 304 stainless construction with a 3-inch-to-2.5-inch mandrel-bent design and polished tips. It threads the needle between the Flowmaster’s attitude and the MagnaFlow’s refinement — aggressive when you get on it, controlled at cruise — and the 304 stainless makes it a smart buy for salted winter roads. Expect to pay around $1,394.
5. Borla S-Type — Best Premium Sound
Borla’s S-Type is the enthusiast’s sound benchmark: an aggressive-yet-refined note from a patented straight-through, 2.75-inch T-304 stainless design, backed by Borla’s famous Million-Mile Warranty. It is the most expensive system here at around $1,750, but for drivers who prioritize a signature exhaust note and lifetime durability, nothing else sounds quite like it.
What We Like — Borla S-Type
- + Iconic, instantly recognizable Borla tone
- + T-304 stainless — best-in-class corrosion resistance
- + Million-Mile Warranty
- + Straight-through design limits cruise drone
Things to Consider
- – Most expensive system here
- – Louder than the MagnaFlow at wide-open throttle
Cat-Back Exhaust Comparison: 2019-2024 Silverado & Sierra 1500
| Kit | Material | Exit / Tips | Sound Level | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowmaster Outlaw ExtremeTop Pick | 409 Stainless | Aggressive | Loudest | $415.95 |
| MBRP Installer 3in Single-Side | Aluminized | Single side, 4in tip | Moderate | $449.99 |
| MagnaFlow Street Series | 304 Stainless | Dual split-rear | Deep / refined | $1,369.00 |
| aFe Vulcan Series 304SS | 304 Stainless | 3in-2.5in, polished | Aggressive | $1,394.00 |
| Borla S-Type | T-304 Stainless | 2.75in straight-through | Aggressive / refined | $1,749.99 |
Prices shown are current at publication and update live on each product page. Confirm exact fitment for your engine, cab, and bed length before ordering.
Aluminized vs 304 Stainless: What Survives the Salt Belt?
If you drive your Silverado or Sierra through salted winters, material choice matters more than sound. Aluminized steel — like the MBRP Installer Series — is coated carbon steel: it looks great new and is the cheapest way into a 3-inch system, but the coating eventually wears and the tubing will surface-rust over several winters of road salt and slush. It is the right call for a dry-climate truck or a budget build.
409 stainless (the Flowmaster) resists corrosion far better and typically outlasts the aluminized option by years, developing at most a light surface patina. 304 stainless (MagnaFlow, aFe, and Borla) is the most corrosion-resistant grade sold here; it stays bright, resists salt pitting, and is why premium systems carry lifetime or million-mile warranties. For a daily-driven truck in the snow belt, stepping up to a 304 stainless system is the upgrade that pays off the longest.
304 stainless systems like the aFe Vulcan resist salt corrosion and stay bright for years.
Installation & Fitment Notes
All five kits are a true bolt-on, no-cut install that most owners finish in 45 to 90 minutes with hand tools. You will slide the old system off the factory rubber hangers, transfer or use the supplied band clamps, and hang the new mid-pipe, muffler, and tailpipe on the same mounts. A little penetrating oil on the factory clamps, a floor jack or second set of hands to support the muffler, and new clamps torqued evenly will give you a leak-free, rattle-free fit.
Before you order, confirm three things: your engine (most of these are 5.3L-specific; the MBRP also covers the 4.3L V6), your cab and bed configuration (crew cab short bed is the most common), and whether you have the factory dual-tip rear fascia. Fitment for these systems covers the 2019-2024 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 on the current T1 platform — not the 2014-2018 trucks, which use a different kit. If you are unsure, send us your VIN and our Tampa team will confirm the exact part number. Pair any of these with a cold-air intake and a tune to turn the sound upgrade into a real performance gain.
All five cat-back systems bolt to the factory hangers with no cutting required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a cat-back exhaust add horsepower to a 2019-2024 Silverado 1500?
A cat-back adds modest power — typically about 5 to 12 horsepower on a stock 5.3L V8, mostly in the mid-range — because it sits behind the catalytic converters. The bigger benefits are a deeper exhaust note, reduced weight, and better flow headroom for future mods. For a real power gain, pair the cat-back with a cold-air intake and a tune.
Which cat-back exhaust is the loudest for the Silverado and Sierra 1500?
The Flowmaster Outlaw Extreme is the loudest option on this list. Its aggressive Outlaw muffler produces a deep idle and a loud wide-open-throttle bark. If you want a deep sound with less highway drone, the MagnaFlow Street Series or Borla S-Type use straight-through designs that stay civil at cruise.
Will a cat-back exhaust cause highway drone in my truck?
It depends on the muffler design. Aggressive chambered mufflers like the Flowmaster Outlaw can produce noticeable in-cabin drone at 65 to 75 mph, while straight-through 304 stainless systems from MagnaFlow and Borla are engineered to minimize cruise drone. If you commute long distances, choose a refined straight-through system.
Is aluminized or stainless steel better for a winter truck?
304 stainless steel is the best choice for trucks driven on salted winter roads because it resists corrosion and pitting and stays bright for years. Aluminized steel is cheaper but will surface-rust over several salt-belt winters. The MagnaFlow, aFe, and Borla systems use 304 stainless; the budget MBRP kit is aluminized.
Does a cat-back exhaust fit both the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500?
Yes. The 2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 share the same T1 platform and exhaust layout, so these cat-back systems fit both trucks with the matching engine and cab/bed configuration. Always confirm the exact part number against your engine (4.3L, 5.3L, or 6.2L) and body style before ordering.
How much does a quality cat-back exhaust cost for these trucks?
Expect to pay roughly $400 to $1,750. Budget-to-value systems like the Flowmaster Outlaw Extreme and MBRP Installer Series run around $400 to $450, while premium 304 stainless systems from MagnaFlow, aFe, and Borla range from about $1,370 to $1,750. All are in stock at NLP Performance.
Can I install a cat-back exhaust myself?
Yes. All five systems are a no-cut, bolt-on install that most owners complete in 45 to 90 minutes with basic hand tools. They attach to the factory rubber hangers using the supplied band clamps. Use penetrating oil on the old clamps and torque the new clamps evenly for a leak-free fit.
Ready to Wake Up Your Silverado or Sierra?
Shop every cat-back system in this guide — plus hundreds more for the 2019-2024 GM 1500 — at NLP Performance.
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