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Top 10 Exhaust Systems for the 2019–2026 Ram 1500
Updated: February 2025 | Reviewed by the TruckBench Team
The 5.7L HEMI V8 already has one of the best-sounding factory exhaust notes in the half-ton segment — a quality aftermarket exhaust amplifies that signature HEMI burble into something genuinely special. For Ram 1500 owners running the eTorque mild-hybrid system, exhaust selection has one added wrinkle worth understanding before you buy.
We’ve ranked the top 10 exhaust systems across cat-back, axle-back, and muffler-only upgrades, with notes on eTorque considerations throughout. Always confirm your engine (5.7L HEMI vs. 3.6L Pentastar) and cab/bed configuration when ordering — exhaust systems are highly specific to these variables.
Quick Picks — Jump to Your Favorite
- Borla ATAK Cat-Back — Best Overall
- Corsa Xtreme Cat-Back — Best Aggressive Sound
- Flowmaster Outlaw Cat-Back — Best Classic Rumble
- Borla S-Type Cat-Back — Best Premium Daily Driver
- MagnaFlow Street Series — Best Value Cat-Back
- Flowmaster Super 44 Axle-Back — Best Budget Axle-Back
- Mopar Performance Cat-Back — Best eTorque-Compatible
- Corsa Sport Cat-Back — Best Mid-Range
- Rough Country Cat-Back — Best Budget Cat-Back
- Banks Power Monster Exhaust — Best for Towing
#1: Borla ATAK Cat-Back — Best Overall
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Editor’s Choice
“The HEMI already sounds good from the factory — ATAK makes it sound genuinely special, with an aggressive, drone-free tone that elevates significantly under acceleration.”
Borla’s ATAK (Acoustically Tuned Applied Kinetics) cat-back is the boldest, best-engineered exhaust system on this list. The multi-core straight-through muffler design maximizes flow while producing Borla’s signature deep, aggressive rumble. Full T304 stainless steel construction throughout, backed by Borla’s industry-leading million-mile warranty. Dual rear exit with polished tips. Dyno-tested gains on the 5.7L HEMI run 15–25 hp.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Cat-Back |
| Compatible Engines | 5.7L HEMI V8 |
| Material | T304 Stainless Steel |
| Sound Level | Aggressive |
| Exit | Dual rear |
| Warranty | Million-mile |
Pros: Best sound on this list — Million-mile warranty — Full T304 stainless — Real HP gains — Drone-free at cruise — Polished tips
Cons: Premium price — Very aggressive — may not suit all tastes — Professional install recommended — Confirm eTorque compatibility for your specific year
Price: ~$950–$1,350 depending on cab/bed config
Check Price on Amazon → | Borla.com →
#2: Corsa Xtreme Cat-Back — Best Aggressive Sound
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best Aggressive Sound
“Corsa’s patented Reflective Sound Cancellation eliminates drone while keeping the Xtreme’s aggressive sound under load, not at cruise — ideal for a daily-driven HEMI Ram.”
Corsa’s RSC (Reflective Sound Cancellation) technology cancels specific drone frequencies passively, without baffles or packing that can blow out over time. The result is an exhaust that sounds genuinely aggressive under throttle but stays quiet at highway cruise. Full T304 stainless construction, polished tips, gains of 18–26 hp on the HEMI. Lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Cat-Back |
| Compatible Engines | 5.7L HEMI V8 |
| Material | T304 Stainless |
| Technology | RSC drone cancellation |
| HP Gain (est.) | 18–26 hp |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Pros: RSC technology eliminates drone — Aggressive sound under load — T304 stainless — Top HP gains — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Premium price — Complex RSC system — Heavier than basic systems — Limited axle-back option
Price: ~$1,000–$1,450
Check Price on Amazon → | CorsaPerformance.com →
#3: Flowmaster Outlaw Cat-Back — Best Classic Sound
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best Classic Rumble
“Maximum classic American V8 rumble — the Outlaw cranks the HEMI’s already great sound up to its loudest, most aggressive setting.”
Flowmaster’s Outlaw delivers their most aggressive chambered muffler design, producing the iconic deep, rumbling exhaust note Flowmaster is known for, louder than their Super 44 or Super 40 lines. 409 stainless steel construction, aggressive dual exit with polished tips. Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Cat-Back |
| Compatible Engines | 5.7L HEMI V8 |
| Material | 409 Stainless Steel |
| Sound Level | Maximum aggressive |
| Muffler Style | Chambered |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
Pros: Iconic Flowmaster sound — Most aggressive Flowmaster option — Dual exit tips — Solid 409 stainless — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Drone can be significant at cruise — 409 stainless (not T304) — Loud at highway speeds — Not for noise-sensitive owners
Price: ~$750–$1,050
Check Price on Amazon → | Flowmaster.com →
#4: Borla S-Type Cat-Back — Best Premium Daily Driver
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best Premium Daily
“Deep and authoritative without crossing into drone territory — the right balance for a HEMI Ram that’s a daily driver first.”
The Borla S-Type sits between the aggressive ATAK and a mild Touring system, providing a noticeable, satisfying V8 note without rattling the neighborhood. Same million-mile warranty and T304 stainless construction as the ATAK. HP gains run 12–20 hp on the HEMI.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Cat-Back |
| Compatible Engines | 5.7L HEMI V8 |
| Material | T304 Stainless |
| Sound Level | Moderate-aggressive |
| HP Gain (est.) | 12–20 hp |
| Warranty | Million-mile |
Pros: Best daily driver sound balance — Million-mile warranty — T304 stainless — Real HP gains — Minimal drone — Premium quality
Cons: Premium price — Less exciting than ATAK — Professional install recommended
Price: ~$850–$1,150
Check Price on Amazon → | Borla.com →
#5: MagnaFlow Street Series — Best Value Cat-Back
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Value Cat-Back
“A genuine sound and flow improvement at a mid-range price — MagnaFlow consistently overdelivers in this segment.”
MagnaFlow’s Street Series uses a straight-through perforated core muffler that produces a deep, clean exhaust note, a significant step up from the factory muffler. Full 409 stainless construction, polished tip, lifetime warranty. HP gains run 10–16 hp on the HEMI.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Cat-Back |
| Compatible Engines | 5.7L HEMI V8 |
| Material | 409 Stainless Steel |
| Muffler | Straight-through perforated core |
| HP Gain (est.) | 10–16 hp |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Pros: Strong value — Deep clean exhaust tone — Real HP gains — Lifetime warranty — Wide fitment availability — Easy bolt-on install
Cons: 409 stainless (not T304) — Less aggressive than Borla/Corsa — More drone than RSC systems
Price: ~$550–$850
Check Price on Amazon → | MagnaFlow.com →
#6: Flowmaster Super 44 Axle-Back — Best Budget Axle-Back
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Budget Axle-Back
“One of the most iconic aftermarket exhaust sounds, brought to the Ram at a fraction of cat-back pricing.”
The Flowmaster Super 44 axle-back replaces only the muffler and tailpipe section — not the full system from the catalytic converters — keeping cost and install complexity low. Aggressive chambered muffler design, 409 stainless construction, lifetime warranty. The smartest value on this list for sound improvement on a budget.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Axle-Back |
| Compatible Engines | 5.7L HEMI V8 |
| Material | 409 Stainless |
| Sound Level | Aggressive |
| HP Gain | Minimal (axle-back) |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Pros: Most affordable meaningful sound upgrade — Iconic Flowmaster tone — Easy installation — Lifetime warranty — DIY-friendly
Cons: Minimal HP gains — Can drone at cruise — 409 stainless — Axle-back only — less flow improvement than cat-back
Price: ~$220–$380
#7: Mopar Performance Cat-Back — Best eTorque-Compatible
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best eTorque-Compatible
“A factory-engineered cat-back tested specifically against the Ram’s eTorque components — the lowest-risk path to a louder HEMI for eTorque owners.”
Similar to the eTorque consideration in cold air intakes, the Ram’s mild-hybrid system places components near the exhaust routing that aftermarket systems don’t always design around explicitly. Mopar Performance’s own cat-back exhaust is engineered and tested specifically against the Ram’s exact underbody layout, including eTorque-equipped configurations — removing the guesswork.
Sound output is more conservative than the aggressive aftermarket options, but for eTorque Ram owners who want a worry-free exhaust upgrade with guaranteed fitment and dealer support, this is the safest choice.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Cat-Back |
| Compatible Engines | 5.7L HEMI V8 (eTorque) |
| eTorque Compatible | Yes — factory tested |
| Engineering | Mopar/Ram factory |
| Warranty Friendly | Yes |
| Warranty | Mopar/Ram factory backed |
Pros: Guaranteed eTorque compatibility — Factory-tested fitment — Warranty-friendly — No guesswork on component clearance — Dealer support available
Cons: More conservative sound than aggressive aftermarket options — Dealer pricing premium — Less performance-focused than Borla/Corsa
Price: ~$700–$1,000 installed
#8: Corsa Sport Cat-Back — Best Mid-Range
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Mid-Range
“Corsa’s drone-elimination technology at a lower price point than the Xtreme — a smart mid-range choice for daily drivers.”
The Corsa Sport brings RSC drone-cancellation technology to a meaningfully lower price than the Xtreme. Sound is less aggressive but still a satisfying V8 note with virtually no cruise drone. T304 stainless construction, polished tips, lifetime warranty. HP gains run 12–18 hp.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Cat-Back |
| Compatible Engines | 5.7L HEMI V8 |
| Material | T304 Stainless |
| Technology | RSC drone cancellation |
| Sound Level | Moderate |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Pros: RSC drone elimination — T304 stainless — Good HP gains — Less aggressive sound for daily use — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Less aggressive than Xtreme — Still a significant investment — More complex system than basic cat-backs
Price: ~$750–$1,050
Check Price on Amazon → | CorsaPerformance.com →
#9: Rough Country Cat-Back — Best Budget Cat-Back
Rating: ★★★★☆ | Badge: Best Budget Cat-Back
“A real improvement at a budget price — mandrel-bent stainless piping and dual polished tips for owners who want better sound without premium spend.”
Rough Country’s cat-back uses mandrel-bent stainless steel piping, a performance muffler, and dual polished tips, delivering a real improvement over the factory exhaust at a price well below premium brands. HP gains are modest (5–10 hp), but the sound improvement is worthwhile for budget-conscious Ram owners.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Cat-Back |
| Compatible Engines | 5.7L HEMI V8 |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Sound Level | Moderate |
| HP Gain (est.) | 5–10 hp |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Pros: Budget-friendly price — Real sound improvement — Mandrel-bent piping — Dual polished tips — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Modest HP gains — Less refined than premium brands — Limited to 5.7L HEMI — Basic muffler construction
Price: ~$400–$600
#10: Banks Power Monster Exhaust — Best for Towing
Rating: ★★★★★ | Badge: Best for Towing
“Engineered for sustained high-load performance — exhaust scavenging optimized for exactly the RPM range a towing HEMI lives in.”
Banks Power built their reputation on exhaust systems engineered for sustained high-load use, applying that same philosophy to the gasoline HEMI V8. Large-diameter mandrel-bent tubing and a high-flow muffler optimize exhaust flow under the sustained high-RPM, high-load conditions of towing near the Ram’s rated capacity.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Cat-Back |
| Compatible Engines | 5.7L HEMI V8 |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Optimized For | Towing/high-load use |
| HP Gain (est.) | 15–25 hp under load |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Pros: Best performance under tow load — Large-diameter optimized tubing — High-flow muffler design — Real gains where towing needs them — Lifetime warranty
Cons: Premium price — Less dramatic sound improvement than Borla/Corsa — Engineering-focused over sound-focused — Less mainstream availability
Price: ~$750–$1,050
Check Price on Amazon → | BanksPower.com →
Ram 1500 Exhaust Buying Guide
Cat-Back vs. Axle-Back
Cat-Back replaces everything from the catalytic converters back — mid-pipes, muffler, and tailpipes. Most sound and performance improvement, more complex install, higher cost.
Axle-Back replaces only the muffler and tailpipe section from the rear axle back. Lower cost, easier install, significant sound improvement, minimal HP gains. The smart choice for owners primarily wanting sound improvement on a budget.
eTorque Adds a Ram-Specific Consideration
The Ram’s eTorque mild-hybrid system places electrical and mechanical components in proximity to the exhaust routing on equipped configurations. Most major aftermarket brands (Borla, Corsa, MagnaFlow, Flowmaster) publish eTorque-confirmed fitment for current Ram applications, but it’s worth confirming explicitly for your exact model year and trim before ordering — this is a wrinkle that doesn’t exist on most competing trucks.
Confirm Engine and Cab/Bed Configuration
Exhaust systems are highly specific to engine and cab/bed configuration. Always confirm engine (5.7L HEMI is the primary platform most aftermarket exhausts target), cab style, and bed length when ordering.
Sound Levels — Setting Expectations
Mild — Deeper than stock, quiet at cruise. Appropriate for noise-sensitive neighborhoods and HOA situations.
Moderate — Noticeable sound improvement, some drone at highway speed. Most mid-range options land here.
Aggressive — Significant sound under acceleration, more drone at cruise. Borla ATAK, Flowmaster Outlaw.
Maximum — As loud as street-legal gets. Not appropriate for HOA neighborhoods or long highway drives.
The Drone Problem
Exhaust drone is the most common complaint with aftermarket exhaust systems. Corsa’s RSC technology is the most effective drone elimination solution available. For systems without RSC, drone can sometimes be addressed with a resonator delete or addition.
T304 vs. 409 Stainless
T304 stainless is the premium choice — more corrosion resistant, maintains appearance longer, better suited to salt-belt states (Borla, Corsa). 409 stainless is adequate for most climates but will show surface rust over time in northern states (Flowmaster, MagnaFlow Street Series) — still significantly better than aluminized steel.
Prices are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm engine, eTorque status, and cab/bed config before ordering. Replace YOURTAG-20 with your Amazon Associates tag. TruckBench earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.
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