Borla Touring - How I lowered the volume

[bryman]

I recently ordered and put on the Borla Touring system. I was very impressed with the sound and quality of the system, but it was just way too loud for me, especially since I've had a quieter Type-S systems on a '15 Mustang in the past. This truck is a bit more of my Cadillac and less of a hot rod for me, and one of the things I like about it is how quiet it is in the interior. Now don't get me wrong, the stock exhaust is way too quiet, but after I put on the Touring you could hear it at all times, and even felt some vibration in the steering wheel. It sounded freaking awesome but I don't think my neighbors would appreciate it at startup in the winter. I knew if I took my partner for a ride in it, she would kill me. Heck, it even spooked my dogs which usually are in the back seat.

So, I looked into the optional resonator 60667 to tone it down: 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Connecting Pipe Part # 60667
I listened to some vids and read some threads, and some said it was enough while others said still too loud. I figured it probably would still be too loud for me too, and I'd rather have too quiet than too loud. So I searched the Borla website for something else that might work and came up with part 400500: Universal Muffler Part # 400500
To make sure it would work, I called up Borla. The gentlemen I spoke with did say yeah, all their systems are very loud on the Rams, and the Rams are just loud to begin with. I asked him if the 400500 would work on the midpipe and he said he didn't think of a reason why not. He said they came up with this muffler to test with the Heliphant motor, so he was sure it could handle the application. I thought it would do more to quiet things down than the resonator, so I decided to give it a shot.

I also ordered two Accuseal clamps as they don't come with this universal muffler - Borla 18330: Accessory Part # 18330
From the mid-pipe, a friend and I cut from the factory resonator weld back exactly 24":

Installed on midpipe:

Borla Touring system behind it:

Some pics:

Cold start video

Warm idling video

 

[bryman]

Impressions: It is slightly louder than stock at startup and idle, but not by much. You have the deep rumble but not much extra volume. At all speeds, there is no drone and while cruising you have to really listen for it, but there's a deeper tone than stock. On acceleration, especially medium to heavy, it is glorious, but probably not too much louder than stock. I am extremely happy now; it's exactly what I wanted. I can hear the nice Hemi sounds when I want to, but it's a perfectly civil daily driver if you have kids/dogs/passengers etc.

 

[HitmanHugh]

Nice write up and pictures. That is a big muffler! Glad you love how it ended up sounding.

 

[Distinct_Memory]

Thank you for this write up and the videos! I have been scouring the internet to find what I believe is this exhaust setup!

I purchased a 2021 1500 that had the Borla ATAK system already installed, which sounds great but is WAY too loud for my liking (and my neighbors'/family's!) especially during those cold starts. After watching video after video, reading for hours on forums/reddit posts it was still up in the air whether or not the Touring system with a resonator would work for me. I think you may have cracked the case! How are you liking your exhaust setup now that you have had it for awhile? Anything you wish you did differently?

I wonder how many decibels you are producing (namely on cold start) with this... Would love to know if you have tested this! I saw another member comparing Stock vs Borla Touring (No resonator) decibel readings and it was interesting

Borla Touring System comparison vs Stock

Been doing a bunch of research into what full cat back for my truck. After reading some feedback from few members here who thought the S-type was too loud, I've settled on the touring since I want something that's tame but has a little more "oomph" during WOT. Finally got my system in Wednesday...

5thgenrams.com

Sorry for reviving this older post, but would be great to hear from you!

 

[Van0890]

Thank you for posting this. I had the same experience and was not happy with the volume and drone of the touring alone. Copied your set up instead of the smaller resonator and so happy I did.

Thank you for posting this.

 

[achilles100]

Chiming in on this solution for those who find the Borla Touring too loud and come across this thread.

I originally purchased the Borla 60667 resonator recommended on their website. After install I was not satisfied with the results. A marginal difference at best.

So I also copied the OPs solution, and like the poster above I am extremely satisfied now. Low speed cruising volume is almost non-existant. Highway crusing volume has reduced maybe 50%...60%. Still aware of the aftermarket exhaust but no longer obnoxious and was frankly fatiguing to the ears at steady highway speeds. (My truck has louder interior volume overall than other DTs I have driven and ridden in and much louder than my previous 2013 DS. Have yet to determine why, still hunting a solution. So my experience may be abnormally different than others.)

Wide open acceleration is still very nice. It went from a loud roar to an angry scream. Much different pitch but not much different volume. To my ears, it is a more pleasing sound. The Borla Touring by itself at wide open is certainly very aggressive and fun though...just a matter of taste.

The only time where I still find it a touch too loud is cold start. I am sensitive of being respectful to my neighbors and I don't feel that even the big 400500 muffler has changed that much. Maybe a 10% to 15% reduction. I don't think there will be anything further I can do about that without swithcing back to stock altogether.

And now, I have a Borla 60667 resonator (minus the clamps which I reused for the 400500) with about 1000 miles on it, available for sale. Message me if anyone is reading this and might be interested.

Thanks OP for coming up with this solution for some of us who may prefer a slightly more tamed beast. Much appreciated.

 

[zjmuss]

Chiming in on this solution for those who find the Borla Touring too loud and come across this thread.

I originally purchased the Borla 60667 resonator recommended on their website. After install I was not satisfied with the results. A marginal difference at best.

So I also copied the OPs solution, and like the poster above I am extremely satisfied now. Low speed cruising volume is almost non-existant. Highway crusing volume has reduced maybe 50%...60%. Still aware of the aftermarket exhaust but no longer obnoxious and was frankly fatiguing to the ears at steady highway speeds. (My truck has louder interior volume overall than other DTs I have driven and ridden in and much louder than my previous 2013 DS. Have yet to determine why, still hunting a solution. So my experience may be abnormally different than others.)

Wide open acceleration is still very nice. It went from a loud roar to an angry scream. Much different pitch but not much different volume. To my ears, it is a more pleasing sound. The Borla Touring by itself at wide open is certainly very aggressive and fun though...just a matter of taste.

The only time where I still find it a touch too loud is cold start. I am sensitive of being respectful to my neighbors and I don't feel that even the big 400500 muffler has changed that much. Maybe a 10% to 15% reduction. I don't think there will be anything further I can do about that without swithcing back to stock altogether.

And now, I have a Borla 60667 resonator (minus the clamps which I reused for the 400500) with about 1000 miles on it, available for sale. Message me if anyone is reading this and might be interested.

Thanks OP for coming up with this solution for some of us who may prefer a slightly more tamed beast. Much appreciated.

Thanks for sharing your post! I just ordered the 400500 resonator to install. Can you confirm WHERE it should be installed? I am new to the truck world and want to make sure installing this in the proper spot!

 

[achilles100]

Thanks for sharing your post! I just ordered the 400500 resonator to install. Can you confirm WHERE it should be installed? I am new to the truck world and want to make sure installing this in the proper spot!

If you are not yet familiar with the underside of your truck, what I would suggest is to go to Borla's website and look up the installation instructions for part number 60667, which is the smaller resonator that I felt was not enough for my tastes. That will help you understand where and how to install it. I suspect with those instructions in hand and crawling under your truck, it will make good sense to you.

Keep in mind, you will need to make cuts to your existing midpipe, so if you don't have that capability, it would probably be a quick and cheap install at a muffler/exhaust shop. If making the cuts yourself, be very precise with your measurements so as to ensure the final installed length of the midpipe including the resonator is the same total length the midpipe was prior to cutting. This will help ensure your exhaust tips are in good alignment, etc. Also, the gasket at the rear of the midpipe should be reusable (unless you notice it has deteriorated) and there is no gasket at the front...just an interference fit. Hardware should be reusable unless you are in really snowy country. Make sure to use a little penetrating oil on the hardware and let soak before removing.

Additionally, I think it's possible to install the resonator while leaving the midpipe bolted in. I didn't do that simply because I did this in July in Phoenix and laying on the 9 million degree concrete wasn't the most fun. So I took the whole thing out and brought it into the garage. You may find that's not necessary for you. Just take your time, and again be precise with any measurements/cuts. "Measure twice, cut once."

Also, if you didn't purchase them already you will need two 3" exhaust clamps (unless you or a shop chooses to permanently weld it into the midpipe). The Borla part number is 18330 for the clamps (quantity 2 of course). But any 3" stainless exhaust band clamp should do if you don't want to get them from Borla direct. I can tell you that the Borla ones are super high quality though. I would recommend.

Undoubtedly that's more information than you needed. Sorry, I get carried away. I hope this helps you and that you like the end result.

Take care!

 

[zjmuss]

If you are not yet familiar with the underside of your truck, what I would suggest is to go to Borla's website and look up the installation instructions for part number 60667, which is the smaller resonator that I felt was not enough for my tastes. That will help you understand where and how to install it. I suspect with those instructions in hand and crawling under your truck, it will make good sense to you.

Keep in mind, you will need to make cuts to your existing midpipe, so if you don't have that capability, it would probably be a quick and cheap install at a muffler/exhaust shop. If making the cuts yourself, be very precise with your measurements so as to ensure the final installed length of the midpipe including the resonator is the same total length the midpipe was prior to cutting. This will help ensure your exhaust tips are in good alignment, etc. Also, the gasket at the rear of the midpipe should be reusable (unless you notice it has deteriorated) and there is no gasket at the front...just an interference fit. Hardware should be reusable unless you are in really snowy country. Make sure to use a little penetrating oil on the hardware and let soak before removing.

Additionally, I think it's possible to install the resonator while leaving the midpipe bolted in. I didn't do that simply because I did this in July in Phoenix and laying on the 9 million degree concrete wasn't the most fun. So I took the whole thing out and brought it into the garage. You may find that's not necessary for you. Just take your time, and again be precise with any measurements/cuts. "Measure twice, cut once."

Also, if you didn't purchase them already you will need two 3" exhaust clamps (unless you or a shop chooses to permanently weld it into the midpipe). The Borla part number is 18330 for the clamps (quantity 2 of course). But any 3" stainless exhaust band clamp should do if you don't want to get them from Borla direct. I can tell you that the Borla ones are super high quality though. I would recommend.

Undoubtedly that's more information than you needed. Sorry, I get carried away. I hope this helps you and that you like the end result.

Take care!

Thanks so much for the detailed response!! I am unfamiliar with truck exhausts, but not exhausts in general. I was always a car guy- it's a very different ball game.. in a good way! This very much helped me, and I have since gotten under the truck and have seen the area where cuts will be made.
I lived in Prescott for some time and was in Phoenix often, so you mentioning the crazy hot concrete made me laugh- I loved living out there! We don't have that problem in PA, or at least not to the degree of flip flops melting on the street!
Thanks again!

 

[JRD]

I literally found this thread while searching some old FS threads to get a market price on my touring system. Like many others, this is way louder in person than any video has ever represented. Understandably it’s hard to convey via a video, but I’m glad I found this thread and I’ll give it a shot before selling the system and going back to stock.

Thanks for the write up

 

[jjfranco]

I literally found this thread while searching some old FS threads to get a market price on my touring system. Like many others, this is way louder in person than any video has ever represented. Understandably it’s hard to convey via a video, but I’m glad I found this thread and I’ll give it a shot before selling the system and going back to stock.

Thanks for the write up

Did you already do this? Did it work?

 

[JRD]

Did you already do this? Did it work?

Not yet, trying to confirm it will fit on a 19 then it’ll likely be a few weeks. Have a lot going on right now

 

[jjfranco]

Not yet, trying to confirm it will fit on a 19 then it’ll likely be a few weeks. Have a lot going on right now

Let me know how it goes and if you decide to part with it let me know!

 

[bryman]

Thanks @Achilles for your responses as this thread fell off my radar. I agree with everything you said. After about 2.5 years, I still feel the muffler we added is close to the perfect solution. The only time it's not 100% effective in cutting the volume is on cold starts, right at the beginning. And by cold I mean below freezing, like now in Chicagoland. I think this is because the muffler is a straight through design, which is probably good so we don't lose performance due to restriction. It's a minor 2 minute inconvenience until it settles down. But IMO this setup is how it should have come from Borla in the first place. There's no mistaking that you have a sweet, aftermarket exhaust but at no time when you're driving does it ever become annoying. It just feels and sounds like a proper V8 truck.

 

[achilles100]

Thanks @Achilles for your responses as this thread fell off my radar. I agree with everything you said. After about 2.5 years, I still feel the muffler we added is close to the perfect solution. The only time it's not 100% effective in cutting the volume is on cold starts, right at the beginning. And by cold I mean below freezing, like now in Chicagoland. I think this is because the muffler is a straight through design, which is probably good so we don't lose performance due to restriction. It's a minor 2 minute inconvenience until it settles down. But IMO this setup is how it should have come from Borla in the first place. There's no mistaking that you have a sweet, aftermarket exhaust but at no time when you're driving does it ever become annoying. It just feels and sounds like a proper V8 truck.

@bryman I agree with you. This is how Borla's sound engineers should have released the exhaust. But then again, it's such a matter of taste for each individual person. There are certainly many folks out there that will love the system out of the box and think fellas like you and I and the others who have chimed in on this thread are loco en la cabeza.

Take care, and thank you again for being the pioneer for this solution to those who prefer it.