Exhaust Guide
Best Exhausts for the
2011 – 2014 Dodge Charger: Every Cat-Back & Axle-Back Compared
A complete comparison of cat-back and axle-back exhaust systems for the 2011–2014 Dodge Charger — covering the 3.6L V6, 5.7L Hemi R/T, and 6.4L 392 SRT8. Sound profiles, materials (304 vs 409 stainless), pipe diameter, pricing, and fitment notes from CORSA, Borla, Flowmaster, MagnaFlow, and JBA.
At a Glance
Quick Comparison — Cat-Backs
| Brand / Kit | Sound Profile | Pipe | Material | Fits | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBA Cat-Back 5.7L | Sport | 2.5" | 409 SS | 5.7L Hemi | $675 | SHOP → |
| Flowmaster American Thunder | Aggressive | 2.5" | 409 SS | 5.7L Hemi | $1,014 | SHOP → |
| Borla Cat-Back | Sport | 2.5" | 304 SS | 5.7L Hemi | $1,548 | SHOP → |
| MagnaFlow Cat-Back | Street | 3" | 304 SS | 6.4L SRT8 | $1,731 | SHOP → |
| CORSA Xtreme | Xtreme | 2.5" | 304 SS | 5.7L Hemi | $2,352 | SHOP → |
| CORSA Sport Cat-Back | Sport | 2.5" | 304 SS | 5.7L Hemi | $2,371 | SHOP → |
At a Glance
Quick Comparison — Axle-Backs
| Brand / Kit | Sound Profile | Pipe | Material | Fits | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borla Axle-Back ATAK | ATAK | 3" | 304 SS | 6.4L SRT8 | $1,060 | SHOP → |
Important
What to Know Before You Buy
Cat-Back vs Axle-Back
A cat-back replaces the mid-pipe and mufflers from the catalytic converter back. More performance gain, full system upgrade. An axle-back replaces only the mufflers and tips from the rear axle back. Lower cost, easier install, less performance gain. This generation has one axle-back option (Borla ATAK for 6.4L SRT8); cat-backs dominate.
Sound Profile & Drone
Aggressive systems can drone at highway cruise. CORSA’s RSC (Reflective Sound Cancellation) and Borla’s designs reduce drone. 2012–2014 SRT8 models have electronic damping; exhaust choice doesn’t affect it. Drone-free options (CORSA Sport, CORSA Xtreme) cost more but improve daily drivability.
Materials: 304 vs 409 Stainless
304 stainless is more corrosion-resistant and premium. 409 stainless is budget-friendly and still durable. JBA and Flowmaster use 409; Borla, MagnaFlow, and CORSA use 304. For long-term ownership, 304 SS is the better choice.
Emissions & Warranty
Cat-back and axle-back systems install behind the factory catalytic converters, so they’re 50-state emissions legal. No tuning required. Borla offers Million-Mile Warranty; CORSA and Flowmaster offer limited lifetime coverage on many systems.
JBA Cat-Back Exhaust System: Chrysler 300 & Dodge Charger 5.7L Hemi 2011 – 2014
JBA’s Cat-Back Exhaust is the most affordable option in this guide. The mandrel-bent 409 stainless system delivers a sport-oriented tone for 2011–2014 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger 5.7L Hemi. Dual rear exit with polished chrome tips. USA-made with a reputation for fitment. Bolt-on installation using factory hanger locations.
409 stainless keeps cost down but is less corrosion-resistant than 304. Fits 5.7L Hemi R/T (AWD and RWD). Does not fit 6.4L SRT8 — JBA offers a separate SKU for SRT8 (40-1665).
Pros
- Lowest-priced cat-back in this guide
- USA-made; bolt-on install
- Sport sound; 5.7L Hemi fitment
Cons
- 409 SS; less corrosion-resistant
- 5.7L only
Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust System: Chrysler 300 / Dodge Charger 5.7L Hemi 2011 – 2014
Flowmaster American Thunder delivers Flowmaster’s signature deep, aggressive tone for 2011–2014 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger 5.7L Hemi. Mandrel-bent tubing, Scavenger Series X-pipe, Super 40 mufflers. Aggressive exterior sound with manageable interior volume. Lifetime Limited Warranty.
409 stainless construction; bolt-on using factory hanger locations. Best value in the mid-price range for enthusiasts who want Flowmaster’s classic muscle car sound.
Pros
- Flowmaster signature deep tone
- Lifetime Limited Warranty
- Best value; bolt-on install
Cons
- 409 SS (not 304)
- 5.7L Hemi only
Borla Cat-Back Exhaust: Dodge Charger / Chrysler 300 5.7L Hemi 2011 – 2014
Borla Cat-Back with S-Type sound profile delivers a bold, aggressive exhaust note without interior drone for 2011–2014 Charger and 300 5.7L Hemi. 2.5-inch mandrel-bent piping, Merge X-Pipe. Designed to work with factory exhaust bezels (tips not included for OEM+ look). Million-Mile Warranty.
Fits all R/T trim levels including AWD and RWD. Best overall for daily drivers who want Borla quality, drone-free cruising, and a refined yet powerful tone.
Pros
- Zero interior drone
- Million-Mile Warranty
- 304 SS; Merge X-Pipe
Cons
- Tips not included (uses factory bezels)
- 5.7L only
MagnaFlow Cat-Back Exhaust: Dodge Charger 6.4L SRT8 2012 – 2014
MagnaFlow Street Series Cat-Back delivers aggressive tone and measurable horsepower and torque improvements for 2012–2014 Dodge Charger 6.4L SRT8. 3-inch mandrel-bent tubing, four straight-through mufflers, dual split rear exit with 4-inch polished double wall tips. 3D-scanned for direct-fit. Limited lifetime warranty.
Moderate exterior and mild interior sound. 6.4L 392 SRT8 fitment only. Best SRT8-specific option in the mid-tier.
Pros
- 304 stainless; lifetime warranty
- 3-inch tubing; 6.4L SRT8
- Direct-fit; 3D-scanned
Cons
- 6.4L SRT8 only
- 2012–2014 (not 2011)
Corsa Xtreme Cat-Back Exhaust (Polished): Dodge Charger R/T 5.7L V8 2011 – 2014
CORSA Xtreme Cat-Back delivers CORSA’s most aggressive sound profile with zero drone for 2011–2014 Charger R/T 5.7L. 2.5-inch straight-through design, RSC (Reflective Sound Cancellation) Technology. +10 HP, +13 lb-ft, 10 lbs weight reduction. 3.0" dual polished tips. Made in the USA.
Xtreme is CORSA’s loudest system. Ideal for drivers who want maximum aggression outside with quiet cabin at cruise. CORSA also offers Xtreme for 6.4L SRT8 (2012–2014).
Pros
- RSC Technology; zero drone
- Xtreme sound; +10 HP
- 304 SS; 5.7L fitment
Cons
- Premium price
- 5.7L only (SRT8 separate)
Corsa Sport Cat-Back Exhaust (Polished): Dodge Charger R/T 5.7L V8 2011 – 2014
CORSA Sport Cat-Back delivers a refined yet powerful exhaust note for 2011–2014 Charger R/T 5.7L. +10 HP, +13 lb-ft, 10 lbs weight reduction. RSC Technology eliminates interior drone. 304L stainless, TORCA clamps, full-color instructions. 50-state emissions legal.
Sport is slightly more refined than Xtreme; ideal for daily drivers who want presence without maximum aggression. Polished and black tip variants available.
Pros
- RSC Technology; zero drone
- Refined Sport sound
- 304 SS; +10 HP
Cons
- Premium price
- 5.7L only
Borla Axle-Back Exhaust ATAK Dual 4.5" Tips (REAR): Charger / 300C SRT8 6.4L 2012 – 2014
Borla Axle-Back ATAK is the only axle-back option for 2012–2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 SRT8 6.4L. Replaces factory rear exhaust components with 3-inch piping and dual 4.5" round rolled angle-cut chrome tips. ATAK sound level with zero drone. Million-Mile Warranty.
Axle-back is lower cost than a full cat-back; install requires cutting the OE exhaust at the rear. Best for SRT8 owners who want aggressive sound and improved flow without the full cat-back investment.
Pros
- Only axle-back for 6.4L SRT8
- ATAK sound; zero drone
- Million-Mile Warranty
Cons
- Requires cutting OE exhaust
- 6.4L SRT8 only; 2012–2014
Fitment Reference
Which Kits Fit Your Trim?
| Trim | JBA | Flowmaster | Borla CB | MagnaFlow | CORSA | Borla Axle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R/T 5.7L Hemi | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| SRT8 6.4L 392 | — | — | — | ✓ | * | ✓ |
✓ = Confirmed • — = Not in this table • * = CORSA 14463/14464 for 6.4L SRT8
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between cat-back and axle-back exhausts?
A cat-back replaces everything from the catalytic converter to the tailpipes (mid-pipe + mufflers + tips). An axle-back replaces only the mufflers and tips from the rear axle back. Cat-backs offer more performance gain; axle-backs are lower cost. This generation has one axle-back (Borla ATAK for 6.4L SRT8).
Will an aftermarket exhaust void my warranty?
Cat-back and axle-back systems install behind the factory catalytic converters and do not affect emissions equipment. They generally do not void your powertrain warranty. Modifications to the engine, ECU, or emissions components can affect warranty coverage.
Do exhaust systems add horsepower?
Yes. Reducing backpressure and improving flow can yield 5–15 HP and similar torque gains. CORSA and Borla publish dyno results. Cat-backs typically deliver more gain than axle-backs.
What causes exhaust drone and how do I avoid it?
Drone is resonance at certain RPMs (often 1,800–2,500) during cruising. Systems with X-pipes, resonators, or acoustic tuning (CORSA RSC, Borla) reduce it. Avoid the loudest “race” profiles if you drive long distances.
304 vs 409 stainless steel: which is better?
304 stainless is more corrosion-resistant and premium. 409 stainless is budget-friendly and adequate for most climates. For salt-belt or long-term ownership, 304 is the better choice.
I have a 6.4L 392 SRT8. What are my options?
MagnaFlow Cat-Back (15494), CORSA Sport/Xtreme (14463/14464), Borla Axle-Back ATAK (11833), and JBA (40-1665) all offer 6.4L SRT8 fitment. The Borla Axle-Back is the only axle-back; all others are cat-backs. CORSA and Borla are the top choices for drone-free cruising.
Ready to Upgrade Your Charger Exhaust?
Shop the full selection of 2011–2014 Dodge Charger cat-back and axle-back exhausts at FastHemis. Need help choosing? Contact us for fitment and sound advice.
