Borla vs Walkinshaw: The battle between American and Australian Exhausts

When it comes to truck exhaust, few do it with the quality and expertise of Borla and Walkinshaw. Borla, the American staple and Walkinshaw, the Australian favourite, the two names are highly respected in the racing world and known for delivering the highest-quality exhaust. Here's everything you need to know about the two leaders in exhaust manufacturing.

The History of Borla

Alex and Alyse Borla founded their company in 1978. Alex was born in Romania, where he lived his early childhood with his mother and father before fleeing the country due to political unrest in the early 1950s, later arriving in New York City. At fourteen, Alex picked up a job sweeping floors and learning how to wrench on Volkswagens in a little VW shop close by. This is where it all began for Alex.

From his mid-teens to early twenties, Alex quickly improved his technical skills and soon began working on Porsches and Rolls-Royces before opening his own mechanics shop, specialising in Rolls-Royce parts.

Soon after launching his own business, Alex discovered that many of the cars he was working on had severe damage from the salted roads of the area; this is where Alex found a niche. After discovering how salty roads impacted European vehicles, Alex started Borla with a vision to create the most durable, long-lasting exhaust systems possible that rapidly became a staple for car enthusiasts searching for the highest quality products.

The History of Walkinshaw

Walkinshaw's ascendance into the racing and, later, the manufacturing world was slightly different to Borla but no less impressive. Tom Walkinshaw began his career as a successful racer, who later formed his own team under TWR or Tom Walkinshaw Racing.

Walkinshaw Performance came into existence through resilience and adaptability, much like the products they produce. The company became what it is today after being driven into bankruptcy by the failure of Arrows Formula One team and working with supercars, specifically Holden Supercars.

Once Holden shut up shop in Australia, Walkinshaw faced another roadblock to navigate, as Holden provided the majority of their business. Walkinshaw decided to pivot from the supercar and racing market into the truck and 4WD market, which is now a primary focus for the company.

Exhaust: Why it’s important

Exhausts are essential in the maintenance of the engine and the clearance of waste products from the cabin. They regulate the engine and help with your vehicle's performance. When the exhaust system is dirty or not working effectively, you will notice a decline in horsepower and fuel consumption.

Three benefits to a well-maintained exhaust system

Keeping your exhaust system well-maintained can bring a host of benefits. From reducing harmful emissions to keeping noise to a minimum, a healthy exhaust system is crucial in the upkeep of your vehicle. Here are three benefits of a healthy exhaust system:

• A healthy exhaust system increases fuel efficiency and saves you money on fuel in the long run.
• A healthy exhaust system reduces the temperatures of your car and limits the chances it has of overheating; this is because the exhaust can move freely from the engine through the pipes.
• Less mechanical problems! A healthy exhaust keeps your engine clean and working efficiently, limiting your risk of costly mechanical issues.

Borla VS Walkinshaw Exhaust

We stock both the Walkinshaw Performance Exhaust and Borla Performance Exhaust at Upfitter. Both companies have exhaust designed for the Ram DT available at Upfitter. As mentioned above, they are both the finest exhaust systems, and you can't go wrong with either, but some product highlights from each company include:

Borla

The Borla Touring Cat Back Exhaust System features patented straight-through and multi-core technology to unleash hidden horsepower. Increased exhaust velocity adds power, driving excitement, fuel economy, and the distinctive BORLA® Sound of Power, respected by motoring enthusiasts everywhere.

Walkinshaw

The Walkinshaw RAM 1500 DT Cat-Back Exhaust System is built from Grade 304 Stainless Steel, this exhaust system features a bent mandrel, polished muffler, and black 5" (12.7cm) exhaust tips that feature the iconic Walkinshaw logo. For added personalisation, the system also comes with Walkinshaw Chrome Tailgate Badge.

Allow your engine to breathe better and be the envy of your mates with the V8 roar that we all love to hear. This all-new RAM 1500 cat-back exhaust system is made from stainless steel. Designed and built in Australia, this exhaust is exclusively by Walkinshaw Performance, perfect for enthusiasts who want excellent sound.

So, who do you choose?

Well, if we had to choose one, we couldn't! They are both at the forefront of performance exhaust systems and are as solid as they come. When deciding what exhaust to go for from these two brands, it comes down to personal preference based on aesthetics, your vehicle and choice between competing brands. Remember colour, desired sound, shape and look when choosing from these two fantastic brands.