The 5.7L HEMI in the Dodge Challenger R/T already makes a good noise, but the factory exhaust muffles most of the character those eight cylinders are capable of. A well chosen aftermarket exhaust wakes up the deep V8 rumble, sharpens throttle response, and in many cases sheds a few pounds of dead weight from the back of the car. The trick is finding a system that sounds aggressive at wide open throttle without droning on the highway.
We focused on real cat-back and axle-back systems that genuinely fit the 2011 and newer Challenger R/T with the 5.7 HEMI, paying close attention to drone behavior, weld and tubing quality, tip appearance, and how hard the install actually is in a home garage. Below are seven systems worth your money, ranked best first, with an honest look at where each one falls short.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Borla S-Type Cat-Back Exhaust System Best Overall T-304 stainless cat-back, 2.5 inch tubing, dual 4 inch rolled tips |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back System Best Classic Muscle Sound 409 stainless, mandrel-bent 2.5 inch tubing, Super 44 series muffler tone |
9.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
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MagnaFlow Competition Series Cat-Back Exhaust Best Build Quality T-304 stainless, straight-through perforated core, dual 4 inch polished tips |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Corsa Sport Cat-Back Exhaust System Best No-Drone Highway System T-304 stainless, RSC reflective sound technology, 2.5 inch tubing |
8.8 | 🛒 Check Price |
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MBRP Installer Series Cat-Back Exhaust Best Value Aluminized steel, mandrel-bent 2.5 inch tubing, dual rear exit tips |
8.6 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Roush Performance Axle-Back Exhaust Best Easy Install Axle-Back 304 stainless axle-back, dual-wall tips, bolt-on rear section only |
8.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Pypes Violator Cat-Back Exhaust System Most Aggressive Tone 409 stainless, race-style straight-through mufflers, 2.5 inch tubing |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Borla S-Type Cat-Back Exhaust System: Best Overall
Borla’s S-Type sits in the sweet spot for the Challenger R/T. It is loud and unmistakably V8 when you get on it, with a snarl that builds cleanly through the rev range, yet it settles down enough at a steady cruise that you can hold a conversation and take a long road trip without fatigue. The straight-through, multi-core muffler is what makes that possible, and it is the reason this kit keeps coming up as the default recommendation in HEMI owner circles.
Build quality is a strong point. The T-304 stainless tubing and tips look great and hold up to weather and road salt where cheaper aluminized systems start to surface rust. The honest weakness is drone. In a specific narrow rpm band around highway speed you will hear a low resonance, and it is more noticeable in the coupe with its larger cabin. It is not punishing, but sensitive drivers may want to add a resonator. For most R/T owners this is the system to beat.
- Patented multi-core straight-through muffler design for a clean tone
- Aggressive sound at throttle with controlled cruising volume
- Million-mile warranty against defects on the stainless construction
Pros: Excellent balance of loud at speed and livable on the highway; T-304 stainless resists rust far better than aluminized steel; Bolt-on fitment with no cutting on most R/T models
Cons: Some highway drone in the 1800 to 2200 rpm range; Tone is more refined than the rowdiest kits, which some owners want more of
2. Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back System: Best Classic Muscle Sound
If your idea of a proper R/T is one that announces itself a block away, Flowmaster’s American Thunder is built for you. This is the classic American muscle voice, deep and raspy with a hard edge when you bury the throttle. It transforms the personality of the car more dramatically than almost anything else on this list, and the polished tips back up the attitude with a serious visual.
That character comes at a cost, and the cost is volume and drone. This is the loudest system here, and the resonance at cruising rpm is genuine. On a short commute or a fun weekend car that is part of the charm, but if you spend hours on the interstate it can wear on you and your passengers. The 409 stainless is durable, though not quite as corrosion-proof as the T-304 used by some rivals. Buy it for the sound, knowing exactly what you are signing up for.
- Delivers the deep, raw old-school muscle car growl Flowmaster is known for
- Mandrel-bent tubing preserves flow for better exhaust scavenging
- Polished stainless tips with a substantial street presence
Pros: Iconic aggressive Flowmaster rumble at idle and under load; Noticeable improvement in exhaust note over stock; Reasonable install difficulty for a weekend in the garage
Cons: Loudest of the bunch, with real drone that not everyone tolerates; Tone can feel boomy for highway commuters
3. MagnaFlow Competition Series Cat-Back Exhaust: Best Build Quality
MagnaFlow earns its reputation on construction, and the Competition Series for the R/T shows why. The T-304 stainless, the consistent welds, and the thick polished tips all feel like a step above. The tone is deep and authoritative with a smooth, refined character rather than a buzzy rasp, and it stays remarkably composed on the highway. For an owner who wants quality they can see and a sound that is grown-up but still clearly an angry V8, this is a standout.
The honest tradeoff is that the Competition Series is not the most savage system at full throttle. Drivers chasing maximum aggression and pops sometimes find it a touch reserved compared to a Flowmaster or a Corsa. The large tips also draw mixed reactions and can hang lower than the factory exhaust, so check clearance if you have a lowered car. None of that undercuts the core appeal, which is exceptional build paired with a clean, deep voice.
- Premium T-304 stainless throughout with excellent weld quality
- Straight-through perforated core for smooth flow and a refined growl
- Deep tone that stays composed at highway speed
Pros: Top-tier fit, finish, and welding among the systems evaluated; Less drone than most loud cat-backs; Mature, deep tone rather than raspy
Cons: Less aggressive at wide open throttle than the rowdier kits; Tips are large and may sit lower than some owners prefer
4. Corsa Sport Cat-Back Exhaust System: Best No-Drone Highway System
Corsa solved the problem most R/T owners complain about, which is drone. Their RSC sound technology is engineered specifically to cancel the resonance that shows up at cruising rpm, so you get a genuinely aggressive Sport tone when you accelerate and near silence at a steady highway speed. For anyone who wants a loud car that does not punish them on a long drive, the Corsa Sport is in a class of its own.
What you give up is some of the raw, ragged edge that the loudest systems deliver. Corsa’s tone is clean and purposeful rather than wild, and buyers expecting a Flowmaster-style snarl can find it a little polished. It also sits at the higher end of the build spectrum, so it represents an investment. For a daily driven R/T that still needs to deliver V8 drama on demand, the value is easy to justify.
- Patented RSC technology engineered to cancel cruising drone
- Aggressive Sport sound profile under acceleration
- Premium stainless construction with a lifetime warranty
Pros: Effectively eliminates highway drone, rare for an aggressive system; Strong, clean sound when you push it; Excellent for owners who daily drive and road trip
Cons: Carries a premium feel that may exceed a budget build; Less raw and raspy than buyers chasing maximum noise expect
5. MBRP Installer Series Cat-Back Exhaust: Best Value
The MBRP Installer Series is the smart pick when you want a real exhaust upgrade without overspending. The mandrel-bent tubing flows well, the install is genuinely easy with hand tools, and the result is a noticeably deeper, more aggressive note than stock without veering into obnoxious territory. For a first exhaust on an R/T, it hits the marks that matter most for the majority of owners.
The compromise is in the material. This version uses aluminized steel rather than T-304 stainless, which keeps the cost down but means it is more susceptible to surface rust over years of exposure, especially if you live where roads get salted. The tips also look a notch less premium than the polished stainless rivals. MBRP does offer stainless variants if longevity matters more to you, but as a value play this aluminized kit delivers a lot of bark for what you pay.
- Mandrel-bent tubing for solid flow at an accessible price point
- Aggressive street tone without an extreme volume jump
- Straightforward bolt-on install with no fabrication
Pros: Strong sound improvement for the money; Easy weekend install with basic tools; Good moderate volume that works as a daily setup
Cons: Aluminized steel is more prone to surface rust than stainless; Tip finish is less premium than the stainless competitors
6. Roush Performance Axle-Back Exhaust: Best Easy Install Axle-Back
An axle-back is the simplest way to wake up your R/T, and Roush builds a clean one. Because it replaces only the rear section behind the axle, the install is fast and forgiving, often a single afternoon with a jack and basic tools. You get a meaningful uptick in rumble and a set of good-looking 304 stainless dual-wall tips, all without disturbing the rest of the factory exhaust. For owners who want a tasteful upgrade and minimal hassle, it is a great entry point.
The limitation is inherent to the axle-back format. Since you keep the factory mid-pipe and resonators, the gains in both flow and sound are smaller than a full cat-back system. The tone change is real but modest, and dyno gains are minimal. If your goal is a transformed, head-turning exhaust note or measurable power, a cat-back will serve you better. As an easy, reversible, good-looking improvement, though, the Roush axle-back does exactly what it promises.
- Axle-back design swaps only the rear section for a fast install
- 304 stainless with attractive dual-wall tips
- Adds rumble while keeping the rest of the factory system intact
Pros: Easiest install on the list since it bolts to the existing midpipe; Quality stainless tips that look factory-plus; Sound bump without going overboard
Cons: Less power and flow gain than a full cat-back; More subtle sound change than a complete system
7. Pypes Violator Cat-Back Exhaust System: Most Aggressive Tone
The Pypes Violator lives up to its name. With race-style straight-through mufflers and mandrel-bent tubing, it produces among the most aggressive, in-your-face exhaust notes you can bolt onto an R/T. At idle it has a serious lope, and under throttle it opens up into a loud, snarling V8 roar that leaves no doubt about what is under the hood. For an owner who wants maximum attitude, this delivers.
That ferocity is also the catch. This is a very loud system with noticeable highway drone, and it is genuinely too much for some daily drivers and their passengers. The 409 stainless holds up reasonably well but does not match the long-term corrosion resistance of T-304 kits. If you want the rowdiest possible sound and you are not logging long quiet highway miles, the Violator is a thrill. If you value refinement or a calm cabin, look higher up this list.
- Race-inspired straight-through mufflers for a loud, open sound
- 409 stainless construction with polished tips
- Mandrel-bent tubing for unrestricted flow
Pros: One of the loudest, most aggressive tones available for the R/T; Strong, free-flowing design; Big visual and audible upgrade over stock
Cons: Very loud with pronounced drone, not for the noise-sensitive; 409 stainless is less corrosion resistant than T-304
Frequently Asked Questions
Cat-back or axle-back for a Dodge Challenger R/T?
A cat-back replaces everything from the catalytic converters back, including the mid-pipe, mufflers, and tips, which gives the biggest gains in both sound and flow. An axle-back swaps only the rear section behind the rear axle, so it installs faster and costs less but delivers a more modest sound change and minimal power gain. If you want the full transformation and are comfortable with a longer install, go cat-back. If you want an easy, reversible upgrade with good tips and a noticeable but tasteful rumble, an axle-back like the Roush is the way to go.
Will an aftermarket exhaust add horsepower to my R/T?
Yes, but keep your expectations realistic. A quality cat-back with mandrel-bent tubing and free-flowing mufflers reduces backpressure and helps the 5.7 HEMI breathe, which typically yields a handful of horsepower and a bit more torque, often in the single digits to low teens. The bigger benefit most owners feel is improved throttle response and a far better sound. To see meaningful power gains you would pair the exhaust with a cold air intake, headers, and a tune. On its own, an exhaust is more about character than dyno numbers.
How do I avoid exhaust drone on the highway?
Drone is the low-frequency resonance you hear at steady cruising rpm, and it is the number one complaint with aggressive systems. The most effective fix is choosing a system engineered to suppress it, such as the Corsa with its RSC technology, which is specifically designed to cancel cruising drone. Borla and MagnaFlow also manage drone better than the loudest kits. If you already have a droning system, adding an inline resonator or a resonated mid-pipe usually tames it. The loudest straight-through kits like Flowmaster and Pypes will always have the most drone.
Can I install a Challenger R/T exhaust myself?
Most of these systems are designed as bolt-on upgrades that a reasonably handy owner can install at home in a few hours. You will want a jack and jack stands or a lift, basic hand tools, penetrating oil for the factory hardware, and ideally a second set of hands to support the system during fitment. Axle-back kits are the easiest since they involve only the rear section. Cat-back systems take longer because there are more clamps and hangers to align. None of these require cutting or welding on a standard R/T, which keeps a DIY install very approachable.
Will a new exhaust pass emissions and stay legal?
The cat-back and axle-back systems on this list leave your factory catalytic converters in place, since they only replace components behind the cats. That means they do not affect emissions equipment and are generally street legal in most areas, though local noise ordinances still apply and the loudest systems can draw attention. Avoid catless mid-pipes or test pipes if you need to pass emissions inspections, as removing or gutting the catalytic converters is illegal for street use in many regions and will fail a smog test. Stick with a true cat-back and you keep your car compliant.
Our Verdict
For most Dodge Challenger R/T owners, the Borla S-Type Cat-Back is the system to buy. It nails the balance that matters, aggressive and unmistakably V8 when you push it, yet civil enough to live with every day, all wrapped in T-304 stainless that will outlast cheaper kits. If you crave that classic, raw muscle car growl above all else and do not mind the volume, the Flowmaster American Thunder is the runner up and the sound enthusiast’s pick. And if highway peace is your priority, the Corsa Sport is the drone-free choice worth stretching for.
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