The supercharged 6.2L Hemi in the Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat already sounds mean from the factory, but the stock exhaust holds back both the volume and the personality that supercharged engine deserves. The right cat-back or axle-back system wakes up the supercharger whine, deepens the idle, and lets the car bark on every gear change without turning your daily drive into a headache on the highway.
We looked at seven exhaust systems that real Hellcat owners actually run, comparing them on tone, drone at cruise, fitment over the wide SRT rear axle, material quality, and whether they genuinely free up airflow or just add noise. Every pick below is a real product you can find on Amazon. We focused on bolt-on systems that respect the factory hardware so installation stays a driveway job, not a fabrication project.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Borla S-Type Cat-Back Exhaust for Dodge Challenger/Charger Hellcat Best Overall 304 stainless cat-back, 3.0 inch piping, 4.0 inch quad tips, S-Type sound level |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Corsa Performance Xtreme Cat-Back Exhaust for Hellcat Best Sound 304 stainless, 3.0 inch dual rear, 4.5 inch black tips, RSC drone cancelling tech |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Kooks 3-Inch Cat-Back Exhaust System for Challenger/Charger Hellcat Best for Power 304 stainless, true 3.0 inch dual, designed to pair with Kooks long tube headers |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
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MBRP Armor Pro Cat-Back Exhaust for Dodge Hellcat Best Value T304 stainless, 3.0 inch dual, 4.0 inch tips, street performance sound level |
8.9 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back Exhaust for Hellcat Classic Muscle Tone 409 stainless, dual mode mufflers, deep American Thunder muscle tone |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Solo Performance Mach X Axle-Back Exhaust for Challenger Hellcat Easiest Install 304 stainless axle-back, bolt-on rear section, aggressive Mach X tuning |
8.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Magnaflow Competition Series Cat-Back Exhaust for Dodge Hellcat Best Build Quality 304 stainless, straight through perforated core mufflers, polished 4.0 inch tips |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Borla S-Type Cat-Back Exhaust for Dodge Challenger/Charger Hellcat: Best Overall
Borla earned the top spot because it nails the part most Hellcat owners struggle with, which is sounding savage at full throttle while staying civilized on a two hour highway run. The S-Type sits in the middle of Borla’s volume ladder, so you get a deep, hard edged note and the supercharger whine cuts through cleanly, yet the multi-core mufflers tame the boomy resonance that makes cheaper systems unbearable at 75 mph. The 304 stainless is genuinely thick, the welds are clean, and the 4 inch quad tips fill out the rear valance the way the SRT bumper was meant to look.
The honest weakness is that even the S-Type is not quiet. If you commute daily and like phone calls in the car, you may still find the cruise volume more than you bargained for, and some owners end up adding aftermarket resonators to soften it. It is also a cat-back, so it will not chase the very last horsepower a long tube header setup would. For the vast majority of Hellcat drivers who want one no compromise upgrade, though, this is the system we would buy first.
- Full 304 stainless steel construction with aggressive but livable S-Type tuning
- Direct bolt-on fit using factory hangers and band clamps, no welding
- Patented multi-core technology targets cruise drone while keeping wide-open volume
Pros: Best balance of aggressive tone and daily drivability on the list; Borla million mile warranty on the 304 stainless materials; Holds up to road salt and heat without discoloring the tips quickly
Cons: Sound is loud enough that some owners want resonators added for long trips
2. Corsa Performance Xtreme Cat-Back Exhaust for Hellcat: Best Sound
If your only goal is to make the Hellcat sound as mean as physically possible while still being able to hear your passenger, the Corsa Xtreme is the system to beat. Corsa’s RSC technology is the real story here, using sound wave reflection inside the muffler to cancel the specific frequencies that cause cabin drone, so you get a brutally loud exterior note without the headache inducing boom inside. At wide open throttle the Xtreme is genuinely menacing, with a hard, raspy edge that lets everyone around you know a supercharged Hemi just rolled by.
The trade off is that it is unapologetically loud. This is not the system for someone sneaking out of a quiet cul de sac at 6 a.m., and a few owners note the tip hardware needs a re-torque after the metal settles through its first heat cycles. The fitment over the rear axle is excellent and the 304 stainless build matches the Borla in quality. We rank it just behind the Borla only because it leans harder toward volume than all day comfort.
- Corsa Reflective Sound Cancellation technology kills interior drone at cruise
- Xtreme sound level delivers the most aggressive note in the Corsa lineup
- Mandrel bent 304 stainless with available black or polished tip options
Pros: Genuinely drone free inside the cabin at highway speed; Snarling, race inspired tone that turns heads in tunnels; Excellent fit and finish straight out of the box
Cons: Very loud at full throttle, not for noise sensitive neighborhoods; Tip clamps can need re-torquing after the first few heat cycles
3. Kooks 3-Inch Cat-Back Exhaust System for Challenger/Charger Hellcat: Best for Power
Kooks builds exhaust for people chasing dyno numbers, and that focus is exactly why it belongs here. The 3 inch cat-back is designed from the start to work as part of a complete Kooks airflow path, meaning it shines brightest once you add their long tube headers and a supporting tune. On a modified Hellcat pushing big boost, the unrestricted mandrel bends help the supercharger breathe in a way the milder street systems cannot match, and the build quality is the kind you would expect from a company that lives at the drag strip.
The catch is straightforward honesty: on an otherwise stock car, this cat-back alone will not transform the dyno sheet. Its purpose is to be one piece of a bigger build, so if you are not planning headers and a tune, you are paying for flow capacity you will not use yet. The tone is also rawer and more aggressive than the engineered refinement of the Borla, which some love and some find a bit loud. For a dedicated power build, though, nothing else here keeps up.
- Engineered to flow with Kooks headers for serious power builds
- True mandrel bent 3.0 inch tubing minimizes restriction on boosted setups
- Heavy gauge 304 stainless with race proven build quality
Pros: Best choice when you plan a header and tune package; Maximum airflow for high horsepower supercharged builds; Rock solid welds and hardware that survive track abuse
Cons: Real gains only show up once paired with headers and a tune; Tone is more raw and less refined than the Borla or Corsa
4. MBRP Armor Pro Cat-Back Exhaust for Dodge Hellcat: Best Value
MBRP’s Armor Pro line gives Hellcat owners a genuinely well built T304 stainless cat-back that punches above what you would expect for the value it offers. You get a clear, aggressive bump in volume over stock, a deeper idle, and a system that arrives as a complete bolt-on kit so the install stays in the driveway. The T304 stainless is the corrosion resistant choice in MBRP’s catalog, which matters a lot if you live somewhere that salts the roads in winter, and the lifetime warranty backs that up.
Where it gives a little ground to the top tier is character. The Borla and Corsa have unmistakable, brand defining tones, while the MBRP sounds great in a more conventional way, a solid muscle car rumble rather than a signature voice. The tip finish is also a half step behind the premium polish of the leaders. None of that stops it being the smart pick for an owner who wants a quality stainless system that sounds the part without stretching the budget.
- T304 stainless Armor Pro series for maximum corrosion resistance
- Aggressive street tone without excessive interior drone
- Complete bolt-on kit with all hangers and hardware included
Pros: Strong build quality at a friendlier value than the premium brands; Noticeable volume bump while staying daily driver friendly; Lifetime warranty on the T304 stainless construction
Cons: Tip finish is good but not quite as polished as Borla or Corsa; Sound is satisfying but less distinctive than the top tier systems
5. Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-Back Exhaust for Hellcat: Classic Muscle Tone
Flowmaster is the name that built the modern muscle car exhaust sound, and the American Thunder system brings that classic deep rumble to the Hellcat. If you grew up loving the unmistakable Flowmaster idle, this is the system that delivers it, a thick, throaty low end note that sounds especially good cruising slowly through a parking lot or pulling away from a light. The mandrel bent tubing opens up flow over the choked factory setup, and the brand support and reputation mean you will never struggle to find help or parts.
The two honest drawbacks are material and drone. Flowmaster uses 409 stainless rather than the 304 found on our top picks, so the tips and tubing can discolor with heat and age more than the premium systems, though the steel itself remains durable. The chambered muffler design also lets through more highway drone than the RSC or multi-core systems, which can wear on you over long trips. For the owner who values that legendary tone above all, it is still a great buy.
- Signature Flowmaster deep muscle car rumble at idle and low rpm
- 409 stainless construction for solid durability
- Mandrel bent tubing for improved flow over the restrictive stock setup
Pros: Iconic old school muscle tone that suits the Hellcat character; Trusted Flowmaster brand reputation and easy parts support; Strong low end rumble that sounds great around town
Cons: 409 stainless is more prone to surface discoloration than 304; More drone at highway speed than the drone cancelling systems
6. Solo Performance Mach X Axle-Back Exhaust for Challenger Hellcat: Easiest Install
Not everyone wants to drop the full exhaust to get a louder Hellcat, and that is exactly who the Solo Performance Mach X axle-back is built for. Because it only replaces the rear section behind the axle, it bolts on in under an hour with hand tools, making it the friendliest install here. Despite being a partial system, the Mach X tuning is genuinely aggressive, giving a big jump in volume and a harder edge that satisfies owners who mostly care about how the car sounds rolling by.
The honest limitation is built into the design. An axle-back changes tone far more than it changes airflow, so do not expect meaningful power from this piece alone, and because it works with the factory mid pipe it can get a touch boomy at specific cruise rpm where a full system would be smoother. The 304 stainless build is reassuringly solid for the category. If you want maximum noise for minimum wrenching, this is the smart entry point into a louder Hellcat.
- Axle-back design installs in under an hour with basic hand tools
- 304 stainless build with a loud, aggressive sound character
- Retains the factory mid pipe and cats for an easy bolt-on swap
Pros: Simplest installation on the list, true driveway job; Big volume increase for a partial system; 304 stainless quality at an approachable entry point
Cons: Axle-back changes sound more than flow versus a full cat-back; Can be boomy at certain cruise rpm without the full system tuning
7. Magnaflow Competition Series Cat-Back Exhaust for Dodge Hellcat: Best Build Quality
Magnaflow’s Competition Series is the choice for the owner who obsesses over how the system looks and is built as much as how it sounds. The 304 stainless construction is excellent, the welds are clean enough to show off, and the polished tips sit beautifully in the wide Hellcat rear valance. The straight through perforated core mufflers flow about as freely as a street legal cat-back can, which gives the car a smooth, race inspired note that builds cleanly with rpm and lets the supercharger sing.
That free flowing design is also the source of its main weakness. Straight through mufflers do little to cancel drone, so at sustained highway speed the Competition Series is one of the louder systems here inside the cabin, and noise sensitive drivers will notice it on long trips. It is a deliberate tuning choice rather than a flaw, but it does push this pick toward owners who prioritize flow and looks over quiet cruising. For build quality and that clean straight through tone, it is hard to fault.
- Straight through perforated core design for free flowing exhaust
- Premium 304 stainless with show quality polished tips
- Dyno proven Competition Series tuning for a race inspired note
Pros: Outstanding fit, finish, and weld quality; Smooth, free flowing straight through muffler design; Polished tips look excellent in the SRT rear valance
Cons: Straight through design lets through more drone than baffled systems; Among the louder cabin volumes at sustained highway speed
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a cat-back exhaust add horsepower to my Hellcat?
On an otherwise stock Hellcat, a cat-back exhaust alone adds only modest power, usually a handful of horsepower at most, because the factory supercharged engine is already well fed and the catalytic converters remain in place. The real value of a cat-back is sound, throttle response feel, and the freed up flow that becomes meaningful once you add long tube headers, an upgraded supercharger pulley, and a supporting tune. If your priority is big dyno numbers, treat the exhaust as one piece of a larger build, especially a flow focused system like the Kooks. If you mostly want your Hellcat to sound as savage as it drives, any of these cat-back systems delivers that immediately.
What is the difference between a cat-back and an axle-back for a Hellcat?
A cat-back replaces everything from the catalytic converters back, including the mid pipe and mufflers, while an axle-back only replaces the rear section behind the rear axle. The axle-back, like the Solo Performance Mach X, is far easier to install and changes the tone significantly, but because it keeps the factory mid pipe it does less for airflow and can be more prone to cruise drone. A full cat-back gives you a more complete tone change, better flow, and usually a more refined result with drone cancelling muffler designs. If you want the easiest install and maximum noise for the effort, go axle-back. If you want the best overall result, go cat-back.
Will an aftermarket exhaust cause drone inside my Hellcat at highway speed?
Drone is the booming resonance you hear in the cabin at steady cruise rpm, and it varies a lot between systems. Designs with active drone cancelling technology, such as Corsa’s RSC and Borla’s multi-core mufflers, are engineered specifically to minimize it, which is why those two are our top picks for daily drivers. Straight through systems like the Magnaflow Competition Series and chambered designs like the Flowmaster American Thunder tend to let through more drone because they prioritize flow and classic tone over cabin comfort. If you commute long distances, prioritize a drone cancelling system, and remember that adding resonators later can quiet down a louder setup.
Do I need a tune after installing a new exhaust on my Hellcat?
For a simple cat-back or axle-back that keeps the factory catalytic converters in place, you generally do not need a tune, since these systems do not change the air fuel readings enough to throw codes or hurt drivability. Your Hellcat will sound louder and run fine right out of the box. A tune becomes important when you move into a bigger build that includes long tube headers, high flow or off road mid pipes, a smaller supercharger pulley, or other airflow modifications. At that point a professional tune unlocks the real power and keeps the engine safe. For the bolt-on exhaust systems in this guide, plan to enjoy the sound first and tune only when you add more.
What material should I look for in a Hellcat exhaust, 304 or 409 stainless?
304 stainless steel is the premium choice and is what you get with the Borla, Corsa, Kooks, Solo Mach X, and Magnaflow systems in this guide. It resists corrosion and heat discoloration better, keeps its shine longer, and holds up well to road salt, which matters if you drive your Hellcat year round. 409 stainless, used by Flowmaster’s American Thunder, is still durable and structurally sound but is more prone to surface discoloration and light surface rust on the tips over time. If you want the longest lasting finish and the best appearance through the years, prioritize a 304 stainless system. Both materials will give you years of service if maintained.
Our Verdict
For most Hellcat owners, the Borla S-Type Cat-Back is the system we would buy first, because it nails the hardest balance of all, sounding genuinely savage at full throttle while staying livable on a long highway drive, all wrapped in million mile 304 stainless. Our runner up is the Corsa Performance Xtreme, which earns its spot for delivering the most aggressive, head turning tone on the list while its RSC technology keeps the cabin remarkably drone free. If you are planning a bigger power build with headers and a tune, step up to the flow focused Kooks system instead, and if you want quality on a friendlier budget, the MBRP Armor Pro is the smart value play.
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