How to Get a Loud Exhaust (Without Breaking the Bank)
Exhaust systems are like musical instruments that can be tuned to give your vehicle the perfect sound. Their shape and size can even affect how your vehicle drives.
Since combustion engines are big air pumps, a freer flowing exhaust will usually give you more horsepower. This is because performance exhausts are less restrictive and allow air to move out of the engine more quickly.
Do you want to shoot flames? Set off car alarms with your cold start idle? With enough crackles, pops, and bangs, you could even give your quiet neighborhood the soundtrack of a active warzone.
Whether you’re looking for performance gains, a deep sounding exhaust, or some payback with your neighbors, there are many simple ways to make your exhaust louder.
Why Make Your Car Louder?
Non car enthusiasts, neighbors, and/or Tesla owners may all be wondering the same thing: “Why would anyone want their car to be louder?” Well, there are several reasons why people make their cars louder, and we’re going to explore them below.
It Sounds Cool
Let’s be honest; some loud cars and trucks can sound pretty cool. It’s like a symphony of power and performance. When you rev your engine, and the exhaust system roars, it’s a feeling like no other. It’s an adrenaline rush that can make you feel alive.
Performance
Making your car louder can also improve its performance. A louder exhaust system can increase horsepower and torque, which can result in better acceleration and overall performance. The sound of your exhaust can also give you feedback on how your car is running. A change in sound can indicate a problem with your engine or exhaust system.
Personalization
Your car is an extension of your personality, and making it louder is one way to personalize it. It’s a way to stand out from the crowd and make a statement. It’s a way to show off your style and individuality.
Attention
You’ve got to admit, a loud car gets attention (whether that’s good or bad). No matter if you want to show off or just want to be noticed, a loud car will get you the attention you crave. It can be a conversation starter, and it can make you the center of attention.
Understanding Your Vehicle’s Exhaust System
Exhaust Manifold – This is the first part of the exhaust system that collects the exhaust gases from the engine cylinders and directs them towards the exhaust pipe.
Catalytic Converter – This component converts harmful gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into less harmful emissions before releasing them into the atmosphere.
Resonator – This part helps to reduce the noise produced by the engine by canceling out certain sound frequencies.
Muffler – This is the most well-known component of the exhaust system, responsible for reducing the noise produced by the engine by creating a series of chambers that absorb and reflect sound waves.
Exhaust Tip – This is the only real visible part of many exhaust systems that extends beyond the rear of the vehicle and is often used for aesthetic purposes. They come in sizes shaped like an oversized straw, a large coffee can, and everything in between.
The exhaust system works by channeling the exhaust gases produced during the combustion process away from the engine and out of the vehicle. As the gases move through the exhaust system, they pass through the different components, which help to reduce the noise and harmful emissions produced by the engine.
How To Make Your Car Louder
The following are some possible ways to make your exhaust louder with their relative cost (which might even be free). If you want to make your truck exhaust louder, most of these options will still apply to you. Expect to pay a bit more for a larger vehicle simply due to the cost of materials.
1) Cut Off Muffler
If you have a Sawzall (reciprocating saw) or hacksaw and can get under your car, you can perform this mod. A muffler is the main device used to quiet the exhaust system, so if you don’t have one, your vehicle will be much louder. A muffler delete is not an elegant approach, but it does the job.
2) Poke Holes in Your Muffler
If you’re not ready for a completely unmuffled sound, you might be able to get away with a hole in your muffler. Many people use a small drill bit to modify their muffler to get a bit of extra sound. Search your make and model on forums to see if there is a common method used to drill a hole that will give a nice sound.
For a more finely tuned exhaust note, you should look into getting an aftermarket catback exhaust system. Doing this wrong could make it sound more like an exhaust leak than a fancy system.
3) Aftermarket Cat-Back Exhaust System
A cat-back exhaust system replaces every stock exhaust component behind the catalytic converter (hence the name). Since the catalytic converter is left in place, cat-back exhaust systems do not require an aftermarket tune. This is arguably the best way to make your car louder without removing the muffler.
If you’re not going full send, an aftermarket cat-back exhaust system is a great way to wake up a stock car. Most vehicles come from the factory pretty quiet in order to comply with noise restrictions and make the car pleasant to most drivers.
Some cat-back exhausts are made out of lightweight metals such as titanium. Although it costs more, titanium can give you a significant weight savings in addition to the horsepower boost.
There is a lot of research and development that goes into aftermarket exhaust systems, so do some reading to see which one will sound best for your vehicle and taste.
4) Straight Pipe (exhaust flames)
A straight pipe is an exhaust system with no catalytic converter, resonator, or muffler. In addition to being louder, straight pipes eliminate most of the restrictions in the exhaust system. You are likely to see a performance increase going from a completely stock exhaust system to a straight pipe.
On turbocharged vehicles, the turbo spool is much more audible on a straight piped setup. Keep in mind that many vehicles require an aftermarket tune to properly leverage a straight pipe setup. It’s also illegal to remove the catalytic converter in some areas, so check your local laws.
Catalytic converters often work like flame arresters, blocking sparks and flames that may otherwise exit the exhaust. Straight piped exhaust systems make it much easier to shoot massive fireballs because there are no restrictions in the way. This is particularly true with rotary engines.
5) Crackle Tune (ECU)
A vehicle’s ECU tuning can actually affect the way the car sounds. A tuner can adjust camshaft phase and fueling to change the sound both on and off throttle. To make a crackle tune, a tuner may leave the injectors open for a moment after the throttle plate has closed or delay ignition timing. This opens the exhaust valve before fuel has finished burning in the combustion chamber.
When this unburnt fuel exits the vehicle and hits the open air, it will spontaneously ignite. This makes the car crackle and pop. In extreme cases, the car may even shoot flames. Rich air fuel mixtures and unburnt fuel are bad for the catalytic converter, and could degrade or even clog the unit.
6) Open Headers
Open headers are one of the loudest options on this list, and also happens to be a free modification. Headers, also called the exhaust manifold, are the first part of the exhaust system that comes off of the engine.
Do not attempt to do this unless you fully understand the possible consequences. If your headers exit underneath the vehicle, the hot exhaust gases may burn or melt important components such as brake lines. This could even start a fire.
7) Hood or Fender Exit Exhaust
Hood and fender exit exhaust systems are really just open headers with a bit more style. These exhausts are designed to exit the vehicle cleanly and often require some custom fabrication work to get just the right shape.
These types of exhaust systems are typically used on performance vehicles with very custom engine configurations, such as Hoonigan’s Hoonicorn. In the Hoonicorn’s case, the exhaust pipes are tiny stubs that exit the turbo and point the exhaust straight into the air.
8) Anti-Lag System
Unique to turbocharged engines, an anti-lag system is a kit that is designed to keep the turbo spooled, even when you are off the gas pedal. Similar to a crackle tune, anti-lag burns fuel inside the turbo, keeping the turbine spinning while the system is engaged. This allows the driver to have access to full boost immediately with no turbo lag. The best part is, it makes a ton of noise.
An anti-lag system will likely shorten the life of your turbo, so this is another system you will want to use only for race applications or exhaust competitions. Some vehicles will require an aftermarket ECU to use anti-lag.
9) Unequal Length Headers
Although unequal length headers don’t usually give your car extra volume, they do give your car a distinct rumble that can’t be replicated any other way. Subaru’s turbocharged EJ engines are a prime example of what unequal length headers sound like.
10) Rubber Chicken Mod
This is a bit of a gag, but it sounds about as funny as you’d expect. If you put a rubber chicken over the exhaust pipe, you can actually make it scream continuously, making it pretty much the perfect way to harmlessly prank a friend.
11) Park in a Catalytic Converter Theft Hotspot
(Obviously sarcasm, but it might make someone reconsider parking in a certain area if they haven’t given thought to it.) Want to effortlessly make your car louder? Consider parking your car overnight in an area notorious for catalytic converter thefts. Without this vital emission control device, your car will roar with an ear-splitting growl, much to the dismay of your neighbors and local law enforcement.
Of course, this method is not only foolish, but also unethical/illegal (if going through insurance) and leaves you with a hefty bill for a replacement, potential fines, and a car that’s not road-worthy.
Do Exhaust Tips Change the Sound?
Generally, your exhaust tips make up only the last couple inches of exhaust. While they may look great, exhaust tips have a very minimal effect on the overall sound of your vehicle. They are primarily a cosmetic modification. When it comes to making your car louder, there are a few things to consider before diving in.
Budget
Making your car louder can be expensive, so it’s important to determine how much you’re willing to spend. There are options available above for every budget, so don’t worry if you can’t afford a full exhaust system replacement.
Local Laws
Before making any modifications to your car, it’s important to research your local laws and regulations. Some states have strict noise laws that prohibit excessively loud exhaust systems.
Environment
Loud exhaust systems can contribute to noise pollution, which can have negative effects on both wildlife and humans. Additionally, some modifications can negatively impact your car’s emissions, which can contribute to air pollution. It’s important to consider the potential environmental impact before making any modifications to your car.
Potential Risks
In your quest to make your car louder, there are a few potential risks and drawbacks that you should be aware of. Here we’ll discuss two of the most common issues that you may encounter.
Check Engine Light
One of the most common issues that people run into when modifying their exhaust system is the dreaded check engine light.
If your check engine light comes on after making modifications to your exhaust system, you’ll want to have the issue diagnosed and resolved as soon as possible.
Vibrations
Another potential issue that you may encounter when making your car louder is vibrations. Depending on the modifications that you make to your exhaust system, you may notice an increase in vibrations (and squeaks) throughout the vehicle. This can be especially noticeable at higher speeds or when accelerating quickly.
In some cases, these vibrations may be minor and relatively easy to ignore. However, in other cases, they may be more severe and could lead to discomfort or even physical pain. If you notice an increase in vibrations after modifying your exhaust system, it’s important to have the issue diagnosed and resolved as soon as possible.
Conclusion
There are many ways to get more volume out of your vehicle, but not all options are right for everyone. Check out the forums for your particular vehicle to see what common options are for your make and model.
