There’s nothing quite like the sound of a roaring exhaust to announce your arrival. Whether you’re after a deeper growl, a more aggressive tone, or full-throttle pops and crackles, modifying your exhaust system can completely change the way your car sounds.
But before you start hacking away at your muffler, it’s important to know the right way to get the sound you want—without ruining your ride’s performance or roadworthiness.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best ways to make your exhaust louder, from simple, affordable DIY tweaks to full-on aftermarket upgrades. In no time, you’ll be the star of the weekend car meet – or make waves turning heads on your daily drive.
Simple and Affordable Options
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Exhaust Tips
Best For: Minor sound enhancements with a custom look.
While exhaust tips won’t drastically change your exhaust volume, they can modify the sound slightly by altering how the exhaust gases exit the pipe.
Certain exhaust tips—especially those with wider openings or built-in resonators—can amplify and deepen the exhaust note. Chrome, titanium, and carbon fibre tips also add a custom aesthetic touch, further complementing your ride's overall look.
Signs It’s Right for You
✔ You want a slight sound enhancement without major modifications.
✔ You’re looking to add a custom look to your exhaust.
✔ You want an affordable and easy upgrade.
Want a more unique sound? Look for exhaust tips with rolled edges or a flared design for a more pronounced sound effect.
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Resonator Delete
Best For: Making your exhaust louder while keeping a balanced tone.
A resonator is another component in your exhaust system designed to cancel out certain sound frequencies, making your car quieter. Removing the resonator allows sound waves to pass through unfiltered, increasing volume and creating a rawer exhaust note.
A delete is a complete removal of the resonator. While this is allowed in most states, you should be mindful not to go over your state’s noise level to avoid a traffic fine.
Signs It’s Right for You
✔ You want a louder exhaust without it sounding too raspy.
✔ You don’t want to remove the muffler but still want a deeper tone.
✔ You’re looking for a budget-friendly mod.
Want better sound without a res delete? Install an aftermarket resonator. Aftermarket resonators are designed to enhance certain frequencies, giving your ride a more sportier sound. Pair it with a performance muffler for an even more refined sound.
Moderate Modifications
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Remove or Replace the Muffler
Best for: A louder, throatier sound without a full exhaust swap.
The muffler is designed to reduce engine noise by dampening sound waves before they exit the tailpipe. Removing it can significantly increase your exhaust volume.
Muffler deletes uncover your vehicle’s raw, aggressive sound. But if you have concerns about extreme noise, a performance muffler can also deliver a similar sound. Unlock stock mufflers, performance versions allow for high exhaust flow, delivering a powerful, distinct sound that isn’t excessively loud.
Signs It’s Right for You
✔ You want an easy and affordable way to make your exhaust louder.
✔ You don’t mind a more aggressive, sometimes raspy tone.
✔ You’re aware that a muffler delete may not be road-legal in some areas.
Keep in mind that muffler deletes can increase ‘drone’ (a constant, low-frequency hum) inside the cabin. This can turn into a major annoyance if you are driving daily. For daily-use vehicles, a performance muffler is an ideal alternative to achieve a similar exhaust note. As always, research your state’s laws around deletes before modding your ride.
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Increase Pipe Diameter
Best for: Enhancing exhaust flow and sound depth.
Stock exhaust pipes are designed for efficiency rather than sound. Increasing the diameter of your exhaust pipes can allow for better airflow, reducing back pressure and enhancing the volume of your car’s exhaust note.
Larger-diameter pipes allow exhaust gases to escape more freely, creating a deeper and slightly louder tone. However, going too big can reduce performance, as it may lower exhaust velocity and affect engine efficiency.
Signs It’s Right for You
✔ You’re already upgrading your exhaust system and want more sound.
✔ You want a deeper tone rather than just loudness.
✔ You’re looking to improve both performance and sound.
Sound can come at a cost to engine efficiency. Before increasing the diameter of your pipes, you’ll want to know the perfect size to achieve the ideal balance of volume and performance. Need some advice on how to figure this out? We can help.
Advanced Modifications
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Complete System Upgrade
Best for: Getting a deeper, louder, and more refined exhaust note while improving overall performance at the same time.
The easiest and most effective way to make your exhaust louder is to swap your stock system for an aftermarket performance exhaust. Factory exhausts are designed to be quiet and efficient, but aftermarket systems are built for sound and power.
A performance exhaust system increases airflow by reducing restrictions, allowing your engine to breathe better and produce a more aggressive sound. These systems typically include larger-diameter piping, high-flow mufflers, and less restrictive resonators, all of which help amplify your exhaust note.
Signs It’s Right for You
✔ You want a guaranteed increase in volume and tone.
✔ You’re looking for a system designed for sound and performance.
✔ You don’t mind investing in a high-quality upgrade.
While a complete system upgrade is not the most affordable way to make your exhaust louder, working towards one over time will increase the longevity of your vehicle. Aftermarket parts are designed for high performance and will work even better as part of a completely optimised system.
Other Options
The above options are the most direct ways to make your exhaust louder. But there are other changes you can make to increase exhaust volume. Keep in mind that results and affordability may vary depending on vehicle type.
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Cat-Back or Axle-Back Systems
These systems replace parts of the exhaust from the catalytic converter or rear axle to improve both sound and performance. They are less invasive than straight pipes but still provide noticeable volume increases. Axle-back upgrades tend to be more affordable since only the rear section of the exhaust is replaced.
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Aftermarket Headers
Installing performance headers improves exhaust flow by reducing back pressure, resulting in a louder and more aggressive engine sound. Keep in mind that headers only impact exhaust flow at the beginning of your system. Volume may vary depending on the rest of your exhaust system build.
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X-Pipe Installation
An X-pipe balances exhaust flow in V-engine cars, creating a smoother and louder tone, especially for V8 engines.
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Straight Pipe Exhaust
This involves removing mufflers and catalytic converters entirely and replacing them with straight pipes for maximum volume and performance gains. However, this method may violate noise or emissions regulations in some areas.
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Catalytic Converter Delete
Lastly, a cat converter delete may also increase sound. We would not recommend this option, as it’s illegal to remove pollution control devices from vehicles in Australia.
Before You Start Modding
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Always check local noise and emissions regulations before making modifications.
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Professional installation is recommended for complex changes like straight pipes or headers to ensure proper fitment and avoid issues like leaks.
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These modifications can transform your car's sound profile, but it's essential to balance personal preferences with legal compliance and practicality.
Unlock Your Vehicle’s True Sound
Making your exhaust louder is one of the best ways to give your car a more aggressive, performance-driven presence on the road. Whether you go for a full aftermarket exhaust, a simple resonator delete, or just a stylish exhaust tip, the key is choosing the right mod for your sound goals and budget, factoring in any legal requirements in your locality.
At DEA Performance, we offer a premium range of aftermarket exhaust systems, mufflers, resonators, and performance parts that put the bass back into your exhaust. Check out our collection today and start turning heads with your newer, louder exhaust system.
FAQs
How do I make my car exhaust sound louder?
A muffler delete or resonator delete is a simple and affordable way to achieve a noticeable increase in volume. However, a performance muffler is a better option if you want a refined sound without excessive drone.
Is it legal to make my exhaust louder?
Laws vary by state, so always check local noise regulations before modifying your exhaust system. Many performance mufflers and cat-back systems are legal, while straight-pipe setups may not be.
How to get a deep-sounding exhaust?
A large-diameter pipe will help your system produce a deep-sounding exhaust note. Keep in mind that optimal pipe diameters vary by vehicle and system build. A louder sound may not always equate to better performance.
Will making my exhaust louder improve performance?
Yes—many performance exhaust systems reduce back pressure, improving horsepower and throttle response. However, removing key components (like catalytic converters) can negatively affect performance. Installing larger parts (e.g. pipes) to achieve louder sound can also negatively affect performance if not properly balanced with other high-performance components.
