How To Make Your Car Louder: In 7 Ways
If you’re a car enthusiast, you know that a loud exhaust can be a powerful and attention-grabbing feature. But how to make your car louder without breaking the law or damaging your vehicle?

There are a few different ways to increase the volume of your car’s exhaust, each with their own pros and cons. Some methods, like installing a louder muffler, a cold air intake, or replacing the exhaust pipes, can give you a noticeable boost in volume but may also require more time and money to implement.
Others, like adding a performance chip or reprogramming the engine control unit, can be more subtle but may have more complex and lasting effects on your car’s performance.
In this article, we’ll explore the various options available for making your car sound louder and help you decide which approach is best for you.
We’ll also discuss the potential drawbacks and considerations to keep in mind when increasing the volume of your exhaust, so you can make an informed decision and enjoy your louder ride safely and responsibly.
What causes the sound coming from the exhaust?
Cars use a process called combustion to turn fuel into energy. Combusting air and fuel in the engine’s combustion chamber produces sound waves that travel through the exhaust system.
On the way to their destination, these sound waves pass through multiple resonators and mufflers. These are intended to reduce noise levels as much as possible.
Sound waves passing through the muffler, resonator and catalytic converter of a vehicle is affected by these sections material composition.
This leads to a noticeable difference in the sound produced by the vehicle. So, you must change these sections in some way if you want a more forceful sound.
Some ideas that will make your car louder
Here is a complete summary of the many methods for making your car’s exhaust louder.
1. Get bigger exhaust pipes
Most engine noise is emitted through the exhaust pipes. After traveling through the muffler, this noise is greatly amplified. Replacing mufflers with larger pipes improves the sound without reducing volume.

2. Get new exhaust tip
You may save money and save your exhaust pipe by adding a exhaust tip to the end of it.
A new exhaust tip can make your car loud by replacing the original pipe. These small parts are affordable, which makes them an excellent sound amplifier. Different designs are available, so you can easily find one that matches your vehicle’s style.
Adding an exhaust tip or resonator is easy to do with minimal monetary investment. It can be connected to the tail end of an exhaust system. Also, if you cut the exhaust tip, make sure you detach it from the bottom of the automobile.
Although it rarely significantly alters your car’s exhaust sound, it’s easy to install and can slightly improve the appearance of your car
3. Drilling holes in the exhaust pipe
Drilling holes in the exhaust pipe is a cheap and dependable approach to increase the volume. You may access the muffler using these openings. Drill several holes between the exhaust air in front of the muffler and the catalytic converter to accomplish this.
Just remember to drill them after the catalytic converter to prevent dangerous pollutants from being released.
4. Install an aftermarket exhaust system
Installing an aftermarket exhaust system, which replaces the restricted factory exhaust, may boost airflow and engine performance, resulting in a louder sound and greater performance.
People can choose to get a cat-back system that bypasses the catalytic converter, or they can replace the entire exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold to the tailpipe.
The right aftermarket exhaust systems requires the assistance of a professional. They’ll help you select the best option for your vehicle.
5. Clear your exhaust pipes
A blockage in the exhaust tubing is the most common reason of your automobile not running as loudly as you anticipate.
Clearing out the area improves the sound produced by an exhaust system thanks to some time invested.
Be careful when cleaning the pipes to avoid damaging the exhaust pipe. You can always hire a local technician to perform maintenance.
6. Install a cold air intake system
Adding a cold air intake boosts performance and adds a unique sound. It allows the engine to pull in colder air that contains more oxygen for improved performance.

It’s important to know that high-performance cold air intake manifolds increase the volume of air entering the engine.
This results in more power, greater performance, and a exhaust louder note. Plus, these Intake Manifolds improve the aesthetic value of the car. Anyone looking at your car when it is running will be impressed by their design.
7. Installing a straight pipe exhaust
A straight pipe exhaust is the ideal option if you truly want your exhaust to sound louder – much louder. When you replace your exhaust with a straight-through exhaust, you must remove various exhaust components.
You’ll remove the catalytic converter, resonator, and muffler and replace them with a straight pipe.
The straight pipe may require considerable adjustment to function correctly, which might significantly raise the price. However, the exhaust sound will be completely different, and most limitations will be removed.
Pros And Cons Of A Loud Exhaust System
Pros:
- Increased attention: A loud exhaust can make your car stand out and attract attention on the road.
- Improved performance: In some cases, a louder exhaust can be a sign of improved performance, as it may indicate that more exhaust gases are flowing through the system, which can be a result of increased horsepower or other engine modifications.
- Personal preference: Some people simply prefer the sound of a loud exhaust and find it more enjoyable to drive.
Cons:
- Legal issues: In many places, it’s illegal to modify the exhaust system in a way that increases the volume beyond a certain level. This can result in fines or other penalties.
- Environmental impacts: A loud exhaust can contribute to noise pollution and may be disturbing to people in the surrounding area.
- Reduced fuel efficiency: A loud exhaust may also indicate that the exhaust system is less efficient at releasing gases, which can result in reduced fuel efficiency.
- Damage to the car: Modifying the exhaust system in a way that increases the volume may also increase the risk of damage to the car, as it may
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to make your car louder?
There are a few relatively cheapest ways to make your car sound louder:
- Removing the muffler from your car’s exhaust system will certainly make your exhaust sound louder, but it’s not a legal modification in most places and may also negatively impact your car’s performance.
- Replacing the muffler with a louder aftermarket muffler can be a more cost-effective way to increase the volume of your exhaust. However, keep in mind that this modification may require professional installation and may also affect your car’s fuel efficiency.
- Installing larger or more visually striking exhaust tip can give the appearance of a exhaust louder, even if the actual volume doesn’t change much. This option is relatively inexpensive and easy to install, but it won’t give you a significant increase in volume.
What modifications make a car louder?
Replacing the exhaust pipes with larger diameter or less restrictive pipes can allow more exhaust fumes to flow through the system, resulting in a louder sound.
Also, aftermarket mufflers are designed to be louder than stock mufflers, so replacing your stock muffler with a louder one can increase the volume of your exhaust.
Additionally, the ECU controls various functions in your car, including the exhaust system. Reprogramming the ECU to change the timing and volume of the exhaust vapors can make your exhaust sound louder.
Finally, a performance chip is a small device that can be installed in your car to modify the engine’s performance settings.

Some performance chips are designed to increase the volume of the exhaust, but again, this is a more complex modification that may have wider effects on your car’s performance.
How can I make my car louder for free?
There are a few free ways to make your car
Removing the resonator
The resonator is a part of the exhaust systems that helps to reduce noise.

Removing the resonator can increase the volume of your exhaust, but it’s not a legal modification in most places and may also negatively impact your car’s performance
Adjusting the exhaust hangers
The exhaust hangers are the rubber or metal straps that hold the exhaust pipe in place. If the hangers are loose, the exhaust pipes may be able to move around more, which can increase the volume of the exhaust.
Cleaning the muffler
A dirty or clogged muffler can restrict the flow of exhaust vapors and reduce the volume of the exhaust.
Cleaning the muffler or replacing it if it’s damaged can help to restore the volume. Although it may still suppress some sound waves, it has the potential to raise the overall tone.
Adding exhaust tips
Installing larger or more visually striking exhaust tips can give the appearance of a louder exhaust, even if the actual volume doesn’t change much. This option is relatively inexpensive and easy to install, but it won’t give you a significant increase in volume.
What makes cars extra loud?
A straight pipe exhaust is a type of exhaust systems that doesn’t have any mufflers or resonators. This allows the exhaust gases to flow through the system more freely, resulting in a much louder sound.
However, this is a highly illegal modification in most places and can be very loud and disruptive to others.
The catalytic converter is a part of the exhaust systems that helps to reduce emissions. Removing the catalytic converter can increase the volume of the exhaust, but it’s also a highly illegal modification and can have serious environmental consequences.
Also, increasing the horsepower of your car’s engine can also increase the volume of the exhaust, as the engine will be producing more power and generating more exhaust fumes. However, boosting horsepower requires significant modifications to the engine and can be expensive.

Summary
Making your car sound louder can be a fun and satisfying project, but it’s important to keep in mind the potential drawbacks and considerations.
Some modifications, like installing a louder muffler, a cold air intake or replacing the exhaust pipes, can give you a noticeable increase in volume but may also require more time and money to implement.
Also keep in mind that in many places, it’s illegal to remove or modify the muffler or catalytic converter, and other modifications may require special permits or inspections.
Additionally, increasing the volume of your exhaust can have negative impacts on the environment and the people around you, so it’s important to be mindful of these issues and consider the consequences of your actions.
With all these factors in mind, you can make an informed decision and enjoy your louder ride safely and responsibly. And it shall be usefull to read How to Make Your Car Can Last Longer?