7 of Our Favorite Exhaust Systems
When executed just right, a proper exhaust is the cherry on top of the perfect automotive sundae—it stands out in its own right, but it also completes the package. And it’s not just the sound, glorious though it may be. The visual—and sometimes the artistry—that a good set of pipes can add sometimes does more to define a car than any bit of thoughtfully penned bodywork.
We got to thinking about the sights and sounds that captivate us most, and this list was the result. We could have gone on for days, though, and we bet you have some favorites, too, so give our submissions a read, then tell us your favorite exhaust—for whatever reasons you choose—in the comments!
Ford GT40
I’m going to go with the Ford GT40’s “bundle of snakes” exhaust. When you stop to consider the precision with which such a system had to be fabricated, your mind kind of melts a bit. If you’ve never YouTubed one of these things at full honk, do yourself a favor and click play below. — Nate Petroelje
Gurney Eagle
The first time I ever saw a Gurney Eagle was at Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction in 2013. The car was on display in the lobby area of the tent, and I remember being flabbergasted at the intricacies of the exhaust pipes coming out of that Gurney-Weslake V-12. I’d never seen anything like it, and all I could think of was spaghetti twirled up on a fork. — Stefan Lombard
Outlaw Dirt Sprint Car
No question, there are some lovely-to-look-at exhausts here, but I’m more moved by the sound an engine makes through that exhaust, and that’s a tough call. On several occasions I’ve been lucky enough to be at a racetrack when vintage Ferrari Formula 1 cars were making an exhibition run, and the Ferrari 412 T2’s fabric-tearing sound from its 3.0-liter V-12 is just otherworldly. But I’m picking something far less sophisticated: An exhaust note made by simple unmuffled headers fed by a 410-cubic-inch V-8 engine in an outlaw dirt sprint car. One car is loud; 24 sprint cars, representing about 21,600 horsepower, is thunder. The biggest sanctioning body for sprint cars is the World of Outlaws, which runs about 90 races a year, in a season that, in 2024, starts on February 7 and ends on November 9.
Due to local zoning laws, the WoO requires mufflers for 22 of the races. Since my hearing is shot already (Kids! Don’t do drugs, but DO wear earplugs!), I’ll take the unmuffled races, and the unmistakable smell of methanol in the evening. — Steven Cole Smith
Drag Headers
The best exhaust systems are the ones that end after the headers.
I couldn’t have said it much better than SCS. A 410 engine belching out of unmuffled Schoenfeld headers is tops.
But a close second are drag headers. Zoomies or fenderwell are my favorite on old drag cars. That cackle. That’s the noise I’d like to hear out of the trumpets as I approach heaven’s gate. Oh, and the visual appearance of four pipes directing exhaust up and over fat slicks, or peaking around the lip of a fender. Get outta here! — Cameron Neveu
Mercedes SLR McLaren and 1987–93 Mustang LX
My favorite exhaust in terms of looks is the side exit exhaust of the 2003–10 Mercedes SLR McLaren, because of that insane amount of space between the front wheel and the cowl and the subtle little twin pipes peeking under that area. The flat belly pan likely made this a mandatory location, but that only adds to the appeal. But when it comes to looks and sounds, for me there’s nothing like a 1987-93 Mustang LX with its signature chrome double-barreled shotgun tailpipes, and that small block Ford rumble. I could look and listen to that exhaust all day. — Sajeev Mehta
Shelby Mustang GT350
I grew up on V-8s in a GM family. That said, the first time I heard the idle and subsequent roar of a 289 in an early Shelby GT350, I knew Ford had done something right.
It wasn’t till I was older that I learned all about how firing order, crank design, and exhaust setup influenced the amazing sounds that come from our favorite engines. That 289 was what I remember as my earliest favorite so that’s what I picked for this response, but like Steven Cole Smith said, there are so many great sounds out there that it’s a really tough call. — Eddy Eckart
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Wow! I see we’re leaning heavily on Fords! Valid point, but you could of expanded you’re list to include:
any early Hemi Super Stock (60’s)
1969 COPO Camaro
1967 427 Corvette w/side pipes
1970 AMX w/ trendsetters
any GTO w/ factory vacuum operated cut outs
1968 Hurst Olds
Hellcat Challenger (2018 and up)
I’m sure there’s more…
If you have never heard the Fiammenghi 6:1 Racing Exhaust for a V12 Ferrari 575 Maranello you have not lived. Pure old F1 sound and a visual work of art.
Gurney’s Eagle is at the top. I saw/heard it at Watkins Glen GP in ’67? The Can-Am Porsche 917 was no slouch, either.
That said, I must throw in my Ducati 750 GT with Contis. My buddies always said that they could hear me long before thay saw me.
I had “zoomies” on my 14:1 alcohol injected big chevy…announcer at Mid Michigan dragway said it was the loudest car of the day during a bracket race day. Good times!
No Alfa Busso V6?
How about the stock exhaust on my 1995 Ferrari 355 spider? Don’t need no stinkin’ aftermarket exhaust. After owning Corvettes, the main reason this retired concrete mixer driver tolerates the insane expense of maintaining this thing is the sound of the exhaust. We have a tunnel on the coast near my home and when I take it out I find my way over to it, let the traffic clear out, and then grab some revs and I find myself at the Monaco Grand Prix driving through the tunnel under the hotel. Incredible sound! Curiously, the previous owner of my car had it delivered in Monaco as attested by the painted, screened, broker’s (dealer) tag on the rear panel. Normally, that would be the first thing I remove but as it is all about a Ferrari in Monaco, I carefully protect it.
Got to love the sound of muscle cars from the late 60’s-70’s. Those stock exhaust systems on the Mopar 440’s, the GTO’s, the Chevelle SS’s, and the Ford Cobra Jet engines all had amazing sounds. Headers and your choice of high flow mufflers made music to our ears. The newer model Shelby Mustangs and Corvettes give us the same feeling. We are going to miss those sweet sounds with the turbo fours and electric cars. Nothing compares to the sound of a powerful V-8. It is sad the direction that the automobile industry is going. Future generations may never learn to love the sweet exhaust sounds that we took for granted if we don’t preserve our classic cars. I am thankful to see that our hobby is steadily growing. I just hope the young generations fall in love with those great oldies like we have. The trends are that they want what they grew up with, I can’t imagine anyone collecting a front wheel drive 4 cylinder car like an Accord or Camry.
All good- but I’m recently most impressed with the “bundle of snakes” headers (and sound!) of an early Pantera converted to a Voodoo flat crank 5.2 V8 by Hall Pantera. Doesn’t look much different from the standard 5.0-7.0 litre V8 systems, but Jeezus wept, that sound!
A Ferrari 365 GTC/4 sings so sweetly.
You can extol the virtues of all these high priced production hot rods but nothing will ever match the cackle of a Flathead Ford motor echoing thru a pair of Fenton headers out the back of a 32 Ford highboy roadster with a pair of muffler less straight pipes. The original hot rod sound. Hard to top.
Surprised it took this many replies to get to one of the absolute best sounding exhausts ever.
My ’51 Crestliner flattie has Red’s Headers (wrapped in web) and full duals with Smitty straight-throughs — and is very subtle, but distinctive! A new Moostang owner with enhanced noise-makers wouldn’t understand, but it’s a great grumble and evocative of good times!
Listen to Lumpy’s ’40 ragtop on Leave It To Beaver; it’s authentic and distinctive “Thrum-thrum-thrum” backing off to stop to antagonize Wally in his ratty ’53 Chevy convert. Nice!
My ‘66 Toronado had pretty sweet factory dual exhaust. Oldsmobiles of the late 60s always sounded great.
Had a 750 Kawasaki H2/3cyl 2 stroke with 3×3 Bassani unbaffled expansion chambers, Denco radial heads, lotsa aftermarket. Imagine Paul Bunyan’s own chainsaw. Would wheelie at will in any gear, spewed oil like the Exxon Valdez, in a line outrun anything made by any bike manufacturer, and pretty much every stock/modified car- really. Frame made of spaghetti, absolutely laughably ineffective brakes (unless you were the one onboard, it’s hard to laugh when you’re breaking clenched teeth in terror). Was likely the most brilliant example of too much power for too little thought. But the “nang-nang-nang whang” sound of instant throttle response was kinda worth it. Glad I sold it before it killed me 😁
Well, unless we’re excluding motorcycle exhaust systems:
(1) Honda cb750 sandcast with factory exhaust but with baffles removed
(2) Kawasaki h2 750 with expansion chambers and stingers
(3) Benelli 750 sei (six cylinder)
(4) HD knucklehead
1979 Ligier formula 1 car with the Matra V-12!
I remember being at Long Beach for the US Grand Prix west and standing at the base of the hill going up to the pit straight on the old circuit. The sound of that V-12 reverberating off of those buidlings was just spectacular!
The first thing that popped in my mind was the Yamaha tuned exhaust on the Lexus LF-A and then the exhaust on the Porsche 918 that comes out on top of the engine. And I’m a semi old guy