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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Every Buick from the 50s had a resonator near the end of the exhaust system which gave the cars a distinctive low burble sound on acceleration that anyone could identify without even seeing the standout styling. No other car had this sound. Even kids knew that Buick sound. Anyone can make a car loud with a big motor and low restriction. Buick made a one-of-a-kind, polite but noticeable exhaust sound a trademark.
Too bad Buick ditched the stick-shift from ’56 to ’62 (and then on Specials) huh?!
Daimler SP 250 at full tilt with open exhaust. You could follow the sound all around the racetrack and it never blended in with other sounds.
The other sound that comes to mind (from back in H.S.) was a Chevy 235 with split manifolds. Not exactly sweet, but very distinctive.
This is interesting. I am present looking for exhaust for my son’s 2021 Jeep grand Cherokee Limited. he wants to get a little more horsepower get up and sound. What are the best throttle body air exhaust without going into the engine to get the most out of that V6?
I own and wrench on a 1949 Ford Custom tudor car. Are there any past articles on that series of cars with the Flathead 8 and 3 speed and overdrive. I think it would be very interesting for the late model guys to see some history and where they came from…thank you!
Have to put in a plug for my ‘06 Solstice Mallet … LS2 swapped with Corsa stainless steel exhaust. It’s fast & powerful but nothing is better than the rumble & pop of that exhaust. At the track, everyone takes “note”. 🙂
Here we go…2024 Ram GT. Light that sucker up and smile! Maybe shouldn’t mention it amongst all these super classic examples but years from now folks will say…”yup” sounds pretty good as opposed to the George Jetson sound of most electric vehicles. Maybe I’m wrong.
I definitely thought of the 1965 mustang shelby gt 350 like you guys mentioned. My ears think that is the best factory sound. But AFA looks go I’m partial to Doug’s Headers and side pipes on a C3 vette !
Thank you.
my `69 z28 with chambered and the side pipe big block C2 Corvette should have been in the mix.
Love the side exit dual exhaust on my 01 Lightning. It doesn’t sound the best stock so I went aftermarket with a combo of Bassani and Dynatech. Sounds AMAZING! As far as stock exhaust, I always thought Mustangs sounded pretty good stock. Throw on a couple Flowmaster’s and gets even better.
I love unorthodox exhaust setups, early and late gen Vipers, cts-v coupe, srt Jeep anything that has the exhaust exiting in a different fashion than just out the back.
The stainless steel header used on the Cosworth Vega
Some great choices. I will say that a V8 or V12 has the best sound. A V-10 just does not have the sound quality, is it just a harmonics thing or what I don’t know but the sound is not good For example you rarely hear people raving about a Viper exhaust sound. Similar for a V6, it just lacks. A 4 cyl just doesn’t have enough cylinders to make a good quality sound.
One key for me is not just volume, but the sound should be a nice deep low tone. Not a high pitch like many newer engines have (looking at you late model Mustangs with aftermarket exhaust, most sound like crap). You know you have a great sound when you can drive through a parking lot and set off car alarms from the deep rumble.
Well, number of cylinders (or lack thereof) isn’t at fault. I’ve owned a number of single cylinder and twin motorcycles that had plenty of exhaust oomph. It’s the system behind the exhaust valves in a lot of cases that makes a love it or loathe it sound. Last bike I had was equipped with an S&S 113 v-twin (a bit cammed up to about 120 hp) and Vance & Hynes pipes, and that baby sounded sa-weet!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1mjSz_YYEvg
Being an old part, I still remember the sound of a flathead ford with dual smittys
I agree – hard to beat the sound of a flathead Ford with dual exhaust and glasspacks.
Straight sixes are pretty awesome… Think Jag E-Types and Honda CBX.
Late ‘60’s Mopar 440 had a beautiful almost machine-gun ratatattat sound on take off. Some Triumph Spitfires and the ‘73-‘79 Civic 1200 made a sweet burble with a touch of snap crackle and popping on deceleration.