Have you ever felt attracted to the humming sound of a car beside you while driving? Then, you will be interested in knowing how to make your car louder. The process of achieving this is easier than you think, some of which you can do yourself without consulting a car professional.
Please continue reading to acquaint yourself with why your car will not get louder, different options to make it louder, and how to pick the best option that suits your budget. But, first, let us start with how the car sound is generated.
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How Is Car Sound Generated?
The ability of your car to generate power is a product of the various internal combustion that goes on in the car engine. The combustion chamber generates power by burning fuel and air that releases toxic gases in the car engine.
This process is continuous and, at the same time, noisy, and it generates sound waves that travel from your exhaust headers to its tip. In addition, combustion in a car engine creates small explosions (like the one seen on your generator spark plug) that, in turn, release some noise to the environment.
As the sound waves travel through, the muffler and catalytic converter technology will hinder it from coming out in its actual state. Therefore, the exhaust system was designed to minimize this sound and release only those within the acceptable decibel range by state laws.
The quieter the car engine or exhaust system, the better it is for most people. This is why most office spaces and parks do not have loud cars; neither will you see many loud vehicles around. If you see one frequently, you are either a car enthusiast or a sportsman.
A more aggressive sound is heard from your engine if you choose to modify the exhaust system by either a muffler/resonator delete or converting it to a straight pipe. Now that you understand how car sound is generated, let us dive into making your car louder.
Different Ways to Make Your Car Louder
There are different ways to make your car louder, the option you go for largely depends on your budget and the result you desire.
Buying Speakers
There are speakers in the market that amplifies the sound made by your car engine and its environment. Although they are not all over the place, many manufacturers include them in their cars. Sometimes, the music system is tuned to influence the engine to produce a sound that does not exist.
The advantage of having this is that not one component of your exhaust system is modified, so you need not fear having an emissions test or breaking the local laws of your state. Both your muffler and catalytic converters are kept in place. Some sportsmen and other car enthusiasts dislike using the speakers to discern a fake sound coming from their engine.
Drill holes in the exhaust
Drilling some holes in front of your muffler also improves the sound of your car. Surprisingly this hole allows some sound to leave the exhaust pipe before they get to the muffler, so you get to hear the authentic sound of your engine.
Though most of your sound will still pass through the muffler, you will have an aggressive sound. In addition, you must be careful to drill the hole carefully not to cause more harm than good. Again, it is best to have this done by an expert.
Performance Mufflers
Unlike muffler delete, performance mufflers can make your car louder if you get one from a quality brand. This is because when you open a stock muffler, you see a lot of chambers and metal plates that give it the noise cancelation ability.
However, performance mufflers have more spaces or holes that do not silence the sound like the standard mufflers but tweak it to make them sound more aggressive. Its hollowness also allows more gases to escape quickly without compromising car performance and increase horsepower.
Most performance mufflers are made with stainless steel, so you need not worry about rusting, and they always come with at least a 5-year warranty. Also, note that not all performance mufflers are legal; some are illegal because they produce sound that exceeds the minimum acceptable range.
Cat-Back
This is another method of increasing the sound produced by your car engine without tampering with its catalytic converter. It is one of the cheapest ways of making your car louder without breaking the law.
Another advantage of this method is that you will not get the drowning sound accompanying many other ways (like a straight pipe). In addition, you enjoy a more profound sound while accelerating, and you will not become irritated by it over time.
Resonator Exhaust Tip
Unlike mufflers, resonators do not have chambers and metals that eventually reduce the sound produced; instead, they make the sound louder. Therefore, installing it is straightforward by clipping it on your exhaust tip without any particular procedure or extra labor cost. This is one of the modifications you can do to your car without the help of a car mechanic.
If you desire a louder sound without exceeding your budget, then a resonator exhaust tip is your go-to. With just $30, you can get a good resonator tip that enhances the beauty of your car. In addition, it is legal in most states.
Cold Air Intake
If you increase the cold air inflow from the environment to your car engine, the sound will ultimately increase. Unfortunately, this is not something you can do yourself because it involves rerouting how your car takes in the air.
So, instead of taking in hot air around the engine bay, air intake is done from below the engine bay, closer to the wheels. Cooler air is denser and more oxygenated than hot air; hence it improves the internal combustion and performance when you drive.
Though it is an expensive process; however, it adds up to 30 horsepower without disrupting the unique sound of your engine anytime you accelerate. In addition, it is cheaper compared to the turbos and exhaust.
Using Headers
Headers are those octopus-looking tubes that are located in your engine block. They are the first contact point from which engine sound is transported to your exhaust tip. So, a little tweaking of it can free up the resistance in the car engine, thereby increasing the airflow and sound.
Although they also increase horsepower, they are costly and labor-intensive. Therefore, headers are the last resort to improving your car sound after other modifications but wanting more.
Muffler Delete
Having a muffler delete is sure to eradicate the restricting component that shuts your engine sound. However, this is illegal in many states and makes the car fail an emissions test. So it becomes an option only if you are a car racer.
Some cars have both resonators and mufflers, and in this case, a muffler delete will be legal because your resonator will be in place after eliminating the muffler. So if you desire a significant change in your car sound and not just some slight improvement, this is the option for you.
After deleting the muffler, it is replaced with an exhaust pipe, and you should make sure to replace it with a pipe that fits the circumference of the existing pipe.
Role of Exhaust
No part of your car lacks a function because every component performs a specific role in giving you a better ride. Most components are results of long-term research and development; others were added to your car to make it compliant with state laws.
Your exhaust system is significantly essential in carrying the pollutants away from you and your car. While doing this, it also suppresses the noise generated from the production of these gases. A proper exhaust system will improve your car’s performance and increase fuel economy.
In greater detail, your vehicle’s exhaust system has four main functions, which are:
- Controlling noise
- Carrying away toxic gases
- Improving fuel consumption
- Improving engine performance
Controlling noise
Noise is generated alongside the toxic gases released during combustion. The muffler is part of your exhaust system and is specifically responsible for dampening the noise generated during combustion.
Carrying away toxic gases
Your car emits toxic gases as part of the combustion process; these exhaust gases are carried by the exhaust system away from the car. It acts like a funnel through which those gases are released into the atmosphere.
Improving fuel consumption
Fuel economy improves when your car breathes in fresh air faster, hence the need for a better exhaust system to convey toxic gases away from the vehicle faster. Modern exhaust comes with an oxygen sensor that measures the oxygen present in your exhaust system.
The way it works is that when there is sufficient oxygen in your exhaust, little fuel is needed to keep your car going, but insufficient oxygen will need more fuel to combust to cover for the inadequacy.
Improving engine performance
No human can survive for long without breathing, and the same thing applies to your exhaust system. Therefore, your car must take in new oxygen for power generation, and this can only be possible if exhaust gases leave your vehicle at the right time.
When your exhaust system is working fine, your vehicle breathes better and faster, resulting in better performance and more power.
Why Your Car Won’t Get Louder
Imagine trying all the ways to make your car louder, yet you have no result. This experience can be frustrating because you may eventually spend more trying to solve the problem, unlike other car owners who see immediate results.
As long as your cars are different, you will also make your car louder. However, here are some of the reasons your car won’t get louder.
Small Engine
Some cars come with tiny engines that produce a quiet noise, and so, no matter what you do, the raw engine sound cannot meet your expectation. A new muffler and exhaust tip will not solve such problems because the engine limits results.
Dirty exhaust system
After using your car for a while, dirt, debris, and other buildup clog up the exhaust system, hence decreasing the sound you thought you increased. Although some vehicles get louder with usage, others do not. If your car’s sound is not impressive, you should try to clean up the dirt before implementing other methods to make your car louder so that you won’t end up wasting your money.
Modern technology effects
Some car manufacturers use modern technology to make the car quieter and the ride smooth, such that no matter the modifications you try, you will need some severe repairing and digging to reverse this anti-noise technology. They do this because the majority of the people want a smooth and quiet ride.
Aerodynamic cars
Aerodynamics is a better fuel economy, and a car enhances a smooth ride. But, unfortunately, if you happen to be riding one of those aerodynamic cars, then your vehicle will be quieter, and there’s not much you can do to enhance the sound.
Wrong exhaust tip
Some exhaust tips reduce the sound of your car, while others produce a high-pitched or low-growl noise. Make sure to research the exhaust tip before buying them, and it’s best to have a review from other car owners rather than online feedback.
Common Mistakes
Your muffler is originally designed to make your car quieter, so any mistake while modifying it can affect your car negatively. Bad smell, rescued fuel efficiency, loud noise, and many others are side effects of a bad muffler.
Many times, you try to make your car louder, but it just does not meet up. Aside from the reasons your car won’t get louder that have been covered in the previous section, here are some common mistakes that could be affecting your vehicle. Also included are the environmental and state issues involved.
- When cutting your exhaust pipe, you should be careful not to cut it too short because it can lead to severe problems. In addition, your car needs to carry away exhaust gases because they can damage your vehicle if they are trapped within.
- It is even dangerous to the driver and passenger when these exhaust gases are released back into the car due to poor work. Therefore, you should ensure that the exhaust tip is turned away from underneath your vehicle if you decide to cut it.
- Asides from enjoying the aggressive sound you desire, when you have a muffler delete, you can attract a massive fine from the state asides from failing the emissions test. So, you could spend more money than the entire process of making your car louder.
- When your vehicle is too loud, it becomes another problem for you and other occupants in the same vicinity. You must have heard a car owner drive down the street and become irritated at the unpleasant sound, especially when the car is too loud. There might not be a local law against making your vehicle more audible, but there are bans against undue modifications to make it too loud.
FAQ
How can I make my car sound louder?
One sure way to make your car louder is by replacing your car’s muffler. Your current muffler may be keeping your car quiet, so you need to either eliminate it or replace it with an adjustable or performance muffler.
Will a tune make my car louder?
Remapping or tuning your engine does not in any way make your car louder. Instead, you need to tweak the exhaust system itself to achieve the loudness you want.
How can I make my exhaust louder without buying anything?
You can make your car louder by removing the excess pipe and cutting the hangers (using an angle grinder) on the disconnected exhaust pipe. You can also achieve the same result by cutting the pipe where the muffler meets the exhaust pipe that is coming from the engine.
Wrapping Up
You know how to make your car louder because we have highlighted different ways to achieve it. All methods to enhance your car sound are centered on tweaking the exhaust system without making common mistakes or affecting the role of the exhaust system itself, which is to convey toxic gases away from the entire system.
By applying what we have highlighted in this post, you will successfully make your car louder without breaking the bank.
