How to Choose the Ideal Sound Upgrade for Your 4WD Exhaust

Date Posted: 27 February 2025

Your 4WD exhaust sound is a big part of the driving experience. Whether you want a deep, rumbling note or an aggressive, high-performance roar, the right exhaust setup can transform how your vehicle sounds and feels on the road or trail. But with so many options, how do you choose the right upgrade? From mufflers and resonators to pipe size and materials, every part of your exhaust plays a role in shaping its tone. This guide will walk you through what affects your 4WD’s sound and how to get the result you’re after - without wasting money on the wrong parts.

First, Decide on the Sound You Want

Before changing anything on your 4WD’s exhaust, think about the sound you’re after. Do you want a deep, throaty rumble? A loud, aggressive roar? Or just a slightly sportier tone without everyone two blocks down hearing you on your daily drives? Different setups create different effects - some amplify volume, while others fine-tune the tone.

Also, consider when and where you drive. A loud, droning exhaust might be fun on the trail but annoying on long highway trips. Once you know what you want, it’ll be easier to pick the right parts to match your ideal sound. So let’s talk about the parts.

The Basic Components That Affect Sound

Your exhaust system’s sound is shaped by several key components. Mufflers, resonators, delete pipes, and exhaust tips all play a role in modifying your 4WD’s exhaust volume and tone. Whether you want a subtle upgrade or a complete transformation, learning how these parts work is the foundation for making the correct choice.

Mufflers

Mufflers are the biggest factor in determining how loud or quiet your exhaust sounds. A muffler works by using chambers, baffles, or perforated tubes to control noise levels and shape the tone. A stock muffler is designed to keep things quiet, while performance mufflers, like straight-through or chambered designs, let more sound through, creating a deeper or more aggressive note. If you want a noticeable but controlled sound upgrade, swapping to a high-performance muffler is a great starting point.

Resonators

Resonators are like tuning devices for your exhaust. They don’t quiet the sound as much as mufflers, but they refine it by removing harsh frequencies or unwanted drone. Some performance exhausts include resonators to create a smoother, more refined tone without significantly reducing volume. If you want an aggressive sound without an annoying highway drone, adding or keeping a resonator can help balance things out.

Delete Pipes

A delete pipe is probably the simplest solution to make your exhaust louder. It removes a component, like the muffler or resonator, allowing for maximum sound. Muffler deletes make your exhaust much louder and rawer, while resonator deletes increase volume but can also introduce drone. These modifications are great if you want an unfiltered, aggressive tone, but they can make daily driving uncomfortable (and may not be street-legal in some areas).

Exhaust Tips

Exhaust tips don’t change volume much, but they can alter the tone slightly. Larger-diameter tips tend to give a deeper, throatier sound, while smaller or dual-wall tips can create a sharper note. Some aftermarket tips even include built-in resonators to fine-tune the sound further. While they’re mostly for aesthetics, the right tip can enhance both the look and final touch of your exhaust’s tone.

Does the Type of Exhaust You Have Installed Have an Impact?

The undercarriage of a vehicle with a double-pipe 4WD exhaust system.

Now that we’ve covered the key components that shape your 4WD’s exhaust sound, let’s talk about how the types of exhausts affect it. The overall design of your exhaust system - whether it’s a stock setup, cat-back, axle-back, or turbo-back - determines how much the sound can be modified.

A stock exhaust is designed for quiet operation and efficiency, so even if you swap out mufflers or resonators, the difference may be subtle due to restrictive factory piping. Cat-back exhausts, which replace everything from the catalytic converter back, offer a noticeable sound boost while maintaining emissions compliance. Axle-back systems (replacing only the rear section) are a simpler option if you just want a bit more volume without changing the full system and can be a good starting DIY exhaust project if you want to gain some experience.

For maximum sound, a turbo-back exhaust (on turbocharged 4WDs) or a straight-pipe setup (removing most restrictions) will give you the loudest and most aggressive tone. However, these setups may not be legal for road use in some areas. So, yes, the types of exhaust you have installed has an impact; it dictates how much freedom you have in shaping your sound. If you want a deep rumble or an aggressive roar, upgrading beyond the factory system is often necessary.

Pipe Diameter and Routing

When talking about the entire 4WD exhaust system and how it affects the sound, we can’t skip the pipes themselves because pipe diameter and routing influence your exhaust sound. A wider pipe diameter allows for better airflow, which can make the exhaust note deeper and louder. However, going too large can reduce backpressure too much, potentially affecting low-end torque.

Most performance exhausts balance sound and performance with diameters somewhere between 6.30 and 7.60 cm. Exhaust routing also affects the tone. A straighter path with fewer bends allows sound waves to travel more freely, resulting in a louder and more aggressive note. Systems with more bends or longer piping (such as those that exit behind the rear wheels) can slightly reduce volume and mellow out the tone.

What About the Exhaust Material?

Finally, how does the exhaust pipe material affect the sound? In truth, not too much. The shape and components of your exhaust system have the biggest impact, but the material it’s made from can also influence tone to a degree. Mild steel, which is often often found in stock exhausts, produces a softer, slightly muted sound. Stainless steel, a common upgrade, is more rigid and reflects sound waves better, leading to a sharper and crisper exhaust note. Titanium, though less common, enhances higher frequencies, making the exhaust sound more exotic and metallic.

Where Can You Get Components to Upgrade Your 4WD Exhaust Sound?

At Perform-Ex Auto. We have been providing Australians with high-quality but affordable aftermarket parts since 1976 - we have what you need. Whether you are looking for components like mufflers or exhaust tips or wish to upgrade your entire system to a 4x4 performance exhaust system, you’ll find it here. So browse our range and order online or contact us if you need any assistance.