How to Make V6 Mustang Louder? Best Methods and Upgrades

You can make your V6 Mustang louder by swapping out its OEM (original equipment manufacturer) exhaust system, headers, and mufflers for performance aftermarket products. These changes will yield optimal results, but you have to be careful to buy standard and compatible products.

Engine sound upgrades highlights

• Commonreasons:pleasure, wish to feel the vibration when driving
• Average prices:$350 - $1,500
• Average waiting time:1 - 3 days
• Common problems:too loud sound, vibrations, no actual gains
• DIY mods:possible
• Level of satisfaction:low

What Makes the Ford Mustang V6 Special

Make no mistake in underestimating what the V6 Mustang offers to the automotive world. As its name implies, this version of Ford vehicles features a V6 engine that generates 300 HP (horsepower). Anyone who has driven it will be surprised at how thrilling such an engine is in a two-door vehicle.

There's adequate power available once you step on the gas pedal and the thrill never stops on the road after that. But power isn't the only thing that this Mustang version is known for. The car comes with an independent rear suspension! Add the comfort specs in the interior for extra merit.

Additionally, the Ford Mustang V6 is cheaper than versions such as the Ford Mustang GT. You should expect a difference of about $8,000 between the two.

Although many users of the V6 love how it sounds, some still want it to sound as deep as a V8 engine-which is what the Mustang V8 uses. The difference in engine and exhaust notes between the V6 and V8 versions is clear

How To Make Your Mustang V6 Louder

Some owners simply go for an engine swap to achieve the desired sound. Others just buy a Mustang GT instead. These two methods are costlier, with the latter higher than the former.

However, there are better, simpler, and more affordable ways to tune the sound that your V6 produces to deeper tones. See the three steps in making your V6 Mustang louder below.

Note: It's advisable to read all the steps in this section because the recommended replacement parts are related to one another. In other words, they're connected to each other directly or one may be positioned on the other.

Step 1: Swapping Out the Factory Exhaust System

This is done using a performance aftermarket dual exhaust system as a replacement part. Nearly all V8 Mustangs utilize a dual-exhaust design that makes them louder. You can say they sound more "aggressive" than the original V6 engine.

Several manufacturers make dual-exhaust systems for Mustang V6 vehicles to be able to have better sounds or sound similar to V8 Mustangs when installed. The installation process is not complex, compared to a full engine swap.

The change involves lifting the vehicle, uncoupling the OEM exhaust, unlinking the exhaust from the headers, and then installing the new system. You'd be joining it to the headers, of course. An aftermarket exhaust system could offer a little or significant improvement in horsepower.

Step 2: Switching To Aftermarket Headers

You'll be doing what you did to the exhaust system here. That means you'll be taking out the old headers and putting in a performance aftermarket type that will match the new exhaust system.

The headers link the exhaust system to the engine cylinders. Hot air leaves the engine compartment from the exhaust, making it the main part responsible for the overall production of noise in the vehicle during internal combustion.

Switching to aftermarket headers will let more air reach the exhaust, bringing about a louder and more or noisier engine note. The replacement process is as simple as that of the exhaust system swap.

Swapping in the new headers involves taking out every engine part on top of the headers, uncoupling and getting rid of the headers, and then installing the new parts. The components that were removed from atop the old headers will be re-installed, of course.

Step 3: Adopting New Mufflers

A third replacement? Well, replacing the mufflers is crucial to getting the best results because they're a component of the exhaust system. The swap will result in a transformation of the sound coming from the engine that's similar to changing the exhaust system.

Mufflers are more affordable and simpler to install compared to aftermarket exhaust systems. The disadvantage is that changing only the mufflers won't give you the kind of HP increase that could have been gotten from changing all three parts. This includes the headers.

Note: The aftermarket performance exhaust system you buy may come with a muffler.

The above parts should be installed with the aid of a professional unless you know how to perform the steps on your own. But we advised that doing so the DIY way isn't a good idea for those who aren't well-experienced in such upgrades. Lastly, we advise that all the three steps

Making the Car Louder Without Adding a Muffler

There are some tricks that you can implement to make your V6 louder without the need for a muffler. Although it's highly possible for this method not to give you the optimal sound being sought after. But at least it will be a little louder than stock parts.

You can buy a dual exhaust system and add an exhaust cutout to attain the target result. This will make the flow come out before the mufflers.

A Cheap Way To Make the V6 Mustang Louder

Apart from the above, there's a cheap method for those who consider the affordability of the aftermarket performance components to be a problem. It involves partially handling the procedure the DIY way. But you can also hire the services of professionals to carry out the whole project.

Just get a hacksaw and saw off the cats. Then take the vehicle to an auto repair shop to have a pipe welded in place of the sawn-off cats. These steps shouldn't cost much.

The next thing you'll need to do is to purchase a flow muffler, then saw (with the hacksaw) the stock muffler off. The auto repairer should weld the new muffler in place.

Lastly, you'll saw off (still with the hacksaw) the rough part of the pipe that's sticking out from under the bumper. This is to prevent it from being noticed from the back of the vehicle, thereby preserving the overall aesthetics of the car.

These steps may seem like a hassle. But they might prove to be cheaper than buying all the performance parts mentioned in the main section describing the steps to make your Mustang louder.

The problem with this more affordable approach is that it could adversely affect the resale value of your Ford vehicle. And the impact will be worse than when you swapped in the expensive aftermarket parts recommended earlier.

How To Make Your Mustang Faster With a Little Upgrade on Sound

This is for those who want to make the car sound better. It's not about making it louder, but making it fast with little or no unnecessary noise. See the upgrades that can be made to achieve such targets below.

• Short throw shifter to fix the problem of the factory shifter having long throws.
• Suspension upgrade to enhance the vehicle's handling. For example, installing lowering springs.
• Sway bars for the reduction of body roll and oversteer when driving through corners.
• Cold air intake for more power.
• Aftermarket throttle body to boost throttle response.
• Engine tuning or remapping for better performance.
• Brake upgrade for faster and more efficient braking.
• New sets of wheels and tires for improved handling and traction.
• Supercharger kit for upgraded V6 Mustangs to boost performance. On the other hand, get a turbocharger kit for a Mustang that hasn't been upgraded.

Conclusion

Now that you know the combinations that can give your V6 Mustang the desired results, what's next? Try to ascertain which method would be favorable to you in terms of complexity, budget, and car resale value. Then you can start carrying out the swapping procedures which are BEST DONE by professionals-not DIY approaches.

Ensure that you purchase aftermarket products from manufacturers and online stores that you can trust. They must come with a worthy returns policy or warranty to protect your purchase. Remember that the higher the price, the more improvement you'll experience. This is not only in terms of sound, but also overall power.