MarkMeHopeful

I owned a 2019 Mustang GT and now have a 2022 C8. The Mustang sound was better (IMO) until I installed a Borla exhaust on the C8. Now I like the C8 better.

STINGmole

They're different sounds. From a sound perspective I think the 4.6 with good exhaust sounds better than the new 5.0, and I also prefer the sound of the LT1 or LT2. That's my opinion though after owning a 302, the original 5.0, the 4.6, and an LT1.

StayinStock

I personally hate the way most of the gen 1 and 2 coyotes sound with aftermarket exhaust, the gen 3s seem to have less of it but I think that more comes down to muffler placement. That being said, as much as I love LS/LT motors I think they have a canny tinny sound that has just never been quite as good as an old school SBC or even an SBF motor. Like others have said, its really a subjective thing, most of my buddies are Ford guys and love the Coyote rasp... I haven't heard to many c8s at full throttle yet but the few I have I dont think they sound bad, though a little tame from the factory. I have yet to hear any with aftermarket exhaust. I think one of the best sounding factory GM cars out right now is the LT4 in the ZL1 Camaros, those things sound amazing from the factory.

johnodrake

It is all in individual preference.

activevette

I don't understand why my Vette sounds "wimpy" compared to my '23 Camaro SS. Both have switchable exhaust but the Vette sounds subdued in comparison. And the Camaro sounds so much better than the 'Tang.

2024VETT

Mustang and Camaro are mussel cars and do sound better. The Vette is now a sophisticated luxury sports car with the guts to make it shine in the corners but refined enough to make people say “WOW” look at that.😜
I think the length of the exhaust in mussel cars allows for more “tuning “ the exhaust for that “rich “ sounding note we all like.
If the C8 sounded like the new Z06, conversation done! Now that’s a proper exhaust note👍🏻.

activevette

You would think with such ''short' exhaust it would actually be louder. I just wish when you hit the switch it was considerably meaner sounding.

Anybody ever use a decible meter to compare on and off?

Bruiser2012

I took a brief leave of absence from Chevrolet and purchased a 2020 California Special Mustang. I had it for a year before I decided to sell it and order our C8. One of the few things I miss from that car was the 4 exhaust modes and the sound in "Track Mode".

-Bob

JakeLucas

Supposedly, there’s more to what makes the Mustang’s exhaust note sounds so great.

“Ford engineers have studied human DNA and how people react to certain sounds. Before birth, human beings are conditioned to react to strong audio stimulation in the womb. With that knowledge in mind, Ford engineers calibrate the Mustang's exhaust note to give it some signature sounds. To give Mustang drivers the ultimate control of their vehicle's sound, the Mustang offers a unique exhaust select mode. That allows you to tune your exhaust note for certain times while on the track or the road.”

https://www.bergeysford.com/blog/202...m?locale=en_US

nhlgopens

I had a 2008 Mustang GT that was cammed, long tube headers and high flow x-pipe. I installed the fun little trick cutouts right behind the headers. The exhaust note running straight headers from the 4.6 was pure music. Sounded like a Nascar going down the road. Close the valves and run through the Borla Stingers sounded like old school muscle from the late 60's. My C8? Yeah... not so much. It will eventually get high flow cats and Borla...

JakeLucas

I know most think that the Z06 exhaust note sounds great. I think it does too-but to me it sounds too much like an exotic euro car, not a traditional American Corvette note. Lamborghinis and Ferraris sound great but I like the Corvette’s traditional sound better. I know this is contrary to popular opinion.

StayinStock

All my coyote buddies argue with me but I swear the 3 valve 4.6s sound better than the 5.0s. They just had a nice deep tone.

Foosh

I agree the Mustang is king of the muscular V8 exhaust note. The C8 optional OEM performance exhaust system (NPP) is pleasing, but much more subtle.

STINGmole

I think the 4.6 is one of the best sounding V8 engines period. Better sounding than the old or new 5.0 and arguably better than the LT1 or LT2. I think that Chevy did a decent job with the performance exhaust though.

mnm4ever

Funny to hear all the love for Mustang exhausts, especially the newer ones. My last car was a S550 GT, and I had a lot of trouble finding an exhaust I liked for it. The stock exhaust was way too quiet, it was ridiculous. I got rid of the resonator for an H-pipe and that fixed the stock exhaust. I tried out several aftermarket and could not find one I liked. Most were too raspy, too loud, they did not have that deep sound of the old 5.0 motors. Those were the last really good sounding Mustangs. Ford did a pretty good job with the Gen3 Coyote and the GT350, but I always felt like Camaros had them beat in exhaust sound. LS motors sound more like old school V8s. IMO the C8 with the Perf Exhaust I think sounds way better than a stock or even H-piped Coyote, not even a competition there. But if we are talking modified exhausts, I do not have enough experience hearing modified C8's to compare to modified Mustangs or even Camaros. I know I have heard a lot of modified Camaro exhausts that I think sound amazing, but I am not sure you could duplicate that with the C8 since the exhaust routing is so different.

I guess everyone really hears things differently!

Chuck A

Yes , but the rumble of the Mustang is intense, especially with a cold start

nhlgopens

my old 4.6… volume up.

NA Screamer

Does the performance exhaust option make it louder during normal driving?

gliot1

I read once that the reason a Mustang exhaust sounds better has nothing to do with the type of exhaust but the firing order. GM V8s crossfire where as Ford V8s fire sequentially in circle fashion.

vettebyassociation

only slightly. I can't really hear my car driving and I drive in Z mode all the time. I've also driven next to other C8s and I can't hear them at all unless they are accelerating beyond normal. A standard V8 mustang, challenger, camaro is all louder than the C8 at cruising to my ears.