Pop the hood of any muscle car, and more often than not, you’ll be greeted by a truly special engine.
Typically a V8 either naturally aspirated or supercharged these powerhouse motors deliver immense performance, unmistakable character, and raw charisma, with their sound playing a crucial role in their allure.
The exhaust note of a muscle car’s V8 is an iconic feature of the segment. Whether it’s the raspy growl of a classic or the deep, thunderous roar of a modern beast, a captivating exhaust note is something every gearhead can appreciate.
With that in mind, here are ten muscle cars with incredible exhaust notes that demand your attention.
10. 1965 Shelby Cobra 427
What do you get when you take a lightweight British sports car and drop a monstrous 7.0-liter Ford muscle car engine under the hood?
The result is the legendary Shelby Cobra 427. This ’60s icon is the kind of machine car enthusiasts dream about, and its exhaust note is just as mesmerizing.
Press the accelerator on this snake-badged legend, and the sound erupting from its dual side-mounted exhaust pipes is enough to bring a grin to any car lover’s face. Its throaty, commanding roar is pure American muscle at its finest.
9. 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
Now, moving on to something more modern: the 2014 Camaro Z/28. Under the hood, this beast houses a 7.0-liter LS7 V8, churning out 505 horsepower and an abundance of personality.
Thanks to this powerhouse engine, the Z/28 isn’t just visually striking it delivers an equally thrilling soundtrack.
The Z/28 perfectly blends old-school muscle with contemporary engineering. It boasts the deep burble reminiscent of classic American V8s, combined with the aggressive snarl found in modern muscle cars.
If you’re looking for a similar auditory experience, check out the C6 Corvette Z06 the two share the same engine.
8. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
The original Boss 302, shown above in its prototype form, is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine developed specifically for the Trans Am racing series.
With this 290-horsepower motor under the hood, the Boss 302 delivers an aggressive and commanding exhaust note.
Its sound is quintessentially ’60s an era when V8s produced raw, unfiltered burbles and roars that defined American muscle.
While the Mustang is traditionally classified as a pony car, the Boss 302 alongside its even more potent 429 sibling undoubtedly packs serious muscle.
7. 2016 Cadillac CTS-V
Often referred to as a four-door Corvette, the CTS-V is anything but an ordinary Cadillac. Beneath its hood lies a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 the same powerhouse found in the C7 Z06 Corvette and the 2017 Camaro ZL1 producing an impressive 640 horsepower.
With this level of performance, the CTS-V rockets from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, all while delivering a thunderous, muscle-bound exhaust note.
With its menacing snarl, the 2016 CTS-V firmly earns its place among the best-sounding sedans in the world. Move over, Charger Hellcat this Cadillac deserves just as much time in the spotlight.
6. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
The Chevelle is a true American classic and a dream muscle car for many enthusiasts, especially in its SS trim. Not only does it boast a stunning exterior, but under the hood, it houses serious power.
Depending on the specific SS model, you’d find either a 6.6-liter or a 7.4-liter V8 lurking beneath the surface.
No matter which engine you choose, both produce an unforgettable sound exactly what you’d expect from a late ’60s or early ’70s muscle car.
Put your foot down, and this Chevy will roar to life, making you feel like Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher.
5. 2016 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350
The Shelby GT350 is what happens when you infuse a Mustang engine with a touch of Ferrari engineering.
This beast’s 5.2-liter V8 features a flat-plane crank a design commonly used by the Italian automaker. Not only does this allow the GT350 to rev higher, reaching an impressive 8,250 rpm redline, but it also contributes to an outstanding exhaust note.
The GT350’s sound is undeniably one of the best among modern performance cars. It’s loud, aggressive, and evokes the growl of a jungle cat or another enraged wild animal.
As you can imagine, winding it all the way up to 8,250 rpm is nothing short of an exhilarating auditory experience.
4. 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
The second-generation Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, made famous by its appearance in Smokey and the Bandit (1977), underwent numerous changes throughout its 11-year production run.
These included modifications to the front fascia like the 1979 redesign pictured above as well as various engine updates.
That said, every V8 engine available for the Trans Am Mk2 delivers an outstanding exhaust note.
Under the hood, you could find anything from a 4.3-liter V8 to a massive 7.5-liter V8, each offering its own deep, muscular growl that’s guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping.
3. 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
The Dodge Demon is a machine built for sheer insanity boasting 840 horsepower, 770 lb-ft of torque, and a blistering 0-60 mph time of just 2.3 seconds (when set up for drag racing).
With performance figures this extreme, it should come as no surprise that its exhaust note is just as wild.
Beneath the hood, the Demon’s massive 2.7-liter supercharger produces an exhilarating whine, while the 6.2-liter V8 unleashes an orchestra of barks, growls, and roars.
The result? A truly spectacular sound. And, much like the rest of the car, the exhaust note is anything but subtle in fact, it’s unapologetically brash.
2. 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
The Bel Air showed up to the muscle car scene a bit ahead of its time roughly a decade too soon. While it may not fit the traditional muscle car mold, the second-generation Bel Air was available with a pair of V8 engines.
Though relatively small by later standards, these engines a 4.3-liter and a 4.6-liter still packed a punch. The larger of the two, producing 283 horsepower, was even shared with the Corvette of that era.
This means the second-gen Bel Air had a touch of muscle, even if it lacked the monstrous 7.0-liter-plus V8s that would come in later years.
Tap the gas, and this Chevy emits a subtle yet menacing growl straight from the ‘50s a sound that’s undeniably charming.
1. 2013 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500
The 2013 GT500 debuted as the final and most extreme live-axle Ford Shelby Mustang.
With an impressive 662bhp supercharged V8 under the hood, this powerhouse can rocket from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds and hit an astonishing top speed of 200mph.
Its 5.8-liter engine is nothing short of ferocious. Push it hard, and it’ll mercilessly tear through the rear tires, but it will do so while looking and sounding absolutely incredible.
It’s no surprise that Aaron Paul’s character in 2014’s Need for Speed chose a (modified) GT500 for an adrenaline-fueled journey across the United States.