How can two cars with similar engines and exhausts sound so different

Question

How is it that two cars with similar engines, let’s say turbocharged 2.0l straight 4cyl engines, sound so different?

Not including exhaust systems. Let’s hold that constant at a straight pipe.

In: 0

Answer 1

If I may add, that exhaust manifold design can also change a lot. For instance, on the Nissan SR20DET , they came from the factory with a “short ram” cast iron manifold, which is just to say that two of the cylinder runners have a shorter path to the outlet flange than the other two. Often guys will replace them for equal length manifolds. It’s the general consensus that the short ram style produces a more aggressive, less farty exhaust sound.