McLaren 720S Exhaust Upgrade Guide: Sound, Power, and Options

The 720S sounds good stock. We'll give McLaren that. But "good stock" and "what this car is actually capable of" are two very different things.

The M840T twin-turbo V8 is begging to be heard. From the factory, sound deadening, OPF restrictions, and conservative tuning keep it polite. An exhaust upgrade fixes that. And depending on what you choose, it fixes a few other things too.

This guide covers what a McLaren 720S exhaust upgrade actually gets you, what the options look like, and what CenCal has built specifically for this car.

Why the stock 720S exhaust leaves room on the table

McLaren builds the 720S to pass global noise regulations and emissions standards. That means the factory exhaust is doing a lot of compromising on your behalf, whether you asked for it or not.

The result is a car that sounds great at wide-open throttle but muffled and distant everywhere else. The crackles and pops you want on decel are there, but they're quiet. The idle is tame. It doesn't announce itself the way a 710-horsepower supercar probably should.

An aftermarket exhaust removes those restrictions. Lighter materials, less restriction, and tuned resonance chambers let the M840T speak at full volume. The difference isn't subtle.

What a 720S exhaust upgrade actually changes

Sound is the main event, but it's not the only one. Here's what actually changes when you run an upgraded exhaust:

• Volume and character: More bark at idle, more scream at high RPM, more snap on decel. The V8 character opens up completely.
• Weight reduction: Titanium systems can cut significant mass from a car that's already obsessively weight-optimized. Every pound matters at this level.
• Backpressure reduction: Less restriction means the engine breathes better. Combined with a tune, real power gains follow.
• Aesthetics: Upgraded tips and visible exhaust hardware are a part of the look on a mid-engine car. It matters.

The stock system isn't terrible. It's just not what this car deserves.

CenCal's McLaren 720S exhaust systems

CenCal built exhaust systems for the 720S from scratch. Not adapted, not rebranded. Designed specifically for this chassis, fitted and tested at the shop. Here's what's available.

Titanium catback

If weight savings and sound quality are both on your list, titanium is the answer. The CenCal titanium catback for the 720S is built from aerospace-grade titanium tubing, which means it's lighter than stainless, more heat-resistant, and develops that signature blue tint with use. It sounds absolutely vicious at high RPM and stays livable at low speeds if you want it to.

This is the top-tier option. If you're tracking the car or you just want the best possible system without compromise, this is it.

Stainless catback

Stainless is not a step down in terms of sound. You get the same aggressive character, the same improved flow, and the same fitment quality. The difference is weight. Stainless is heavier than titanium, but for a street car that sees occasional track days, most owners will never notice.

It's also easier on the budget. If you want the exhaust upgrade without the titanium premium, stainless delivers the experience you're looking for.

Downpipes

Downpipes are where the power story starts. The factory downpipes restrict flow coming off the turbos. CenCal's catless downpipes remove that restriction entirely and let the turbos spool with significantly less backpressure.

Important note: catless downpipes will trigger a CEL without a tune. That's not a flaw, that's just how it works. Pair them with a proper ECU tune and you're looking at real, measurable power gains on top of an already fast car. Catless also means the full exhaust note, no filter dampening the sound.

Check out the full McLaren 720S exhaust collection to see current availability and pricing.

Titanium vs stainless: which one do you actually want?

This comes up every time. Here's the honest answer: both are excellent. They serve different priorities.

Go titanium if:

• You track the car and weight savings matter to you
• You want the lightest possible system
• The blue heat tint aesthetic is something you care about
• You want the absolute best material for heat resistance and longevity

Go stainless if:

• This is primarily a street car
• You want to put the budget difference toward a tune or downpipes
• You want the sound upgrade without paying the titanium premium

Sound quality is not a deciding factor here. Both systems sound excellent. This decision is about weight, budget, and how you use the car.

Downpipes plus catback: the full system approach

Running CenCal downpipes with a CenCal catback is the full package. You get improved flow from the turbos all the way through the exhaust, which means better sound and better performance across the entire RPM range.

The catback alone will transform how the car sounds. Add downpipes and a tune and you're genuinely upgrading the car's performance, not just the soundtrack. For a car already putting out 710 horsepower, the gains from a full exhaust and tune are not trivial.

If you're going to do it, do it right. Half measures on a 720S feel like a waste.

Will an exhaust void your McLaren warranty?

This is worth addressing because it comes up constantly. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer cannot void your entire warranty simply because you installed an aftermarket part. They can only deny coverage for an issue that is directly and specifically caused by that part.

A catback exhaust has essentially zero warranty risk. It bolts on after the catalytic converters and doesn't touch engine management or emissions hardware.

Catless downpipes are a gray area specifically on emissions-related warranty claims. If your concern is emissions coverage, catted high-flow downpipes are the safer route. For everything else, an exhaust upgrade does not put your warranty at risk.

What the install looks like

The 720S is a mid-engine car, which means exhaust routing is different from a front-engine setup. Access to the components requires proper lift setup and some patience, but the install itself is straightforward for a shop familiar with the car.

CenCal systems are designed to use factory mounting points and hardware. No cutting, no custom fabrication, no surprises. Drop-in fitment on a car this precise is non-negotiable, and that's how these systems are built.

If you're in Central California, bring it to the shop. If you're not, any competent shop with McLaren experience can handle the install.

Note on the images below

The product images in this post are from CenCal's BMW S58 exhaust lineup. The McLaren 720S exhaust systems follow the same design philosophy and build quality. For McLaren-specific product photos and fitment confirmation, head to the McLaren 720S exhaust collection directly.

Here's a look at the titanium construction quality that goes into every CenCal exhaust build:

And for comparison, here's the stainless steel build. Same fitment quality, different material choice:

Frequently asked questions

Will a catback exhaust alone make the 720S louder?

Yes, significantly. The catback is responsible for most of the sound character you hear from the cabin and exterior. Replacing it with a properly designed aftermarket system opens up the exhaust note at idle, mid-range, and especially at high RPM. You don't need downpipes to hear a major difference, though adding them takes it further.

Do CenCal downpipes require a tune?

Catless downpipes will trigger a check engine light without an ECU tune. The tune clears the CEL and also allows you to take full advantage of the reduced backpressure for power gains. It's not optional if you want the system running cleanly. Plan for both.

How much weight does a titanium exhaust save over stock?

It varies by system, but titanium exhausts typically save several kilograms over the factory unit. On a car like the 720S, which was engineered around a carbon fiber tub specifically to save weight, removing mass from a heavy component like the exhaust has a real effect on the car's dynamic balance.

Is the 720S exhaust upgrade reversible?

Yes. CenCal systems use factory mounting points, so the stock exhaust can be reinstalled. Keep your factory components if warranty service is a concern for a specific issue. For most owners, once the aftermarket system goes on, the stock one lives in the garage permanently.

Does the 720S have an OPF that needs to be addressed?

US-spec 720S cars do not have the Otto Particle Filter. That's a Euro-spec requirement. If your car was imported or spec'd for a European market, confirm before ordering. For standard US-market cars, this is not a factor in your exhaust decision.

Ready to make it loud?

The 720S is one of the best performance cars ever made. The exhaust upgrade is one of the highest-return modifications you can do on this chassis, for both sound and performance. CenCal builds these systems specifically for this car, and they're ready to ship.

Browse the full lineup and see current pricing at the McLaren 720S exhaust collection. If you have fitment questions or want to talk through which system makes sense for your build, reach out. We're here.