Probably your best option budget wise is going to be custom. I did a quick search online, found a small family owned business, and had them do mine. Volvos already use some decent metal under the car and have mandrel bent exhausts, so buying a whole aftermarket part isnt going to get you much gains. I have the t6 motor, but it is a similar process for the t5. They cut out my resonator, replaced it with a y-pipe, and replaced the stock muffler with a flowmaster. The car has some really nice bass tones in the low rpms, but is not crazy loud higher in the rpms. Because it is a turbo car, it will be quieter than a NA motor. With the rez delete, and the stock muffler replacement, its enough to smile but not wake the neighbors.

So anyways, my advice is to get a quote from a mom & pop shop.

Edit: Had mine done for $300 even

 

I feel like this might be the best option for me, I just need to find a similar shop that is willing to do the work. The one that I went to was reluctant to attempt any modifications because they were not familiar with Volvos.

Could I ask for an audio sample of your exhaust for reference please?

 

I have the Borla system from Elevate on my 5cyl and it has a great sound. Its not 'inexpensive' but the quality is high.

Elevate Volvo S60 GT Performance Exhaust System (2013-2016, Five Cylinder 2.5L Turbo, FWD and AWD)

The Elevate Volvo S60 GT Exhaust System for the T5 2.5L (turbo five cylinder engine) is a premium quality system that creates excellent torque and horsepower gains while making your S60 sound like the proper sporting sedan that it is. Power gains are created by larger piping and a uniquely...

www.elevatecars.com

 

I looked at this one, but I just can't justify the price commitment. I've heard a few samples of it on YouTube and it sounds pretty nice, however I think I want something a little more subtle.

 

There are multiple paths that you can do for exhaust. You can go with a full system, you can go with a "custom" delete of some sort, or you can go with a downpipe, or all of them.

There are a couple of systems that are available, theres the IPD system, the ELEVATE system, the BORLA system, the Snabb system and there is the KT4 system. The IPD one has some nice depth to it, but still keeps it nice and quiet. The ELEVATE one, is a louder/raspier sounding exhaust system, and Borla one is the same. I don't really know enough about the other two to tell you valuable information about them.

Now for a custom delete of some sort, you can do a muffler delete, resonator delete or cat delete. Now unless you are really looking for noise, I don't recommend deleting the muffler. The muffler on the P3's is big, and it does a lot, by deleting it, you can cause an increase in noise and some drone at higher speeds. If you are looking for some raspier tone to it, and not a big increase in noise, I recommend you delete the resonator. Surprisingly, when you delete the resonator, it doesn't increase the drone. Unless you are looking for a fartcan type sound, I do not recommend that you delete the cat.

Now for downpipes, there is an IPD one, KT4, and Ferrita. The IPD one is a great catted option, if you are not looking for a massive increase in noise, get the IPD one. The KT4 downpipe, in an amazing downpipe!! I have it on my XC60, and I highly highly recommended. The KT4 one comes catted, and catless. If you are looking for LOUD, get the catless one. Depending on where you are located, the Ferrita one might be the best option. The Ferrita downpipe comes straight from Sweden, and very very $$$ due to the all the shipping and the manufacturing from Sweden. People have said that the Ferrita downpipe is a very loud downpipe, and that it comes catless

 

I like the idea of the resonator delete and possibly doing an aftermarket muffler for my Volvo. Do you think the car would be better suited with the original or an aftermarket muffler? I was thinking a Magnaflow (12265), Borla (40477), a similar Flowmaster.

 

Alright folks, getting a magnaflow muffler installed today at a not-so-local exhaust shop (turns out they are harder to find than I thought). Will update later with the results.

 

Well that took a while, I finally had some time to capture some footage of the upgraded exhaust on the V60. I am extremely pleased with the results; a nice deep tone with minor drone. It's a bit difficult to hear on the video, but you'll have to take my word for it, it's awesome. Thanks again everyone for your input and feedback.

Now, on to other upgrades...