Holden Colorado exhaust system

Improve your Holden Colorado performance with the Right Exhaust System

Synopsis: Upgrading your Holden Colorado's exhaust reduces back pressure, improves torque and throttle response, lowers fuel consumption, and gives you a sound that actually matches how the 4x4 drives. For most Colorado owners, a stainless steel DPF back exhaust is the sweet spot: better performance, road legal, and built to last.

Why the Stock Holden Colorado Exhaust Holds You Back

Here's the thing about factory exhausts, they're not designed to perform. They're designed to pass emissions tests and keep the build cost down. That's it. So while your Colorado's 2.8L Duramax is a genuinely capable engine, the stock exhaust is quietly strangling it.

Back pressure builds up in the tight, narrow factory system, and the turbo has to work harder than it should just to push gases out. You feel it most when you're towing a trailer up a long grade or loaded up for a weekend away, that flat spot where you want more and the Colorado just doesn't deliver.

Then there's the Australian environment, which is brutal on mild steel. Salt air on the coast, red dust in the outback, constant heat cycles, factory exhausts rust from the inside out faster than most people realize. If you're putting real kilometers on your Colorado, the stock system is already on borrowed time.

What You Actually Gain from an Exhaust Upgrade

We're not going to oversell this. An exhaust upgrade isn't a magic fix but on a turbo diesel like the Colorado, it makes a genuine difference where it counts:

  • Less back pressure — the turbo breathes easier, throttle response sharpens up, and the engine isn't fighting itself every time you put your foot down
  • More usable torque at low RPM — this is the one that matters most if you tow. That grunt you need pulling away from a set of lights with a loaded trailer? It's noticeably better.
  • Real fuel savings over time — when the engine isn't working as hard to expel gases, it uses less fuel doing it. Not dramatic, but it adds up on long runs.
  • A sound that suits the 4x4— the Holden Colorado exhaust sound most owners are after is deeper and more purposeful, not loud and droning. Get the muffler choice right and you'll have exactly that.
  • A system that actually lasts — 409-grade exhaust  doesn't rust the way factory exhaust does. Buy it once, forget about it.

RG or RC? Get This Right Before You Order Anything

This is the most common mistake people make, assuming exhaust systems are universal. They're not. Holden built two very different Colorados for the Australian market, and the exhaust fitment is completely different between them.

Check your build plate before you order. A system built for an RG will not bolt onto an RC and trying to make it work is a headache nobody needs.

DPF Back vs Turbo Back: Which One Do You Actually Need?

DPF Back Exhaust — The Practical Choice for Most Owners

A DPF back system replaces everything from the diesel particulate filter to the tailpipe. The DPF itself stays in place, and so does the turbo outlet which means the Colorado stays road legal and the install is clean and straightforward.

The RG Colorado DPF back exhaust is our most popular system, and for good reason. It opens up airflow, deepens the exhaust note, and delivers real performance gains without touching anything that would cause a roadworthy issue. If your Colorado is registered and you use it daily or for touring, this is almost certainly the right call.

Turbo Back Exhaust — When You Want Everything

A turbo back system goes further, it replaces the entire exhaust from the turbocharger outlet all the way to the tip, including the DPF. The RG Colorado turbo back exhaust is the most complete bolt on exhaust upgrade you can do. The power gains are the biggest of any exhaust option, full stop.

That said, removing the DPF puts the vehicle outside emissions compliance for road use in most Australian states. This system suits owners who are building a dedicated off road or competition rig, or who understand the compliance implications and have made their peace with them.

Note that the Colorados built prior to 2016 don't have a DPF. The turbo back exhausts for these cars does not impact its roadworthiness.

So Which One?

If you're towing, touring, or using the Colorado as a daily workhorse on registered roads go DPF back. It's the right tool for the job. If you're building something more serious and compliance isn't a concern, step up to turbo back.

Browse the full Holden Colorado exhaust systems range, or explore all Holden 4x4 exhaust systems if you're also looking at Colorado 7 or Trailblazer fitments.

Why 3 Inch Pipe Is the Right Size for the Colorado

Most Colorado exhaust upgrades run a 3 inch pipe, and there's a good reason for that. It's not just a round number, it's the size that works best with the Colorado's engine displacement and turbo setup.

Going bigger sounds logical, but it actually backfires. An oversized pipe drops exhaust gas velocity at lower RPM, which kills the low end torque you rely on for towing and off road work. The 3 inch diameter keeps air moving at the right speed across the rev range strong down low where it matters, and free flowing up top when you need it.

Stick with what the engineers recommend. It's not exciting advice, but it's the right one.

What Separates a Good Exhaust from a Cheap One

Material: Don't Compromise on This

If there's one place to spend the money, it's the material. 409 grade stainless steel is what you want. It handles heat without warping, shrugs off the dust and grit that comes with off road use, and holds up against coastal salt air that would eat through a coated mild steel system in a couple of seasons.

Mild steel systems are cheaper upfront. But when you're replacing them every few years, the maths stops working in your favour pretty quickly.

Fitment That's Built for Your 4x4

A system engineered specifically for your Colorado's generation and engine bolts straight on. No cutting, no adapting, no wrestling with flanges that don't quite line up. Proper fitment also means the system handles the vibration and flex of off road driving without cracking at the joins something generic systems often struggle with.

Getting the Sound Right

Sound is personal, and it's worth thinking about before you buy. A straight through muffler gives you a louder, sharper note great for a performance build, but it can get tiring on a long highway run. A straight through muffler delivers a deeper, more settled tone that sounds purposeful without droning at cruise speed.

If you're not sure which suits how you drive, give our team a call. It's a quick conversation that saves you from getting it wrong.

What Should You Budget for a Holden Colorado Exhaust?

The Holden Colorado exhaust system cost comes down to three things: system type, material, and which generation you're running. Here's an honest breakdown:

  • Mild steel DPF back — the cheapest entry point, but mild steel rusts. You'll likely be replacing it sooner than you'd like, which erodes the upfront saving.
  • Stainless steel DPF back — this is where most of our customers land, and for good reason. It's the best value over the life of the vehicle affordable to buy, built to last.
  • Stainless steel turbo back — the highest upfront cost, the biggest performance gain. If you want the most from your Colorado and you've thought through the compliance side, this is the top of the range.

The honest truth? A cheap mild steel system almost always costs more in the long run. Replacement parts, labor, and the hassle of doing it twice adds up fast. A quality stainless system is the better investment and most owners who've been through both will tell you the same thing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will upgrading my Holden Colorado exhaust void the warranty?

Not automatically, no. Under Australian Consumer Law, a manufacturer has to prove that the aftermarket part caused the specific fault before they can refuse a warranty claim. That's a high bar. That said, use a quality, purpose built system, keep your receipts, and you're in a strong position if anything ever comes up.

Is a DPF back exhaust legal in Australia?

Yes, a DPF back exhaust keeps the diesel particulate filter in place, so the vehicle remains emissions compliant for road registration. Turbo back systems that remove or bypass the DPF are a different story. They may not be legal for road use in all states, so check your local regulations before going down that path.

What's the difference between an RG and RC Colorado exhaust?

The RC (2007–2012) and RG (2012–2020) are built on different platforms with different engine configurations. The exhaust systems are not interchangeable and fitment is specific to each generation. Always match the system to your build year and engine code, not just the Colorado name.

How long does installation take?

For a purpose built bolt-on system matched to your vehicle, a competent mechanic will typically have it done in 1–2 hours. No cutting, no welding, no drama. If someone's telling you it'll take much longer than that, it's worth asking why.

Does a 3 inch exhaust suit all Colorado models?

The 3 inch diameter is the right spec for the 2.8L Duramax in the RG Colorado. RC Colorado models running the 3.0L 4JJ1 may have a different specification check the product listing for your exact build year to be sure.

Ready to Upgrade? Here's Where to Start

At Outback Exhausts, every Holden Colorado exhaust system is Australian made from 409 grade stainless steel, built for true bolt-on fitment, and backed by a 5-year warranty. We keep the full Colorado range in stock and ship all orders within 24 hours.

Find your system by model:

Not sure which system is right for your setup? Get in touch with our team — we know these trucks, and we'll give you a straight answer.

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