Exiting in front of the rear tires will make a lot more noise. Full length tailpipes really help to tone down the exhaust. An X or H pipe set-up will also help to tone things down a bit.
Check out this thread, it has actual videos so you can hear the exhaust tone:
Which exhaust make the best sound???
Here's mine:
The engine is a 350 SBC, mufflers are 2-1/2" x 28" O.A.L. Cherry Bombs and the truck has long tube headers. I ran the 2-1/2" dia. tail pipes all the way to the back roll pan.
Hope this helps!