Discover The World of Exhaust Systems
If the engine is the system of components responsible for generating power, the exhaust system is the one that helps route the byproduct of said power. However, exhausts aren’t just made to help fumes from the engine escape quicker as they also help reduce the noise the engine makes and the number of harmful particles it produces. They further aid in fuel efficiency.
This is why, after the engine, the exhaust is one of the most worked on systems in terms of performance. There are many reasons to replace your stock exhaust, but the biggest one is to help improve the scavenging effect which helps suck in air in the cylinders as gasses exit out of the exhaust ports. This effect is best done with aftermarket exhausts, as they improve airflow.
Important Features of Exhaust Systems
Material
The two main options when it comes to materials are stainless steel and titanium. While the price of an exhaust depends on other factors too, if you go for one made of titanium you’ll spend a lot more. But you’ll also get a lighter and more corrosion and heat-resistant system. However, most major exhaust system suppliers offer stainless steel exhausts as the go-to solution since they are durable, corrosion and heat-resistant.
Bends
The performance exhaust systems can only be made with one type of pipe bending in mind, and that is mandrel bending. This process makes for an exhaust that is smooth from start to finish and one that doesn’t restrict airflow no matter the number of bends it comes with. Crush-bent exhaust should be avoided if you want to improve performance figures.
Diameter
The size of the pipe(s) determines the amount of gasses coming from the engine, which can pass without obstructing the intake of air in the cylinders. Obviously, the larger the diameter, the more air can pass through the system at once, but if you get an exhaust with a diameter that’s too large for your vehicle, it can have the complete opposite effect. Make sure to get a system that has an inch of diameter for every 100HP your car makes.
Thickness
The thicker the exhaust is, the more it weighs, but that alone can’t beat the other two benefits that thicker exhaust systems offer. For instance, a thicker exhaust is able to sustain heavy impacts, which makes it more durable. Thicker systems also help reduce the number of annoying frequencies coming from the engine, which makes for fewer reverberations.
Midpipe
While not always in the middle of the exhaust, the midpipe is the section responsible for evening out the pressure in the system. This helps reduce the amount of strain the system has and improves its efficiency. For the most performance-oriented exhaust, you should go for a midpipe configuration in the shape of an “X”, as it evens out the pressure in the system in the most seamless way.
Headers
The header or headers, since some vehicles have multiple ones, are the very first components and the ones that connect the exhaust to the engine. To improve the scavenging effect of your vehicle, you should go for tubular headers made of aluminium as they are light and can take a lot of heat while being able to route engine fumes out the quickest.
Tailpipes
Going at the other end of the exhaust, the one you can see from the back of your car, there you’ll find the tailpipe(s). They may not affect performance, but they sure do affect how your car looks and sounds. Larger and multiple tailpipes make for a louder car and a more aggressive-looking rear.
Valve
You can also have your exhaust have a valve on it. This valve can make your vehicle street-legal as you close it up so that it doesn’t make loud pops and bongs. When the valve is open, you can hit the track and listen to the symphony of your engine better. A valved exhaust is, therefore, more versatile than one without a valve.
Types of Exhaust Systems
Axle-Back
With an axle-back exhaust, you can’t expect much in terms of performance. However, you can definitely change the way your car sounds without spending a lot of time or money. In fact, an axle-back system is the most affordable solution since it only replaces a handful of components from the rear axle to the tailpipes.
Cat-Back
A cat-back exhaust is the most popular system recommended by most exhaust system suppliers since it’s not as unnoticeable as an axle-back exhaust but also not as expensive as more complex performance exhaust systems. Cat-back aftermarket exhausts offer reasonable improvements in performance. It can also change the exhaust note of your current exhaust by replacing half of its components from the catalytic converter to the tailpipes.
Header-Back
If you go with a header-back system, you get to replace the whole stock system, and in doing so, you get to improve your acceleration and the sound of your vehicle in a more drastic way. Keep in mind that a header-back exhaust is a more expensive solution.
Turbo-Back
The most expensive exhaust is definitely a turbo-back system, which is able to replace both your exhaust and turbocharger. If you have a naturally aspirated engine, then adding a turbo is going to make an even bigger difference.