Improve Your Performance With An Aftermarket Exhaust System

Now that you're familiar with the basic workings of an exhaust system, let's see how performance exhausts are designed to improve your vehicle's power and performance. Stock exhaust systems simply don't provide the optimized flow you get from a performance exhaust kit. There are many ways our aftermarket exhausts take your vehicle to the next level, including:

Eliminating Restrictions

As you now know, your exhaust system's goal is to evacuate waste gases from your engine out to your tailpipe as quickly and efficiently as possible. Ideally your exhaust pipes would be completely free of restrictions and your exhaust would flow freely away from your engine. Unfortunately, cost-cutting car manufacturers bend exhaust pipes with a crushing or pressing method. This bending is easy and cheap, but each bend pinches the pipes and reduce their diameter. Therefore, every bend acts like a kinked hose or a bottleneck - your waste gasse slow down and build up, causing inefficient flow and an effect known as backpressure.

Performance exhaust system and header manufacturers, however, utilize a high-tech mandrel bending process when crafting exhaust pipes. In mandrel bending, a flexible steel rod is inserted into the pipe to stop it from crushing or pinching. This means the pipe's diameter doesn't change through the bend, and your exhaust gases don't hit any restrictions on their way out of your engine. Mandrel bends like those in Gibson systems help to eliminate backpressure, restoring tons of power and torque to your engine.

Mandrel bending is used in all of our performance exhaust systems and headers.

Increasing Diameter

Properly bent pipes helps improve exhaust flow for higher power and torque, but the size of your pipes is a significant factor as well. Cheap stock exhausts often use small-diameter pipes to save a few bucks on metal, but their diminutive size negatively impacts your exhaust flow and chokes your horsepower potential. Small pipes are like a 2-lane highway for your exhaust gases. Wouldn't they move a lot faster if you opened up a few more lanes?

Did You Know? Bigger exhaust pipes are better, but the optimal pipe diameter changes depending on your engine type and size. A subcompact will have much smaller exhaust pipes than those on a diesel truck, but both are expertly tuned and engineered for maximum performance. Most performance exhaust pipes are built with larger diameters that provide much higher flow than your dinky stock pipes. Their more open design makes for more efficient flow, providing even more power and torque to your engine.

Scavenging

When you bolt a performance exhaust to your vehicle you improve the flow of waste gases, but you also get the added benefit of improved engine scavenging. When waste gases flow down a fine-tuned, restriction-free exhaust pipe, they create a vacuum that pulls exhaust out of each cylinder for even faster flow and draws maximum power-generating oxygen into the cylinders. This effect repeats with every firing of the cylinders, giving you excellent performance and efficiency for as long as your engine is running.

Sound

Like we said before, one of the most immediately noticeable benefits of an aftermarket exhaust system is the change in your vehicle's sound. With a performance exhaust system or muffler, your vehicle can instantly transform into a rumbling, growling beast. Take a listen to the attitude this Cherry Bomb muffler adds to a 2010 Camaro:

You don't have to crank up your engine's volume, either. There are several Flowmaster mufflers designed to tame your exhaust's resonances for a more controlled, subtle sound. Best yet, even our more understated-sounding mufflers and exhaust systems are stilled tuned for significant performance gains. That means you can boost your ride's horsepower without waking up the neighbors.

The Results

Your performance exhaust system eliminates restrictions, provides more room for waste gas to flow, and promotes better engine scavenging. So what does that mean for your vehicle's performance?

• Huge power gains - up to 25 horsepower
• As much as 60 ft. lbs. of extra torque
• A rumbling, aggressive exhaust sound
• Improved fuel economy - usually between 1-2% gains in MPG

The benefits of an aftermarket exhaust are even greater when you combine it with performance headers and forced induction. We offer full-blown performance packages from Banks that include a full exhaust system, air intake/induction, and a tuner to coax the most power out of the system.

Exhaust System Styles

There are a few different designs and styles of performance exhaust kits available, each offering different performance gains, visual styles, and sounds. Exhausts also come in a variety of materials with different degrees of rust resistance and durability. Check out these styles and materials below.

Single Exit

Single Exit Cat-Back exhausts feature one set of pipes, one muffler, and typically only one tailpipe and tip. Single Catback exhausts provide huge torque, power, and economy gains over stock, and can typically be bolted on to your vehicle without any welding or cutting. They're available with either a standard rear exit, or you can go for a side-exit exhaust for a more unique look.

Dual Exit

They say two heads are better than one - the same goes for exhaust systems! Dual-Exit Cat Back exhausts give your vehicle high-octane hot rod style with serious power and torque gains. They include a pair of exhaust pipes and tips, and two mufflers. They can exit either straight under the bumper or off on each side. Most also include polished chrome exhaust tips for head-turning looks.

Performance Diesel Exhaust Systems

Diesel truck and car drivers also have plenty of options when it comes to upgrading their exhaust. Performance diesel exhaust systems give your vehicle the extra torque and power needed for heavy-duty towing and driving up steep hills. They're also designed to keep your exhaust gasses cooler, lowering your chances of overheating when the going gets tough. Performance diesel exhausts are available in a variety of outlet styles and include everything you need for a simple bolt-on installation.

Exhaust Materials

Performance exhausts are crafted from rust-fighting, long-lasting steel. There are three main grades of steel that are typically used in exhausts, each offering different levels of durability. Aluminized steel exhausts are built from heavy-duty steel pipes hot-dipped in an aluminum-silicon alloy. This alloy provides great corrosion resistance at a reasonable price. 409-L stainless steel pipes feature high strength, corrosion resistance, and durability, while remaining a cost-effective option. 304 stainless steel is the top-shelf exhaust material. 304 has the highest nickel and chromium concentration and offers the best resistance to rust and corrosion. Borla offers a full line of high-quality 304 stainless exhaust systems.

How To Shop For The Best Exhaust System

With all the different exhaust systems and components out there, it can be hard to find the right kit for your needs. That's why we've laid out everything you need to make the right decision when purchasing an exhaust system.

Vehicle

Different vehicles and engines have different needs. Each exhaust system is optimized for certain applications, so make sure the exhaust system you want is the right one for your vehicle. For example, while a Dual Flowmaster exhaust might be a great choice for a muscle car, a sport-compact or import would benefit better from a Borla exhaust. Trucks and diesel vehicles can be upgraded with heavy-duty systems like those from MBRP. You can even improve your RV's power with a Gibson Motorhome exhaust, which is specially designed to suit the demanding weight and payload of a motor home.

Sound

Every exhaust system or muffler has its own unique sound. You can add a Magnaflow muffler to your exhaust for a pleasing, slightly louder-than-stock tone, or you can get an aggressive growl out of a glasspack Cherry Bomb muffler. If it's a classic muscle car tone you're after, go with a tried and true American Thunder system from Flowmaster. No matter what aural attitude you're looking for, we have a muffler or exhaust system for you.

Style

Don't forget that your exhaust system is also a great place to add some custom style to your vehicle. By adding a Chrome exhaust tip your vehicle's rear-end gets a nice touch of hot-rod looks. You can even add a set of double exhaust tips that give single-exit systems the look of a double exit - or you can give your dual-exit catback exhaust an impressive quad-exit look.

Budget

Helpful Tip: Don't take our word for it - Read our exhaust system reviews to see what your fellow drivers think of their exhaust systems. Like any auto accessory, you need an exhaust system that fits your budget. Exhaust manufacturers offer a wide array of systems for both the performance-obsessed and the price-conscious. If you're looking for some extra horsepower without spending a fortune, go with a Heartthrob exhaust or a set of DC Sports headers. These exhaust parts are made from more affordable materials like aluminized steel and mild steel, but they offer plenty of performance gains and long-lasting durability. Of course, the possibilities are endless if you're looking for maximum performance regardless of price. Some of our highest performing exhaust systems and parts include Hedman headers with Ceramic finish and "Magnaflow Series."

In Conclusion

An exhaust system is one of the essential performance upgrades you can add to your vehicle. We hope this buying guide will help you make the right decision when buying the best exhaust for your car, truck, or SUV. If you have any other questions or suggestions about the information in this buying guide, feel free to call our experience Customer Service Representatives at 800-663-1570.