Exhaust Systems - What is Right for You
By Chad E Chapman
Many people wonder one certain thing about exhaust systems. What is the right exhaust system for my car?
Many factors are
involved in answering this question. After all, this system will be on the vehicle for some time. Look into factors involved such as who carries an exhaust system for your vehicle, the tone you want, your performance needs, and what works best with your motor. Also, for performance increases, headers will do justice.
Who Carries a System For Me
The first factor to look into is what exhaust system manufacturers carry for your particular vehicle. Not every system is made for every vehicle in existence. So you have to make sure that you look for exhausts system that will actually fit your vehicle. You will definitely not want a system that rattles around under your vehicle and annoy you to no end. Would not be a good thing.
What Sort of Tone Do I Want
The next factor you would want to look into is the tone of the system. Of course, if your looking into an exhaust system, your going to want a deep tone. We all know what the coffee can muffler tips sound like on 4 cylinder toys. Sounds like a weed wacker on steroids, definitely not what we are looking for here. However, not every system will give you the tone you are looking for. Many aspects go into a tone for you. Do you want the sound deeper inside the car? Or would you like the tone deeper outside to show off? Maybe a subtle tone that sounds mean and powerful? Or do you just want it plain deep and loud? Also remember that you do not want it to loud. Police Officers tend not to like exhaust systems like this. Neither do your neighbors for that matter.
Performance Always Rocks
Another factor you should consider is the performance you will receive from the system. What sort of system would produce the tone I want and make sure I am getting the power I want, as well. The power you need depends on what your situation is. Whether you need horse power or torque. If you own a beautiful truck you are going to want torque for that awesome pulling power. Of course, torque means nothing if you do not have some horse power to back it up.
However, if its speed your looking for, then you will want to have a little more horse power with some torque to do something with that horse power.
Exhaust Diameter and Back Pressure Myth
Keep in mind that the diameter of the pipes are extremely important. There is a common myth that engines need back-pressure. Many believe that the more back-pressure the better. That is in no way true. In fact, engines perform extremely well with so little back-pressure that there is almost none. This myth probably came from import owners with Honda Civics and Eclipses with 3 inch diameter pipes. By doing this, there performance was reduced. They figured that they had less back-pressure that since there performance was reduced back-pressure is good. What happened was that these giant pipes did not reduce back-pressure but actually increased it. Less back-pressure means its creating a vortex of sorts. Think of a vehicle going down a gravel road. This vehicle kicks up dust and swirls around behind the car. Directly behind the car is less pressure therefore the dust actually trails behind the car. The proof in that the dust follows the vehicle is think of when this vehicle stops. The dust still moves forward in the same
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direction you were traveling. This same effect goes on inside your exhaust. Getting an exhaust to big can actually decrease your performance and increase back-pressure. Think of having a large straw and blowing through it. Now take a smaller straw and blow through it. You will find its easier, unless the straw is extremely small. So you must make sure that you have the right diameter.
For 4-cylinder motors, a good size is generally between 1 3/4 inches to 2 1/4 inches. For 6-cylinder, a good general size is between 2 inches to 2 3/4 inches. 8-cylinders have a good range between 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches. You could possibly get away with a 3-inch pipe on a V8, as well. Again, this all depends on the motor you have and what works well.
Do I Really Need New Headers
Essentially, you do not need new headers. However, many people have found that with the right headers, you are going to get a huge power increase and an even better sound. After all, that pesky manifold does not do much good in terms of performance. Headers have been something that has long be ignored in exhaust systems, but have gained much ground in today's market. Headers can only make your awesome exhaust system that much better. If new headers do not do you justice either; the only other step would be to look into head. Possibly a port and polish of your exhaust ports.
Conclusion
When it boils down to it, there is no right or wrong in the exhaust system you choose. There is, however, stupidity. Such as putting a 3-inch pipe on a 4-cylinder car. Though, it all depends on your personal preference. You want to make sure your going to get the right size of piping. Your performance should always a crucial factor in your decision. You also want to make sure that you are going to get the tone you want, whether it be a subtle tone or a nice deep tone. As well, you have to make sure that the system you want is available for your vehicle. After you have the right system for you, your next step is to look into the majestic headers. When all that is said and done. Your going to want to look into your intake system. After all, more air in plus more air out equals greater power.
Exhaust systems can be found at Custom Performance Exhaust Parts
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