The stock exhaust on many cars is far more restrictive than it needs to be. Many years ago people seeking improved power and performance learned that they could achieve both by adding a larger, less restrictive exhaust system to their vehicle. Not only do new exhaust systems provide increased power, they can also generate that sound that many automotive enthusiasts like to hear from their vehicle.
It is important to note that many of the newer cars are coming from the factory with highly tuned exhaust systems. Therefore, on some newer cars, an aftermarket exhaust might actually result in a minor loss in horsepower. The main things you need to do is learn the dimensions of your current system and compare that to the dimensions of the aftermarket system. For example, if you currently have a 1.5-inch system, and you want to upgrade to a 2-inch system, you will need to ask yourself if this modification will result in added power or will it actually decrease the power your vehicle is producing?
In the past, cars were built without a lot of consideration given to the exhaust system. The system was simply built to fit the car, dependent upon the amount of space available left over for the system. This resulted in some pretty wild kinks and twists that were made in the exhaust system. These excessive kinks, turns, and bends resulted in the exhaust gasses running into extra roadblocks on their way out the system.
The exhaust system is actually comprised of many individual pieces. Most commonly, the gases will leave the cylinder head and enter the exhaust manifold or the header (depending on which part your vehicle is equipped). The gases will travel through a small section of pipe, then they travel through the oxygen sensor (O2 sensor) before finding their way to the to the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is where the gases are converted from harmful poisons into water and oxygen.
After the water and oxygen exits the catalytic converter, it travels through more pipe leading to the muffler. The purpose of the muffler is of course to muffle the sound of the exhaust as it leaves the vehicle. Without a muffler, the vehicle would be extremely loud, so much so that you can hear the operational motor from more than a block away. After the muffler is another small section of pipe leading to the rear of the car, where the exhaust fumes are discharged.
As you can see, there are many components that come into play when trying to modify your exhaust system. Replacing one exhaust system component and not the others can make the process of trying to increase power to your vehicle a futile endeavor.
Many stock exhaust systems are not “mandrel bent”, but aftermarket exhaust systems are made with a mandrel bent. Mandrel bending is when a set of balls, called a mandrel, is inserted into the pipe during the bending process. These balls are positioned and pulled through the pipe so that the bends are not deformed and maintain a close-to-perfect shape throughout the length of the bend. OEM exhaust systems today are most often “CNC bent”, which is a process where a computer-controlled set of motors controls the position of the tube and the rotation of one bend in relation to another.
The main advantage of mandrel bending is that the full-length of the tubing or pipe is the same diameter throughout, instead of having a smaller diameter of pipe at locations where the pipe is bent. Many have suggested that the best aftermarket exhaust systems utilize a combination process called CNC mandrel bending.
If you understand the concept that a cars engine is basically a big vacuum cleaner that takes air in and pushes air out, then you will be able to understand the importance of the exhaust system for the overall performance of your vehicle. If you cannot get the gases out of the engine quickly, then you cannot take in clean fresh air quickly either. If you watch professional drag racing on television, you will see that the cars typically only have headers and no other exhaust. The reason for this is that there are fewer restrictions on the gases as they exit the engine. Of course, this is for professional race drivers and would not be practical or legal for street-driven vehicles.
If you can, imagine what the stock Ford exhaust system looks like. The Ford parts are probably a very narrow diameter with many restrictions in the stock Ford mufflers, pipes and other exhaust system components. With a little bit of imagination, anyone could see how one might easily improve his or her Ford vehicle’s performance with a higher flowing exhaust system.
In addition to the performance value, a new system can also give you that throaty sound that car enthusiasts yearn to hear in their modified vehicles. You know the sound; you hear it at car shows or when cars with aftermarket systems pass you on the road. You hear them coming and think to yourself, well this person means business and they really do have some extra power under their hood.
Overall, a new exhaust system will give you a good return of power on the amount for the amount of money spent, depending of course on your specific vehicle. A quality exhaust system will also compliment any future engine modifications that you intend to make, since more power in the engine means more gases are being pushed out of the exhaust.
If you intend on overhauling your vehicle’s exhaust system, make sure that you do it right. Given the complexity of today’s vehicle exhaust systems; cutting corners may be more expensive than doing the job right the first time.
…
It is not always necessary to change auto insurance companies to save money on car insurance. Getting a better price elsewhere often encourages insurance agents to offer additional discounts to existing customers. For Oklahoma drivers, the website http://CheapOklahomaAutoInsurance.com/ can help them with the auto insurance quotes research process. For consumers in other states, try http://maxroo.com/updates/auto-insurance-quotes/ Quinton Becker writes about automotive topics.
Read more articles written by Quinton Becker
Related posts:
- The Present and Future of Hybrid Vehicles: Sports Utility Vehicles and Trucks
Most broadcast and cable news networks have highlighted the rise in gas prices over the last year, almost on a daily basis. These stories feature interviewers, average citizens, and elected officials looking for scapegoats that can absorb the blame for high prices at the pump. Invariably, they make mention of... - Big Brake Kits Offer Extra Stopping Power for Family and Performance Cars
Customizing your car can be a fun and rewarding experience, with tangible results as the product of your work. Hobbyists spend a great deal of time and money on making their cars faster and sleeker. Unfortunately, few of these enthusiasts think about making their car safer in the process. Safety... - Performance Parts Can Help With Better Horsepower Or Gas Mileage
Today there are more performance parts available for your Acura, and other high performance vehicles, than ever before. Finding Acura parts or parts for other premium automobiles can be a little bit of a challenge, but once you find the right performance parts, your car and your ego will thank... - Solar Power for Homes – What You Need to Know
When choosing solar power for homes, many homeowners have little idea that the systems can be tailored to the specific needs of the home. The most common type of solar energy is produced in solar panels attached to the roof of a house. These panels collect solar energy and convert... - Delivering Effective Performance Feedback – Simple Steps for Success
Does anyone really like giving or receiving feedback? Probably not; especially if it is considered constructive feedback. Yet, providing feedback is an essential part of managing performance. You cannot do one without the other so making feedback simple and direct might be one way to ease some of that dislike... - Never Underestimate The Real Power Of Long-Tail Keywords
Before 2010, May Day simply referred to May 1st, a celebration of the beginning of Spring, or International Workers’ Day (Labour Day), as practiced in many countries, most notably in Russia… The alternate spelling Mayday was a signal used by ships’ captains and airplane pilots to announce “Come and Help... - Losing Weight – The Power of Practicing No
As a species, we are naturally inclined to say ‘yes’ to others. Unfortunately, sometimes we find ourselves saying yes even if it sets us back on our own goals and efforts to build good, healthy habits. For better or worse, saying yes and no have become complex matters. We don’t... - Forex Assassin vs. Forex Power Strategy
For those who have an interest in the huge 3 trillion dollars a day foreign exchange market it is common knowledge that to be able to remain on the right side of the Forex market what you require is to constantly discover new plans to minimize your losses and to... - The Power Of Perception Is A Powerful Tool. It’s Your Responsibility To Use It Wisely
You’ve probably heard the saying… “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression” and it’s very true. The first contact you have with someone is sometimes your only chance to get them to see you as you want to be seen so it’s critically important that... - Do-It-Yourself Automotive Axle Assembly Repair Tips and Tricks
Replacing an axle assembly is not as difficult as you may think. For front-wheel drive cars, and for some rear-wheel drive cars, this can be a do-it-yourself job. You will want to review the repair manual of your vehicle to decide, based on your own mechanical skill, whether you feel... - Don’t Let Your Car’s Alternator Leave You Stranded
An alternator is one of the most commonly dysfunctional auto parts. Without a properly functioning alternator, your car will simply refuse to run. A faulty alternator can leave you stranded, but luckily, a low-performing alternator often shows warning signs that indicate its malfunction before it ceases to work. Being able... - The Three W’s of Oxygen Sensors
Unless you are an automobile mechanic or work around car parts, you probably do not know anything about oxygen sensors. Of course, the name itself gives a pretty big clue, but still leaves a lot to the imagination. The fact is, oxygen sensors are very important to the overall function... - Taking Care of Your Car’s Braking System Can Prevent Accidents
A brake rotor is a vital part of the braking system on your vehicle. A brake rotor, in conjunction with brake pads, brings your car to come to a quick and complete stop. If you have a worn brake rotor, you should have it replaced as soon as possible for... - Understanding the Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Ball Joints
A ball joint is an important component of your car’s suspension, located on the front end of the vehicle. Ball joints will wear out over time and cause handling problems as they continue to deteriorate. It is important that you have these joints inspected, particularly if you are experiencing handling... - Car Antenna Replacements Are Quick And Easy When You Know What To Do
The car radio antenna has undergone many changes over the years. For a time, they appeared to be an afterthought in the construction of most automobiles. Antennas were not integrated into the design of the car as they are today, and they provided poor reception to boot. Much has changed...