It’s all about airflow once you look past an engine’s exhaust ports, and the exhaust is responsible for said airflow. Exhaust systems help reduce emissions and engine noises, especially at high RPM. However, they can also be used to improve the engine’s performance without even replacing a single component under the bonnet.
With the correct specs and exhaust components in place, you can make the engine get rid of exhaust fumes much easier and thus allow for more fresh air to enter the cylinders at a quicker rate. You’re essentially helping it “breathe” better and allowing for some other benefits to take place, which is best done by installing powerful and responsive aftermarket performance exhaust systems.
Types of Performance Exhausts
Cat-Back
With a cat-back system, you get a fitting solution for when you want ample performance improvements at a reasonable price. Cat-back exhausts replace every single component from the catalytic converter and back, which means you get to replace half of your current exhaust. Cat-back performance exhaust systems don’t take that much time to install and can help you change the exhaust note without being too complex.
Header-Back
A header-back exhaust is the exact opposite of a cat-back system since it replaces every single exhaust component, making it a complete solution. Although this means you’ll end up spending more time under your car installing the exhaust, you’ll also get to experience better acceleration and a sound you enjoy more. Keep in mind, though, that header-back exhausts cost more than cat-back systems.
Turbo-Back
If you’re after a performance exhaust system in the truest form, you’ll love installing a turbo-back system. Well, maybe not the installation itself, as it’s quite time-consuming, but you’ll definitely like what comes afterwards. That’s because a turbo-back system replaces not only the exhaust but also the turbocharger. If your car doesn’t have one, you can add a turbo and make it act like a different vehicle altogether. Just make sure to tune the ECU afterward.
Performance Exhausts Materials
Stainless Steel
The most commonly used material for the making of aftermarket performance exhausts is stainless steel. This material is durable and strong while being able to manage heat well, too. You can go for an exhaust made of either 409 or 304 grade stainless steel, with the latter being more durable, as any level of surface rust can be polished off. 409 stainless steel is still a long-lasting option and one that is more affordable than a 309 grade stainless steel.
Titanium
The second most popular exhaust material is titanium, and that’s mainly because of its price. If titanium was more affordable, it would definitely be the first choice for many petrolheads. The main reason for this is because titanium simply doesn’t rust. It’s also much lighter than stainless steel while being able to handle higher temperatures much better. The only reason not to go for a titanium exhaust is if you want a stronger material, however, stainless steel isn’t that much stronger than titanium.
Inconel
With an Inconel exhaust, you get a system made of a blend of materials. Because of its complex composition, Inconel is superior to both titanium and stainless steel when it comes to durability, temperature resistance and corrosion resistance. However, this advanced alloy is hard to find and extremely expensive, mainly because it’s used in the aerospace industry as well as for the production of F1 exhausts.
Other Factors to Consider
Diameter
Apart from the material a performance exhaust comes made of, there are other factors to keep in mind, and one of them is the diameter of the pipe. The larger said diameter, the more gasses from the engine can come through and exit your vehicle. However, you shouldn’t go with the largest exhaust pipe there is, as this can backfire. To avoid this, you should get an aftermarket exhaust that has an inch of diameter for every 100 HP your car makes.
Bends
An aftermarket exhaust can have either mandrel or crush bends, but when it comes to pure performance figures, the former are far superior. Mandrel-bent exhausts retain their diameter from the headers to the tailpipes, and because of that, they can provide an unrestricted flow for exhaust gasses to pass through and an undisturbed engine with the proper amount of scavenging.
Midpipe
The part of the exhaust that has multiple pipes meet to even out exhaust pressure is known as the midpipe. The design of the midpipe determines how well it’s able to even out the pressure in the system, and the quicker this happens, the more efficient the system is. For performance exhaust systems, you should go for an X-shaped midpipe, as it helps even out pressure seamlessly.
Thickness
The thickness of the material affects its impact resistance as well as the number of annoying frequencies it can reduce. Know that thicker exhausts are better at absorbing impacts and at reducing said frequencies.
