Increase power & sound: The way exhaust systems can improve your ride
Learn how this horsepower improves, and fuel economy can be enhanced and how the exhaust system to your car can give a great sounding aggressive tone to your car.

The Importance of Proper Exhaust the Right Exhaust
It you put a lot of concentration into power, sound and control, you realize that performance tuning is not about horsepower: it is about driving the car. And one of the best improvements you can buy to your car is the improvement of its exhaust system. No matter what you drive, whether it is a muscle car, a turbocharged import or a high-performance daily drive, your exhaust can result in significant improvements both in performance, in looks, and of course, in that low, guttural growl every enthusiast loves.
What Does an Exhaust System Do?
The sole purpose of the exhaust system in your car is to relocate burned gases out of your engine and through the tailpipe. However, it does more than this fundamental purpose, it also:
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Minimizes dangerous fumes.
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Reduces engine sounding.
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Improves engine performance through lowering backpressure
A factory exhaust system has to pass regulations, be cheap and make a quiet and smooth ride. However, that stock system will not suffice to the drivers who want to have the high performance.
The Performance of Exhausts Upgrades.
a. Low Backpressure is an Increased Horsepower
The performance exhausts are designed to lower the back push of your engine, that is, the pushing force through the exhaust. By reducing backpressure your engine gets to breathe better with a better airflow and combustion. This implies that more power to go to the wheels.
To be average, you will get:
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A cat-back system gives 5-10 percent increases in horsepower.
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More power and again a full header and high-flow catalytic converter up-grades
b. Better Torque Curve
Torque isn’t all about the speed, but as it takes you of the line in a shortest time. An exhaust system designed properly provides a margin of additional torque, mainly at low end, when combined with tuned headers or a performance muffler. This makes your ride to be quicker and responsive.
Increased Audio: Get Your Ride Raving
The truth is that sound is half the point because most enthusiasts change their exhaust. Stock systems are made so as not to make noise. But an exhaust can give a performance:
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Add more growling down in your throat
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Brighten throttled sounds on engine
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Provide variable sound levels valved or electronic exhaust systems
Aggressive crackles over to sophisticated growls, the appropriate system will make your car sound just as efficient as it is.
The most popular ones are:
Exhaust Type |
Sound Profile |
Cat-back |
Deep rich sound, but not too loud |
Axle-back |
Low-moderate tone variations, inexpensive |
Header-back |
Strident roar, complete system upgrade |
Muffler deletes |
Highest volume, may be overly loud on the roads |
Greater Fuel Economy
A performance exhaust system increases fuel economy though it may appear to be counterintuitive. The lower strain on your engine to expel waste gases means that it gets to work effectively in pumping tons of gases. At a practical level, that may imply:
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Better fuel economy by 2-5 percent.
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Less engine load during long hauls
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More regular performance under strain
Having a free-flowing exhaust system, one is more likely to see better gains out of other options such as cold air intakes or performance tuners.
Cosmetic Enhancements That Get Attention
When your car has better exhausts, it does not only sound and work better, it also looks better. The majority of performance systems include:
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Titanium or stainless steel made.
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Polished tips or carbon-fiber tips
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Two or quad terminations at the exhaust pipes
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Broad pipes to give it sporty pose
A bold, loud exhaust system immediately raises the height of the rear of your car and causes the people to know that this ride is serious.
Customization & Tuning Potential
An improved exhaust system provides a way to even more customizing. After you lessen the backpressure and enhance the flow, you can:
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Tune your ECU to improved air/fuel ratios
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Good way to add forced induction (turbo/supercharger)
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Combine with an intake performance or a camshaft
It is a mod that anybody interested in performance tuning must have.
What to Know Before Upgrading
Just remember this before you bite the bullet on performing a pump-up:
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Legal Issues: Not all systems (e.g. straight-pipes or cat deletes) can pass emissions or noise law.
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Warranty Issues: The use of the aftermarket may nullify factory or other factory specified warranties (read your policy).
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Installation costs: These may cost a lot of money to be installed by professionals especially costly systems or systems with a complete redesign of the header.
Get Your Ride to Breathe, Roar and Work
Replacing your exhaust is not a purely cosmetic or aural thing, but it is also a performance choice, and nothing enhances your car more than this. Whether it is extra horsepower or the sound of the engine when you step on the gas, it would be difficult to resist its advantages.
Are you seeking track times or you just want to liven up your daily driver a bit, a performance exhaust can open the door to a livelier responsive and fun ride.
In other words, in case you feel like revamping your engine and making your car win the attention of passers-by due to the impressive noise it makes on the road, it is probably a high time to spend some money on an exhaust system upgrade.
FAQs
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What is the difference between cat-back and axle-back exhausts?
A cat-back system changes out all the way up the end of the catalytic converter up to the tips producing a better flow and a larger gain in sound. The lower end (rear) of the axle is modified only, i.e. an axle-back, which is more economical and not quite as much in performance.
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Will an exhaust performance make my car too loud?
It all depends on the system. Cat-backs, and axle-backs generally sustain a rich tone, whereas straight-pipes or muffler deletes are considerably noisier. Most systems have sound-tuning features such as resonators or electronic valves.
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Is it necessary to tune my car after fitting on a new exhaust?
That is not required, tuning is not always necessary on a minor upgrade such as a cat-back. However, to major modifications (headers, high-flow cats), a tune is highly advisable to ensure best performance and the non-occurrence of check engine lights.
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Do I truly get an increased horsepower?
Yes, almost all good exhaust systems offer a measurable horsepower and torque increase, particularly when other performance modifications are done on the car.
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What is the cost of exhaust upgrade?
You can pay as little as $300 or as much as a few thousand dollars, depending on your car and your objectives. Even more expensive can be full custom systems or titanium builds.