Searching for anything online can sometimes seem like you’re looking for a needle in a haystack but that is definitely not the case with aftermarket performance exhausts. Aftermarket vehicle components are in general more affordable than OEM ones and they’re also easier to find because of that.
Another reason why aftermarket exhausts are popular is because they allow you to improve your vehicle’s acceleration and appeal at different levels. You’re not limited to what the manufacturer wants you to go by instead you get a customisable system that can be tailored to maximise your vehicle’s capabilities. That is as long as you know what to look for.
What Matters in a Performance Exhaust
Diameter
Stock exhausts are limited to a certain diameter when it comes to the downpipe but performance exhausts can have it as wide as you want. But there is a certainly limitation that can backfire on you. Too wide of a diameter will create exhaust backpressure, unless you shorten the exhaust which is not possible. 3-inch performance exhausts online are what you should be looking for to avoid backpressure and get an increase in performance gains.
Bends
The way a performance exhaust system bends is also important if not as important as the diameter of the piping. For the most free-flowing system, you should go for mandrel bends. A mandrel-bent exhaust is smooth throughout its whole construction and although it costs more than a crush-bent exhaust it has a less restrictive path.
Tailpipe Direction
A large exhaust is not always a good idea which is why you should consider looking into tailpipe direction. If carefully considered it can end up reducing the volume of your new exhaust. A lot of performance cars have their exit pipes facing towards the ground and this is done to reduce exhaust noise without affecting performance. You could also add a silenced tailpipe to the side of your car to make for better noise distribution and still keep all your vehicle’s HP.
Tailpipe Bungs
A track may not limit your vehicle’s sound rating as much but when on the open road local regulations will. Therefore it’s a good idea to go a step further and add tailpipe bungs. These are able to fit inside the tailpipe and you can remove them when on the track as they can affect the top-end output of your car.
Valves
A valved exhaust is a more forgiving solution than tailpipe bungs since it can be operated with a button. Press it and the exhaust opens making your car more powerful and louder. When driving back home close the valve and you’re all good. You can also have flapper valves which work similarly to bungs but they’re controlled either mechanically or electronically. When closed, flapper valves are more detrimental to power than bungs but also more restrictive when it comes to noise.
Configuration
A performance exhaust for sale is all about balance and the mid-section is all about even distribution of engine fumes. There are two downpipe configurations you can go for and those are Y and X-pipe. A Y-pipe setup is more of a mild approach for a performance exhaust as it’s able to even exhaust gasses at a slower rate than an X-pipe system. X-pipe exhausts have their downpipe set up in the shape of an “X” which makes them better for high-revving performance engines.
Material
The material a performance aftermarket exhaust for sale comes made of determines how well it’s going to handle all the temperature fluctuations and road conditions too.
There are different materials to choose from with aluminised steel being the starting point. It offers good corrosion resistance as well as heat dissipation but it’s nothing compared to a stainless steel exhaust.
Stainless steel performance exhausts found online are made to sustain harsh impacts, drastic temperature changes and corrosion.
Titanium exhausts are the most expensive ones since they are able to withstand the highest temperatures and the most corrosive of conditions.
You can also go for Inconnel exhausts which are quite rare since the material or blend of materials is mainly used on F1 cars as it’s the most long-lasting and strongest exhaust material.
Types of Performance Exhaust
Cat-Back
The first step towards a performance improvement with an aftermarket exhaust is with a cat-back system. This type of exhaust is able to replace everything from the catalytic converter to the tailpipes. It’s the most modest performance exhaust as it gives a considerable amount of boost in acceleration but nothing to make your vehicle track-ready.
Header-Back
If you want a notable difference in performance gains then you should go with a header-back exhaust. With this performance exhaust system, you are able to replace all the components from the manifold to the tailpipes. This gives you more freedom over each component and thus the ability to maximise HP as well as to make the path for exhaust gasses a seamless one.
Turbo-Back
A turbo-back system is the most complete performance exhaust system as it replaces virtually every single component of your stock system if it’s a turbocharged one. With it you get truly the most comprehensive upgrade as well as the most expensive one as a new turbo costs a lot more than a cat-back system alone.
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