Exhaust Systems
Factory exhaust systems are compromises, trading off power for the quiet vehicle operation that appeals to the “average” driver. But if you're reading this page you're a car enthusiast and far from average. You crave power and performance and the growl that goes with that increased power is music to your ears. We know that when it comes to performance exhaust systems, power and sound are a total package. To make sure you get the power you want with just the right exhaust tone is why we offer the many performance exhaust systems you see on this page.
In order to silence the noise of combustion, auto makers use mufflers with baffled chambers and perforated tubes that are tuned to reduce sound to a minimum, which unfortunately creates excessive backpressure and exhaust flow restriction, and reduces power. The exhaust pipes are also often smaller in diameter, which further restricts exhaust flow. In contrast, a typical performance system has larger diameter pipes and muffler(s) tuned to reduce backpressure and restriction, which increases exhaust flow and horsepower, and provides a deep exhaust tone that is still within legal limits.
But improving exhaust flow is much more complicated than bolting on sewer pipe sized tubes and empty cans for mufflers. Pipe diameter is increased, but not to the point where it negatively affects exhaust velocity. And making a loud exhaust is easy, but it takes know-how to create mufflers that flow better for more horsepower while emitting powerful sound that you'll enjoy when you step on the gas - without irritating drone when cruising on the interstate. All of our manufacturers design these systems using sophisticated airflow and acoustical measuring equipment, so you get pipe/muffler combinations that deliver the most power possible with the best sound quality. Each system is also dyno tuned and real world tested to make sure it will work and sound right on your car or truck.
Muffler configuration will vary according to manufacturer and application. Modern performance mufflers are complex components designed using proprietary software. In general, chambered mufflers have internal chambers that reflect and cancel out sound waves without reducing exhaust flow; turbo mufflers have several perforated tubes to reduce sound while reducing backpressure; and straight through mufflers have a perforated tube surrounded by sound absorbing packing. All of our manufacturers mandrel bend their exhaust pipes to ensure smooth bends and so the pipes maintain their size and shape through the entire length. Tubes that aren't mandrel bent can lose a percentage of their diameter in sharp bends, creating exhaust flow restriction.
While we offer some universal systems like chrome lake pipes and side pipes for custom builds, most of the performance exhaust systems you'll find on our digital shelves are vehicle specific. These systems are especially designed for each particular application, so along with more power and great sound you can also count on perfect fit. In addition to full systems for racing and street use, many of our most popular systems like axle-back, cat-back, and DPF-back, are easy to install because they only replace a portion of the factory system. Cat-back and DPF-back systems are installed behind the catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter respectively, so you get great performance while your vehicle remains 100% emissions legal.
Many systems also offer a choice of exhaust exit location, at the side or rear of the vehicle, and some cat-back systems have two pipes exiting the muffler to give the look of dual exhaust. Some of our systems for V-type engines feature an H-pipe or an X-pipe. With these pipes, exhaust flow is increased because now both cylinder banks can make use of both sides of the exhaust system, and increased exhaust flow means more power. You'll enjoy the increased power and great sound from your performance exhaust system for many years to come because all of our systems are constructed from durable and corrosion resistant materials like stainless steel or aluminized steel. And each system comes with all necessary clamps and hardware, and detailed installation instructions.