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How a Vehicle's Exhaust System Affects Its Power and Performance
Copyright (c) 2006-2023 Quinton Becker
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.
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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.
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of your tires, and increases the size of your tire footprint -
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you lower your car without installing a camber kit, there are
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most often, everyday drivers often consider it to be an
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Taking good care of your braking system will ensure the safety of
you and your family as you drive.
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Written by: Malcolm Uffelman |
Distributed: 2008-06-09 |
Word Count: 479 |
Page Views: 5497
| Votes: 17 |
Rating: 2.12
More than ever these days we are forced to take responsibility
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yet?'
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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 problems
with your vehicle.
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Written by: Quinton Becker |
Distributed: 2010-05-06 |
Word Count: 630 |
Page Views: 19743
| Votes: 51 |
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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 to recognize these warning signs, and knowing what to
do next, may prevent you from getting caught in an inconvenient
or dangerous situation.
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Written by: Quinton Becker |
Distributed: 2010-04-20 |
Word Count: 626 |
Page Views: 5774
| Votes: 21 |
Rating: 2.33
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car. As you use your brakes in everyday driving, you will slowly
wear down, and, eventually, need to replace the brake pads.
Taking good care of your braking system will ensure the safety of
you and your family as you drive.
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Written by: Isaak Carter |
Distributed: 2007-03-14 |
Word Count: 1243 |
Page Views: 4761
| Votes: 15 |
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Written by: Quinton Becker |
Distributed: 2010-04-29 |
Word Count: 649 |
Page Views: 9484
| Votes: 22 |
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you stop to realize that most police departments use them on
their cars as well. Brush guards protect cars and trucks from
minor damages that might otherwise be sustained in a low-impact
collision with a vehicle or a tree.
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Written by: Quinton Becker |
Distributed: 2010-05-25 |
Word Count: 754 |
Page Views: 6132
| Votes: 13 |
Rating: 2.15
Performance parts are often better in quality than the factory
replacement parts. The cost difference is generally minimal, and
when you add in the fact that they outperform the factory
replacement parts, it is really no contest.
Low-Riders, Street Racers and Everyday Drivers Should Be Aware of the Camber in a Car's Suspension System
Written by: Quinton Becker |
Distributed: 2010-05-18 |
Word Count: 721 |
Page Views: 5877
| Votes: 13 |
Rating: 2.15
The camber kit in your car's suspension system adjusts the angle
of your tires, and increases the size of your tire footprint -
how much of each tire comes into contact with the pavement. If
you lower your car without installing a camber kit, there are
some major handling problems that will arise. While street racers
and low-rider buffs are the people who could use the camber kit
most often, everyday drivers often consider it to be an
economical safety improvement for their vehicles.
Constant Reminders: Oil Change Stickers
Written by: Malcolm Uffelman |
Distributed: 2008-06-09 |
Word Count: 479 |
Page Views: 5497
| Votes: 17 |
Rating: 2.12
More than ever these days we are forced to take responsibility
for our own welfare. As a symbol that little oil change decal is
always there, every time we get behind the wheel. And it greets
us with an important question: 'Hey is it time for service
yet?'
Oil Change Reminder Stickers
Written by: Malcolm Uffelman |
Distributed: 2008-06-13 |
Word Count: 692 |
Page Views: 4525
| Votes: 13 |
Rating: 2.00
On his thirtieth birthday Joe was proud of himself. He was the
owner of the biggest little business in town. Every week the same
ad ran in the local paper: Get your oil changed by a friend.
The Farmer's Best Friend-The Dump Trailer
Written by: Jim Farmer |
Distributed: 2008-11-25 |
Word Count: 406 |
Page Views: 4120
| Votes: 20 |
Rating: 1.95
There are some fundamental truths about farming: It is arguable
the most important industry in today's world, its time demanding
and both physically and mentally challenging. So taking advantage
of anything that helps in their day-to-day routine is critical
for both profit and saving time.
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