What Will An Exhaust System Do For Your Car?

Borla exhaust systems help your engine breathe, giving you more power for the road.

Most car and truck manufacturers leave room for improvement when it comes to horsepower and torque. Not to say that these vehicles are poorly made, but many companies use less expensive alternatives when producing items such as exhaust systems for their vehicles.

A performance exhaust can free some of the power in your engine. These aftermarket systems allow for a quicker, more efficient path for exhaust gases to escape. This means your engine "breathes" better, so spent fuel and air exit the combustion chambers faster and new fuel and air can be burned to create more power.

There are several other pluses to adding an aftermarket exhaust system. One of the most noticeable advantages is a more aggressive exhaust note. Depending on the system, you'll get the more aggressive, deeper rumble that is found on most high-end sports cars. Many of the better systems are only slightly louder than your stock exhaust, and deepen to a low "growl" as your RPMs rise during acceleration.

The way the pipes are bent also affects the exhaust flow, and there are two types of bends used in making exhaust systems. The typical factory-made systems, as well as some aftermarket systems, use a "crush-bend" technique. This type of process creates a crinkled area in the pipes, decreasing the diameter and slowing exhaust gases. A mandrel bend is smooth, and does not affect gas flow. The pipe is a constant diameter through the bend, yielding less resistance for a more efficient and better performing exhaust.

A crush bend causes the exhaust pipe to become more restrictive in certain areas.

Mandrel bends, like the ones in this Borla system, yield the best performance and sound gains.

Another factor to consider is the material used to make the system. Most factory exhaust systems are made of mild steel, meaning they have a tendency to deteriorate over time. Better aftermarket systems are constructed of aluminized steel or stainless steel. Aluminized steel offers slightly better longevity over stock systems, while stainless systems are designed to last much longer, usually for the life of the car or truck.

When exploring further differences in exhaust systems, it becomes more important to factor in how you use your vehicle. Most aftermarket systems add to your car or truck's appearance, with larger tips and highly polished mufflers for a more refined, aggressive look. There are many aftermarket systems that allow you to retain a stock appearance, while still seeing performance gains. The diameter of the pipes used in the system is also dependent on how you use your car, as well as whether or not you are adding further aftermarket performance parts. Most cars and trucks benefit from slightly larger piping, but if you go too big, you can actually hurt your vehicle's performance. On the other hand, if you are adding forced induction to your vehicle, such as a turbocharger or supercharger, you will want to go much larger than your stock exhaust.

The polished tips on this Borla system for the Honda Accord give the car a more refined look.

No matter what direction you choose, an aftermarket exhaust is sure to add to your car or truck's performance, appearance, and sound. Take into consideration what direction you want to go with your vehicle, whether it be performance, show, or simply an improvement over stock. The right exhaust system can dramatically change your car or truck for the better.