Guide to Choosing the Right Exhaust System for Your Vehicle

What exhaust should I get?

If you’re looking to upgrade your car with a custom exhaust system, it can be hard to know which one is the right fit for your vehicle with so many different products available. Need to know the answer to the question, “what exhaust fits my car?” In this blog post, we’ll outline some ways to choose the right exhaust system for your vehicle.

The benefits of an aftermarket exhaust system

Car exhausts are key to the overall performance and power of your vehicle. They allow the gases produced in the engine through internal combustion to escape the car, and the quicker they can leave, the quicker the engine can start the process again. This means that when the gases can escape more efficiently, the engine can create power faster and without restrictions itself. Custom exhaust systems can also help you achieve the look, noise and rev that you want from your vehicle.

Mandrel bends

Performance exhaust systems are built differently from stock car exhaust systems, which are designed and built with emission regulations and low production costs in mind. In contrast, aftermarket systems are designed to free up more horsepower. One of the key ways that custom exhausts do this is by using mandrel bending instead of crush bending on the pipes.

Whilst crush bending is quick, easy and cost-effective, it creates restrictions at the bends that reduce the performance and horsepower of your car. To avoid these constraints of performance, mandrel bends use a flexible rod to give the exhaust pipe a consistent diameter throughout. Depending on the type and quality of the aftermarket exhaust system you choose, you could gain up to 10 per cent more horsepower this way.

Types of exhaust

There are three main types of car exhaust systems available: header-back, cat-back and axle-back.

• Header-back systems — These systems allow you to replace all the components, all the way from the header collector to the tailpipe, for the greatest control over the exhaust flow and the greatest power boosts.
• Cat-back systems — The most widely used type of exhaust by car modders, these systems allow you to replace everything from the catalytic converter. Relatively simple to install and good value for money, cat-back exhausts are popular because they give great power gains for the cost and improved exhaust notes. 
• Axle-back systems — The cheapest of these three options, axle-backs are also the easiest to install whilst still delivering some power gains and performance exhaust sounds. These include all the components from the rear axle to the exhaust tip.

Single and dual exhaust systems

The single exhaust system is the most common type of exhaust, and you can easily upgrade performance by purchasing an aftermarket system. Dual exhaust systems are popular in the hot rodding world because of their sporty look and distinctive exhaust sound. 

However, they risk causing a pressure imbalance and giving you less horsepower unless you use a dual crossover system to allow the gases to flow freely between both sets of pipes. Dual crossover systems are arguably the best-performing car exhausts, although you may need to complete some additional modifications to fit them into your vehicle.

Downpipes

A downpipe is a section of tubing that channels the exhaust gases from the engine straight to the exhaust system. Stock options are always fitted with catalytic converters, but buying one separately gives you the choice of catted or catless forms so that you can pair it with a high-flow catalytic converter to improve the outflow.

Like the use of mandrel bends, downpipes have bigger diameters and less restrictive bends, allowing your engine to breathe more easily. This means a downpipe upgrade can help you achieve your desired engine output and sound whilst also delivering more power.

Car Mods Australia — browse our online shop for great prices
At Car Mods Australia, we provide a range of car exhausts for car tuners and builders from trusted manufacturing brands, such as Invidia, Aeroflow, or XForce exhaust systems. Still asking yourself “how do I know what exhaust fits my car”? Contact our knowledgeable sales and support staff for more advice.