Does Your Truck Need an Exhaust System?
Posted by: Jason Lancaster in Finance, tags: FinanceMost trucks are quite powerful - that’s probably why you own one. Trucks are made to haul and tow thousands of pounds without difficulty, so they need lots of power. Yet despite their powerful engines, most manufacturers equip their new vehicles with a relatively quiet exhaust system. If you think your truck ought to sound as powerful as it is, or if you’d like to reduce some of the constrictions in your truck’s exhaust, then you’re probably considering adding to or changing your factory exhaust system.
The factory exhaust system already on your truck is already a pretty efficient system and doesn`t really need much modifications to be improved. The first part of your truck’s exhaust system is the exhaust manifold, which channels exhaust from individual cylinders into larger main pipes. These systems are efficient and don’t need to be changed, but if you decide you want to anyways, you’ll need a set of headers. Quality headers like the ones you’ll want will have a ceramic coating and factory mounting points for the sensors. Most of the time though, the standard manifold is more than good enough.
After the manifold, exhaust travels through the catalytic converters. These are already very efficient and legally required to be on your truck, so you’re much better off leaving these alone. The only time you’d do really do anything with the factory catalytic converter is if you were adding an extremely powerful upgrade to your engine, such as a turbo- or supercharger.
As they leave the catalytic converters, exhaust gases will cool down a bit and enter the muffler. The factory mufflers usually aren’t too restrictive, and replacing them won’t make a huge difference in the amount of hp or torque you get. The average change is about 3-5 hp and 5-10 ft-lbs of torque. After market mufflers, however, will make a dramatic change and are definitely worth the money. Your truck will sound much better! After the mufflers, exhaust exits the truck via the tailpipe. You can add tailpipe tips to this part, but it’ll be purely for decoration purposes, and won’t affect the exhaust system in any way.
Since changing the factory muffler will have the biggest effect on your exhaust system, they’re the most logical component to replace. When you’re looking at after market mufflers, here are some things to consider:
First, will you be happy hearing the exhaust ALL the time? If you’re not too sure you’ll want the background noise to include exhaust drone every time you drive anywhere, try to choose a muffler that’s not described as loud. Your local muffler shop and the Internet are useful tools for choosing a muffler that suits your needs. Some muffler manufacturers will even have sound clips on their websites now to help you create that perfect roar.
Second, how loud do you want your truck to be? Do you want something that turns heads, or something that will drown out the neighbours? Extra loud mufflers usually have words like “racing” or “glasspack” in the description, so go for these models only if you’re ready to be the loudest thing everywhere you go.
Also important to consider is whether the new muffler is a single or dual exhaust. If your factory exhaust system came with a single exhaust muffler, then your truck will work just as well with a single after market exhaust system. Dual exhaust systems are more expensive, but you’ll get a nicer sound and better look. If you use a dual exhaust, check that your installer works around the trailer hitch and/or leaves room for one so you can add it later if you choose.
Finally, what exhaust system material is best? It’s a decision that should be based on geography. If you live anywhere near the corrosive effects of saltwater, stainless steel is the smart choice. While it’s more expensive up-front, it will last much longer than galvanized or aluminized steel in these climates. People living in dry climates really don’t need to purchase stainless steel - if rust attacks their system, it will be years before anything is damaged.
Entries (RSS)