| A high performance exhaust system is one of the | | | | T-409 stainless. While this is a good material, it |
| easiest and most cost effective modifications you | | | | doesn't have the strength or corrosion resistance of |
| can make to your car. Not only is a high performance | | | | T-304, so it will exhibit discoloration over time and |
| exhaust system very effective and affordable, it is | | | | won't last as long as a system fabricated from |
| also fairy easy to install. These days, due to the rising | | | | T-304. T-304 is harder to work with and more |
| cost of gas, the subject of gas mileage is on just | | | | expensive to procure, so be prepared to pay a |
| about every driver's mind. A high performance | | | | premium to buy a system made from it. As with |
| exhaust system will help increase mileage too. | | | | many things in life, if you want high quality, be aware |
| If it seems too good to be true that a single | | | | it costs more. |
| modification such as an exhaust system would give | | | | If you are after the finest quality exhaust system, |
| so many benefits, it is most definitely not. Even | | | | you may find it's made from T-316L stainless. This |
| better is that so many of the benefits of a well | | | | has even lower carbon content than T-304, and is |
| designed performance exhaust system, such as | | | | used extensively in marine exhaust products, due to |
| better performance and gas mileage, are usually | | | | its superior corrosion resistance. The absolute best |
| mutually exclusive. Not the case here, though. Why | | | | stainless steel material for an exhaust system is |
| are so many advantages to be had by simply | | | | T-321 stainless, steel alloyed with the wonder metal |
| installing an exhaust system? | | | | titanium. As you might expect, T-321 is extremely |
| It all comes down to the compromises made by the | | | | expensive, and fairly rare in street exhaust systems, |
| auto manufacturers. They have to balance many | | | | although common in race units, such as IRL and F-1. |
| things when designing a vehicle; cost, weight, noise, | | | | You'll also find T-321 used in aircraft construction, |
| performance, gas mileage, and a myriad of other | | | | where the margin for error is small indeed. If you're |
| things such as supplier relationships. In short, they | | | | after a price no object exhaust system, you can |
| can't give you the best exhaust system available | | | | have one custom fabricated from Inconel 625, a |
| because it would raise the price of the vehicle too | | | | nickel alloy used in construction of the X-15 rocket |
| much. In addition, they have to abide by EPA noise | | | | research plane. No, unless you're driving a Ferrari, you |
| restrictions and build a vehicle for the broadest | | | | probably can't afford it. |
| number of car buyers. That alone requires | | | | Another advantage of stainless steel as an exhaust |
| compromise. The car, or any of its parts, simply can't | | | | material is that it conducts heat less readily than does |
| be perfect in every respect, for every car buyer. | | | | mild steel. This serves as a thermal barrier, keeping |
| Once it's your car, on the other hand, you're free to | | | | exhaust heat inside the exhaust tubes. If you are |
| make any improvements you see fit. If a nice, low | | | | investing in headers or exhaust manifolds made form |
| rumble doesn't bother you, a performance exhaust | | | | stainless, the benefit of the lower thermal |
| could be just the answer you're looking for. Like may | | | | conductivity will be better exhaust velocity. The |
| performance enhancing modifications, the quality of | | | | higher velocity will give better scavenging, so you'll |
| available systems run the gamut from truly pathetic | | | | get more complete exhaust flow out of your |
| to finely engineered works of automotive art. Where | | | | cylinders. This means more efficient engine operation, |
| on the spectrum you want to be is determined by | | | | increased power and better gas mileage. |
| your requirements and budget. | | | | If you're not prepared to pony up for a stainless |
| Keep in mind that to properly design exhaust system | | | | exhaust system, you can find fine products made |
| requires specialized knowledge, equipment and | | | | from varieties of coated steel, such as aluminized |
| experience. If the system is improperly designed, | | | | steel or ceramic coated steel. These have some of |
| chances are it will make more noise, but no more | | | | the properties of stainless, such as corrosion |
| power or gas mileage. In fact, due to the high level | | | | resistance, or, in the case of ceramic coated |
| of factory engineered systems these days, you may | | | | products, low thermal conductivity. |
| even hurt your cars' performance with a poorly | | | | The next thing to look for in a high performance |
| designed exhaust. | | | | exhaust is mandrel bending. Mandrel bending ensures |
| Because they are relatively inexpensive, offer decent | | | | the tubes are bent without reducing the diameter, |
| performance gains, and is easy to install, most people | | | | and thus adding restriction. This restriction will hurt |
| opt for a system that comprises only the system | | | | exhaust flow, power and efficiency. With mandrel |
| from the rear of the catalytic converter to the | | | | bending, there is actually a piece of tooling (the |
| exhaust tip. This is known as a "cat back" system. | | | | mandrel) placed inside the tube as it is being bent to |
| More performance can be had by installing a | | | | prevent the exhaust tube from being reduced in |
| complete system from the exhaust manifold to the | | | | interior diameter. While the best method of forming |
| tip, however. You can even install a high performance | | | | bends in exhaust tubing, it is quite expensive, and |
| catalytic converter to maximize performance and fuel | | | | most low priced systems don't use this method. The |
| economy. | | | | performance of the finished system will suffer, |
| There are some features you should look for when | | | | however. Some estimates are that for a system |
| selecting an aftermarket exhaust system. The first is | | | | with 5 bends, mandrel bending reduces exhaust |
| the type of material it's made of. Any of the better | | | | backpressure by about 30%. |
| systems will be either coated steel or stainless steel. | | | | A new high performance exhaust system is one of |
| The standard stainless steel alloy for a high quality | | | | the fastest, most cost effective performance |
| exhaust system is T-304, steel alloyed with about | | | | enhancements you can make to your vehicle. In |
| 10% nickel and 20% chromium for strength and | | | | addition, you'll reduce weight, save gas, increase |
| corrosion resistance. | | | | longevity, make it look better, and oh, that sound! |
| You may also find exhaust components made from | | | | |