When Should You Put an Exhaust System on Your Truck?

Navigation

You are here: Free Article Directory » Automotive » Cars » When Should You Put an Exhaust System on Your Truck?

When Should You Put an Exhaust System on Your Truck?

by: JasonLancaster | Total views: 2 | Word Count: 707 | View PDF | Print View
Share This Article

Most 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.

Luckily for you, the factory exhaust system on your truck is efficient, and can be easily improved with just a few modifications. The exhaust manifold is the first component of the exhaust system. It directs exhaust from each cylinder together into one or two main exhaust pipes. These are usually fairly efficient and don't need to be replaced. If you decide to change them though, find a good set of headers with ceramic coating and factory mounting points for sensors. Usually though, the factory exhaust manifold will be perfectly fine for your needs.

The catalytic converters are the next stop for exhaust gases as they travel through your truck. It's not exactly a good idea to take these off - your factory catalytic is already very efficient and a legal requirement on your vehicle, so you'll want them to stay on your truck. The only time replacing the standard catalytic on your truck might be a consideration is if you were adding a very powerful upgrade, such as a turbocharger or supercharger, to your engine.

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.

Another important choice when considering a new muffler is single or dual exhaust. Remember, most factory exhaust systems are pretty good. If your truck came from the factory with a single exhaust, it will work just fine and give good performance with a single after market exhaust system. Dual exhaust systems cost more money, but they look and sound better than single exhaust systems. If you decide to go with a dual exhaust, make sure that your installer works around your trailer hitch and/or leaves room for one in case you want to add it on later.

The last thing to consider is exhaust system material. You should make this decision based on where you live. Drivers who live near saltwater will want to invest in stainless steel. It may be more expensive, but it'll hold up again saltwater corrosion for much longer than galvanized or aluminum steel. If you don't live near a saltwater environment, stainless steel will be a needless expense. If rust ever gets into your system, it will take years for you to feel the effects.
Share This Article