If you thought that a bigger exhaust system meant more power, it’s not always true. Some drivers want an exhaust that will improve the sound and look of their vehicle. But, if your goal is to increase the performance of your vehicle, consider the points below:

1. What are the parts of an Exhaust System and what do they do?

  • Exhaust Manifold/Header: This is the first point of contact for the exhaust gases after they exit the cylinder head. Typically, heavy cast manifolds are swapped out for tubular headers.
  • Catalytic Converter: This device takes the incoming NOx, CO, and unburnt hydrocarbons from the exhaust and “converts” it into much less harmful N2, O2, CO2, and H2O.
  • Piping: Routes the air away from the vehicle so the passenger cabin doesn’t fill with toxic fumes.
  • Resonator: Not necessarily part of the exhaust system, the resonator helps eliminate noise by rejecting sound waves and canceling each other out.
  • Muffler: The muffler also works to eliminate noise by redirecting the airflow through porous pipes, allowing the exhaust gases to expand into sound deadening material, minimizing the noise that finally exits the tailpipe.

2. To upgrade or to not upgrade?

It’s important to understand that the velocity at which your exhaust exits is one of the key elements to its performance. The idea behind upgrading typically comes down to increasing the exhaust piping diameter as well as increasing exhaust scavenging by aligning the exhaust pulses in a favorable fashion. When your engine is at low RPM, the amount of exhaust gases leaving is low, so the velocity it exits the muffler is low. You can increase this velocity by using a smaller pipe, but this creates a restriction for running at higher RPMs. Ultimately the goal of the exhaust system is to have the fastest exhaust velocity with the least amount of restriction. The whole idea is to increase the exhaust diameter as the amount of exhaust created by the engine increases. This reduces restriction and allows for more flow.

So, why should you upgrade, or not upgrade? If you are a daily driver with the average car, you will get better performance on the low end with the stock exhaust. However, if you have a dedicated car for speed, such as racing, it can make sense, to upgrade the exhaust. If you’re keeping the engine within the higher RPM range while driving, you’ll benefit from the lack of restriction the larger exhaust provides.

If you need help in understanding how do exhaust systems increase horsepower, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive muffler shop for more information and to schedule an appointment. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN and Zimmerman, MN.

Contact Rum River Automotive, your auto repair and muffler shop in princeton, MN, if you are wondering how do exhaust systems increase horsepower

If you thought that a bigger exhaust system meant more power, it’s not always true. Some drivers want an exhaust that will improve the sound and look of their vehicle. But, if your goal is to increase the performance of your vehicle, consider the points below:

1. What are the parts of an Exhaust System and what do they do?

  • Exhaust Manifold/Header: This is the first point of contact for the exhaust gases after they exit the cylinder head. Typically, heavy cast manifolds are swapped out for tubular headers.
  • Catalytic Converter: This device takes the incoming NOx, CO, and unburnt hydrocarbons from the exhaust and “converts” it into much less harmful N2, O2, CO2, and H2O.
  • Piping: Routes the air away from the vehicle so the passenger cabin doesn’t fill with toxic fumes.
  • Resonator: Not necessarily part of the exhaust system, the resonator helps eliminate noise by rejecting sound waves and canceling each other out.
  • Muffler: The muffler also works to eliminate noise by redirecting the airflow through porous pipes, allowing the exhaust gases to expand into sound deadening material, minimizing the noise that finally exits the tailpipe.

2. To upgrade or to not upgrade?

It’s important to understand that the velocity at which your exhaust exits is one of the key elements to its performance. The idea behind upgrading typically comes down to increasing the exhaust piping diameter as well as increasing exhaust scavenging by aligning the exhaust pulses in a favorable fashion. When your engine is at low RPM, the amount of exhaust gases leaving is low, so the velocity it exits the muffler is low. You can increase this velocity by using a smaller pipe, but this creates a restriction for running at higher RPMs. Ultimately the goal of the exhaust system is to have the fastest exhaust velocity with the least amount of restriction. The whole idea is to increase the exhaust diameter as the amount of exhaust created by the engine increases. This reduces restriction and allows for more flow.

So, why should you upgrade, or not upgrade? If you are a daily driver with the average car, you will get better performance on the low end with the stock exhaust. However, if you have a dedicated car for speed, such as racing, it can make sense, to upgrade the exhaust. If you’re keeping the engine within the higher RPM range while driving, you’ll benefit from the lack of restriction the larger exhaust provides.

If you need help in understanding how do exhaust systems increase horsepower, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive muffler shop for more information and to schedule an appointment. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN and Zimmerman, MN.

Troy Minske