The internal combustion engine is really nothing but a big air pump. Air gets sucked in through the air intake, where it, along with some fuel, gets forced into the cylinders, which combust the air/fuel mixture. Then, this spent air is pumped out of the engine through the exhaust pipes. With air coming in and burning and going back out thousands of time per minute, you can see what a wonder engines really are.
The Components of an Exhaust System
So your exhaust is just the final portion of that air pump. The exhaust itself though is made up of several components. The order goes something like this.
- Engine
- Exhaust headers
- X pipe or Y pipe
- Catalytic converter
- Muffler
- Tips
How Exhaust Kits Work
Mufflers are the easiest way to get some extra power and sound. And, stainless steel exhaust tips are the easy way to add some style. But the best way to go is with one of the popular cat back exhaust systems sold by companies like Borla Performance Industries and Flowmaster. These kits include everything from the catalytic converter, y-pipe, tubing, mufflers, tips and hardware.
Choosing the Best Performance Exhaust System for Your Ride
Of course, it’s much easier to find a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado exhaust system than say a Nissan Altima, but a little shopping around should reveal at least a performance muffler for most any vehicle on the road—including yours! Don’t forget to check out the performance exhaust systems reviews on our site. If you need more information, be sure to give our exhaust systems tech center a read.