Exhaust Tips Tech Center

Why Should I Buy an Exhaust Tip?

Through the miracle of natural selection, out-dated auto accessories, like window-clinging stuffed-animals and fuzzy dice, are facing extinction. Custom exhaust tips, on the other hand, have ascended into a highly-evolved form of self expression. Available in a nearly endless variety of designs, exhaust tips are an excellent way to inject your own sense of style into your vehicle. Choosing the perfect exhaust tip allows you to:

• Apply a personalized finishing-touch to your custom exhaust system
• Replace a drooping, blown-out, rusty mess of a factory tip
• Easily add some style and individual flare to your vehicle

Add the piece de resistance’ to a new system

So you buckled down and dropped some Benjamins on a ferocious new performance exhaust system. You spent most of your Saturday afternoon installing the beast while visions of massive power gains and throaty rumbles ran through your brain. After all your hard work, you know better than to top off your system with a ho-hum, factory-style tip—or worse yet, reuse the original tip that you just cut off. That’s like wearing your dirty socks after a shower! Instead, add the crowning-touch to your new exhaust system with one of the many exhaust tips available at AutoAnything. With our vast variety of styles to choose from, you’re sure to find that one perfect tip to make your statement. What’s more, most performance exhaust manufacturers also build exhaust tips to match their systems, including Magnaflow, Borla, Gibson, MBRP and Edelbrock.

Replacing factory exhaust tips

Let’s face it, most factory exhaust systems leave a lot to be desired. They’re usually not designed for performance or tuned for a killer sound. Worse yet, they’re often made from untreated mild steel that rusts out and eventually fails. Not to mention how mundane factory exhaust tips look—even when brand new. And nothing says “jalopy” like an old corroded exhaust tip hanging from under a vehicle.

Whether you want to beat the rust demons to the punch or you need to replace a dragging tip that leaves a spectacular shower of sparks in your wake, a custom exhaust tip will showcase your individual style and replace that weak factory pipe topper.

Style added the easy way

Exhaust tips are an easy way to make a statement and add fresh style to any ride. No matter what you drive, a cool, polished exhaust tip gives your vehicle loads of eye-catching gleam. When you rumble by, nothing throws off flash like the white-hot glare of polished stainless steel. With our wide range of amazing exhaust tips, there’s surely one for everyone. Dual, square, round, oval, straight, curved, angled—the variations will leave you with plenty of options. Weld-on or clamp-on, resonated or intercooled—there’s an exhaust tip out there with your name on it.

Exhaust Tips Materials Reference

When choosing your exhaust tips, style is just the tip of the iceberg. The material they’re made from plays a key role in how your exhaust tips look and how long they last. Hanging under your car and exposed to harsh conditions and high temperatures can put the hardiest materials to the test. Quality exhaust tips are made from either chromed mild steel or aerospace-grade stainless steel. Read on to decide which material is right for your vehicle.

Chromed steel

Stock exhaust tips are usually made from chrome-plated mild steel. This is OK; it keeps the cost down and lasts awhile. To add shine, the steel is chrome-plated, which dramatically improves the finish. In the end, though, the chrome may begin to flake and peel as the steel slowly succumbs to rust. Depending on your local climate, this process could take months or years—but it will happen.

If you’re looking to add quick flash and save some coin, chrome-plated mild-steel exhaust tips are an excellent choice. Edelbrock has you covered when it comes to chrome.

Stainless steel

The other choice for exhaust tip materials is stainless steel—aerospace-grade T-304 stainless steel to be exact. Extremely resistant to corrosion, stainless steel exhaust tips last about 5 times longer than chrome tips. What’s more, the stainless steel‘s finish is polished to a mirror shine. This finish doesn’t flake or chip like chrome and continues gleaming for years to come. The only drawback of stainless steel is the higher cost of the manufacturing process. Of course, with exhaust tips, you get what you pay for. And, you won’t find a better material than stainless steel for high-quality, long-lasting exhaust tips.

Stainless steel exhaust tips are the only choice for those demanding the best. Look to Magnaflow, Gibson, MBRP, Borla, and Edelbrock for these tough tailpipe toppers.

Why Size Really does Matter

When buying a new custom exhaust tip, size is very important. Not only must the exhaust tip match your tailpipe, it needs to look great too. You don’t want some conspicuous piece of metal sticking out like a soar thumb, or hidden behind your bumper. Plus, factors like length and outlet size will determine if a certain tip will even fit your vehicle. Below is a guide explaining the different measurements you must consider when choosing an exhaust tip. A friendly word of advice: always make sure your exhaust is cool before measuring or installing your exhaust tips to avoid fried fingertips!

Inlet Size

The inlet size of your exhaust tip must match the diameter of your existing tailpipe for a proper fit. All of our exhaust tips specify the inlet sizes available for each model, so keep your size in mind when ordering. For example, if your tailpipe has a 3″ diameter, choose an inlet diameter of 3″. Remember, your tailpipe may already have a tip, so be sure to measure the tailpipe, not the old tip.

Outlet Size

This measurement is the size of the tip’s exhaust end. Many automobiles have bumper and cowling cut-outs for factory exhaust tips. Be sure the outlet size of your new tip will clear these cut-outs to avoid any damage or having to trim your body panels.

Length

The final measurement to consider when choosing your exhaust tips is length. You want your exhaust tips to be seen, but you don’t want to create a flaming-hot trip hazard for pedestrians. Make sure to choose a tip that’s long enough to vent the exhaust from under your vehicle, but short enough to keep it looking cool.

To Clamp, or to Weld: that is the Question

Clamp-on, weld-on, clamp-on, weld-on—sounds like that old commercial with sports fans getting riled up over disputed beer qualities. But no, this is a serious question concerning the two styles of custom exhaust tips. This debate won’t provide a retirement haven for former athletes or spawn a rewriting of Hamlet; however, it does play a major role in your auto customizing endeavors. Rather than suffer the slings and arrows of an ill-fitting exhaust tip, ’tis nobler to consider the factors below before deciding upon a clamp-on or weld-on tip.

Clamp-on Tips

Anyone with a wrench can install a clamp-on style exhaust tip—they require no welding and install quickly. Most models even feature an integrated clamp, making it even easier. Just slide the tip onto your tailpipe, tighten the nut and voilá—instant style the quick and easy way. Clamp-on tips are the perfect choice for the do-it-yourselfer. Go with Gibson or MBRP for a solid clamp-on tip.

Clamp-on exhaust tips have two major drawbacks. Vibrations may cause the clamp to come loose, so you’ll want to tighten your tips up now and then. And, the gleam may catch the eyes of a petty thief, resulting in the loss of your tip.

Weld-on Tips

Weld-on tips, as their name implies, must be welded into place. This is always the preferred method for professional installers. It’s easy to do—if you know how to weld and have access to a welder. If not, most muffler shops can do the welding for you. Once installed, your weld-on exhaust tip is super secure—it can’t fall off, and the speed-wrenching thieves will be foiled again. Borla, Magnaflow and Edelbrock all make weld-on tips.

Weld-on Tip Before & After Photo

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