Keeping Your Car Clean By Adding Accessories

The original manufacturer's exhaust system on your car is designed to meet the federal emissions regulations as well as to muffle sound. Unfortunately, part of the way that it does those things is by restricting airflow. That restriction robs your engine of power. If you've been thinking about upgrading your car's exhaust system to regain some of that engine power, there are some things you need to think about. Here's a look at some of the things you'll need to consider as you decide on your new exhaust upgrade.

How Much Change Are You Looking For?

The first decision you need to make is how much of your exhaust system you're looking to change. This is an important consideration because it affects the final outcome as well as the project cost.

There are three different approaches to exhaust system upgrades. Your replacement project can start at the manifold, the catalytic converter, or the axle. If you replace everything starting at the manifold, that's a comprehensive replacement. You can expect it to come with the most expense and labor requirement, but it will also net you the greatest performance improvements.

An exhaust upgrade starting at the catalytic converter is a bit less comprehensive, and usually a little bit easier to complete. You won't get quite as much engine power improvement, but it could save you some overall.

Finally, replacement starting at the axle is usually the simplest and the smallest-scale project. You will gain some sound improvement and a little bit of added power, and the components are easy to access.

What Environment Are You In?

Once you know how much of the exhaust system you're looking to replace, you'll have to settle on what type of material your exhaust is crafted from. This will largely be determined by the environment you live in. If you're living in an area such as Florida, where there's no snow or ice, you won't need to worry as much about road salt damage. In those cases, you can choose an aluminum system. 

However, if you live in an area where salt, heavy rains, and other similar hazards are common, you'll want to consider stainless steel instead. This will reduce the risk of corrosion and deterioration of your exhaust system.

What Will It Sound Like?

One of the reasons many people opt for a performance exhaust is the sound enhancement that comes in addition to the added power. Before you choose an exhaust system upgrade, you should be sure that you know what that upgrade will sound like on your car.

Remember that a throaty, rumbling exhaust can sound great, but if you have a long commute every day, you might find that the sound wears on you after a while. Look for a balance between the sound that you want and the comfort of long-term exposure.  

For more information, contact a Chevy Corvette exhaust system.