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Component Matching #4
Sequence of Upgrades
In the previous 3 articles with this title, and subtitled, #1, #2 and #3 we covered the basics including initial condition of the car. We ended up with #9 and #10. These were alcohol injection and intake air. This brings us to #11. In keeping with the theme of proper sequence of upgrades I believe that now is the time to address the exhaust system.
11, Exhaust. The exhaust is something that usually is called into focus early in the modification process. This is early, believe it or not. I know there has been a lot of preliminary attention given to other issues prior to getting to this but I feel that this is the proper place in the sequence of order to deal with it. This is assuming that it was not rotting off the vehicle as you were attempting do drive it. In that case certainly it would have had to be dealt with at that time.
The exhaust consists of three separate component groups. Headers & crossover pipe, Down-pipe & Cat or test pipe and Cat back which includes mufflers and tailpipes.
There are several choices, which include design and size differences. There is also a choice of stainless or mild steel.
I have owned several car with different systems on them and also installed several different ones on customers cars.
It is a good time to do some thinking prior to deciding on a system. Considerations range from price and longevity to performance and sound. These are all very personal and subjective concerns. “Going fast with class”, means different things to different people.
I prefer to have a quieter system but don’t want to compromise performance. Since performance is a greater concern for me, I have made some compromise on the sound level.
Starting with the most commonly replaced component, the cat back system. There are several aftermarket vendors that offer these systems. I am a dealer for one of the best known and commonly used vendors. I will not mention his name here since these articles are not about advertising but instead, unbiased information.
Stainless or mild steel? Stainless steel is an expensive choice but it will last indefinitely and look better. You will be limited in your choices of mufflers with stainless. You will be limited in your choice of mufflers with the design of the system, stainless or mild steel. Mufflers are a major part of how your system will sound. The diameter size of the pipes and whether single or dual will be a contributing factor as well.
Since the 2 major considerations other than cost are sound and performance. I can tell you a little about what you can reasonable expect from the different systems as far as the performance concern goes. You will have to decide on the sound you like. This may seem like an obvious statement but it is a major consideration. Once you have the system on your car it’s a little late if you don’t like it.
I recommend taking a ride with someone that has the system you are considering. Make sure to go on a highway cruise for at least a few minutes as well as normal stop and go along with some W.O.T . (Wide Open Throttle). This should give you a pretty good idea of how the system sounds. Keep in mind, there are several other factors that will effect how it sounds. You will want to make a note of the difference between your car and the test ride vehicle. Some differences to keep in mind are engine size and mods, turbo, down-pipe, cat or test pipe, etc.
With all of the previous now said, I can make a recommendation that is probably easy to predict. I like the 2 & ½ inch mild steel cat back mandrel bent dual exhaust systems that are the most common and the least expensive. I like these for several reasons.
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