If you're looking to upgrade your car, a performance exhaust system is arguably one of the best mods you can do. Stock exhaust systems are very restrictive in order to meet strict emission standards, so by simply upgrading to an aftermarket exhaust, you'll be unlocking your car's full potential as well as giving it a much nicer soundtrack.
What Is A Performance Exhaust System?
A performance exhaust system is an aftermarket upgrade designed to enhance the engine's efficiency, power output, and sound characteristics in automotive applications. Unlike stock exhaust systems, which prioritize noise reduction and emissions compliance, performance exhausts are engineered to optimize exhaust flow, reduce backpressure, and enhance engine performance. They typically feature larger diameter piping, mandrel bends for smoother airflow, high-flow catalytic converters, and performance mufflers or resonators. By improving exhaust gas evacuation, a performance exhaust system can increase horsepower and torque, improve throttle response, and provide a more aggressive exhaust note. Additionally, some performance exhaust systems offer weight savings over factory components, further enhancing the vehicle's overall performance. Whether for street, track, or off-road use, a performance exhaust system is a popular modification among automotive enthusiasts seeking to unlock the full potential of their vehicle's engine.
How Much is a Performance Exhaust System?
The aftermarket exhaust segment is massive. There are practically hundreds of different exhaust options from hundreds of different manufacturers that you can choose from. An exhaust upgrade can cost you as much or as little as you want it to, depending on the vehicle it's designed for, the quality of the exhaust system itself, whether it's a full system or partial, like an axle back, and the brand that makes it.
A decent cat-back system from JEGS will cost you anywhere between $200 and $500. If you want a cat-back exhaust system from one of the more popular brands like Borla, expect to pay $1,200 and upwards. A complete header-back exhaust will obviously be more expensive, though once again, this entirely depends on the brand making the exhaust as well as the vehicle it's designed to be fitted to.
If you want to replace your restrictive headers, allowing your engine to breathe better and giving it a deeper noise, expect to part ways with an additional $200 to $500 for headers from the more popular brands. Long tube headers can cost upwards of $1,000, but the sound they give your vehicle is usually well worth it.
How Do I Choose a Performance Exhaust System?
When choosing a performance exhaust system, you first have to decide how much you're willing to spend. In terms of price, high performance exhaust systems will set you back whatever you’re willing to spend. Some of the more affordable systems will only cost you a few hundred dollars, but you can easily spend several thousand dollars on a full exhaust system from a premium manufacturer.
You then have to decide whether you want a full exhaust system that includes headers, a header back exhaust system, or a simple axle back exhaust system which is usually the most affordable and the easiest to install. If you’re going to be installing the exhaust system yourself, you might want to choose an axle back or a cat back exhaust for ease of fitment. Replacing your headers is usually a more advanced task.
When buying a new exhaust, you also have to think about longevity and durability. An exhaust system made from stainless steel will not rust and should last you a very long time if not the lifetime of the car. If you decide to sell your exhaust system down the line, or the car itself, a popular exhaust system will add more resale value.
Last but not least, you should consider the aesthetics of your new exhaust system. Exhaust tips come in all shapes and sizes, from round and elliptical to square or even shaped like a rectangle. Depending on your vehicle's make and model, you might also need to decide between a single exhaust outlet, dual exhaust tips, or even quad exhaust tips in some cases.
Benefits of Performance Exhaust Systems
There are several benefits to adding an aftermarket exhaust system to your vehicle, the first of which is improved performance. As the engine goes through its combustion cycle, it emits exhaust gases that have to escape through the exhaust. Even though the stock exhaust system is perfectly capable of expelling those exhaust gases, a performance system does the same job more efficiently and effectively by allowing the gases to escape quicker and with less restriction.
Obviously, an engine that's able to remove exhaust gases quicker is able to draw in more air with each cycle, effectively producing more horsepower. A high performance exhaust system is the single best upgrade you can do to your car to unlock more performance without having to open up the engine and change things like pistons and rods. It can even have a side benefit of adding a little to your fuel efficiency.
When it comes to bang for your buck, nothing beats an aftermarket exhaust system. Should you decide to add more mods to your vehicle down the line, such as a bigger turbo or a supercharger, the aftermarket exhaust system will be ready to facilitate those mods and extract the most from them. The best performance exhaust systems are the ones that don’t break the bank but yield decent performance gains.
The reason why most people decide to buy an aftermarket exhaust system is for the sound though. Sure, you might notice the extra 10 or 20 horsepower your new exhaust gives your car, but perhaps more importantly, you'll definitely love the deeper exhaust noise.
Last but not least, an aftermarket exhaust system will make your car look cooler thanks to stainless steel tubing and exhaust tips typically finished in chrome, stainless steel, or even carbon fiber.
Shopping Tips
Before you buy an exhaust system, do your due diligence and conduct some research online. Look up some videos of what cars that are equipped with the exhaust you're looking to buy sound like, and perhaps even watch a review or two. Unless you're dead set on buying an exhaust system from a certain brand, look around and see what you're able to find.
If you have friends or know people who have a car similar or identical to yours and are running an aftermarket exhaust system, ask them what they think of it and whether they would recommend it. Model-specific car forums often hold some of the most valuable insights when it comes to buying aftermarket components or modifying your vehicle.
You can find hundreds of exhaust system options for your vehicle at JEGS. Whether you need a cat-back exhaust system, a header-back exhaust upgrade, or are simply looking for replacement headers, we have you covered.
