Ideal Car Exhaust Systems

Car exhausts can be compared and contrasted by a few general metrics: pressure, sound and efficiency. The purpose of exhaust systems is essentially two-fold. Engines run much more powerfully when waste gasses and uncombusted fuel are vented away from the cylinders rapidly. Because partially burned hydrocarbons tend to form a variety of unpleasant compounds like nitrogen oxides, aldehydes and sulfides, it can be very important to “scrub” these compounds from waste gas by catalytic conversion. An ideal exhaust system would create zero back pressure and remove 100% of contaminants, releasing only carbon dioxide and water.

Single Pipe Designs:

The most common exhaust design is a single pipe extending from the engine to the rear end of the car on the passenger side. These stock systems often use pipes that are undersized for the engine and the single pipe design in itself creates unnecessary back pressure that can sap your engine's power. Inadequately sized and shaped pipes also may not deliver the same satisfying high-octane sound as other designs.

Double Pipe and Dual Exit Designs:

Double pipe systems can quickly reduce this back pressure by running separate pipes under each side of the vehicle. An alternative to the double pipe system is a dual exit design. Two, typically smaller, exit pipes run from the muffler on the same side of the vehicle for a deeper sound. High-end high performance designs can use larger pipes and modified engine manifolds to minimize back pressure and maximize efficiency.

There are a few different styles of exhaust systems. Designs with a second exhaust pipe and larger pipes are generally more efficient.

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