Why You Should Consider Upgrading with Aftermarket Exhaust Parts

For most drivers, an exhaust system is there to perform one function. It's there to muffle engine noise, and it's also in place because a working exhaust system is necessary to operate a vehicle in most states.

So why choose aftermarket exhaust components? Because there's a lot more to your exhaust system than that. Some people are aware that the exhaust is a precision system, but most aren't aware of how much extra performance they can gain from swapping in aftermarket parts into your exhaust system.

There's a lot to learn about the possibilities, so let's take a closer look into the world of aftermarket exhaust parts and what kind of gains are possible.

How Exhausts Work

To understand the possible gains, it's important to review how your exhaust system works. It does a lot more than just muffle noise-in fact, it actually provides a path for gases to escape efficiently from your engine.

Think of your engine in terms of gas and air exchange. If your engine can't breathe and make this exchange, it won't perform well. In some instances, if the exhaust is defective in certain ways, it won't perform at all.

But aftermarket parts change the game completely. They not only make it possible for your engine to breathe, they allow it to breathe efficiently, and that in turn leads to better performance.

How Aftermarket Parts Upgrade Performance

Let's take an example. One thing nearly all factory exhaust systems have in common is that they're designed to muffle sound as much as possible, which means they create what's called back pressure.

Engines do require some amount of power in order to perform properly, but there's a balance at work here, and too much back pressure actually robs your engine of power.

That's because the engine has to use some amount of the power it generates to force exhaust gases out of the tailpipe, and otherwise that power would be delivered directly to your engine.

But this equation can be changed. To do it, you need to put together a series of exhaust components that don't restrict engine performance as much due to back pressure. These components do need to be mixed and matched properly, but that's actually not nearly as hard to do as it sounds.

Specific Aftermarket Exhaust Parts

To understand how that mix and match process happens, let's review what specific aftermarket parts do. Start with what's called the headers, which are bolted to the cylinder heads, which allows them to collect and scavenge exhaust gases from the combustion chambers.

When you buy aftermarket, these headers are bent to allow exhaust gases to move more freely. Pulling them from the engine builds up the flow of air and gases in your exhaust system, and this is just one way to help increase performance.

Now let's talk about downpipes. The name tells you exactly what they are-i.e., they like the headers to the mufflers. Their path may be interrupted by a catalytic converter, depending on the age and design of your car.

The next part in the chain is the catalytic converter. It reduces emissions by using a series of ceramic honeycombs that are coated with metal, which converts emissions to nitrogen, water, oxygen and carbon dioxide. That combination is then released from the converter into the atmosphere.

The muffler is the part with which most people are most familiar because it's responsible for noise reduction. Your exhaust system also has crossover pipes as part of the system to reduce gas buildup and back pressure, and the tailpipe finishes the process by reducing leftover gases into the air.

Putting It All Together

Aftermarket exhaust systems can be bought as a package, or you can buy these components individually and mix and match to get whatever combination of performance and sound you're after.

There is some homework involved in all this, so the more you know about your car, your model and the design of the exhaust system, the easier it will be to either find the right system or buy the right individual parts.

One way to get help with this homework is to consult the experts who sell aftermarket exhaust parts. You can start by checking out the "New" aftermarket parts at www.partsmax.co, then contact us and ask whatever questions you may have. And if you happen to be in South Florida, come visit is at our Miami store at 3401 NW 73rd Street in Miami, or call us toll-free at 305 694-6112 and get your answers face-to-face.