Top 5 Exhaust Pipe Modifications for Increased Horsepower

One of the first upgrades many performance enthusiasts make to their vehicles is upgrading the exhaust. Doing this increases horsepower by decreasing backpressure and increasing flow rates of exhaust gases while adding an appealing sound.

Selecting the proper exhaust upgrades is essential. Take into account compatibility, installation costs and your driving goals and preferences before making your selection.

1. Short Tube Headers

Headers are essential in increasing horsepower and torque. Their purpose lies in harnessing each cylinder’s pulses of exhaust (referred to as pressure waves ) which converge at the header collector to expel gasses from your vehicle.

Tube length plays a key role in engine design; low-rpm engines prefer longer primary tubes while higher rpm engines need shorter ones.

Shorty headers keep their ports closer to the chassis for ground clearance and emissions considerations, and are generally more street-friendly than long tube headers. Long tube headers utilize a shorter primary tube with two 2-into-1 collectors to produce more power; these work best on engines equipped with mild factory cam timing where timing and overlap play an essential part in effective scavenging. Tri-Y headers enhance this four-into-1 design by creating an additional secondary pipe, increasing torque for drag racing or road racing applications.

2. Four-Barrel Intake Manifold

Hot rodders looking to upgrade their performance often upgrade their intake manifolds as one of their first modifications. While stock manifolds can provide some power gains, aftermarket options provide significant upgrades that deliver real gains in horsepower.

Optimized airflow requires intake runners that align smoothly with ports in the cylinder head at an obtuse angle for maximum airflow efficiency, providing for uninterrupted delivery of air/fuel mixture into combustion chamber.

Manifolds come in two primary styles–dual plane and single plane. Dual plane manifolds utilize two individual intake plenums connected to the intake runners, isolating each cylinder’s induction cycle from those of its peers and improving nozzle signal and charge velocity at high rpm while often decreasing throttle response and low speed street manners. Conversely, single-plane manifolds utilize one larger central plenum that feeds all runners simultaneously.

3. High-Flow Catalytic Converter

As part of any upgrade to an exhaust system, it’s also vital to upgrade the catalytic converter. Standard catalytic converters restrict flow and sap your engine of power; high-flow catalytic converters such as those by Flowmaster eliminate this restriction to unlock more horsepower and performance for your engine.

High-flow converters feature larger core diameters to increase exhaust flow. They may feature more open cell structures or optimized catalyst coating for efficient emissions conversion.

These stainless steel filters feature heat damage-resistance to remain free-flowing over time, CARB-approved so they will help pass the tailpipe sniffer test during your annual smog check, and meet EPA regulations to maintain emissions compliance in all 50 states.

4. Cat-Back Exhaust System

Every car enthusiast appreciates a powerful sound. A custom cat back exhaust system will not only increase performance and appearance of your car but also boost its value. A cat-back exhaust system refers to the portion of an exhaust that follows your catalytic converter; this includes rear pipe, resonator and muffler components.

Customized cat-back exhaust systems utilize larger diameter tubing and smoother, larger flow mufflers to lower backpressure on your engine and increase power. Furthermore, this can relieve engine strain for greater engine efficiency and better gas mileage.

Custom exhausts come in both dual and single systems with either straight pipe, H-pipe, or X-pipe configurations to meet any budget and performance gain requirements. Your decision depends on your desired weight reduction or increase; single pipe systems tend to be lighter and cheaper while dual pipes provide greater gains.

5. Exhaust Tips

Exhaust tips are an increasingly popular modification among vehicle enthusiasts as they can enhance the appearance and sound of any vehicle. There is an array of chrome, stainless steel, and titanium exhaust tip options available; larger ones often produce deeper tones while smaller tips tend to reduce engine noise levels; some even feature unique designs to alter sound waves further.

No matter which style you select, installing an aftermarket exhaust tip is a straightforward modification that can give your vehicle an updated aesthetic. While replacing factory exhaust tips won’t increase horsepower directly, replacing them may help enhance sound.