Most car and truck manufacturers leave plenty of room for improvement when it comes to horsepower and torque. That's not to say that these vehicles are poorly made, but many companies will choose the least expensive alternative when it comes to items such as exhaust systems.

An aftermarket performance exhaust can free some of the power in your engine. These systems allow for a quicker, more efficient path for exhaust gases to escape. This means your engine "breathes" better, so spent fuel and air exit the combustion chambers faster. That means more fuel and air can be burned to create more power.

There are several other good reasons to add an aftermarket exhaust system. One of the most noticeable is the subtle, but distinctly aggressive, change in exhaust note. Many of the better systems are only slightly louder than your stock exhaust at idle, but they deepen to a low "growl" during acceleration.

There are two types of bends used in making exhaust systems, and the type used makes a difference in the way air flows. The typical factory-made systems, as well as some aftermarket systems, use a "crush-bend" technique. This type of process creates a crinkled area in the pipes, which decreases the diameter and slows the exhaust gases. A "mandrel bend," on the other hand, is smooth, so the pipe remains at a constant diameter through the bend. That means there's less resistance, so you get more efficient airflow and better performance.

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Another factor to consider is the material used to make the system. Most factory exhaust systems are made of mild steel, so they have a tendency to deteriorate over time. The better aftermarket systems are made using aluminized steel or stainless steel. Aluminized steel offers slightly better longevity than stock systems, while stainless systems are designed to last much longer usually for the life of the car or truck.

When researching exhaust systems, it's important to think about how you use your vehicle. Most aftermarket systems add to your car or truck's appearance, with larger tips and highly polished mufflers that provide a more refined, aggressive look. There are also many aftermarket systems that look stock, but still provide performance gains.

The diameter of the pipes is another thing to keep in mind, especially if you're adding more aftermarket performance parts. Most cars and trucks benefit from slightly larger piping, but if you go too big, you can actually hurt your vehicle's performance. On the other hand, if you are adding a turbocharger or supercharger, you'll want to go much larger than your stock exhaust!


No matter what direction you choose, an aftermarket exhaust is sure to add to your car or truck's performance, appearance, and sound. Whether you're looking for more power, show-quality looks, or both, the right exhaust system can change your car or truck for the better.

High performance headers arent just for your style, though they certainly add appeal when you race down your street. These headers also help to make your car a better performing vehicle from the start of the race to the finish line. The benefits of upgrading to high performance headers are hard to ignore, even if you dont race carsyet. Here are some things to keep in mind.

High Performance Accessories

Performance headers are taking the place of traditional exhaust systems, adding more pipes and flashy tubes. Placed on the top of a car, those who race can enjoy a boost from behind as the pipes push out exhaust with force. Loud and hard to ignore, high performance headers are available at specialized auto accessory shops as well as through online retailers and auction sites.

Boost Your Speed

The main benefit of high performance headers is the boost in speed you get. As you're driving your cars thrust is limited to the speed at which your engine pushes you along. But with headers, you can increase your speed since exhaust is being pushed out of your cars backside. While this doesnt seem like a lot of force, a car which is designed for racing has a large engine and will notice a better start with the introduction of headers. You will need to remove the regular manifold and notice an immediate different in speed.

Increase Your Style

The high performance headers are difficult to ignore because they stand out in the design of your car. Added to the front of the car as well as to the sides, they can be shined up to work as part of a theme design. The more piping you add, the more stylized the car will be, which helps in intimidating the competition. In contests of car appearance, high performance headers help to create a unique look for modern and for older model cars. Polishing up the headers before a competition can boost your race confidence too, which can give you the edge over others.

Better Gas Economy

Since your racing car is going to be heavier, you need more torque to push it up the hills or down the road. With high performance headers, you will get that extra push. This improves your gas economy as a result. Instead of using the traditional exhaust system, you will boost your expulsion of emissions, allowing the engine to run better. In cars which use nitrous for a boost, this is especially important. You need to be able to expel that gas as quickly as possible to get the speed you need. However, you need to keep in mind that the larger the header, the more it can interfere with speed, so stick to headers which sit closer to the car body.

High performance headers are going to help you get out of the starting gate more quickly, speed along more efficiently, and burn less fuel as a result. No matter what your style, theres a header for your next race.