Alright, let’s have a yarn about aftermarket exhausts. Now, if you’re anything like me, the idea of giving your trusty four-wheeled friend a bit more… oomph… is pretty tempting. Whether it’s your daily driver, your weekend warrior, or the rig you’re slowly bringing back to its former glory, there’s a lot to be said for that added rumble and the potential for some performance gains. But where do you even start when it comes to sorting through all the different options?
Let’s be honest, one of the big drawcards to changing your exhaust is definitely the sound. That factory-fitted system might be quiet, which is great for some situations but where is the fun in that? I think for most car folks the subtle, or sometimes not-so-subtle difference an aftermarket exhaust in Australia can make is pretty appealing. The right system can make your car sound way more aggressive and sporty; going from purring along to growling and burbling, maybe even some pops and crackles. Who doesn’t enjoy that? It’s about the experience, making driving more engaging and fun.
But it’s not all about just making more noise, even though let’s be real that does rank high for most of us, right? There are a few other benefits, including improvements in performance for certain setups. Depending on how restrictive your stock system is, fitting an aftermarket version with less back-pressure can help your engine breathe easier and potentially squeeze out some extra ponies and a few more torques (I know you’re nodding!) which is what makes some more involved modifications that touch all levels of the system such a consideration!
Okay, let’s dive a little deeper though. There are more than a few types of aftermarket exhausts available. Materials like stainless steel are common; they tend to last pretty well against our sometimes wild Aussie weather conditions – rust is the bane of most car owner’s lives so investing in that little bit of rust resistance helps over time.
You will also find other materials and blends out there, at various prices and with their own benefits too. Then there are the designs! You might be looking at cat-back systems (from the cat all the way back), or an axle-back type (which changes only the bit behind your rear axle). Depending on what system is currently on your ride, this might make all the difference. This also directly impacts the sound of the system so it always pays to really think about how it’ll work within the bigger picture of things.
Choosing your design always brings with it all that glorious terminology like “mandrel bends” and “flow rates”. And yeah it’s all easy enough to look up on the ‘ol internet but a good basic takeaway for flow; essentially, the less restrictive an exhaust system is, the better your engine will be able to ‘exhale’ – improving performance in the right set of circumstances.
A free-flowing exhaust will often change the note to a louder and often deeper one. This then means your options get very interesting depending on what your preferred results would be. You need to be thinking; louder is NOT always better – for you and sometimes (often?) your neighbours and that does need some thought, unless you’re happy making that kind of impact everywhere!
Then you need to also think about tips, resonators, mufflers… ah it can be a bit much. The type of tip you put on will have a subtle but real impact on the overall look and also slightly to sound. It’s probably more of a stylistic decision but for all car enthusiasts all details do matter.
Installation also plays its part; and unless you have all the proper gear, know your way around car mechanics fairly well and know how to use a welder or three, then probably get this done by a professional. There’s a chance of really mucking things up if you’re not sure.
And look, let’s face it, there’s plenty of local guys out there with a hoist that can sort you out no sweat! And a perfectly fitted system is going to last much better, and sound as designed too! A poorly fitted one might rub and clunk and might get in the way, plus be a real risk for further problems which, like the potential for rust, is worth the thought and financial investment to minimise.
Before diving in, its a good idea to do a bit of research too, you know read a forum, and ask around, before committing to that final design. There are some pretty passionate forums full of local experts keen to give their insights on a brand or model for certain rides. There’s probably a crew of online enthusiasts talking about exactly the system you’re thinking about… plus or minus some tweaks…and can get you a head start so it’s a win-win all around.
It can give you more specific knowledge too on sound; nothing’s worse than spending hard-earned dosh and then finding the actual system isn’t quite what you’d imagined! And honestly? Once you know a little about what’s what, it helps when talking with local suppliers who might make some helpful suggestions.
In the end, putting a bit of time and thought into your exhaust upgrade makes all the difference, not just for those satisfyingly awesome soundscapes. It means you know it’s all going to work with your current and hopefully any future, modifications. Happy motoring!
