Should You Put An Exhaust System On Your Truck?
If you’re a truck owner, you’re probably quite familiar with how powerful they are. Trucks are meant to haul and tow heavy loads without strain, which is why they require so much power. Yet most manufacturers equip their trucks with fairly quiet exhaust systems in spite of their powerful engines. If you want your truck’s sound to show its power, or you want reduce some of the constrictions in the exhaust, you might want to consider adding to or changing the exhaust system.
Fortunately, the factory exhaust system is efficient and doesn’t require much modification for you to improve it. The first component in your exhaust system is the exhaust manifold, the part that directs exhaust from individual cylinders into one or two main exhaust pipes. Most exhaust manifolds are pretty efficient and don’t require replacement, but if you decide you’d like to replace this part, then you’re going to look at a set of headers. A good set of headers will offer a ceramic coating, as well as factory mounting points for sensors. Again, most of the time the factory exhaust manifold is just fine.
After the manifold, exhaust travels through the catalytic converters. These are already very efficient and legally required to be on your truck, so you’re much better off leaving these alone. The only time you’d do really do anything with the factory catalytic converter is if you were adding an extremely powerful upgrade to your engine, such as a turbo- or supercharger.
The exhaust gases cool a bit as they enter the muffler after going through the catalytic converters. This part of the factory system is usually also perfectly fine, and won’t be too restrictive. Replacing the mufflers will probably only result in a small torque gain of 5-10 ft-lbs, and a hp gain of 3-5 hp. Using after market mufflers, however, will make a great change in how your truck sounds. It’ll add an exciting roar that easily justifies the cost of the muffler. The exhaust exits the truck out of the tailpipe after the mufflers. Truck owners often like to add tailpipe tips, but these are strictly ornamental, and serve no functional purpose.
Obviously, the most logical thing to do if you want to make a change to your exhaust system is to exchange the factory muffler for an after market one. It’ll produce the biggest, most noticeable results. Consider this when looking at after market mufflers:
First, ask yourself if you really want to be hearing the exhaust ALL the time. If you do, make sure to take that into account when selecting your muffler. If you’d prefer not to hear the muffler in the background as you’re driving down the highway, choose a muffler that’s not described as loud. You can look online or at your local muffler shop for more help on finding the perfect muffler. There are even sound clips on many muffler manufacturers’ websites now so you can hear what your muffler will sound like before you buy.
Second, do you want your muffler to be just loud enough for passersby to hear, or do you want a loud that will make people stop and stare? If you’re looking for that extra attention, you’ll want a muffler with words like “racing” or “glasspack” in the description. Otherwise, these mufflers may be too loud for your tastes.
Choosing between a single or dual exhaust muffler is another important decision you’ll have to make. If your truck came with a single exhaust, then a single after market exhaust will be enough to keep good performance. If you prefer to get a dual exhaust, be prepared to spend more money in exchange for better sound and look. Make sure your installer works around your trailer hitch, or leaves room for one, just in case you decide to add one later.
The last thing to consider is exhaust system material. You should make this decision based on where you live. Drivers who live near saltwater will want to invest in stainless steel. It may be more expensive, but it’ll hold up again saltwater corrosion for much longer than galvanized or aluminum steel. If you don’t live near a saltwater environment, stainless steel will be a needless expense. If rust ever gets into your system, it will take years for you to feel the effects.
