All cars must be equipped with an exhaust system – this is done in order to make sure that your car runs properly and that the gases coming from the engine are vented. However, you’d be surprised by the trade-offs automakers do in order too keep their exhausts as cheap as possible. They do leave a lot of room for other improvements, such as the transmission and suspension, but go for the cheapest options when it comes to the exhaust system. That’s why I changed mine on my Ford Ranger for an after market exhaust Ford exhaust system.
The difference was noticeable right away. The first thing that surprised me was the sound, since it became quite deeper, not to the point of being annoying, it just gained a little bit more growl. Another thing that garbed my attention was that adding an after market exhaust added a considerable amount of power to my Ranger. Again, it’s not as much as adding a turbocharger or supercharger, but it can definitely add more horsepower to you car. Exhaust systems do this by reducing, but not completely eliminating back pressure. Back pressure is important, but if it’s too high, it can stifle your engine.
You might not have heard this, but this change can help you save money on fuel as well. After changing my old exhaust for an aftermarket Ford exhaust system there were noticeable changes in my fuel consumption. They changes weren’t astronomical, but I definitely got a boost in my fuel economy. If you plan on doing the same, make sure you go for a full exhaust replacement because you wont see any changes if you just replace the cat-back or axle-back. You need to go all the way to make sure you get the most out of your new exhaust system, no point in spending money for small parts if you’re not going to see any results from them.
Lastly, I made sure that the material was up to par as well. The manufacturers try to save up as much as they can and the same applies regarding the material your exhaust is made from. They are usually made from a mild steel which doesn’t last a long time. So when you are deciding on the material, make sure to get something that promises sturdiness and quality. The best possible choice would be a higher priced aftermarket system, made from stainless steel or aluminized steel and this way you will make sure you exhaust lasts longer and sustain the level of its performance.