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.
Luckily for you, the factory exhaust system on your truck is efficient, and can be easily improved with just a few modifications. The exhaust manifold is the first component of the exhaust system. It directs exhaust from each cylinder together into one or two main exhaust pipes. These are usually fairly efficient and don’t need to be replaced. If you decide to change them though, find a good set of headers with ceramic coating and factory mounting points for sensors. Usually though, the factory exhaust manifold will be perfectly fine for your needs.
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, do you want to hear the exhaust ALL the time? In other words, when you drive down the highway, is a little exhaust drone OK? If not, make sure you choose a muffler that’s not described as being loud. Check the web and ask your local muffler shop for advice on finding a good muffler. Many muffler manufacturers are even putting sound clips on their websites now.
Second, do you want something that people can slightly hear when you drive by, or do you want something so loud that the neighbors know exactly what time you leave for work every morning? Words like “racing” or “glasspack” usually indicate exceptionally loud mufflers, so watch out for those terms unless you want a lot of attention.
Also important to consider is whether the new muffler is a single or dual exhaust. If your factory exhaust system came with a single exhaust muffler, then your truck will work just as well with a single after market exhaust system. Dual exhaust systems are more expensive, but you’ll get a nicer sound and better look. If you use a dual exhaust, check that your installer works around the trailer hitch and/or leaves room for one so you can add it later if you choose.
Your final decision is which exhaust material system you’ll use. The right material for you will depend on where you’re located geographically. If it’s anywhere near a saltwater body, buy stainless steel. It may cost more, but stainless steel will be a wise investment since the saltwater in your environment is harsh on regular galvanized or aluminized steel. Drivers in dry climates won’t really benefit from the extra cost of stainless steel, since it’ll take years for rust damage to occur if it gets into the system.
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