The exhaust system is one of the most vital parts of your car. One of its fundamental roles is to remove harmful gasses from your engine and direct them to the air. This protects your cabin from pollution. Also, the exhaust system controls noise and boosts your engine performance. A sound exhaust system eliminates fumes quickly, enabling your car to take in oxygen and produce more power.
An exhaust tip is the last part of the exhaust system visible from the outside. Sometimes, this portion may wear out due to rust, and you may need to replace it. This allows your vehicle to generate robust and more powerful sound. On top of that, it betters your car’s aesthetic.
With the above in mind, here’s an essential guide to buying an exhaust tip replacement.
Types Of Exhaust Tips
There are various types of exhaust tips, each with unique sounds. Below is a brief description of the most popular ones:
- Rolled edge: The design of this exhaust tip makes your vehicle’s exhaust system appear more extensive than usual. It has soft and thick edges that make it look bulky. Moreover, the rolled inward edge, together with the internal depth, generates a deep sound.
- Straight cut: As the name suggests, the outlet cut of this tip is a straight line, which gives it a traditional look. It doesn’t impact the sound of your vehicle but boosts its performance.
- Turndown exit tip: This kind of tip is also referred to as a dump-out pipe and is designed at an angle that faces the ground, which exposes its chrome. It draws its sound from waves leaving the road and going back inside the tip. This makes it louder than usual.
- Single wall: This is constructed with a thick metal layer with a firm coating. It’s more cost-efficient compared with double ones.
- Double wall: This tip is the same as a single wall, but the only difference is that it has double wall layers. It’s also more costly but durable.
- Angle cut: The ends of this tip is cut at a particular angle that matches with aggressive body types. It perfectly suits vehicles that consume a lot of power.
- Intercooled tip: The inner side of this tip is surrounded by turbine-like fins. Even though it doesn’t boost horsepower, it augments its appeal.
The type of tip you may select for your replacement depends on your demands and personal preferences. Consider visiting this great page for more information and prices of the various tip types.
Factors To Consider When Buying An Exhaust Tip Replacement
Selecting an ideal exhaust tip replacement allows you to implement a customised finishing touch on your conventional exhaust system. It also enables you to include some style and personal flare to your car smoothly. In light of this, here are some factors you may consider before purchasing your exhaust tip replacement to ensure it’s a perfect one:
1. The Size
When purchasing a new exhaust tip, size is very vital. You may not want a size that only matches your tailpipe but one that also looks fantastic. Here are some measurements you may use to determine if a particular tip will fit your vehicle:
- Length: Don’t choose a tip that’s too long, can lead to obstruction, or is too short that it can’t remove gasses appropriately. Instead, go for lengths that can release the fumes from under your car and at the same time look attractive.
- Inlet and outlet diameters: Exhaust tips come in different diameters. Selecting the suitable diameter is essential as it ensures the new tip perfectly fits your tailpipe. For this reason, carefully examine your vehicle’s inlet and outlet sizes to determine the correct diameter.
Remember choosing too small diameters can result in too much pressure, and the exhaust fumes are restricted from leaving the engine. This may significantly damage the engine.
2. Material
Another vital thing you may consider before purchasing a tip replacement is the material it’s made of. Generally, the material influences the appearance of your exhaust tip and how long it may last. Below are some of the most popular ones:
- Aerospace-grade stainless steel
This is one of the best materials you can buy. It’s highly resistant to corrosion and is more durable. In addition, its finish is shiny and doesn’t peel off for several years. The only disadvantage of stainless steel is that it’s costly, but you can enjoy its services for an extended period.
- Chromed steel
Chromed steel is another high-quality material for your replacement. Usually, tips made of this material are cost-efficient compared with those of stainless steel. The finish is chrome-plated to make it shine. However, this can chip with time as the steel slowly rusts.
- Carbon Fiber
This is another strong material for your consideration. Like stainless steel, carbon fiber is exceptionally resistant to corrosion. Its chemical properties are stable, it and won’t easily rust in salty, acidic, or alkali conditions. Additionally, it’s very lightweight. Ideally, carbon is four times lighter than steel, which lowers oil consumption.
3. Determine The Installation Method
There are two primary options for installing your exhaust tip: Clamp or weld it. Clamping helps hold two pipes together to stabilise the tip even in extreme heat conditions. The good thing about this method is that it’s simple to use, and you can install it on your own.
Besides that, you can set the tip up with the muffler on, and you may also disassemble it. However, vibrations may result in the clamps becoming loose as clamps are weaker than welded ones. Additionally, clamped tips are likely to be stolen as the clamps can be removed easily.
On the other hand, to weld, you must have a welding machine to clamp two pipes. This method provides stronger bonds than clamping, as they last longer. Also, the exhaust tip is secure and won’t fall off easily. However, the job requires special tools and knowledge, so you may only install the tip if you have the appropriate equipment or knowledge. Aside from that, it may be hard to repair it if it breaks.
Conclusion
Replacing your exhaust tip is one of the best decisions you can make. This benefits your engine and health by improving the eviction of harmful gasses. However, you must ensure that you select the correct tip before committing to make a purchase. Determine the kind of material and type of tip you’d like. Most importantly, select the right size to avoid unsightly fit or scorching your car’s body. Remember, the proper selection enables you to enhance your vehicle’s performance and aesthetics without breaking the bank.
