Topic: What Type Of System Is Best?

[bluedevil]

There are various types of cat-back exhaust systems available. These vary in the diameter of the tubing as well as the style of the exhaust. Tubing size ranges from 2-1/2-inch to 4-inches, depending on the type of engine that the system is being attached to. In most cases, larger displacement engines and diesel engines require the largest tubing. This is due to the fact that they can move more air and the tubing size, typically 3-inches is the norm for most trucks, is enough to gain additional flow without being too large. Larger diameter tubing will reduce the scavenging effect and will create a loud resonance within the cab so most manufactures stick to the largest diameter that works best..

As you would imagine there are many choices in the types of metal used for a typical cat-back exhaust system. Generally, steel tubing is used and the larger gauge tubing is always preferred over a thin piece of metal. The thickness of the metal is determined in gauges and a 16-gauge steel tube is thinner than a 14-gauge steel tube. So the smaller the number the thicker the steel. Most cat-back exhaust systems are made from 16-gauge steel and although this is a good thickness, steel has a tendency to rust.

Rust prevention is a big deal, especially in areas where snow and mud are an annual problem. To inhibit rust, many aftermarket cat-back exhaust companies aluminize their steel. This adds a thin aluminum coating to the steel which prevents rust for anywhere from 5-6 years.

Stainless steel is the hot ticket for exhaust systems as it completely eliminates rust from the equation. Keep in mind however that there are two kinds of stainless steel that are used on cat-back exhaust systems. The first is 304 stainless which is one of the best grades of stainless steel available for exhaust systems. It remains pristine due to its high levels of nickel content so a polished, 304 stainless steel system is a show quality system too. The disadvantage is its cost. Any exhaust that is made from 304 stainless steel is expensive and this is the reason why some manufacturers have gone to 406 grade stainless steel.

You can easily spot a 406 grade stainless exhaust system as it has a yellowish tint to it. This happens because the silver oxidizes when it is exposed to oxygen but the steel still has great anti-rust benefits and looks good when polished up from time to time. A 406 grade stainless cat-back is a great value as it will probably last the life of the vehicle and will look good too.

Mandrel bending used to be something that some cat-back exhaust manufacturers would claim as a benefit to their systems. Today, most all cat-back exhaust systems are mandrel bent. This process involves sliding a steel ball through the tubing as it is being bent. It eliminates any crimping or shrinking of the tubing size as it is bent. Keeping the tubing size the same diameter throughout the exhaust system is another way to improve flow and gain more power.

Aside from the tubing materials and the bending processes used, one of the major differences between one exhaust system and another is the type of muffler used. There are generally two types of mufflers, those that reflect sound within the muffler to cancel out the noise, and those that absorb the sound pulses to quiet noise levels. Both work great. The problem however, is that some systems use the same muffler, give or take the length and exit tubing size, for all of their applications.

Other aftermarket cat-back exhaust manufacturers design a muffler for each application, ensuring that the muffler they use is the best for that particular engine-chassis combination. Obviously, this is a more expensive alternative, but the differences are in performance, sound and price. Companies that manufacture one muffler in various sizes can create a variety of cat-back exhaust system for less than a company who develops a muffler for each application. The benefit of a specific designed system however, is better performance and a richer exhaust tone that is guaranteed not to have any resonance within the cab. In either case, performance gains are well established and many aftermarket cat-back exhaust companies do various dyno tests to demonstrate how well their systems do.

Ultimately, the best way to choose the right cat-back exhaust system is to look at each one individually. You will also have to decide how long you want to keep your truck, how much performance do you really need from it and your overall budget. Furthermore, you can also go to various shows and events to listen to what a similar vehicle sounds with a particular exhaust system. After all, it’s great to have power you can feel as well as hear.

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[Rohan531]

me i choose the Rust prevention is a big deal, especially in areas where snow and mud are an annual problem. To inhibit rust, many aftermarket cat-back exhaust companies aluminize their steel. This adds a thin aluminum coating to the steel which prevents rust for anywhere from 5-6 years.
in this i am really believe in  this because i just try it.,


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[MyBigToy]

How you drive your vehicle also plays a large role in how long an exhaust system lasts, especially an aluminized one. Short trips don't allow the moisture to burn off so it accumulates in the bottom of the exhaust and muffler and rusts them out. I do very little short trip driving with the Av so my aluminized system is still in pretty good shape after about 6 years on the truck.