If you are looking for a way to increase your car or truck’s horsepower, there are a lot of things you can do. Surprisingly, replacing parts in the exhaust system can have a real impact as well. This is because a back pressure created by the exhaust not leaving the vehicle fast enough hampers horsepower. Aftermarket performance parts essentially improve performance by improving exhaust flow.
Performance Mufflers
There is no doubt that the easiest part of the exhaust system to replace is the muffler. For most vehicles, mufflers for cars and trucks can simply be popped off so the new part can be attached. The downside is that only so much horsepower can be gained by changing the muffler out. For bigger horsepower gains, you would need to do a cat back exhaust replacement, which covered everything from the catalytic converter to the back of the vehicle. If you only plan to replace the muffler and nothing else, you may be able to increase your horsepower by as much as 10 percent.
Other Notes
It is important to realize that replacing the muffler cannot create horsepower that is not already there. All performance improvements made by replacing exhaust system parts are only possible by removing a cap on your horsepower. Essentially, your engine may be stifled by the exhaust not leaving the car fast enough. Improving the flow does not make the engine run faster. Instead, it allows the car to take full advantage of the power the engine was already producing. So what does this mean for you? You need to have a good understanding of your engine before replacing your muffler. If there really is power to be gained, you should know in advance or you may be disappointed. Even if this is the case, however, you may be interested in customizing the noise your car makes by choosing an aftermarket muffler. No matter the reason, aftermarket parts can help you make your car more to your liking.
