The Ultimate Exhaust Pipe Buying Guide

1 What Are Exhaust Pipes?

Every exhaust system has components like an exhaust manifold, resonator, muffler, and catalytic converter. The piping that connects all the individual parts of the exhaust system is called the exhaust pipe. You won’t be able to see any exhaust pipes or exhaust components. But only the end part of this system can be seen, which is known as the end pipe or the tailpipe. The exhaust pipes play an important role in connecting all the exhaust components. Exhaust components are fitted under the vehicle in different areas. To connect these components, the exhaust pipes can be bent in many angles or shapes, and connecting any two pipes is easy using an exhaust clamp.

What are Exhaust Pipes Made of?

Exhaust pipes are an essential component of a vehicle’s exhaust system, which transports exhaust gasses away from the engine and out the rear of the vehicle. The most common materials used to make exhaust pipes are stainless steel, cast iron, and aluminum compounds. Stainless steel is the most popular metal used to make exhaust pipes because of its capacity to resist wear and rust. Aluminum is not the best choice for exhaust systems because it loses its molecular integrity at high heat temperatures. Most exhaust pipes are made from stainless steel compounded with other materials.

2 What Are The Different Types Of Exhaust Pipes I Should Be Aware Of?

Exhaust pipes are an important component in attaching all the big and small exhaust components. These pipes are different and are fitted in different locations and are known by different names. A few of them which are mostly used are like

Front Exhaust Pipes

Front exhaust pipes are fitted in between the exhaust manifold and the catalytic convertor. These pipes are mostly made of stainless steel and are tried to keep as straight as possible to decrease secondary exhaust gas pressure. These pipes help in reducing the secondary exhaust gas pressure of the turbine to improve its response. The flanges of the front pipe are also made of stainless steel and are tig welded to the pipe which reduces exhaust gas friction.

Intermediate Or Center Pipes

Intermediate or center pipes are a part of the exhaust system that is fitted between the exhaust muffler and the catalytic converter. When this pipe gets damaged or you decide to replace or upgrade the center exhaust pipe, you will need a pipe to connect the exhaust system from the catalytic converter to the muffler. This center pipe has two or three hooks which are hung with rubber joints with the body. The center exhaust pipes come in many shapes and sizes. They are different depending on the car model.

Y Pipe

The Y-type exhaust pipe connects the two different sides of the manifold pipes to the center pipe. These types of pipes are most used on cars having six or more cylinders. The Y type pipe gives better fuel mileage and serves to increase engine power by improving the flow of exhaust gases. This system also helps in lowering the temperatures of the exhaust gas.

Tail Pipe

The tailpipe is the last part of the car’s exhaust system. In the complete exhaust system, only the tailpipe is visible and is designed to throw exhaust gases away from the vehicle and into the air. The tailpipe is connected to the muffler and the length of it can be big or small depending on the model of the car you drive.

Tail Pipe Extension

The tailpipe often ends with just a straight or an angled cut. Some people love to add a tailpipe extension to it. A tailpipe extension is an accessory that is mostly chromed. This part provides a final reduction in pressure and is used to enhance the appearance of the car. There are many types of tailpipe extensions; they can be single or dual and can have an oval shape.

3 What Are The Factors I Should Consider Before Buying Exhaust Pipes?

There are a few pointers to keep in mind when buying an exhaust pipe to ensure your purchase is an exact match for your vehicle and lives up to or exceeds OEM standards for a fair price. 

1. Compatibility 

Most exhaust pipes are vehicle-specific, so finding one that is meant for your vehicle is necessary for a precise fit. Finding the right size of exhaust pipe for the exhaust muffler, resonator or catalytic convertor is critical as it can even change the sound of the vehicle. Modern cars come with many exhaust components which can give a choice of changing the exhaust pipes to suit your needs. In such cases, you can opt for an aftermarket exhaust pipe which can give your normal vehicle the sound and performance of a racing car. 

2. Single Pipe Or Two-piece Pipe

The difference between a single pipe and a two-piece pipe is evident from the name. Single pipe construction is mostly used in fewer power vehicles, and the exhaust pipe is welded to the muffler. This means if the exhaust pipe gets damaged you will have to buy the complete assembly with the muffler. Whereas two-piece exhaust pipes are used on high-performance vehicles with powerful engines. These pipes are connected to the muffler with the help of exhaust clamps. This allows the user to change the damaged part, which can be the exhaust pipe or the muffler.

3. Brand Choice

For the people with more knowledge about exhaust pipes can go with their personal preferences but for those with less or no knowledge, going with a trusted and top brand is always counted as the best idea, when it comes to saving your valuable time, effort, and of course money in the long run. This guide will help you choose the best exhaust pipes for everyone. In the below section, there are many top brands with their features to choose from which can suit all your needs.

4. Checking for Fitment And Leakage

Once the exhaust pipes are replaced, it becomes necessary to check their function for sound and leakage of exhaust gases from joints. There are laws in some states which do not allow high sound from the exhaust system. A leak or a faulty exhaust joint can seriously affect the environment with pollution. Driving a vehicle with such problems is a serious safety issue for the environment and people and can prove dangerous at higher speeds.

5. Close Attention To Warranties 

Pay close attention to warranties for an exhaust part, as they are limited and specific. Replacements are available only if there are any defects. Only a few high-performance exhaust parts companies provide a 1-year warranty where the parts will be a bit expensive. So you will have to decide and balance between warranty and price.

6. Choosing The Right Material

The exhaust systems can be made from a variety of materials. But the most commonly used exhaust systems are made with stainless steel or mild steel. The advantage of a mild steel exhaust system is the price. These mild steel exhaust systems can help save you some cash, but they will rust or corrode. Stainless steel exhaust system resists corrosion, making it the best exhaust system material for snowy or rainy climates.

What Kind of Exhaust Should I Get?

Choosing the right exhaust system for your vehicle can be a daunting task. The type of exhaust system you choose depends on your driving style, budget, and the sound you want to achieve. Here are some tips to help you choose the right exhaust system:

1. Cat-back exhaust system: This type of exhaust system is the most popular among car enthusiasts. It replaces the exhaust components from the catalytic converter back. Cat-back systems are relatively easy to install and offer a moderate increase in horsepower and torque. They also provide a deeper and more aggressive exhaust note compared to the stock exhaust system.
2. Axle-back exhaust system: This type of exhaust system replaces the mufflers and tailpipes from the rear axle to the exhaust tips. Axle-back systems are less expensive than cat-back systems and offer a moderate increase in horsepower and torque. They also provide a deeper and more aggressive exhaust note compared to the stock exhaust system.
3. Header-back exhaust system: This type of exhaust system replaces everything from the header collector to the tailpipes. Header-back systems are the most expensive and difficult to install. They offer the greatest increase in horsepower and torque and provide the deepest and most aggressive exhaust note.
4. Muffler selection: The type of muffler you choose will also affect the sound of your exhaust system. If you want a deep and aggressive exhaust note, you should choose a straight-through muffler. If you want a quieter exhaust note, you should choose a chambered muffler.

4 Which Popular Brand Exhaust Pipe Should I Choose?

Walker USA Exhaust Pipes

Walker USA exhaust pipes are one of the most demandable brands in the market at present conditions. Backed by superior materials and rigorous testing, Walker USA exhaust pipes deliver the reliable performance you can count on. Every component they make is thoroughly checked, due to which they deliver 100% satisfaction for you and your customers.

Intermediate Or Center Pipe Part Number: 51029, 41785, 55359, 55414, 53723, 52087, and more.

Features

• Pipes are made from 100% aluminized steel construction for durability. 
• They are well designed to perform, and also the fitment is like original equipment. 
• Features OEM routings for hassle-free installation. 
• Pipes are welded with OE-style connectors and hangers (where applicable).

Tail Pipe Part Number: 55683, 55188, 54486, 54700, 54366, 53575 and more.

Features

• Pipes are made from 100% aluminized steel construction for durability. 
• They are well designed to perform, and also the fitment is like original equipment. 
• Features OEM routings for hassle-free installation. 
• Pipes are welded with OE-style connectors and hangers (where applicable).

Y-Pipe Part Number: 40296, 50473, 50450, 55204, 55571, 50485 and more.

Features

• Pipes are made from 100% aluminized steel construction for durability. 
• They are well designed to perform, and also the fitment is like original equipment. 
• Features OEM routings for hassle-free installation. 
• Pipes are welded with OE-style connectors and hangers (where applicable).

For more, you can visit our  Walker USA Exhaust Pipes section.

Flowmaster Exhaust Pipes

Flowmaster gives technicians the edge by innovating every exhaust pipe. Flowmaster engineers focus on making their exhaust pipes faster and easier to install and engineer them to provide a longer service life. Using punishing durability testing, they validate every new design to ensure you get the performance you can trust so you can drive the vehicle with confidence.

Tail Pipe Part Number: 15807, 15801, 15817, 15806, 15811, 15816 and more.

Feature:

• Exits straight out under the rear bumper.
• Mandrel-bent for maximum performance.
• High clearance around the rear differential.

For more, you can visit our Flowmaster Exhaust Pipes section.

5 How Can I Know About The Different Pipes Used In The Exhaust System?

All vehicles need a perfect exhaust system to get rid of the gasses from the engine that are caused by combustion. Whereas each exhaust system does the same thing of removing the exhaust gases. Exhaust pipes are never straight, there are many bends and joints in them. Exhaust pipes can be of different shapes and sizes and are fitted according to the exhaust system they have. There are 5 types of exhaust systems that are used in cars today and need different exhaust pipes. Some are ideal for traditional vehicles, whereas others are better for high-performance engines.

Based On Configuration

1. Single Exit Pipe System

The single exit exhaust system is the most common type of exhaust system. You can find these types of systems on light cars and trucks. They aren’t the most efficient pipes, however; they are the most affordable to produce and install. The exhaust pipe end will be on the vehicle’s passenger side.

2. Dual Rear Exit Pipe System

The dual rear exit exhaust system is fitted on the sportier cars or is fitted to make a vehicle seem sportier. It changes the sound of the exhaust, making the engine sound more aggressive and powerful. This type of exhaust system uses two exhaust pipes on different sides of the car. Unlike other systems, the exhaust pipes don’t bend around the wheels.

3. Opposite Dual Exhaust System

The dual rear exhaust system doesn’t bend, but the opposite dual exhaust system works in a different manner. They wrap around the wheel, using the bend to feature the filtering method. We can see it on more vehicles that tow massive loads like trailers or boats.

4. Dual Side Exhaust System

Just as the name is, a dual side or twin type exhaust system has two pipes connected next to each other on one side. The two pipes help in removing the exhaust gasses more efficiently than a single exit pipe. They look more attractive if a chrome accessory is added to the tailpipe end and sound like high-performance systems. They even offer some enhancement in performance.

Based On Construction

1. Crush Bending Exhaust Pipe

Crush bending an exhaust pipe is a simple and affordable process. In this a pressure is applied at the desired spot while holding both the ends of the exhaust pipe. Because of the crush bending process, when the pressure is applied, the tube loses its shape, and causes wrinkles on the bend area. These wrinkles can affect both performance and structural integrity of the exhaust pipe.

2. Mandrel Bending Exhaust Pipe

A mandrel is a tapered cylinder rod against which the tube can be shaped. Mandrel bending an exhaust pipe is a complex and expensive process. In this, the exhaust pipe is placed in the hydraulic press that bends it using a bending die. To avoid any wrinkle, a mandrel is kept inside the pipe. This helps by keeping the strength and the shape of the pipe during the bending process. Retaining the shape of the pipe helps maintain even exhaust flow and therefore does not decrease performance or effect efficiency of the system. 

Based On Diameter Of Pipe

1. Larger Diameter Exhaust Pipe

When the accelerator pedal is pressed down, there is a large amount of exhaust gases produced which tries to make a way out as quickly as possible. Having a small diameter of exhaust pipe will create restriction and allow for a less flow of exhaust gases. This can cause performance issues and even excess fuel consumption. If you are having a performance vehicle or a race car, you can add a little more power to it, by adding large diameter exhaust pipes.

2. Smaller Diameter Exhaust Pipe

Smaller diameter exhaust pipes are not bad but are generally used on engines that need less air flow and are used on lower-powered engines. Smaller diameter exhaust pipes are perfect for small engines, as they do not produce large volumes of exhaust gasses. At low to medium rpm the engine is less efficient and produces less exhaust gas, having a smaller pipe removes these gases more efficiently.

Based On Material

1. Mild Steel

Mild steel is a mixture of iron with a small percentage of carbon. It is sometimes called carbon steel. Mild steel is the most common form of steel and is cheap to produce. For a long time, popular material for exhaust parts was mild steel. It was used as it was inexpensive, easy to work with, and lightweight. However, mild steel exhaust pipes rust very quickly and have a short life span. The moisture can build up in the exhaust pipe when the engine is not running for long and rusts the exhaust parts from the inside out.

2. Aluminized Steel

Exhaust pipes made from aluminized steel have the same properties as mild steel. The change is that the metal has a coating of aluminum-silicon alloy. The aluminized coating resists corrosion and rust. It is more costly, but will last longer than mild steel. This metal is not shiny like chrome or stainless steel but is light gray. The moisture can build up in the exhaust pipe when the engine is not running for long and rusts the exhaust parts from the inside out. If the coating gets scraped, it will rust just like mild steel.

3. Stainless Steel

The best resistance to rust found on exhaust parts are made from stainless steel. But it is the expensive choice and is also hard to weld and bend. Stainless steel comes in different grades, the most popular grades used in exhaust parts are 409 and 304. Chromium and other elements are added in stainless steel to resist corrosion and make the metal harder and stronger. The difference between the 409 and 304 is the amount of chromium and nickel found in each. Though stainless steel exhausts are costly, they are still reasonably affordable and worth the extra cash, given the benefits.

4. Titanium

Titanium is the most expensive metal used for exhaust parts. Titanium exhaust parts are 40 percent lighter and stronger. Making titanium exhausts parts is as same as making stainless pipework as the same tooling and processes are used. Titanium has properties of changing color to blue when heated. The biggest drawback is the price due to which it is rarely used.

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6 How Much Will It Cost Me For A New Exhaust Pipe?

Once you have completed the inspections and are sure that you need to replace your exhaust pipe, it is time to replace the exhaust pipe as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. You have an option to choose from a different brand or the same brand if it suits your budget. Price ranges are different depending on which exhaust pipe is needed and also vary from one brand to the other. Depending on the vehicle you drive, the exhaust pipe will cost you around $120 to $300. While the labor cost is only about $40 to $100. If you have proper tools and knowledge, you can change the exhaust pipe yourself and save a lot for the labor. Refer to this guide to learn how you can replace the exhaust pipes yourself. 

7 How Long Will My Exhaust Pipe Last?

The exhaust system in any vehicle doesn’t require a lot of maintenance or any special attention until higher mileage or advanced years. Most vehicles don’t require any exhaust work for about eight to ten years or maybe more, because of the corrosion-resistant, stainless steel material used in exhaust systems which are installed in the factory and are also available as an aftermarket product. However, repairs can become a lot of common and costlier as parts age and create holes and leaks or when they fail fully due to rust.

8 What Is The Difference Between Standard Vs High-Performance Exhaust Pipe?

Vehicles can run on any exhaust pipe, let it be standard or high performance. But it totally depends on the customer’s choice. Having a standard exhaust pipe will never give additional benefits such as a change in sound, performance, and sometimes additional power, but it will rust on any impact from stones below. A standard exhaust pipe is cheaper than a high-performance exhaust pipe but has a short lifespan because of the material used. Trying with the high-performance exhaust pipes can surely change the customer’s mind, though these pipes are expensive they come with a long-life guarantee. They do a more efficient job than standard pipes of filtering and throwing out the gasses. High-performance exhaust pipes match the fit and performance of the standard exhaust pipe, and some even exceed that, which can give a second thought to the customer before buying a standard exhaust pipe.

9 FAQs

Q) Is Single Exhaust Better Or Dual Exhaust?

If you have dual exhaust tips which are fitted to a single exhaust, the vehicle will look good, but it will not do anything to increase power. Dual exhaust will give the vehicle a better power upgrade due to the engine’s ability to breathe better. Therefore, if you are trying to increase horsepower, a dual exhaust may be a better choice.

Q) Can A Damaged Exhaust System Throw A Code?

If there is an exhaust leak in the system, it can trigger a Check Engine Light depending on the location of the leak. The leak can provide more oxygen into the exhaust gases giving faulty information to the ECU. Due to the exhaust leak, if too much oxygen is present, it will cause the Check Engine Light to come on.

Q) How To Replace An Exhaust Pipe?

You should always wear gloves to protect your hands and goggles to protect your eyes and always wait for the vehicle to cool down before replacing the exhaust pipe. To replace an exhaust pipe you will have to go below your vehicle which could be challenging. 

Walker USA Exhaust Pipes – Part Number Catalog

Flowmaster Exhaust Pipes – Part Number Catalog