The exhaust system does more than just dispose of air flowing through the engine of a vehicle. Simple modifications to a vehicle's exhaust system can dramatically increase the horsepower of a car and give it the powerful sound favored among muscle car and sports car enthusiasts. Through basic modifications to its exhaust system, any regular sedan or truck can easily be customized to sound as powerful and loud as an iconic American muscle car.
Repair a damaged or clogged stock system. Unclog the exhaust system or replace the muffler if it is damaged. Old or small exhaust tubes often have clogging or damage issues. This significantly reduces the horsepower and loudness of the exhaust system and creates back pressure. This makes it more difficult for air to flow and prevents the system from functioning properly. One way to solve this problem is to thoroughly examine the tubes for damage and if they are damaged, switch them out with better models. If the tubing is clogged, you can easily unclog it with an air compressor.
Modify the exhaust system by replacing it with a high-performance aftermarket racing model. If the stock muffler and exhaust system doesn't have any damage or clogging, but still doesn't provide the muscle car sound you seek, you may need to upgrade your system. Switching out the muffler of a stock exhaust system with a more advanced aftermarket model is a surefire way to increase the loudness of your exhaust and enhance the horsepower as well. Many of these upgraded aftermarket mufflers can be found at automotive accessory stores like Andy's Auto Sports or Mopar. Stock mufflers differ from high-performance designs in that they are manufactured to absorb sound, by routing the exhaust through several chambers within the muffler system, while aftermarket models free up the exhaust.
Modify the tip of the exhaust system by adding or replacing your old tip with a model designed for greater sound production. These tips cause the air blowing from the exhaust to reverberate, making it louder and giving the illusion of heavier revs coming from the engine.
Install a turbocharger or supercharger. A turbochargers or supercharger can be purchased from an aftermarket parts shop or even from your manufacturer. This modification will enhance the performance of your exhaust system by pressurizing the air entering each cylinder. This makes the car run more aggressively by allowing more air to run through the engine.
Drill or cut the exhaust pipe. Drilling out the rivets in the exhaust pipe's end cap is a common modification used to diversify the airflow of the exhaust. Cutting the exhaust pipe midway between the end cap and the muffler is also a very successful way to increase the loudness of the pipe.
