What is an Exhaust?

An exhaust on a car or vehicle is the pipework that runs from the engine on your car normally to the rear of the car.

What do they do?

The exhaust systems main uses are to A, tone down the engine noise form the car using silencers and secondly to remove the burnt fuel gases from an engine safely.

How do exhausts work?

An exhaust works by sucking the leftover mixture or fuel and air out of the engine thorugh a series of pipes called the manifold. These four pipes will then blend into one piece known as the downpipe. The gases are then pushed thorugh a series of boxes and pipes untill it will eventually reach the tail pipe and the excess gases are then released into the air.

On cars manufactured after 1992 the exhaust system has to have a Catalyctic Convertor (or Cat as its otherwise known) by law. This Cat is normally found after the downpipe and before the centre box on a vehicle.

The Law on Exhausts:

In regards to the law on a vehicle exhaust system it has to be up to the necessary standard to pass an MOT test. Blowing exhausts or missing sections will cause a noiser sound and will also not meet the necessary Emissions standard in and MOT test.

What are Emissions?

Exhaust emissions are the pollutants emitted by the engine through the tailpipe. High exhaust emission leads to smog, poor air quality, and global warming. If your vehicle doesn't meet the required emissions reading in an MOT test it will fail.

What is an Uprated Exhaust?

An uprated exhaust on a car or vehicle is a higher specification exhaust system that replaces the standard exhaust or system or individual sections.

What do they do?

Depending on the Vehicle type and the Specification of the exhaust manufacturer uprated exhaust scan have very similar effects to your vehicles performance and looks.

Normally Car enthusiasts uprate their exhaust system for looks, noise and often performance. Each manufacturer have different specifications for each vehicle so it is worth speaking to the professionals before buying a new exhaust system for your car.

What parts can I upgrade?

Backbox/Tailpipe: Cat-Back Systems Centre boxes De-Cat Pipe Manifold and Downpipe

What are the benefits and downfalls of having an up-rated exhaust back box on my ride?

The Upsides:

There are plenty of upsides to uprating your exhaust system. Most of the time you benefit from a nicer looking, shiny exhaust system especially form the tail of the system. The other bonuses are a nice, louder tone and often and increase in performance depending on your vehicle.

The Downsides:

Having an uprated exhaust can have it down sides also. Poor fitting systems will normally have a lot of movement and cause unusual vibrations and knocking sounds which apart from being annoying when you are crusing down the motorway this is not always good for your car.

Sometimes replacing certain parts of your exhaust system swith uprated parts can make your exhaust system too noisey and unpleasant not only for you but other road users.

When choosing a custom exhaust system for your car becarefull not to go down the "too many tailpipes" route. You may laugh but ihas been known for a Peugout 106 to have six 5" tailpipes hanging off the back of it car. This not only looks ridiculos but it doesn't do the back pressure to your engine much good and can result in poor emissions.

The Law on Performance Exhausts:

The Law on Having and Uprated Exhaust on your vehicle is very dependant on who you talk too. There has been talks of a Decibel noise limit law and also a radical Non-Standard law in the past. Street Rides are looking further into this claim and will be able to announce the actual law on uprated exhausts in the near future.