Exhaust system: DIY tuning

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Currently, tuning is done on different parts of cars. The exhaust system is no exception. It also changes frequently. Thanks to this, not only power is increased, but the very appearance of the car acquires a qualitatively different style.

Device

The exhaust system on modern cars is necessary to remove gases emitted by the engine intake manifold. Thanks to it, environmental safety is ensured. At the same time, the system muffles the noise generated during the operation of the motor. It includes:

• intake manifold for collecting exhaust gases and transferring them to the pipe;
• catalyst, which is a barrier to hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide due to their afterburning by a special system;
• silencer that reduces the speed of gases and noise level.

Is it possible to do without the system

In principle, a car can function well even if there is no exhaust system. Tuning it, of course, is not necessary. But it is usually not made to conform to accepted norms.

Withoutthe exhaust system of a car driver can easily be fined, as the car will make a lot of noise. At the same time, it is unlikely that he will be able to capture everything that is happening around him. And this, in turn, can cause an accident. In addition, exhaust gases will flow from a pipe under the car. And while you are standing somewhere at the crossroads, they will penetrate directly into the salon, because of which you can get poisoned and even lose consciousness.

Of course, this will also affect fuel consumption, which will increase significantly. But this, compared with other negative consequences, is the most harmless of all. The exhaust system contains lambda sensors that detect oxygen. Since the system in the pipe will not work, they will give incorrect readings. There will be much more oxygen there, so the electronic system will automatically “correct” the situation by injecting more and more fuel. Gasoline will begin to leak in high-speed mode, but, unfortunately, there will be no driving dynamics. Unless the engine roars deafeningly.

Why do tuning

Often, car owners think about reworking when the exhaust system fails. Tuning of this kind is of several types. Some of the work can be done independently. Others are better off trusting the experts.

Some people like the kind of sporty roar of the car, which is achieved by audio tuning. To do this, remove the catalyst and change it to a special flame arrester. The work is completed with the installation of a special silencer undercalled "straight".

Visual tuning is the cheapest. To do this, special nozzles are installed on the muffler, decorating it with different colors. Such alteration will make the car more stylish and spectacular. A well-thought-out attachment can really complete the unique look of a car.

Another alteration that the exhaust system undergoes is technical tuning. This work is done to increase the power of the motor. Usually the indicator increases by ten to twelve percent. But this type of alteration is hardly possible without the help of specialists. It will not only cost a pretty penny, but it will also “eat” more fuel.

Should I do it myself

Whether to decide on tuning the exhaust system with your own hands or not depends on the capabilities of the car owner and the availability of equipment and tools. For example, only to install a straight-through muffler, you will need welding, a grinder and a pipe bender. And of course, the purchase of a new muffler.

In addition to material carriers, it is necessary to master certain theoretical knowledge, since it will require an accurate calculation of all the little things from which the silencer will be made. It must strictly comply with the technical specifications of the model of the car on which it is installed.

Therefore, if you want to improve the appearance, but do not spend too much on it, just buy an overlay or order a backlight. Installing it yourself is not difficult. But it is better to entrust more serious work to professionals.

Sports jar

Most mufflers designed for tuning are universal. But you need to consider the size of the part. For amateur performance, they recommend the “bank”.

The car owner must decide on the material. It can be dull white metal, nickel plating, blued steel. Someone prefers not one, but two exits, sometimes with bending up or down. Of course, I'm also concerned about the sound quality that will result. But here it must be borne in mind that the timbre and tonality that are heard at the beginning will become slightly different over time.

And everything will change?

Of course, having made a replacement for a "can", it is not necessary to expect that the technical characteristics will become qualitatively different. This detail will only improve the sound of your car and appearance. But despite the formidable "growl", the power of such a machine will remain the same. To increase the figure, the entire exhaust system must be replaced. Tuning will then take on a perfect look.

A budget option for a quality rework

The price of "cans" depends on the chosen model. Brand, quality of materials and production technology - all this will affect the final cost. It should be borne in mind that domestic mufflers made of stainless steel are often better in quality than imported ones. But their price is more affordable.

Bass can be achieved not only due to the pipe, but also by a significant increase in the diameter at the output. Availability at the banksynthetic fiber will suppress high noise, but will not add any power.

So, with a competent modernization of the exhaust system, but at the same time, in a budget version, you can limit yourself to a “can” (you will additionally need a nulevik and a throttle with a considerable diameter), as well as a “spider”. Power will then increase by five percent.

Spider

Most of the power loss occurs at the exhaust manifold. Therefore, often tuning the exhaust system of a VAZ, UAZ or foreign cars is done with the replacement of a regular one with a "spider". It has a different shape and pipe connections with outlet ports.

"Spiders" are long and short. On a four-cylinder engine, for example, tuning "Audi" - the exhaust system of a long model, will be based on the formula: 4/2/1, and for a short one - 4/1.

The latter type is usually used for highly accelerated engines that have wide-phase camshafts.

For ordinary cars, if, for example, tuning of the UAZ exhaust system is performed, the 4/2/1 scheme is suitable. Power here will be added by five to seven percent. In addition, there will be a wide range, unlike the previous case, where the increase in power is possible only on a narrow range.

When using a once-through system, it is possible to provide pipes of a larger diameter, as well as resonators of reduced resistance. Rigid connections are replaced by corrugations and spherical types. The latter will not create parasitic resonance frequencies. But unfortunately theyshort-lived.

In practice, for a motor whose volume is one and a half liters, and the work does not exceed eight thousand revolutions, a diameter of forty-five to fifty millimeters and a length of three to three and a half meters is sufficient. A larger diameter will be required for those cars whose engine is more spacious. For example, if a Mercedes exhaust system is being tuned.