Custom Mufflers – Benefits and Main Types

The factory-made exhaust system your car comes equipped with when it leaves the manufacturer’s facility might be perfectly functional, yet many car owners choose to replace their stock exhausts with custom mufflers – here are a few benefits of special pipes.

Improved Engine Performance and Fuel Economy

Custom-made mufflers are usually designed to give your engine more torque and more horsepower. Special exhaust systems allow for better air circulation, allowing your engine to get more air and therefore perform better. An engine that performs better will burn fuel more efficiently, so your customized exhaust can efficiently reduce the fuel consumption of your car.

Enhanced Durability

Custom-made exhaust systems are usually designed to meet your special requirements and are manufactured from materials of higher quality, which makes them look better and last longer.

A Deeper Roar and Better Looks

The performance improvement you get with customized mufflers can not only be felt when you press on the acceleration – it can also be heard and seen. That deep, loud roar that you hear when a sports car accelerates is achieved not only with the help of the high-capacity engine, but also with the special exhaust pipe – while you don’t necessarily want to replace the engine in your car, having custom-made mufflers does not entail forbidding costs, so you can easily make your engine’s voice deeper by replacing the exhaust.  While you’re at it, catalytic converters, should be on your list to replace too!

Custom pipes are also shinier and more aggressive-looking that factory parts – if you want to add a little sportiness to the appearance of your car, special chromed exhausts are for you.

Giving You Better Emissions Test Results

One of the principle causes of failed emissions tests is the fault of the exhaust pipes. Rusty or bent exhausts and mufflers that have holes can alter the results of the test and while in most cases it is possible to correct the fault with some welding work, it is usually a better idea to get the faulty muffler replaced completely.

Types of Exhaust Systems with Custom Mufflers

You have several options if you want to replace the factory exhaust system on your car – here are the three major types of custom exhausts:

• Axle-back – these systems include the components between the rear axle and the tailpipe. This affordable solution can be expected to improve looks and sound, but it does not significantly influence performance and fuel efficiency,
• Cat-back systems – this solutions includes the parts between the catalytic converter and the tailpipe. It will improve sound and appearance and it will also improve performance and consumptions to a certain extent,
• Header back – this is the most expensive solution of them all. It replaces the parts from the header to the tailpipe and it improves performance, looks, sound and fuel economy as well.

If you want to make sure your custom-made mufflers are chosen and installed properly, turn to professionals – your mechanic will know exactly how to calculate the dimensions of your pipes to get the most out of them and they will also know how to install the new exhaust system properly.

Just like anything else, cars get old and without proper maintenance and repairs, car owners will be forced to replace them.  And here comes the importance of finding good auto repair shops near your place.

In the following, we will present a few of the most important things to consider when looking for Lakewood automotive repair shops.

• Use online resources

There are sites providing up-to-date lists with car shops in every state. You can find shop names and locations and you can also get customer ratings, telephone number, working hours, maps and directions.

• Look for certifications and good references

A good car repair shop must be certified and have experienced and ASE-certified technicians. Shop managers should be willing to show you proof of credentials if you ask for it, otherwise do not trust them and look for other shops. Credentials, as well as affiliations, are indicators of professionalism. Read reviews on different sites and ask around for recommendations.

• Visit different auto shops in your area and observe the level of organization and cleanliness

A respectable shop has a proper waiting area, customers are greeted and treated respectfully and everything proves an attitude focused on customer service and satisfaction. If a car repair shop doesn’t seem to care for the way customers are treated, you have the right to wonder very seriously how is it going to care for your vehicle`s safety. Image matters, and this goes for any business.

• Make sure that the mechanics abide by good work ethic

They should be transparent, consult with the customers every step of the way, make no repair without authorization, provide written estimates and ask for a fair price, without hidden charges. If an estimate of a few hundred dollars ends to cost a few thousand dollars it means that you are being scammed. Also, if working components of your car suddenly do not work anymore while the car is in the maintenance or repair process, you should look for another shop – at least for receiving a second opinion.

• Ask about warranties

A fair warranty is an indicator that the repair shop stands behind the service provided to its clients. Warranties for new parts are significantly longer than warranties offered for generic replacement parts or rebuilt parts, but they translate into higher quality services and durability that will help you save money in the long run.

• Look for quality up-to-date equipment

Reliable auto repair shops should have scanners, computers and online computer systems, diagnosis software, lab scopes, digital volt-ohm meters etc.  The absence of proper equipment can raise the costs in the long run, due to improper diagnose.

• Make sure that your car will be fixed in a reasonable repair timeframe

In this case, “reasonable” means days, not weeks, even if we are talking about major repairs.

Some trusted shops even provide their customers access to loaner vehicles until their cars are ready to be used, to make the auto repair experience less stressful and inconvenient.

Based on this information, you can compare several shops and pick up the best one to entrust your vehicle to.