1. Car rides roughly
Most people can tell their shocks or struts are wearing out when they begin to feel every bump in the road, or when every bump causes the vehicle body to "bounce." A rough ride is an obvious sign that your vehicle's suspension needs work.
2. Drifting or pulling during turns
With a failing suspension system, you'll often feel the vehicle "drift" or "pull" when you're turning. This basically means the shocks are no longer keeping the vehicle body stable against the centrifugal force of a turn, increasing your risk of a rollover. If you feel this sensation while turning, it's time to take the car to a trusted auto repair shop for servicing.
3. Dips or "nose dives" when stopping
When the shocks are worn out, you're likely to feel the vehicle body lurching forward and downward nose-first when you apply the brakes firmly. This can actually affect your ability to stop the car quickly (a bad suspension can increase stop time by up to 20 percent).
Read more & source link: http://www.autorepairmountainviewca.com/blog/suspension-repairs.php
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Your car's suspension system is responsible for smoothing out the ride and keeping the car in control. Specifically, the suspension system maximizes the friction between the tires and the road to provide steering stability and good handling. The suspension system also provides comfort for passengers to limiting the impact of particular road conditions to not only the car, but the passengers riding inside.
Read more & source link: http://wiygul.com/support/1759/why-is-your-cars-suspension-so-important/
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Paddle shifters are a way for drivers to bypass the computerized brain that controls automatic shifting and decide when and where to change gears. Mounted on the steering column or the back of the steering wheel, they typically offer downshifts by tapping or pulling the left paddle and upshifts by tapping or pulling the right.
Read more & source link: http://knowhow.napaonline.com/paddle-shifters-work-benefit/
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One sign of an exhaust leak is a loud rumbling noise coming from your vehicle while you are driving. This is one of the most common signs, and your vehicle should be inspected by a mechanic so they can determine how much of the exhaust system needs repairs.
Another sign of an exhaust leak is if you have to fill up your gas tank more often. An exhaust leak can decrease fuel efficiency, causing your engine to work harder, and you to fill up your gas tank more frequently.
A third sign your exhaust may be leaking is if your gas pedal vibrates while you are driving. Even the smallest of leaks can cause the vehicle to vibrate, yet the bigger the leak the stronger the vibrations will be. Normally the vibrations start in the gas pedal, then move to the steering wheel, and into the floorboards the larger the leak gets.
Read more & source link: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drive-with-an-exhaust-leak
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You can also do an audible inspection for an exhaust leak if you know what a leak sounds like. With your vehicle running start in the engine bay. See if you can hear a distinct noise coming from near the exhaust manifold. In this area an exhaust leak will sound more like a ticking or puffing. Next listen for leaks at any union or joints in your exhaust system. Once you get to your catalytic converter and go back from there, a leak will sound more like a buzz, hum or your car or truck will sound like a hotrod. Usually, the louder the noise, the closer to the engine it is. During this inspection, it may be helpful to have a friend rev in the engine intermittently so you can hear the changes in exhaust sound. Remember, never touch the exhaust components during this inspection, they'll be hot!
Read more & source link: https://gobdp.com/blog/can-fix-exhaust-leak/
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If your car's exhaust drips water out of the tailpipe, there’s no reason to necessarily panic. Your car's exhaust does exactly what it sounds like it does, expels things. Gases, vapors, and all the other byproducts created by your car's normal operation have to exit the vehicles inner workings eventually, and they do that through the exhaust.
Read more & source link: https://www.doityourself.com/stry/is-water-dripping-from-your-exhaust-pipe-normal
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Turbo lag is the time between mashing the throttle and feeling the rush of torque from a turbocharged engine. The lag comes from the time it takes the engine to create enough exhaust pressure to spin the turbo and pump compressed intake air into the engine and is longest when the engine is in a low-rpm, low-load cruising situation.
Read more & source link: http://www.hotrod.com/articles/what-is-turbo-lag-how-do-you-get-rid-of-it/
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1. IT REDUCES WEAR ON YOUR BRAKES.
Engine braking slows the car without the need to apply the brakes. Because the car is slowing passively it allows you to maintain control of the vehicle, controlling your deceleration so you only need to apply the brakes at much lower speeds for a much shorter period of time. This means less wear, less heat and less fade. The obvious benefit of this is your brakes will last much longer which increases value.
2. IT'S SAFER
Active use of engine braking (changing down in a lower gear) is advantageous when it is necessary to control speed while driving down very steep and long slopes. Moreover, by engine braking when you see traffic slowing ahead rather than waiting until the last minute to stop you give yourself and those behind you more time to respond to changing situations. You can maintain safe intervals simply through easing off the accelerator rather than applying brakes. Don’t forget a brake light is a warning to the person behind you causing them to brake and the person behind them and so on. It's not hard to understand how congestion occurs for no obvious reason. You also have the advantage of being in a better position to react if something unexpected happens. A lower gear means you can either slow down or speed up in order to avoid an emerging hazard. A high gear at low speeds saps power and increases the chances of a stall. Plus sudden, sharp braking makes it more likely the car behind to drive in to the back of you.
Read more & source link: https://www.matfoundrygroup.com/News%20and%20Blog/What_is_Engine_Braking_and_Why_you_Should_do_it
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In standard petrol (gasoline) engines, engine braking works by restricting airflow (by releasing the accelerator) which causes a high manifold vacuum that the cylinders have to work against. This has the effect of sapping energy from the engine which is what gives that sudden sense of deceleration and drop in power. While some of the braking force is due to friction in the drive train, the majority is caused by the manifold vacuum created by the lack of air.
Read more & source link: https://www.matfoundrygroup.com/News%20and%20Blog/What_is_Engine_Braking_and_Why_you_Should_do_it
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One of the biggest advantages of exhaust brakes is the simple fact that they can take some stress off the regular brakes and prevent them from overheating, especially when going downhill.
If a driver uses the exhaust brake frequently in order to slow down his vehicle, the normal brakes will be spared and they can actually last three times longer. Basically, the exhaust brakes can help drivers maintain their cars in a great condition and they can also save some money in the long run as well.
Read more & source link: https://pacbrake.com/exhaust-brakes-work-benefits-bring/
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Exhaust brakes create backpressure in the cylinders.
This braking system actually closes down the exhaust path and it stops the gases from being eliminated on the exhaust pipe. As a result, backpressure is built in the manifold and in the cylinders, making the engine work backwards and subsequently slowing down the vehicle.
Read more & source link: https://pacbrake.com/exhaust-brakes-work-benefits-bring/
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As a vehicle is driven down the road, high-speed air is passing underneath the vehicle at low pressure. As the air passes to the rear of the vehicle through the diffuser, the air expands through an expansion chamber. Through this expansion, air speed is reduced and pressure is increased (through what is called the Venturi effect). This pressure differential between the low-pressure air under the car and the high pressure at the rear creates a vacuum sucking air out from under the car. With high-pressure air above the car and low pressure under the car, high downforce is created while reducing aerodynamic drag.
Read more & source link: http://bimmertips.com/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-rear-diffuser/
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The primary purpose of a rear diffuser is to efficiently increase the downforce of a vehicle. This helps increase grip and reduce aerodynamic drag.
Read more & source link: http://bimmertips.com/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-rear-diffuser/
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Backfiring is the process of a spark plug, or multiple spark plugs, igniting the fuel in their cylinder out of turn, in a part of the combustion process where the exhaust valve is open on that cylinder. Here are some causes of that delayed detonation that may clear it up a bit more.
Read more & source link: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-causes-a-car-to-backfire
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Engine exhaust back pressure is defined as the exhaust gas pressure that is produced by the engine to overcome the hydraulic resistance of the exhaust system in order to discharge the gases into the atmosphere. For this discussion, the exhaust back pressure is the gage pressure in the exhaust system at the outlet of the exhaust turbine in turbocharged engines or the pressure at the outlet of the exhaust manifold in naturally aspirated engines.
Read more & source link: https://www.dieselnet.com/tech/diesel_exh_pres.php
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Y-Pipe exhaust systems are in use on cars with six, eight and more cylinders when only one tailpipe is desired. This kind of exhaust system isn’t as efficient as a dual exhaust system. It’s because the single exhaust pipe can’t provide the same amount of flow and low resistance to flow that two separate pipes can provide to the tailpipe. There are many different designs of Y-pipe exhaust systems. In some, the Y-pipe looks exactly like a capital letter Y. In some the pipe more closely resembles a T. Most are designed to connect together right after the exhaust manifolds and before the catalytic converter.
Read more & source link: http://www.autos.com/aftermarket-parts/what-is-a-y-pipe-exhaust
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A X-Pipe exhaust system is a type of dual exhaust which allows for a balancing of the back pressure and smoothing of exhaust flow by causing the exhaust streams from both headers to mix in an opening on the inside x-shaped piece of exhaust pipe. In order for your car to run its best and produce the most horsepower, the exhaust flow from the exhaust port to the end of the tailpipe must flow as freely as possible, and as equally from each port as possible. High flow exhaust systems provide the flow while the X-Pipe shortly after the headers balances the flow between the two sides.
Read more & source link: http://www.autos.com/aftermarket-parts/what-is-an-x-pipe-exhaust
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1. An axle back replacement will only involve the removal of pipes at the axle junction, while cat back involves replacing more of the piping system, which is typically the whole portion after the catalytic converter.
2. Arguably, cat back installation will add more horsepower, but many accept that with a well-thought design and quality of production, there will be significant hp gain.
3. Axle back does not promise anything about added power, but is considerably cheaper than the cat back.
4. Extreme 'modding' will often involve cat back replacement.
Read more & source link: http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-axle-back-and-cat-back/
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1. Increase Power and Torque
Remaps have the ability to remove limitations set upon your vehicle by the manufacturer. By going through with a remap, you can effectively make your vehicle parameters more precise depending on the area in which you live, the altitude and the quality of fuel you have available. Combined fine tuning of all of these aspects will result in increased power and torque output.
2. Improve Fuel Economy
ECU remapping can help you increase mpg and get the most out of your hard earned cash. Furthermore, remaps for this purpose offer more precise control of fuel which results in a vehicle that has much better fuel economy.
3. Improve Performance and Drivability
Improvements in performance and driveability will inevitably make your vehicle easier to drive. What’s more, an ECU remap can increase these factors by up to 40%!
Read more & source link: http://gbautotech.co.uk/5-advantages-ecu-remapping/
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Anyone who has added performance parts to their engine should consider a remap. If your car is a turbo model & has electronically controlled fuel injection, there are massive power gains on offer and TorqueCars would strongly recommend a remap.
Read more & source link: https://www.torquecars.com/tuning/remapping-ecu.php
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If the substrate is intact, but the surface of the catalytic converter has become contaminated, then it may not be obvious to the driver that there is anything amiss. The emissions from the exhaust might smell different and the car will emit more pollutants, but there may be no obvious symptoms from the drivers seat. If you’re ever following another car and get a really strong sulfurous smell, it's more than likely their catalytic converter is on the blink. Most modern cars, however, have on-board diagnostics that use oxygen sensors before and after the catalytic converter to detect when anything changes that might affect what's coming out of the exhaust; and hence an engine check light will illuminate permanently in the dashboard if the converter is not working correctly.
Read more & source link: https://www.micksgarage.com/blog/catalytic-converters-what-they-do-what-goes-wrong-and-much-more/
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You could also ask "how long will a catalytic converter last?" If an engine ran exactly like it was supposed to forever, then its catalytic converter would probably never go fail, but sadly, few cars remain perfect forever, do they? Put simply, a catalytic converter will fail when stuff that shouldn't, goes into it. This can come from a variety of sources, such as a coolant or oil leak internally in the engine, or even using certain engine cleaning or anti-wear additives (though most modern additives are compatible with catalytic converters). Even using the wrong oil for the car can cause deposits on the surface of the catalytic converter that prevent it from working properly. In extreme situations, or if the problem goes undiagnosed, the core of the catalytic converter, called the substrate, can physically break down and cause a blockage in the exhaust.
Read more & source link: https://www.micksgarage.com/blog/catalytic-converters-what-they-do-what-goes-wrong-and-much-more/
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Exhaust manifolds are frequently formed of cast iron in a block-like configuration. This gives them sturdiness and longevity. Because the cast iron material is thick, it holds on to heat well, which is good for emissions and keeps heat from leaking to other nearby parts. The thick walls do, however, mean there is a small space for exhaust gases to pass through, and the iron casting makes the interior rough which can slow the flow of exhaust gases. This creates back pressure which keeps the exhaust from being cleared as efficiently as possible. This reduces the efficiency and ultimately the power of the engine because exhaust must go out to allow fresh fuel and air in.
This is the problem that headers are intended to solve. Headers are aftermarket upgrade exhaust manifolds that use an individual steel tube for each cylinder. These tubes all connect to a collector pipe. The tubes are smooth and equal in length. This ensures that the gases from each cylinder reach the collector separately, avoiding back pressure. This benefit can be lost if other exhaust components are not also upgraded. If the exhaust pipe that follows the headers is too restrictive, it can introduce back pressure to the exhaust system and diminish the power advantage of headers.
Read more & source link: https://www.1aauto.com/content/articles/exhaust-manifolds-vs-headers
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Your vehicle's exhaust manifold is linked directly to the cylinders where gas and oxygen mix together before being ignited by a spark plug. Once the fuel has been burned, the cylinder’s exhaust valve opens up to allow the waste gases to escape, sending them out into the manifold. While the pressure inside the cylinder is strong enough to push out most of the gas, the manifold itself has to be designed in such a way that it sucks as much exhaust from the cylinder as possible. This is called scavenging. Some exhaust manifolds are also engineered to concentrate the heat of the gases so that they burn off any remaining fuel that might linger after combustion.
Read more & source link: http://knowhow.napaonline.com/what-is-an-exhaust-manifold/
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When talking about the muffler, understand that upgrading the cat-back system as a whole is really the only way you'll experience any notable power gains. It doesn't hurt to upgrade the muffler on its own, of course, especially if it's a rusted-out mess and you need to replace it anyway. But the gains, if any, will be minimal. Replacing your car's muffler alone is not enough to open up the restrictive exhaust system and allow the extra airflow that increases performance. Everything that comes before the muffler, where the pressure is greatest and performance potential is highest, will remain tight and congested.
Read more & source link: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/how-much-horsepower-does-performance-muffler-add.htm
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Exhaust drone is primarily the result of sound waves traveling through the air and vibration that is transferred through a vehicle's frame, body and components. Exhaust drone vibration may also be a result of sound frequency alignment between the engine and exhaust. When the frequencies are aligned, the result is a pressure wave between the engine and exhaust. Sound waves, transferred sound and sound frequency must be controlled to quiet the exhaust. Exhaust system modifications and the application of sound control material will reduce exhaust drone in your vehicle.
Read more & source link: https://itstillruns.com/fix-exhaust-drone-8080950.html
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The main distinction is that a muffler is designed to muffle the overall volume across all RPMs, whereas a resonator is designed to eliminate unwanted resonance or noise at a particular RPM, also known as exhaust drone. This is why you see some auto manufacturers using a combination of both resonators and mufflers right from the factory. Mufflers do a great job of softening an exhaust note or obtaining a particular tone, but sometimes there could be leftover drone at a certain RPM. That's when a resonator is used to target that RPM and deaden annoying exhaust drone.
Read more & source link: https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/mufflers-vs-resonators
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One of the easiest ways to set your vehicle apart is to alter your car's appearance from the stock or factory look by installing a body kit. Body kits are manufactured out of fiberglass, carbon fiber, or polyurethane.
You should choose the right body kit for your vehicle based on several important factors.
Read more & source link: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-a-body-kit-by-jason-unrau
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Because of the unique way in which the material is made, a carbon fiber body is one of the best types of auto bodies available. The woven nature of a carbon fiber fender makes it much more flexible and durable than one made out of a single piece of metal, and since carbon fiber is significantly less dense than steel it is more light weight, which increases fuel efficiency. The resins that cover most carbon fiber fenders also keep them looking shiny and new long after they are installed, and the shiny fabric-like appearance looks cool. Scratches are much less noticeable on the surface of a carbon fiber fender than a traditional metal one.
Read more & source link: https://www.carsdirect.com/aftermarket-parts/what-benefits-do-you-get-with-carbon-fiber-fenders
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Whether you move to a larger-diameter wheel as an option on a new vehicle or as aftermarket wheels for the car you already own, there are plusses to plus-sizing, but some minuses as well. When you move to a larger wheel diameter (such as from 17 to 18 inches), you need new tires to match. Those tires need a lower profile (or sidewall height) to maintain adequate clearance when they go over bumps and potholes, which makes the suspension fully compress and rebound. If the wheel diameter increases by one inch, the height of the tire should decrease accordingly to compensate, in order to keep the overall diameter the same.
Read more & source link: https://www.cars.com/articles/what-difference-does-wheel-size-make-1420680318902/
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From a technical perspective, wheels provide a means of affixing tires to the vehicle in order for the engine to put its power to the ground. The engine creates power, which then moves through the drivetrain down to the wheels. Wheels bolt to the wheel hub and rotate around the axles. Friction is necessary to turn the wheels and propel a car forward, and is provided by the tires touching the ground. The wheel transfers power from the axle/hub to the tires, providing the leverage needed to move the car. The amount of leverage created depends on how large the wheel is in relation to the power that the engine generates.
Besides looks, changing your car’s wheels can have a significant impact on its alignment, handling, braking, ride quality, and acceleration, as well as the calibration of the speedometer.
Read more & source link: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-rims-work-and-why-they-matter
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Modern cars have brakes on all four wheels, operated by a hydraulic system. The brakes may be disc type or drum type. The front brakes play a greater part in stopping the car than the rear ones, because braking throws the car weight forward on to the front wheels. Many cars therefore have disc brakes, which are generally more efficient, at the front and drum brakes at the rear. All-disc braking systems are used on some expensive or high-performance cars, and all-drum systems on some older or smaller cars.
Read more & source link: https://www.howacarworks.com/basics/how-the-braking-system-works
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If you drive only 8,000 miles a year but it's mainly in a crowded urban area such as Chicago, Boston or Washington, D.C., you will need to replace brake pads or shoes more often than someone who drives 28,000 miles a year across the flatlands of Nebraska. You use your brakes a lot more in urban driving than on a rural highway.
Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut schedule that tells you when it's time to replace the brakes, so you need to rely on your ears and the advice of an experienced automotive technician. Most vehicles should have their tires rotated at least every six months, and that is a good time to have the brakes inspected, as well. A mechanic can check the thickness of the pads and the condition of the calipers or drum hardware to spot wear.
Read more & source link: https://www.cars.com/articles/2013/04/when-do-you-need-to-replace-your-brakes/
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If a road were perfectly flat, with no irregularities, suspensions wouldn't be necessary. But roads are far from flat. Even freshly paved highways have subtle imperfections that can interact with the wheels of a car. It's these imperfections that apply forces to the wheels. According to Newton's laws of motion, all forces have both magnitude and direction. A bump in the road causes the wheel to move up and down perpendicular to the road surface. The magnitude, of course, depends on whether the wheel is striking a giant bump or a tiny speck. Either way, the car wheel experiences a vertical acceleration as it passes over an imperfection.
Without an intervening structure, all of wheel's vertical energy is transferred to the frame, which moves in the same direction. In such a situation, the wheels can lose contact with the road completely. Then, under the downward force of gravity, the wheels can slam back into the road surface. What you need is a system that will absorb the energy of the vertically accelerated wheel, allowing the frame and body to ride undisturbed while the wheels follow bumps in the road.
Read more & source link: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-suspension.htm
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You might want to buy an after-market downpipe if:
Read more & source link: http://www.exhaustvideos.com/faq/whats-a-downpipe-and-why-would-i-want-one/
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Technically, the "downpipe" section of an exhaust system connects the headers or exhaust manifold to the catalytic converter(s). For most vehicles, the downpipe section is essentially incorporated with the catalytic converter section, and since there’s very little performance or fuel economy benefit to replacing a modern catalytic converter (they’re just not that restrictive), most vehicle downpipes are never given much thought.
However, on a vehicle equipped with a turbocharger, an after-market downpipe can offer a significant improvement in performance. Because a turbocharger is essentially a pump, it’s important for the pipes entering and exiting the turbo to have unrestricted airflow. On many turbocharged vehicles, the exhaust pipes coming in and out of the turbo contain numerous bends. If these pipes are bent using a cheap, crush bending process (a common situation for many vehicles), they can restrict exhaust gas flow in and/or out of the turbo.
By reducing exhaust gas restrictions, the turbocharger can spool up more quickly. Faster spool-up times mean more power and/or better fuel economy. As a result, many after-market exhaust manufacturers offer over-sized exhaust downpipes with mandrel bends.
Read more & source link: http://www.exhaustvideos.com/faq/whats-a-downpipe-and-why-would-i-want-one/
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Cold air intakes are a fairly inexpensive modification (typically a few hundred dollars) and easier to install than most other engine modifications. No, they won't add quite as much power as other engine mods, but they will help your engine in some other ways. Think of a factory air intake system as like having a cold that clogs up your head and restricts your breathing. Now go running. It's not going to work very well is it? A cold air intake is like amazing medicine that allows your engine to finally breath.
Cold air intakes move the air filter outside of the engine compartment so that cooler air can be sucked into the engine for combustion. Cooler air brings more oxygen (denser air) into the combustion chamber and that means more power. The filters are usually moved to the upper wheel well area or near a fender where there is more access to free flowing, cooler air and less hot air from the engine
Read more & source link: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/why-install-cold-air-intake.htm
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Stock exhaust
If you’re still using the stock exhaust system that came on your car, chances are good that it’s made from 400-series steel (generally 409, but other grades are used as well). This is a type of carbon steel that offers good all around performance. It’s relatively light, relatively durable, and relatively long-lived. Note that use of “relatively.” Like all other stock vehicle components, exhaust systems are designed with compromises in an attempt to meet as many possible needs as possible.
Aftermarket exhaust
If you've had to replace your stock exhaust due to damage or wear, you may have an aftermarket system in place now. It may use 400-series steel, or it may use something else depending on the type of system in question.
Aluminized steel: Aluminized steel is an attempt to make the metal more corrosion resistant. The aluminized coating oxidizes to protect the underlying metal (like galvanized metal). However, any abrasion that removes this coating compromises the underlying steel and can allow rust to set in.
Stainless steel: Several grades of stainless steel are used on aftermarket exhaust systems, particularly the muffler and tips. Stainless steel offers some protection against weathering and damage, but it will also eventually rust.
Cast iron: Cast iron is used mostly in stock exhaust systems, and is used to manufacture the exhaust manifold that connects the engine to the piping. Cast iron is very strong, but very heavy. It will also eventually rust and can become brittle over time.
Other metals: There are many other metals used in automotive exhaust systems, but they’re generally used as alloy materials with steer or iron in order to promote better corrosion resistance. These include chromium, nickel, manganese, copper and titanium.
Read more & source link: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-metal-is-the-exhaust-system-made-from
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All of these terms are used to describe the same thing. Modern car and van engines have an electronic management system that controls fuelling. This system is run by the brain of the engine, the ECU (Engine Control Unit). When you put your foot down, the ECU decides how much fuel and air to mix, squirt into the cylinder and ignite. Diesel and petrol engines work a bit differently, but that isn't really important right now. The ECU also controls the boost of the turbo (if you have one).
If you have your engine remapped / chipped / chip tuned or whatever term you want to use then the ECU parameters can be changed, giving more performance— in certain cases more economy — from your engine.
There isn't much point having a remap unless everything else is in good condition, so it's a good idea to get your vehicle checked over first before you go ahead with the remap.
Read more & source link: https://axleaddict.com/auto-repair/Should-I-get-my-car-van-engine-remapped-What-is-ECU-remapping-chipping-chip-tuning
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The cat sits around a third of the way down the exhaust system and resembles a small metal chamber that receives exhaust gasses and changes the chemical nature of them to reduce the volume of nasty emissions fresh from the exhaust manifold. Within the cat housing is a ceramic-based honeycomb structure that is lined with extremely precious metals, with each metal having a specific job in emission-reduction.
There are three main emissions produced by car engines: nitrogen gas (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour (H2O). The catalytic converter however is mostly used to tackle the smaller, more-harmful products that are produced due to the naturally-imperfect combustion process of the IC engine. These are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. Most cats these days are therefore called three-way catalytic converters due to the three main types of emission that they manage to tackle.
Read more & source link: https://www.carthrottle.com/post/what-is-a-catalytic-converter-and-why-do-you-need-one/
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Headers take the place of your exhaust manifolds, which are the first part of your exhaust system between the cylinder heads and the front exhaust pipes. They are constructed of individual tubes (one for each exhaust port) that meet in a larger tube called a collector. Headers are installed because they boost the rate of exhaust flow out of your engine compared to OEM stock exhaust manifolds, which are typically designed to take up as little space as possible.
Headers are not the least expensive engine modification you can make; nor are they the easiest accessory to install. You will, however, be knocked out by the performance improvement AND the good looks they bring to your engine compartment!
Read more & source link: https://www.carid.com/articles/are-headers-worth-performance-improvement.html
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In a normal engine, once the exhaust gases exit the cylinder they end up in the exhaust manifold. In a four-cylinder or eight-cylinder engine, there are four cylinders using the same manifold. From the manifold, the exhaust gases flow into one pipe toward the catalytic converter and the muffler. It turns out that the manifold can be an important source of back pressure because exhaust gases from one cylinder build up pressure in the manifold that affects the next cylinder that uses the manifold.
The idea behind an exhaust header is to eliminate the manifold's back pressure. Instead of a common manifold that all of the cylinders share, each cylinder gets its own exhaust pipe. These pipes come together in a larger pipe called the collector. The individual pipes are cut and bent so that each one is the same length as the others. By making them the same length, it guarantees that each cylinder's exhaust gases arrive in the collector spaced out equally so there is no back pressure generated by the cylinders sharing the collector.
Read more & source link: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/question172.htm
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Exhaust Types: Cat-Back, Axle-Back, and More
Cat-back exhaust systems replace exhaust components from the catalytic converter back. These systems typically include a muffler and tailpipe, but depending on the make and model, they can also come with a mid-pipe, X-pipe, H-pipe or a Y-pipe. Cat-back systems are among the most popular exhaust upgrades for several reasons.
A cat-back exhaust system is a relatively simple modification that will free up your exhaust gas flow. The result is good "bang-for-your-buck" power gains, although the exact amount of horsepower depends on the remaining stock exhaust components and design of the catalytic converters. The freer exhaust flow can also help your engine operate more efficiently, leading to improved fuel economy. Cat-back systems also produce a more aggressive exhaust note and are typically emissions-legal because they retain the use of the stock catalytic converters.
An axle-back exhaust system includes all the components from the rear axle to exhaust tip. Although cat-back and header-back systems can deliver more power gains, there are many benefits to opting for an axle-back system. A well designed axle-back exhaust system will provide power gains over the stock exhaust but is often less expensive than comparable cat-back or header-back systems. Axle-back exhausts are easier to install and can deliver the performance exhaust sound you want.
Read more & source link: http://www.onallcylinders.com/2012/06/07/exhaustive-research-how-to-choose-an-aftermarket-exhaust-system/
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A muffler is the American term used to name the gadget that drops the noise of the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. It is called a “silencer” in British English. Mufflers or silencers are mounted within the exhaust system, and they do not serve any primary exhaust function. They are made of sound-absorbing materials and reflect the sound waves to cancel each other out. The exhaust system increases the performance of the engine by manipulating the pressure waves. It removes the exhaust gases that come out of the cylinder and flow down the pipe. It also controls the movement of the pressure wave produced by the pressure spikes.
Read more & source link: http://www.differencebetween.net/object/auto-object/difference-between-muffler-and-exhaust/
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In a typical car the muffler is mounted in line with the exhaust pipe. In order to minimize all the noise, a muffler is designed with perforated tubes or baffled chambers. When the sound waves travel through perforated tubes or the baffle chambers, they create opposing sound waves that partially cancel out the original sound waves. Engineers can create a number of potential sounds or weaker sounds by modifying the design of the muffler and the way that the sound waves interact within it, much as a musical instrument can be designed to play a higher or lower range of notes.
Read more & source link: https://www.veenstrasgarage.com/2015/06/16/what-does-a-muffler-do/
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One of the easiest and cheapest upgrades one can do is an exhaust system. Sadly, many people add exhausts to cars that don't need them. A performance exhaust can free up some of the power in your engine by allowing the gases to escape a bit easier. When the gases can escape, your engine runs smoother.
Read more & source link: https://www.topspeed.com/cars/should-you-buy-an-aftermarket-exhaust-for-your-car-ar92893.html
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All cars must have an exhaust system in order to vent gases from the engine. However, your car’s stock exhaust system probably isn’t all it could be. Automakers are required to make a number of trade-offs to ensure that their vehicles meet the needs of many different buyers who live in many different areas, with many different driving habits. An aftermarket exhaust system can actually deliver quite a few different benefits, such as, More power, Improved fuel economy, and Sound.
Read more & source link: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-are-the-benefits-of-an-aftermarket-exhaust-system
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Exhaust gases are collected from the cylinder head in the engine by an exhaustmanifold. The exhaust manifold acts as a funnel, diverting exhaust gases from all cylinders of the engine then releases them through a single opening, often referred to as the front pipe. ... The gases then pass through a silencer or muffler.
Source link: https://www.kwik-fit.com/exhausts/information/how-exhausts-work
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