Trufit Exhaust Blogger

The petrol versus diesel debate is all about emissions now. Performance differences still come up, as does the cold weather waxing that once troubled diesel fuels . Mostly, though, the combustible side of things has equalised. Meanwhile, back at that emissions tug-o-war, we still need to pick out a clear winner. Proceeding onwards with a comparison of carbon emissions , which fuel carries the day? Coming To Terms with Four Strokes Differences The two internal combustion engine types obviously take different approaches when they’re producing drive energy. Beyond a doubt, the familiar 4-stroke cycle is hard at work. Both engine types are taking in fuel, compressing that fuel, igniting it, and finally kicking out the exhaust . However, that’s where the similarities stop. Petrol engines use a spark to generate combustion energy, whereas diesel engines rely on a direct fuel injection system and compression. Emissions: A Cleanliness Clash First of all, there’s no real competi...

Car mods are designed to augment engine performance . Of course, an aesthetic enhancement is also desirable, but engine improvements come first. Lake pipes adhere to this core aftermarket principle by first enhancing engine respiration, but they also follow the second law of the aftermarket charter. That’s right, they inject cars with retro appeal. Stylish by design, what does it take to create this iconic 1950s exhaust mod ? Exposed Piping When a gearhead allows his four-wheeled addiction to take over, a car’s suspension sometimes drops. The lowered body profile looks cool, but the chassis is now scraping the road. Imagine performance enthusiasts debating what to do with the exhaust pipes when they’re faced with this issue. They pause for a moment, sure, but then the work surges forward again as the pipes move up and out to the side of the chassis. This move preceded the birth of the first lake pipes . Side-mounted and fully exposed, the long tubes hugged the lower sides...

There are essentially two types of people in the market for mufflers . They are looking for different things and how they choose between muffler brands is very different. The first type of muffler buyer is just your average driver. Performance is not an issue and the only real requirement is quiet. For these people, the “best” muffler brands are going to be production brands used for average new cars. To a large extent, it does not matter what brand they choose as modern standard mufflers are relatively equal in performance, price and durability. If they want to shop for a specific brand because it makes them feel that they are doing the right thing, their best bet is heading to auto magazines that review car parts. The second type of muffler buyer with more complicated needs are those looking for a muffler for a performance vehicle. This group of muffler buyers often finds its collective head spinning when faced with choosing between MagnaFlow mufflers , Genie exhau...

Back in the day, the earliest exhaust systems were dumb metal linkages. Sure, the welded pipes worked efficiently. They rid the engine of waste gasses well enough, but there was no emissions control in the system. Today’s exhaust pipes are smart by design. They incorporate a special oxygen monitor, an O2 sensor that monitors and controls engine emissions. It’s all about feedback, but what is this control loop altering? Fuel Mixture Oxygen sensors (O2) are typically installed in the exhaust manifold . They monitor oxygen because this is the atmospheric gas that mixes with your fuel to generate combustion. Engines are finely tuned so that the bulk of the fuel is burnt and no waste remains, but if the burn ratio is oxygen rich, well, this heavy mix will induce waste. Similarly, a lean oxygen-to-fuel mix also produces pollution. The O2 sensors detect this misbalance and send the data to your engine’s computer, which is when the check engine light starts to flash its warning. ...

Few aftermarket projects yield results that can compare to the addition of a customised motorcycle exhaust system . Sure, the best car pipes deliver impressive performance gains, but the gains are rarely as viscerally good looking as the mods found on motorbikes. Still, not all bike exhaust mods deliver the goods. Let’s see why. Avoiding Chassis Half Measures Motorcycles don’t need to be raised on a hydraulic platform. Accessibility isn’t an issue, then, but there’s just not as much real estate available when the time comes to bolt on the new aftermarket motorcycle exhaust system . We think that fact represents an installation drawback. Visually Engaging Profile The notion that an attractive double-barreled pipe makes heads turn seems like a benefit, but, performance-wise, the good looks suggest the design is coming up short. Basically, some manufacturers see the exposed pipes as an opportunity to show off polished chrome while ignoring the chance to boost engine breathin...

Exhaust system modifications produce readily accessible engine efficiency gains. In essence, wide diameter pipes and bolt-on kits act as a gateway to increased performance. One moment, though, these alterations only work properly if the car’s engine capacity is matched with the right exhaust system . Otherwise, you reach a point of diminishing returns where performance gains flat line. Here are some handy tips for avoiding this horsepower plateau. Squeeze the Engine for Extra Horsepower If the exhaust system is open to modification, then so is the engine. Properly establish the engine’s capabilities before turning your attention to the exhaust system. Turbochargers and customized cold-air intake mods involve extra parts, so keep that added expense in mind. If that added expenditure doesn’t ring your bell, then pull the vehicle into your local garage for a full computer tune-up. Basically, push the engine’s power train to its limits before going to work on the breathing ch...

It’s a jaw-dropping prospect, isn’t it? The notion that some unprecedented influence could cause a muffler to explode. Like a blocked pipe in a plumbing system, pressure builds when a fluid-conveying tube is obstructed. Unlike the dirty backup spawned by clogged plumbing, the pressure build-up in the exhaust could make the muffler rupture, so what’s generating the build-up? Is it a blockage, or is it something else? System Deterioration The catalytic converter is loaded with ceramic parts and honeycombed metal plates. Each unit is slightly different due to architectural variances, but metal assemblies and heat-absorbing elements are always part of the inner workings. They catalyze engine fumes while releasing harmless gasses into the tailpipe. Unfortunately, these elements are susceptible to damage. Pushed forward by engine backpressure, the broken innards of a catalytic converter will create a blockage. From here, the pressure goes to work on the muffler seam. In short, i...