Mustang Exhaust - Professional Upgrade Tips

The most common alteration done to a mustang next to buying new wheels is upgrading the exhaust. Whether you are exchanging your mid-pipes or getting a whole new system, one thing is constant: mustang owners want great-sounding exhaust systems that lasts. This can be done by improving the parts of your exhaust. So, what are the different parts of the mustang exhaust?

There is more to the mustang exhaust system than just pieces of metal bolted together. Your mustang exhaust performs many functions, the most important ones are the following. They move the hot exhaust gases coming from your engine out of the car. They limit the noise output and reduce exhaust emissions. The faster you are able increase the air flow through the engine the better overall performance you will have and the exhaust is integral this.

How does the exhaust system do these things? It is done by pushing the gases from your engine, through the pipes and mufflers, and out of your car. There are three main components to the mustang exhaust system. All Mustangs have the same set-up, regardless of the year of making. I highly recommend upgrading both the headers and going with cat-back exhaust. Not only will you improve performance, you will improve the sound and fuel efficiency in some cases.

The first component is called the manifolds. The manifolds are attached to the exhaust ports of the engine. They funnel the exhaust gases from the cylinders into a single exhaust passage that is the mid-pipe. The manifolds are sometimes referred to as mustang headers. They perform the same functions, but they are not exactly the same. A manifold generally has several holes converging into a common chamber. Headers normally have tubes that curve to join the exhaust ports to the exhaust pipe. This allows the gases to gently flow into the pipe, rather than slamming through the ports.

Next in our list of components is the mid-pipe. Every mustang exhaust system features a mid-pipe. The mid-pipe is where the gases are directed when they exit the manifold. Equalizing the exhaust pulses is the core reason for having this. Exhaust pulses are bursts of exhaust leaving the engine to the pipe and aid in system efficiency resulting in more engine power.

The third component is called the mustang catback. The catback bolts on at the back of the catalytic converters. The assembly consists of the mufflers and the tailpipes. This is the final destination of the vicious gases from your engine. There are several aftermarket performance updates associated with headers, exhaust, and intake that are available. Your best source can be found by clicking the links within this article or resource box.

Mustang headers are synonymous with manifolds and although they perform the same functions, they do not work in exactly the same way. Headers normally have curved tubes joining the exhaust ports to the exhaust pipe while the several holes of the manifold converge into a common chamber. The next component, which is something included in each and every mustang exhaust, is the mid-pipe. The third component is called the mustang catback. The catback bolts on at the back of the catalytic converters. The assembly consists of the mufflers and the tailpipes.

- Tom S Powers