Exhaust tips are an accessory that some people choose to install on their car or truck. They come in all shapes and sizes, but do they change the sound of your car or truck? For your convenience, we brought you the answer.
One thing exhaust tips all have in common is that they all change the sound of your vehicle. The circumference, shape, and overall width can change the sound of your exhaust system by making it sound deeper or even louder. So whether it's a muffler tip, resonator tip, or straight-through stainless steel tip (or any other type), exhaust tips will make your car or truck sound different.
What you might not know is that there are benefits to installing these tips as well. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at how exhaust tips change the sound of your car or truck and how they work. In addition, we will discuss if there are any benefits to adding aftermarket exhaust tips to your vehicle. Without further ado, let's get into it.
How Exhaust Tips Change The Sound Of Your Car Or Truck
Exhaust tips are used to change the sound of your exhaust system; they can completely alter how your car or truck will sound. If you're trying to create a specific type of sound with your vehicle, adding an exhaust tip is one option that could help achieve the sound you're looking for.
It just depends on what kind of sound you're going for. The width and shape make a big difference in how the exhaust tip will make the vehicle sound.
Exhaust tips are typically made of stainless steel or chrome-plated brass, and they fit over the end of your tailpipe to alter how much noise is released. In some cases, you can choose from a few different types of tips depending on how much sound you're going for.
High-flowing exhaust systems tend to create more noise than slow-flowing ones, but many drivers want this kind of system because they will get better gas mileage, and their car or truck will be more eco-friendly.
If you want a vehicle with a powerful sound, you could upgrade your exhaust system and add an exhaust tip for this purpose—but it's not going to do much if the rest of your engine doesn't have some power as well.
So in most cases, adding just an exhaust tip is only going to produce a subtle change in how your car or truck sounds.
When you're planning to buy exhaust tips, make sure that the ones you choose are compatible with whatever type of system you have installed on your vehicle already. You don't want to spend money only to find out later that they will not work with your car or truck.
There are many ways to change the sound of a vehicle, but adding an exhaust tip is one choice that you should consider if you want something different and subtle—rather than completely changing how your engine sounds like with a complete overhaul of the exhaust system.
What part makes a car louder?
If you want to make your car louder, you can upgrade your muffler to an aftermarket one. Several companies make aftermarket mufflers made out of different types of metals and with different internal designs that are all geared toward making a vehicle louder.
For example, MagnaFlow makes some great mufflers, and they sound good too! Be sure to double-check that the muffler will fit your vehicle.
Another way you can make your car louder is by deleting the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter can be removed, and this alone will make the car sound louder.
In addition, taking away this part can help with racing performance. However, you will not pass emissions laws in most states if you take away the catalytic converter. Also, there is a high chance that you will have a check engine light come on frequently.
How can I make my exhaust sound deeper?
If you want to make your exhaust system sound deeper, adding a full cat-back exhaust can help. This is one of the best ways to change how deep your engine sounds without modifying the headers or manifold.
Another option that some people use is an x-pipe with high-flow cats. However, there are several restrictions on this kind of system, so it's essential to ensure that your state allows you to use this type of exhaust before buying these parts.
If you want the engine in your vehicle to sound more like a muscle car, upgrading the headers is one way you can achieve this. This is one of the best ways to make your engine sound deep and throaty.
However, there are drawbacks to this type of system as well. For example, if you have a turbocharged car or truck with headers already installed, adding another aftermarket header will not increase power much because it will be too restrictive in most cases.
Do exhaust tips add horsepower?
In most cases, adding an exhaust tip will not increase your horsepower, but it can help make the car or truck sound a bit more robust. In some instances, you could see as much as 10 extra horsepower if the tips are added correctly.
But in general, you won't see a significant change in horsepower. Instead, add a cold-air intake with the exhaust tips if you want an inexpensive way to make your car sound louder while adding horsepower.
The cold-air intake will help keep the engine cool while taking in more air into the engine, helping it breathe.
Are exhaust tips illegal?
In most states, adding an aftermarket exhaust system is legal—but it will depend on the type of exhaust you choose. For example, if you want a full cat-back or x-pipe with high flow cats to make your car sound more profound and louder, it may not be allowed in some cities.
However, several states do not allow any modifications to the exhaust system. For example, if you live in California or New York, it is illegal for you to add an aftermarket muffler, headers, cold-air intake, and/or high flow cats because of emissions laws.
However, in states like Montana, you don't have to do an emissions check when registering or licensing your vehicle. Therefore, you can add aftermarket parts as mentioned above with no issues.
If your state does not have strict emission laws yet still wants to change your exhaust. Then adding an aftermarket tip is a great choice. You can buy them online and have them shipped right to your home!
In some states, you can add high-flow cats as long as they are CARB approved–but only if the state allows this type of modification. Therefore, you will need to check with local and state laws before upgrading your exhaust system.
Are exhaust tips worth it?
Overall, exhaust tips are worth it if you're looking to give your vehicle a sporty look, a louder sound, and perhaps a bit of added horsepower. Exhaust tips are fairly inexpensive, and they're relatively easy to install.
What's more, since some of these tips are made from stainless steel, they should last quite a long time. If you want an inexpensive way to change your exhaust system, adding a custom tip is the way to go.
With that said, if you're looking to significantly improve your vehicle's performance, an entire exhaust system overhaul is the better option.
Final Thoughts
In sum, exhaust tips can change the sound of your car or truck while giving your exhaust a cooler look. However, if an increase in horsepower is what you are looking for, then exhaust tips aren't the solution.
Instead, you will need to add performance parts such as full cat-back exhausts, cold air intakes, updated intake manifolds, and headers.
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