Even though car manufacturers build high-quality cars, there can always be a space for modification and enhancement. This is particularly relevant if sound, torque, and horsepower are involved. While your car’s manufacturer may have accomplished an excellent job designing a safe and practical vehicle, this does not always imply that its exhaust system has been fully optimized.
Many automobile owners eventually modify or install aftermarket exhaust systems, such as an axle-back. However, what does an axle-back system feel like? And what are the key advantages of having one installed? Modifications to performance or racing automobiles are popular, and the exhaust system is one component where considerable more power may be generated.
Vehicles with small factory exhaust systems may bear a restricted exhaust flow. If power-enhancing components are added to your car’s engine, the stock exhaust system might not catch up with the additional power the engine throws. The remedy is to upgrade your exhaust system.
Your vehicle’s exhaust has a pretty simple job: it removes combustible by-products from the engine and screens out hazardous compounds. Nonetheless, this straightforward job necessitates the coordination of several exhaust components. Sadly, the exhaust components that feature standards on automobiles do not always perform well.
Automobile owners seeking to optimize their vehicle’s performance, sound, and speed often opt to modify specific exhaust system components or the entire exhaust system, like the axle-back. If you’re interested in this type of enhancement but unsure where to begin, this article can be a useful source of answers to your questions. Continue reading to learn more about the features of an axle-back exhaust.
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What Is An Axle-back Exhaust System?
Late-model automobiles with a lower ride height and minimal ground clearance are sometimes featured with axle-back exhausts. Its muffler is usually situated towards the back of the car. Although a tiny one, the muffler’s outlet serves as the tailpipe or exhaust tip.
Straight and long exhaust pipes are attached to the catalytic converters of such exhaust system and pass beneath the car’s floorboards, tucking higher into the car’s chassis to avoid ground clearance difficulties. Typically, the axle-back exhaust connects to one straight pipe near or a little behind the car’s rear axle. Often, the axle-back exhaust system comprises a tiny radius bent pipe connecting to the muffler and a brief tailpipe.
Frequently, factory-installed exhaust systems and mufflers are pretty restricted. This results in the engine producing lesser horsepower because the exhaust gases are driven to tussle and leave the engine via the restricted exhaust system. When a car’s engine is fitted with a lesser restrictive aftermarket axleback exhaust system, the engine frequently runs cooler and produces greater power.
Another critical element in deciding to add the axle back exhaust involves the audible rumbling exhaust note produced by the system. High-quality axle-back exhaust systems will improve performance and add aesthetic appeal to the car with stainless steel or chrome-finished exhaust pipe and exhaust tips.
Axle-backs are mostly very user-friendly, letting you finish the installation in a couple of hours, even in your driveway. The system’s grade and quality are often superior to that of the car’s factory system package.
Mandrel bends are often used in aftermarket equipment to generate a much better flow of gasses and enhance and extend the product’s lifetime by minimizing the spots where rust may begin to develop in the sleek bends. Usually, OEM pipes are bent with a notable pinch and crimp, accumulating salts and debris and creating rust-prone spots.
Numerous manufacturers of axle-back exhausts provide lifetime warranties on their goods. However, an anti-seize chemical must be applied to the pipes where the aftermarket components and the stock exhaust meet to avoid corrosion and oxidation reactions between the two different metallic materials. Also, most axle-back system makers recommend using only stainless brackets.
Axle-back vs. Cat-back Exhaust Systems
Automobiles are the “big boys” most popular toy. Whenever car geeks discuss their vehicles, they debate the enhancement of power and speed or the beauty of the modifications and general look. Folks will put cash on these items, and the most often encountered cause of uncertainty is the subject of popular exhaust modifications and improvements.
The aftermarket exhaust system is one of the excellent exhaust upgrades that can enhance both the aesthetics and efficiency of the car. Bolt-on kits, usually, can be done by beginners to competent or hardcore DIYers and are available in two typical setups: cat-back and axle-back. However, how can you determine which one would be the best fit for you and your ride?
Typically, those seeking an aggressive exhaust note louder than their stock pipes have turned to the axle-back system alternative, increasing total volume and producing a more aggressive sound without breaking the law, unlike the muffler delete and straight pipe exhaust. A Catback exhaust system is the most fantastic solution for individuals wishing to boost sound, loudness, and performance improvements.
The Axle-back Exhaust
The axle-back system incorporates the components located behind the rear axle of an automobile and typically comprises the mufflers, tailpipes, and exhaust tips. Axle-back and cat-back layouts are vehicle-specific, with specific car makes or models providing just one. Axle-backs are an excellent option for a variety of factors.
Like cat-back exhausts, the axle-back exhausts are intended to upgrade factory systems. Axle-back setups are distinct from those that have a catalytic converter. Axle-back exhaust systems function by altering the tips and mufflers already installed on the vehicle, often near the rear axle.
Given that the muffler is responsible for flexing and diverting soundwaves to decrease and route total engine noise, modding these particular pieces would undoubtedly impact the automobile’s sound, but only to the extent that it is customized.
This is ideal for folks who are completely satisfied with their vehicle’s performance and simply want a personalized exhaust note at such a low price.
Axleback Exhaust Features
- Less expensive exhaust than a catalytic converter
- A diverse selection of sounds can be generated, making this a fully personalized choice.
- The components are simple to install and need just a few specialized tools.
Advantages
- The total cost of the system results from fewer involved parts. Generally, between $200 up to $800
- Installation is straightforward since most are bolt-on components.
- A distinctive sound that compliments the appearance of a vehicle.
Disadvantages
- There will be no improvement in performance.
- There will be no decrease in weight.
The Cat-back Exhaust
The term “cat-back exhaust” refers to the collection of parts through which exhaust gases pass after leaving the car’s catalytic converter. This usually comprises an intermediate pipe, muffler, mid-pipe, tailpipe, and exhaust tips. Cat-back systems often increase performance due to the more optimal exhaust flow via improved components such as bigger diameter piping, more effective mufflers, greater sound, and weight reduction.
Cat-back exhausts provide three primary functions: performance, fuel efficiency, and sound. Performance and fuel efficiency are inextricably linked, stemming from the same notion. Consider the exhaust system as a ventilator since it relates to the engine’s combustion cycle.
Aftermarket catback exhaust enhances your engine’s breathing ability. With much less effort required to expel exhaust gases, the improved airflow enables easy breathing of the engine, resulting in increased power. Likewise, increased airflow improves fuel efficiency significantly, as the engine does not strain as hard.
Since cat-back exhaust systems incorporate tips and mufflers as part of their kit, the sound is altered in the process. Various exhaust tips and configurations of pipes and their diameter sizes affect how sound flows, allowing for customization of the magnificent tone an engine may generate.
Catback Exhaust Features
- Increased horsepower as a result of increased airflow
- High fuel efficiency as a result of enhanced airflow
- The exhaust produces a distinctive sound.
Advantages
- Increased horsepower due to minor blockage and high exhaust gas flow
- increased fuel efficiency due to an engine’s lessened exhaust gas problems.
- Various cores inside catalytic converters are optimal for handling the increased temperatures.
- Weight reduction when pipes are replaced with lighter materials
- A unique sound customized to your preferences
- Extremely configurable pipe shapes diameters
Disadvantages
- They may cost as little as $300 up to a thousand dollars.
- The alteration in noise levels may be bothersome on highways and to neighbors.
- Corrosion-prone materials may be used in low-cost projects.
- If the vehicle is brand new, there is a possibility that the warranty can be voided.
How Do Axle-Back Systems Work?
Axle-back systems, in most cases, don’t somewhat increase speed and performance. They only substitute the muffler, resulting in increased airflow, although the benefits are marginal. The assembly of the axle-back kit is often relatively uncomplicated since they just replace a tiny part of your car’s exhaust.
However, this is not always the case. Installing an axle-back on an S550 Ford Mustang necessitates the removal of the OEM mufflers, which involves cutting.
Why Choose Axle-back Exhaust?
If the sound of your exhaust is your primary priority, then an axle-back configuration is a wonderful option for you. Axle-back installs are fast and straightforward, and they provide you to make later exhaust modifications if you so want. As a result, they’re an excellent option if you’re just getting started with your wrenching.
In addition, axle-back exhausts are less expensive than cat-back exhausts. Several of the same manufacturers that produce an excellent cat-back also make excellent axle-backs. Axleback exhaust is the way to go if you’re looking for a low-cost system that both looks and sounds fantastic.
Another advantage of choosing an axle-back exhaust over cat-backs is that it allows you to blend and match the components of your exhaust system. The Cat-back exhaust system is supplied with mid-pipes. However, you may want to use your existing mid-pipe. This becomes obvious when you consider the variations from X, Y, and H-pipes, among other things.
The mid-pipe and axle-back combination is practically the same as creating your custom cat-back system from the ground up. You simply have more fantastic options in the components that make it up. Mandrel-bent pipes are also used in the high-quality and outstanding axle-back exhaust.
Scratchy sounds are eliminated, and a deep rumble tone is produced by using these pipes. Axle-back exhausts often provide a fuller and more profound style over the stock exhausts, but they lack the rumbling of cat-back exhausts.
Conclusion
Axle-back exhaust systems can turn the boring sound of your vehicle into an aggressive tone and provide you with varying levels of customizing options — depending on which material and style you choose to purchase. Your requirements or conditions will determine the best option.
Suppose you have the financial means to pay up to a thousand bucks or more on an exhaust system with improved sound of high and exceptional quality. In that case, a Catback exhaust is unquestionably the most attractive option. The following are the reasons for this. Some high-end axle-back exhausts can be found at an affordable price than those of more economical Catback exhausts.
FAQs
What is an axle-back exhaust?
Axle-back systems are designed to replace the components from the rear axle completely. As well as the exhaust tip and muffler, axle-back systems may also incorporate a short portion of the pipe and other features. Axle-back kits, which are much less expensive than cat-back kits, offer increased sound for cars that currently have effective intermediate pipes and mid-pipes.
Does an axle-back exhaust make a difference?
Typically, those seeking a louder, more aggressive tone than their standard components have turned to the axle-back solution, increasing total volume while producing an aggressive sound.
Which is louder catback or axle back?
Both axle-backs and cat-backs are loud, but this factor still depends on the type of exhaust you choose and the engine you’re installing with such exhaust.
