Top 10 Best Performance Exhaust Systems for Cars, Trucks, & SUVs

A major part of your engine’s combustion cycle is spent on pushing the resultant waste gases out of the engine. While vehicles come with exhaust systems right from the factory, they can often be very restrictive due to the stringent rules in place. This restrictive aspect of stock systems can hamper the performance of your vehicle. Fortunately, by opting for performance exhaust systems, you can not only get a slight boost in the performance but also enjoy a great sounding exhaust note. In this article, you will get to know more about these systems, and discover the top ten performance exhausts that you can get for your vehicle.

The Top Ten Exhaust Systems to Choose From

MagnaFlow Exhaust System

Features

Each exhaust system from MagnaFlow is designed to offer performance and power of the highest quality. Most of these systems also boast larger pipes and durable, high-flow T-409 stainless steel construction. Upgrading to a MagnaFlow system ensures that you enjoy more miles per gallon, better pulling torque, and even gains on the base horsepower.

Other Details

Depending on your vehicle, you can choose from any one of MagnaFlow’s three different exhaust systems, namely the premium-range MagnaFlow series (with polished mufflers and double-welded tips), the mid-range XL series (with satin finish mufflers and single-walled tips), and the entry level Pro Series (with stainless mufflers and separately sold tips).

Warranty

All the systems manufactured by MagnaFlow are covered by a lifetime warranty.

Flowmaster Exhaust System

Features

Easily one of the universally preferred systems, Flowmaster’s construction and performance are hard to beat. The systems promise to deliver around 5 to 10 percent increase in power, and a corresponding increase in the miles per gallon. Most of the parts are constructed from aluminized steel, which is resistant to corrosion and rust. Some kits also include stainless steel tips for increased durability.

Other Details

You can choose from any one of the four exclusive series offered by Flowmaster, namely the dBX Flowmaster (which is best suited for imported and domestic cars and trucks with smaller 4 or 6 cylinder engines), Flow FX Series (for a powerful tone that isn’t chambered), American Thunder (for a combination of the best sound and performance), and Outlaw series (for aggressive sounds and performance).

Warranty

All the stainless steel exhaust systems manufactured by Flowmaster are covered by a limited lifetime warranty while the aluminized steel systems are covered by a limited 3-year warranty.

Pacesetter Exhaust System

Features

With innovative designs and great attention to detail, Pacesetter offers an extensive collection of parts for your vehicle’s exhaust system. The range of parts includes designs like cat-back, diesel, deep-tone, manifold, and header-back units. The components are either made from aluminized steel or T409 steel.

Other Details

All systems offered by Pacesetter come with the clamps, tubing, and hangers needed to complete the installation process. You can also choose include no muffler, or pick a muffler of your choice from options like glass-packed, turbo, or straight-through varieties. There are also several different exit styles and pipes of various diameters available.

Warranty

Heartthrob backs the systems it makes with a 1-year warranty.

Gibson Exhaust System

Features

With parts available in either hot-dipped aluminized steel or in 409-L stainless steel, the series of exhaust units from Gibson are designed to improve the overall miles per gallon and to add around 10 to 20 extra horsepower units, thus improving the efficiency and the performance of the vehicle. These systems also reduce back-pressure and eliminate unnecessary turbulence, making for a smooth ride.

Other Details

There are various styles to choose from, including split rear systems (with reduced back-pressure and dual rear exit), dual extreme exhausts (with the highest performance and a louder operating sound), dual sport Gibson exhausts (for greater performance gains), Gibson swept side exhausts (with fuel-economic designs and single side exits), and the super truck exhausts (for the greatest power gain and the loudest sound at 95 decibels).

Warranty

The price of a Gibson exhaust system can vary from around $200 to around $1,700, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

Banks Monster Exhaust System

Features

Each Banks Monster exhaust system includes all the necessary hardware, such as the tubes, clamps, and hangers needed to install it. The best part about these systems is that they can be smoothly mounted on to stock spots. The tubing units are designed to minimize the exhaust gas temperatures, and their mandrel-bent construction promotes maximum flow.

Other Details

You can choose from a variety of kits like turbo-back, DPF-back, downpipe-back, or cat-back variants. You can also choose between single and dual exits for certain vehicle models. Some kits are also equipped with the Banks Power Elbow range. Irrespective of your choice, you get to enjoy units that are constructed from 100% authentic stainless steel. Each kit also comes with a polished stainless steel tip.

Warranty

Banks Monster exhaust systems are backed by a 5-year warranty.

JBA Performance Exhaust System

Features

With a range of exhaust structures for cars, trucks, and SUVs, JBAs products boast of precise tuning and a great attention to detail. The pipes come with large diameters when needed, and are constructed from top-quality stainless steel. Their mandrel-bent design maximizes the flow of exhaust gases. And a chrome-polished stainless steel tip adds to the attractiveness of the systems’ designs.

Other Details

JBA’s exhaust units also come with a ton of features like high-flow mufflers, fully-welded cases, factory-style mounting brackets, and a throaty sound that rumbles powerfully as you kick-start and drive ahead. In addition to this, JBA’s design also maximizes fuel economy and adds more horsepower and torque.

Warranty

JBA Performance exhaust systems are backed by a 1-year warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship.

Corsa Exhaust System

Features

The exhaust structures manufactured by Corsa all boast of the features that make an ordinary system extraordinary. Right from 100% corrosion-resistant stainless steel tubing to mandrel-bent designs that promote a better flow of exhaust gases, these systems have it all. They also offer advantages like incredible horsepower gains, better gas mileage, and minimized back-pressure.

Other Details

Corsa’s performance exhaust series come in three options, namely the Sport series (for an aggressive sound and minimal drone), the Touring series (for a sound that’s slightly louder than normal), and the Xtreme series (best for race-oriented driving). You can choose the system that is specific for your vehicle’s make and model.

Warranty

Each Corsa exhaust system is backed by a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.

Hooker Exhaust System

Features

The exhaust units manufactured by Hooker help your vehicle surpass the limitations imposed on it by its stock exhaust structures and allows it to tap into a much greater potential by improving the horsepower gains and boosting the miles delivered per gallon. There are several options to choose from, and you get a set of parts that are custom-made for your specific kind of vehicle.

Other Details

The components are crafted from 304 stainless steel, which imparts significant strength and resilience to your exhaust system. You can also take your pick from arrangements like cat-back, header-back, or axle-back options. Some systems also come with reducer flex-tubes.

Warranty

Hooker exhaust systems are all backed by a 90-day limited warranty from the manufacturer.

PaceSetter Monza Exhaust System

Features

Made in the USA, PaceSetter Monza’s systems are a testimony to the fact that powerful performances can well be achieved with parts made within the country. The reasonable price tag is another bonus to look forward to. PaceSetter Monza’s units are made from 16-gauge aluminized steel, and feature a mandrel-bent design for quick and smooth flow of exhaust gases.

Other Details

The parts come with a black finish that keeps corrosion and rusting at bay, and the exit pipes in these systems feature chrome exhaust tips. The mufflers are specifically designed to match the make, year, model, and kind of vehicle you own, so you can be certain of finding the perfect system for your automobile.

Warranty

Each PaceSetter Monza exhaust system is backed by a limited 3-year warranty from the manufacturer.

aFe Exhaust System

Features

Equipped with several useful features like generously-sized mandrel-bent tubes and low exhaust gas temperatures, each aFe exhaust system has a dependable set of components that fit together excellently. The tubes are constructed to increase the flow of exhaust gases by over 35%, thus ensuring that there are noticeable horsepower gains.

Other Details

While most parts are made from aluminized steel, there are also select aFe systems that come in 409 stainless steel, which is resistant to corrosion and rust. The components are easy to install, and the clamps are of premium quality, thus giving the aFe systems an edge over the competition.

Warranty

aFe exhaust systems come with a 2-year warranty.

Exhaust System FAQ

What Is an Exhaust System?

A vehicle’s exhaust system is basically piping that helps lead the exhaust gases away from the engine’s combustion chamber and into the atmosphere. Typically, an exhaust system comprises multiple individual components like headers, downpipes, catalytic converters, and mufflers, among others. Furthermore, depending on the type of engine and the system, you are likely to have more than one exhaust pipe.

What Do Exhaust Systems Do?

An internal combustion engine generates waste gases as a result of combustion of the mixture of fuel and air in the engine cylinder. The only purpose of exhaust systems in vehicles is to carry these exhaust gases and other byproducts of combustion away from the cylinders of the engine, convert them into less toxic gases, and then finally release them into the atmosphere. Additionally, exhaust systems also play a huge role in reducing the noise generated due to the combustion process.

What Are the Various Components of an Exhaust System?

Briefly explained below are the different components that comprise an exhaust system.

Headers

Exhaust manifolds, also known as headers, are the first piece of an exhaust system. They are bolted onto the engine’s cylinders and are usually mandrel-bent to minimize exhaust restriction. This allows the gases to flow freely, thereby reducing the back-pressure. Depending on the number of cylinders, headers come in either a 3-into-1 or a 4-into-1 configuration.

Oxygen Sensors

Oxygen sensors are an integral part of any exhaust system. They help detect the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gases and transmit the information to the vehicle’s onboard computer. The computer then regulates the amount of fuel needed to achieve maximum fuel and combustion efficiency.

Downpipes

Also known as head pipes, downpipes are metal pipes that help link the headers to the catalytic converters and mufflers of an exhaust system.

Catalytic Converters

A catalytic converter is the most important component of an exhaust system as it is responsible for reducing and converting extremely toxic and harmful emissions into less toxic gases before releasing them into the air. A catalytic converter typically consists of two ceramic honeycomb-shaped meshes coated with rare and precious metals. When exhaust gases flow through these, they react with the coating and get converted to nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and water.

Mufflers

Mufflers help reduce the exhaust noise by utilizing a combination of baffles, chambers, perforated tubes, and sound-deadening materials.

Crossover Pipes

Applicable only for dual-exhaust systems, crossover pipes are downpipes that help reduce uneven exhaust flow. They effectively reduce back-pressure by preventing exhaust gases from building up on either side of the system, which is highly likely in the absence of crossover pipes.

Tailpipes

A tailpipe is the last component of an exhaust system. It runs from the muffler to the back or to the side of your vehicle.

What Is the Overall Price Range of a Performance Exhaust System?

Typically, the price range of aftermarket performance exhaust systems starts at a few hundred dollars and can set you back by even thousands, with certain exhaust systems costing upward of $4,000. Exhaust systems that are priced lower usually do not last very long and generally suffer from quality issues. They can even degrade the performance of your vehicle and can end up causing problems in the long run which is virtually unheard of with more expensive systems.

What Factors Influence the Price of a Performance Exhaust System?

The price of a performance exhaust system is primarily dependent on the type of system and the vehicle. Furthermore, there are also several other factors that influence the price such as the exhaust manifolds, downpipe and crossover pipe material, diameter of the core and the tube, thickness of the wall, mufflers, catalytic converters, and tailpipes.

Where Can You Buy Performance Exhaust Systems?

You can get some of the best performance exhaust systems from online marketplaces such as Amazon. However, it is advisable that you visit your nearest brick and mortar auto parts store to check out their range of exhaust systems for your vehicle. This way, you can get a better deal on the system and also get it installed onto your vehicle to test it out personally.

Conclusion

Each of the performance exhaust systems in this review guide has a significant edge over most other variants in the market, and depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you’ll find that a few of them suit your specific requirements better than the rest. However, on an average, Flowmaster’s systems are among the most popular choices. They are generally efficient and robust, and their only downside happens to be the high price tag. If you’re on a tight budget, JBA and PaceSetter Monza are two exhaust system makers to consider, as they offer affordable yet powerful systems.