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Home » Automotive Blog » Top Car Exhaust System Parts: What You Need to Know

Top Car Exhaust System Parts - What You Need to Know

  • 5 min read
Top Car Exhaust System Parts What You Need To Know
Explore a detailed guide to know everything about car exhaust system parts. Undoubtedly, the car exhaust system is one of the most complicated parts of a car. So, dealing with it is not easy, especially for the novice.

This blog explains each part of the car exhaust system in detail. Once you know about the parts, it will be easier for you to choose “car exhaust repair near me.” So, start reading to delve into further details and insights of an auto exhaust system;

How Do Car Exhaust System Parts Work?

Several things happen in the car’s engine every time you run your vehicle. Each functionality in your car’s engine is to power your vehicle. The power in the engine is produced only when power is pushed against the piston of the engine.

The gas produced in the combustion chamber or engine also includes chemicals unsuitable for human health. The primary purpose of a car exhaust system is to direct the chemicals and hazardous gas away from the engine compartment. Here are the three main functions of a car exhaust system;
  • Direct away all fumes and chemicals from the engine compartment to the behind of the vehicle.
  • Reduce the explosion noise produced during the fuel combustion process.
  • Decrease the chemicals and fumes to reduce the toxic emissions.
However, modern exhaust systems have more functionality than pushing out the chemicals and affected air. If an exhaust system leaves the affected air directly in the air, it can also affect the atmosphere.

Modern auto exhaust systems have been designed to direct away the air or gas from the engine compartment after filtering it. Moreover, modern exhaust systems are also designed to reduce environmental noise pollution.

What is the Importance of an Exhaust System in Your Car?

Most people don’t understand it, but an appropriately working exhaust system plays a vital role in a vehicle’s overall functionality. The only purpose of an exhaust is not to push out the chemicals and fumes. A well-maintained and regularly inspected exhaust system also significantly impacts engine performance.

Whether your car’s exhaust system is aluminium or stainless steel, both are crucial for the engine and vehicle’s health or performance. If you want to keep toxic fumes and chemicals out of your vehicle, you should understand how to keep your car’s exhaust system in good working condition.

What Does a Car Exhaust System Include?

Before taking a detailed look at the essential parts of an exhaust system, here is the list of the parts of a stainless steel exhaust system:
  • Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
  • Catalytic converter
  • Exhaust manifolds
  • Oxygen sensors
  • Centre muffler
  • Front muffler
  • Rear muffler
  • Heat shield
  • Front pipe
  • Resonator
  • Hangers
  • Tailpipe
Car Exhaust System Parts

What are the Most Common Car Exhaust System Parts?

After discussing the components of a car exhaust system, let’s take a detailed look at each part. The modern exhaust system has several parts. Those parts are not essential but offer auxiliary duties, such as heat shields. However, there are four essential and fundamental exhaust system parts, including:

Exhaust Manifold

The exhaust manifold, also known as the exhaust system header, is made up of metal pipes bolted to the exhaust side of the engine. However, the inner manifold is separate from the header manifold. Most exhaust system manifolds are made of iron and steel.

A gasket between the manifold and the car’s engine helps to seal the gas between the engine components. Even though manifolds have different designs, the primary purpose of each manifold is the same: channelling the fumes in the pipes to run down the car’s length.

Exhaust Manifold

Exhaust Downpipe

Only a few cars' exhaust systems have downpipes, which connect the manifold to the catalytic converter. In most cars, the cats are integral to downpipes. However, in a few vehicles, the downpipes are integral to pre-cats.

The exhaust system downpipe is known for features such as the “Flexi” section. Its primary purpose is to let the engine run without any risk of vibration or unusual movement in the engine’s components.

Exhaust Downpipe

Catalytic Converter

We all know that a car’s engine emits chemicals and fumes that are not good for the atmosphere. The primary purpose of the catalytic converter is to convert the fumes and chemicals into less toxic emissions.

A catalytic converter also converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. This conversion results in less harmful fumes and chemicals. However, these fumes are still not completely harmless.

A lambda or oxygen sensor is also mounted on the catalytic converter pipe. This sensor monitors the gas entering the pipe and ensures it works correctly. If the gas entering the pipe is not working appropriately, an oxygen sensor will turn on a warning light on the car’s dashboard.

Catalytic Converter

Exhaust Muffler

The last and one of the most essential exhaust system parts is the car muffler. Mufflers in automobiles are fitted near the exhaust system’s pipe end. The basic purpose of an exhaust muffler is to muffle the sound that occurs due to engine explosions to save the environment from noise pollution and comply with noise pollution legislation.

Exhaust Muffler

Is the Turbocharger Also Part of the Car Exhaust System?

Yes, a turbocharger is part of the car exhaust system. However, most people consider it a separate part of the car. A car’s turbocharger is a combination of dual blades. One blade of turbocharger from dual blades is combined into the exhaust gas flow from the engine compartment.

What are the Benefits of a Car’s Exhaust System?

A healthy car exhaust system offers the following benefits:
  • Turns the toxic emissions, fumes and chemicals into less harmful gases.
  • Maintain the engine’s energy and performance
  • Keeps the engine’s explosion noises minimum
  • Maintains fuel efficiency

Can I Tune the Exhaust System Parts?

You can tune or maintain almost every part of your car’s exhaust system. If you are serious about tuning any part, be sure to know the details of each part for better servicing. Tuning the car’s exhaust system involves examining all parts, including mufflers, downpipes, catalytic converters, and diesel particulate filters (DPF).

Thus, tuning the exhaust system is a complex task. That’s why it’s recommended that you tune your car’s exhaust system by relying on well-experienced mechanics and automotive garages such as London Motor Sports.

What are the Unprofessional and Illegal Exhaust System Tuning Methods?

Like professional tuning, there are also some illegal or unprofessional tunning methods for the car exhaust system. Even though these tuning methods are unlawful, they are still popular because of their efficient and prompt results. The most common unprofessional tuning methods are exhaust perforating and removing a few parts of the exhaust system.

The primary purpose of doing so is to create weird noises from the exhaust pipe. It is a cheap method for those who cannot afford a sports exhaust system. However, it won’t last long if you get caught. Besides legality, an illegally tuned exhaust system doesn’t improve performance.

Tune Up Your Car’s Exhaust System with LMS!

No doubt, there are endless benefits to tuning the car’s exhaust system. However, it is not necessary to do it illegally every time. If you are in London, UK and want to improve your car’s exhaust system performance, contact London Motor Sports.

You should tune up your car through professional servicing and maintenance rather than tuning only the exhaust system. LMS is a one-stop solution for car tuning and servicing, regardless of your car’s make and model. So, what are you looking for further? Call LMS today and schedule your next exhaust system tuning session with us.

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