Modifying car exhaust systems can give your car a performance boost. Some car enthusiasts are more interested in the aesthetics or the difference in exhaust sound. Modifications to car exhaust systems usually come in two popular configurations: cat back and axle back exhaust system. This guide presents a comparison of both these options.
Cat Back vs Axle Back Exhaust Systems
Where axle back is the prime choice for louder and aggressive exhaust sound, cat back also results in increased performance.
Before we can understand how each configuration works, let’s take a quick view of a basic car exhaust system. The exhaust system consists of a series of components and pipes to allow exhaust gases from the engine to escape. These parts include:
- Exhaust Manifold – Collects the exhaust gases through exhaust valve to direct them towards the catalytic convertor.
- Catalytic Converter – Reduces or oxidises harmful exhaust gases to make them less hazardous for the environment.
- Resonator – Although not found in all vehicles, it helps cancels out some ranges of sounds.
- Muffler – Reduces a wide range of sounds to an acceptable level by using multiple chambers and perforated pipes to cause gas expansion followed by reduced gas pressure.
- Tail Pipe – Directs the muffled gases to exit into the air.
Cat Back Exhaust System
Cat back exhaust system, as the name suggests, is located with the catalytic converter. Hence, the exhaust components and pipe system are usually installed after the catalytic converter, towards the tailpipe.
Listed among popular aftermarket exhaust upgrades, the system keeps the catalytic converter intact while giving a performance boost due to the replacement of stock exhaust accessories.
Axle Back Exhaust System
Axle back exhaust system, also referred to as the straight pipe exhaust system is installed after the rear axle of the car. This may include a muffler and tailpipe in the configuration. Sometimes the system may start at the exhaust manifold and skip the catalytic converter to connect directly with the tailpipe. However, eliminating the catalytic converter may deem illegal, especially in the UAE.
Benefits of Cat Back Exhaust System & Axle Back Exhaust System
Each configuration brings in its own set of benefits and the selection is based on your current exhaust profile.
Cat back exhaust system reduces the exhaust restriction when compared to a stock exhaust system. Since the cat back system uses the intermediate pipe, it gives better exhaust flow through mandrel bends. The exhaust system uses wider pipes for enhanced exhaust flow, resulting in increased horsepower.
Axle back exhaust system is ideal for car exhaust setups that already have pipes with a wider diameter. Since backend components are expensive to replace, axle back exhaust can just swap out the muffler and exhaust tip of the stock system. Hence, less components, ease of installation and affordability are some of the key benefits of the axle back exhaust system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you get a cat back or axle back exhaust system?
If you are just going for the looks and enhanced sound from your current exhaust, the axle back system is the option. It is also affordable and easy to install. If you want to enhance engine performance along with the benefit of aggressive sound and improved aesthteics, a cat back system is a better option.
How much horsepower can be gained through the cat back exhaust system?
Aftermarket cat back exhaust systems can increase the overall horsepower in between 2 to 5 percent. The hp gain is more apparent for track driving as compared to negligible impact on the city roads. Additionally, you can expect better gains when pairing a performance exhaust system with other add-ons like cold air intakes.
Since aftermarket performance exhaust systems do not usually impact the working of catalytic converters, they are mostly street legal when it comes to emission regulations. However, increased noise volume may not be appreciated especially in the UAE. Most engine modifications require permission from relevant authorities in the UAE.
For instance, modifying an engine in Dubai without the consent of authorities can result in a traffic fine of AED 1000 in addition to the accumulation of 12 black points and a possibility of vehicle confiscation.
Since new cars lose their market value on modifications, it is better to use second-hand cars. Explore your options with used cars for sale in the UAE to modify without affecting their value. Check out new and used auto accessories for sale to find some good deals on replacement parts and add-on accessories.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s leading auto blogs for more information on car parts, market trends and automotive technology.
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