A custom exhaust can be very efficient until you encounter a car with straight piping on the exhaust system. Straight piping is a creative innovation that resolves a lot of issues that face a custom exhaust system.
The minimized curving and bending in the straight piping system reduces the backpressure of a vehicle and enhances the efficiency of the exhaust system. Straight piping engenders a better flow to the system.
So, you may want to consider installing a straight pipe on your car to build a better performance-based exhaust for an incredible experience. In that case, find out how to straight pipe a car from the subsequent section.
How to Straight Pipe a Car
Straight piping a car is not overly complicated; however, it requires a minimal level of mechanical knowledge and experience. The process would also require a few hand tools to perform the installation.
So, if you are asking how to straight pipe a car at home, the following procedures would guide you step-by-step.
Ascertain the accurate size of the muffler
The first thing to note when installing a straight pipe on a car is to determine the correct type and size of the muffler required on the vehicle. The muffler’s capacity is essential in ensuring the prevention of backflow in the exhaust system.
The whole kit should contain a pre-silencer and a straight line muffler with a design that comes with a simple flow.
Park the car in a garage and lift it.
After determining what size and type of muffler to use, park the vehicle in a garage and lift it off the ground with a hoisting device. Then, check out the location of the current exhaust system and take note of the areas of the hangers and the mounts.
Sketch your new exhaust system on paper
Once the locations of the necessary parts of the current exhaust system have been determined, get a clean sheet of paper and sketch out the kind of exhaust system you would like to install.
Ensure that you calculate all the necessary bends required to skirt the mechanicals beneath the vehicle around the exhaust area.
Remove the current exhaust from the car.
After an accurate sketch, get some silicone lubricant to loosen the parts of the current exhaust, then remove the clamps and get the existing exhaust off. Thereafter, disengage the vehicle’s catalytic converter without removing it completely.
It is important to straight pipe with catalytic converter partially disengaged but not removed. That part is necessary on the exhaust system by law, especially in some regions. Hence, you will need to fix it back on the car.
Ensure to note any clamps that you damage in the process of removing the existing exhaust so that you can replace them after everything.
Install the new exhaust system.
Once the existing exhaust is taken off, it’s time to layout the mandrel bend sections, then cut them as required. Ensure to test for fitment once and again until you are satisfied.
After that, tack-weld the whole parts together. Ensure to check whether the pieces fit or align before welding them together permanently.
Once the parts are welded together, apply heat-resistant paint on the metal to treat it against corrosion, especially if it is not stainless steel or chrome. Note that if the metal is not treated, it will rust in a moment after installation and become faulty.
After the tack-welding and metal treatment, weld the pipe sections and the muffler together. Then, fix the system and mount it in place beneath the car and weld it permanently in the correct position based on the sketch. Once you complete the process, you are good to go!
If you are wondering how to straight pipe a truck, the procedures above will be helpful; however, you may need to study a little more about that.
If you are also asking how to straight pipe a car without welding, some of the steps above will be useful to that effect, but not all. You can find out more about that.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is straight piping bad for your car?
Straight piping has some effects on a car, which is important to pay attention to when considering straight piping a vehicle. It can increase exhaust gas velocity, reducing engine performance to less than 2000 or 2500 RPM.
When this effect occurs in a car, it will hinder the effective and efficient performance of the engine. This will automatically make the car slower when launching from a spotlight. So, if you choose to straight pipe a vehicle, bear these effects in mind.
Q: What does putting a straight pipe on your car do?
Basically, like the regular exhaust, putting a straight pipe on your car would create an allowance for the exits of gases and fumes through the rear of the vehicle. This is for the overall well-being of the car.
In the process of fixing a straight pipe on your car, catalytic converters and mufflers are removed. The other metal used on the exhaust system is also cut down, as one straight pipe replaces the exhaust system.
Installing a straight pipe on your car’s exhaust system also helps to reduce the car’s weight profile. Once this is done, the vehicle is empowered to move faster than usual.
The operation also alters the car’s engine sound. You may want to find out the difference between straight back vs. Catback exhaust.
Q: How much does it cost to straight pipe a car?
Straight piping a car does not cost a fortune. However, the city you live in and the type of car or model you drive are factors to consider when performing straight piping. These factors influence the cost.
In any case, the estimated cost of straight piping a car is around $1,000 to $1,500. The price may vary from one service provider to another, and as mentioned earlier, the location (city/state) of installation also affects the cost.
If you are also asking, “How long does it take to straight pipe a car?” It only requires around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how fast you can get the job done.
Q: Why is straight piping illegal?
If you are asking, “Is a straight pipe legal?” Straight piping is illegal for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, the noise ordinance is a factor that makes it illegal in most regions.
Also, due to the emissions a car produces after installing a straight pipe, it may not be able to pass inspection in some states.
In some cases, if you perform straight piping on a car, it may be difficult to register or insure the vehicle. Most insurance companies ensure to check the car to be insured in order to ensure that all its components are in good condition.
Hence, performing straight piping may hinder you’re able to take an insurance cover on the car. So, ensure to consider the implications before performing straight piping.
Q: Does straight pipe waste more gas?
There are a couple of effects that accompany the installation of straight pipe on a vehicle. For instance, since straight pipe installation requires the removal of the vehicle muffler, the exhaust will automatically become louder than usual.
However, this does not necessarily have an adverse effect on gas consumption. As a matter of fact, as part of straight pipe exhaust benefits, installing a straight pipe on your car can enhance the fuel consumption economy, with more air gaining access into the combustion chamber.
Final Words
All you need to know about how to straight pipe a car has been unveiled above in this article. The process is not a difficult one, especially for DIYers. However, the only challenge would be the inability to access the tools required.
If you can rent the welding tools and other tools required for cutting the components and installing the straight pipe, the whole process would go well. But if the tools are not readily available, you may have to consult a professional mechanic to do the job.
In any case, straight piping a car may be the way to overcome some of the issues that a custom exhaust system consistently faces. But ensure to be guided by the rules and regulations in your city.