Flowmaster, Borl, Crown, Magnaflow, Dynomax, and MBRP are some of the best aftermarket brands that manufacture exhaust systems.
A loose exhaust pipe is one of the signs that you need to replace your exhaust system.
The cost of a new exhaust system varies depending on the configuration and inclusions. Some vehicle owners prefer to buy components individually, while others would rather purchase a kit.
Any vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, whether it’s a sedan, SUV, or truck, is going to have an exhaust system. It consists of multiple components, including oxygen sensors, catalytic converters, mufflers, pipes, exhaust manifolds, and many more.
The exhaust system regulates emissions, so it must always be kept in working condition. It makes sure that waste gases are redirected correctly and pollutants are filtered efficiently, which enhances engine performance. Any fault in your exhaust system should be repaired as soon as possible to make sure it complies with state-mandated emission standards.
The exhaust system makes sure that waste gases are redirected correctly and pollutants are filtered efficiently.
Need new exhaust system components to restore or upgrade your vehicle? Check out aftermarket catalytic converter and exhaust system parts on CarParts.com. These parts work just as well as any OE componentandare made from premium materials. Each part is engineered for easy-installation, without the need for cutting or welding.
6 Best Exhaust System Brands
There are many exhaust system options available on the market, so we’ve listed down the six best brands you should choose from:
Flowmaster’s direct-fit exhaust system assemblies are made for easy installation. They are made of premium materials, including aluminized and stainless steel. Its exhaust systems are designed to improve vehicle performance, using a refined airflow mechanism to enhance engine power and fuel economy.
Borla is a brand that guarantees high-performing exhaust systems for a wide array of vehicles, including pickups, SUVs, and cars. Its products cater to custom car fanatics, offering a great selection of direct-fit kits to customize exhaust systems.
Borla is a brand that guarantees high-performing exhaust systems for a wide array of vehicles.
Key Features:
Sold separately or as kits
Specially designed for high performance
Made with high-grade corrosion resistant features, perfect for areas with changing weather conditions
Promises to improve engine power while minimizing noise
Crown is Jeep’s preferred brand for quality aftermarket replacement components. It has been around for a while, providing exceptional components for Jeep vehicles. Its exhaust components are made of aluminized steel. They can be bought individually or as kits, including all crucial parts, such as pipes, mufflers, catalytic converters, mounting hardware, and so on.
Crown is Jeep’s preferred brand for quality aftermarket replacement components.
Key Features:
Guarantees OE-quality and function, ideally for Jeep vehicles
Not legal for sale or use in California
Products come with a 1-year/12,000-mile limited warranty
Magnaflow offers a wide range of exhaust system components made for both OE replacement and performance applications. It uses a polished airflow design to optimize gas mileage and horsepower. Each direct-fit part boasts precise engineering, promising hassle-free installation.
Magnaflow offers a wide range of exhaust system components made for both OE replacement and performance applications.
Key Features:
Made of stainless steel, aluminized steel, or 409 stainless steel
Mandrel-bent tubing for ultimate durability
Available for a wide variety of different vehicle makes and models
Different exhaust system types, including cat-back, axle-back, crossmember, back, turbo-back, muffler-delete and more
Dynomax includes all necessary hardware in its exhaust system kits. Its products are all about performance and style. All included parts are engineered to boost torque, horsepower, and gas mileage. They also feature fiberglass matting inside the components to manage airflow resonance and tone.
Dynomax exhaust system parts are engineered to boost torque, horsepower, and gas mileage.
Key Features:
Mandrel-bent tubing for continuous airflow
50-state legal
Minimized back pressure with linear airflow design
All components are direct-fit, using stock hanger or mounting points
MBRP is all about providing variety. Its exhaust system components come in different materials, for multiple types of systems, covering a multitude of vehicle makes and models. It’s also a DIY-er friendly brand, requiring no additional modifications during installation.
MBRP is a DIY-er friendly brand known for products that require no additional modifications during installation.
Key Features:
Comes in aluminized steel, stainless steel, 304 stainless steel, and 409 stainless steel
Cat-back, DPF-back, turbo-back, axle-back, downpipe-back, or resonator-back exhaust systems
Ideal for performance replacement applications
Precision-engineered to meet OE dimensions
Products come with varying warranties
When Should You Replace Your Exhaust System?
Keeping your vehicle’s exhaust system in good shape is crucial in making sure your emissions stay within legal limits. If it fails, your vehicle will release toxic chemicals into the air, which is harmful to the environment. A bad exhaust system may also make your engine burn more fuel than necessary, throwing off overall vehicle performance.
Prevent the hassle of having a bad exhaust system by watching out for symptoms and addressing them as early as possible. Here are the signs you should watch out for:
The exhaust pipe is loose
If the exhaust tip seems to move excessively when driving over bumps, the exhaust hangers may need to be replaced. Get your vehicle checked by a mechanic if this happens as the tip may break if you drive on rough terrain.
Excessively loud engine noise
An exhaust pipe tear may cause louder engine sounds than usual. The muffler and its chambers function to tone down these noises. However, the damaged pipes between the chambers will inadequately manage vibrations, producing more intense engine noise.
Reduced fuel economy
An exhaust leak may happen if there are any damaged components. This may cause your engine temperature to run higher than normal, affecting performance and fuel economy.
The cost of a new exhaust system can go from around $45 to $4,200, varying on whether it’s sold as a part of a kit, an assembly, or a set.
What to Consider When Choosing a New Exhaust System
Since the exhaust system has multiple parts and hardware, there are certain factors you should consider when looking for a new one.
Cost
The cost of a new exhaust system may vary depending on configurations and inclusions. It can go from around $45 to $4,200, varying on whether it’s sold as a part of a kit, an assembly, or a set. Some may prefer to buy components individually, but a set or kit may be more convenient as it contains all the hardware necessary for quick installation.
When it comes to material, you can’t go wrong with stainless steel. It’s good at fending off rust and corrosion, which is common with metal exhaust pipes.
Specifications
Taking down your vehicle’s specifications is important to make sure that your new exhaust system is compatible with it. Ill-fitting components may cause problems later on, after installation.
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
