Increase Your Torque And Save On Gas

If you were to mention to someone that most performance automotive parts can conserve fuel while producing more power, likely you would not be believed. In previous generations this statement would probably have held true, but today -- due to technological advances -- you can usually see an increase in power along with the added benefit of receiving a slight increase in fuel economy. This holds true for exhaust headers, the topic of this article. Exhaust headers are one of the simplest add on accessories you can utilize to enhance your engine's performance. Headers make it easier for the engine to drive exhaust gases out of the cylinders and to purge the manifold's back pressure. Instead of a shared manifold that all of the cylinders use, each cylinder has its own exhaust pipe. The result? More power for your car and less fuel expended as the headers harness what was previously wasted power and turns it back into raw energy. Selecting a header for your car basically comes down to two choices: stock headers and performance headers. With a stock header you come out ahead on price and with a performance header you win on power. Essentially, a performance header takes off where the stock header leaves off by providing an individual runner, or pipe, for each cylinder. In addition, exhaust backpressure is reduced, and air flows more easily out of your engine. Thus, you pay more for a performance header but you get what you really want: more power for your wheels. So, who sells headers? Fortunately, the number of manufacturers producing excellent quality performance headers is on the rise. More competition means a better selection and lower prices. Some of the top manufacturers are:

Apexi Headers

BBK Headers

Borla Headers

DC Headers

Dynomax Headers

Edelbrock Headers

FlowTech Headers

Gibson Headers

Hedman Headers

JBA Headers

Pacesetter Headers When it comes to purchasing headers, prices are all over the place. Shop around and compare price, service, and selection, between online wholesalers to uncover who is in the best position to deliver to you the highest quality parts for the lowest prices.

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Consider a Performance Exhaust System

Is it time for you to replace your car’s exhaust system? Have you noticed rust around your muffler and tailpipe? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then consider replacing your stock exhaust system with a performance exhaust system. Up front you will pay more, but in the end a performance exhaust system just may be the last one you will ever need to purchase for your car.

Nothing lasts forever, right? Well, in the case of some performance exhaust systems you can come darn close. Consider this: one top manufacturer of cat-back exhausts [more on what one is a bit later] produces an exhaust system with a one million mile guarantee! How can they do this? By making a product from aircraft quality stainless steel, that’s how. That’s right; the same steel used by aircraft manufacturers goes into every Borla brand exhaust system to produce a product that is durable and long lasting. Other brands have similar warranties, so I am not saying Borla is the end all or be all product for your car.

So, just how does a cat-back system work? By keeping all the important emissions parts in place, a cat-back system incorporates large width exhaust pipes and low restriction performance mufflers into your car thereby lowering exhaust back pressure. A side benefit is the deeper, throatier tone produced by the exhaust system. Because your car’s engine is essentially an air pump, a cat-back a/k/a performance exhaust system allows the engine to pump and flow air with less interruption. In summation, more power is freed up and horsepower increases of 5 to 15 percent are well within the range of possibility. One side benefit: you will notice an increase in fuel economy because a performance exhaust system allows your engine to run more efficiently.

So, what’s not to love about a performance exhaust system? Not much! Even if you aren’t planning to keep your car forever, the resale value of your vehicle will also increase with a performance exhaust system installed on your car. You win now with more power and better fuel economy and you can win later when it comes time to sell your car. A true win-win situation, don’t you agree?

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