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A cat back exhaust system is a relatively simple auto modification that will free up your exhaust gas flow and produce a unique engine tone that is more pronounced than your stock muffler. The term cat back exhaust can be defined as the section of an exhaust system that attaches after the last catalytic converter in the vehicle’s system. 

A cat back exhaust is typically made up of a rear-pipe, a resonator and a muffler, but depending on the make and model, it can also include other components such as a mid-pipe, X-pipe, H-pipe or Y-pipe.

Why is My Car’s Exhaust System Important?

Put simply, your car’s exhaust is piping used to guide harmful gases away from the combustion inside your engine. This fulfills the important role of removing toxic compounds from the cabin and harmful fumes away from the engine that would otherwise eat away at your vehicle from the inside out.

This is why using the right parts is also critical for your vehicle’s upkeep. For the exhaust system to work at its best it is most important to use the right materials, such as purchasing parts made from stainless steel and aluminized steel that won’t corrode as easily from the gases.

Many detailed auto studies have shown that the more freely your exhaust flows, the better it is for your vehicle. The average exhaust system on most passenger vehicles has been designed to meet minimum standards within the automotive industry and focus on quieting sound rather than maximizing performance. As a result, plenty of OEM systems are rather restrictive. Meanwhile, in the performance auto world most mechanics will recommend you add larger exhaust pipes and freer-flowing mufflers as you tune your motor and add horsepower, so you can appreciate the full benefit of your gains across all of your parts.

What are the Benefits of a Cat Back Exhaust System?

The most prominent and sought out benefit is more power. Aftermarket exhaust systems are designed to be freer flowing than your stock exhaust, usually incorporating larger diameter piping and higher-grade tubing for a more laminar (high momentum diffusion and low momentum convection) flow. This reduces the level of back pressure at the engine manifold, which means the engine can breathe a bit more and release further horsepower and torque. How much horsepower is gained depends highly on the design of your factory exhaust system and the quality of the catalytic converters in front of it.

Better fuel economy is also an often-seen positive side effect from installing a cat back exhaust system. This comes from the engine not having to work as hard to push gases through the exhaust, causing higher efficiency and increasing your MPG. This increase in efficiency is typically easier to notice when traveling on the highway, but can sometimes have a noticeable impact on your city fuel economy as well. 

The final benefit of a cat back exhaust system is the sound they can produce. Whether you want just a little more grunt or a full-on growl, there is a cat back exhaust system out there that will satisfy your ears. This is actually an often overlooked, large consideration when purchasing a cat back exhaust. That’s why we encourage our customers to do their homework first to make sure they will be satisfied with the part they purchase. If you have questions about exhaust systems or anything else relating to automotive maintenance, give our service team at Skip’s Garage a call.