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Should you change the exhaust on your new Tundra?

Toyota's new Tundra is powerful. It is a capable hauler and tower, and it's as fast as many sports cars. But does your new Tundra's exhaust need modification? For instance, do you want to hear that V8 rumble or are you trying to get more power?

The new Toyota Tundra comes with an excellent set of exhaust manifolds. They are made of stainless steel, so they're lighter than cast iron and highly rust resistant. They're also an "equal-length" tube design, a feature you usually only find on expensive aftermarket headers. Finally, they have a 4 into 2 into 1 design, which is the most efficient way to remove exhaust gas quickly. This is one part of the exhaust that doesn't need changed.

After the manifold, the exhaust passes thru two (2) catalytic converters. Unless you intend to race this thing off-road, there’s no good reason to remove your catalytic converters. First of all, it’s illegal to do so. Second, it’s bad for the environment. Third, and most significantly, they really don’t result in that much of a hp loss. Today’s designs are fairly performance friendly.

From the catalytic converters we come to the factory muffler. The factory muffler is good in terms of efficiency, but not good in terms of character. The factory system is quiet and the V8 can't be heard. While many will tell you that you'll get better performance changing the muffler, keep in mind it's going to be very small. Less than 10 hp or lb-ft of torque (at best). But, it will sound better and every hp counts. As luck would have it, there are literally hundreds of mufflers to choose from. Finding the right one is tricky, but here are some guidelines.

First of all, find out if the muffler you like is going to have any "exhaust drone". Exhaust drone refers to the sound of the engine running while your driving at constant speed, like on the highway. Many people prefer not to have any drone, but others are willing to deal with some drone if it gets them a little more power. Finding out if the muffler you like is going to drone is easy, ask the people at the local muffler shops as well as the websites www.tundraheadquarters.com and www.tundrasolutions.com.

Another noise concern is loudness. Do you want to have a truck that's only slightly louder than factory, something agressive, or something very loud that the whole neighborhood will hear? If you're looking for the last option, make sure to look for the words "racing" or "glasspack" in the muffler's description. If you aren't wanting something LOUD, then avoid muffler descriptions using those terms.

Another important choice when considering a new muffler is single or dual exhaust. Remember, the factory system is pretty good. The single exhaust that the truck is setup with will work just fine and give good performance, but you might want to go with a dual exhaust to get the better look and sound. That's my suggestion, just make sure that your installer works around your trailer hitch or leaves room for one in case you want it added on later.

Finally, what material is best? We think that’s a decision that should be based on geography. If you live anywhere near the corrosive effects of saltwater, stainless steel is the smart choice. While it’s more expensive up-front, it will last much longer than galvanized or aluminized steel. People living in dry climates really don’t need to purchase stainless steel — if rust attacks their system, it will be years before anything is damaged.

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles

Author Jason Lancaster has worked in the auto industry and with the Toyota Tundra for almost 10 years. Find more Tundra Info at his website, www.tundraheadquarters.com. You can get a unique content version of this article.

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