Exhaust Tips Tech Center

It’s been argued that the need to express our individuality is traced to early Neanderthal Man. In those days, sporting a saber-tooth necklace was considered high fashion. But can you imagine extracting your jewelry from the mouth of a primeval tiger? Lucky for us, expressing our individuality today is as easy as choosing the right auto accessories.

Why Should I Buy an Exhaust Tip?

Through the miracle of natural selection, out-dated auto accessories, like window-clinging stuffed-animals and fuzzy dice, are facing extinction. Custom exhaust tips, on the other hand, have ascended into a highly-evolved form of self-expression. Available in a nearly endless variety of designs, exhaust tips are an excellent way to inject your own sense of style into your vehicle. Choosing the perfect exhaust tip allows you to:

• Apply a personalized finishing-touch to your custom exhaust system
• Replace a drooping, blown-out, rusty mess of a factory tip
• Easily add some style and individual flare to your vehicle
• Add the piece de resistance’ to a new system

So you buckled down and dropped some Benjamins on a ferocious new performance exhaust system. You spent most of your Saturday afternoon installing the beast while visions of massive power gains and throaty rumbles ran through your brain. After all your hard work, you know better than to top off your system with a ho-hum, factory-style tip—or worse yet, reuse the original tip that you just cut off. That’s like wearing your dirty socks after a shower! Instead, add the crowning-touch to your new exhaust system with one of the many exhaust tips available at AmericanTrucks. With our vast variety of styles to choose from, you’re sure to find that one perfect tip to make your statement. What’s more, most performance exhaust manufacturers also build exhaust tips to match their systems, including Magnaflow, Borla, Gibson, MBRP, and Edelbrock.

Replacing Factory Exhaust Tips

Let’s face it, most factory exhaust systems leave a lot to be desired. They’re usually not designed for performance or tuned for a killer sound. Worse yet, they’re often made from untreated mild steel that rusts out and eventually fails. Not to mention how mundane factory exhaust tips look—even when brand new. And nothing says “jalopy” like an old corroded exhaust tip hanging from under a vehicle.

Whether you want to beat the rust demons to the punch or you need to replace a dragging tip that leaves a spectacular shower of sparks in your wake, a custom exhaust tip will showcase your individual style and replace that weak factory pipe topper.

Exhaust Tips Materials Reference

When choosing your exhaust tips, style is just the tip of the iceberg. The material they’re made from plays a key role in how your exhaust tips look and how long they last. Hanging under your car and exposed to harsh conditions and high temperatures can put the hardiest materials to the test. Quality exhaust tips are made from either chromed mild steel or aerospace-grade stainless steel. Read on to decide which material is right for your vehicle.

Chromed Steel

Stock exhaust tips are usually made from chrome-plated mild steel. This is OK; it keeps the cost down and lasts awhile. To add shine, the steel is chrome-plated, which dramatically improves the finish. In the end, though, the chrome may begin to flake and peel as the steel slowly succumbs to rust. Depending on your local climate, this process could take months or years—but it will happen.

If you’re looking to add quick flash and save some coin, chrome-plated mild-steel exhaust tips are an excellent choice. Edelbrock has you covered when it comes to chrome.

Stainless Steel

The other choice for exhaust tip materials is stainless steel—aerospace-grade T-304 stainless steel to be exact. Extremely resistant to corrosion, stainless steel exhaust tips last about 5 times longer than chrome tips. What’s more, the stainless steel‘s finish is polished to a mirror shine. This finish doesn’t flake or chip like chrome and continues gleaming for years to come. The only drawback of stainless steel is the higher cost of the manufacturing process. Of course, with exhaust tips, you get what you pay for. And, you won’t find a better material than stainless steel for high-quality, long-lasting exhaust tips.

Stainless steel exhaust tips are the only choice for those demanding the best. Look to Magnaflow, Gibson, MBRP, Borla, and Edelbrock for these tough tailpipe toppers.

Why Size Really Does Matter

When buying a new custom exhaust tip, size is very important. Not only must the exhaust tip match your tailpipe, it needs to look great too. You don’t want some conspicuous piece of metal sticking out like a sore thumb, or hidden behind your bumper. Plus, factors like length and outlet size will determine if a certain tip will even fit your vehicle. Below is a guide explaining the different measurements you must consider when choosing an exhaust tip. A friendly word of advice: always make sure your exhaust is cool before measuring or installing your exhaust tips to avoid fried fingertips!

Inlet Size

The inlet size of your exhaust tip must match the diameter of your existing tailpipe for a proper fit. All of our exhaust tips specify the inlet sizes available for each model, so keep your size in mind when ordering. For example, if your tailpipe has a 3" diameter, choose an inlet diameter of 3". Remember, your tailpipe may already have a tip, so be sure to measure the tailpipe, not the old tip.

Outlet Size

This measurement is the size of the tip’s exhaust end. Many automobiles have bumper and cowling cut-outs for factory exhaust tips. Be sure the outlet size of your new tip will clear these cut-outs to avoid any damage or having to trim your body panels.

Length

The final measurement to consider when choosing your exhaust tips is length. You want your exhaust tips to be seen, but you don’t want to create a flaming-hot trip hazard for pedestrians. Make sure to choose a tip that’s long enough to vent the exhaust from under your vehicle, but short enough to keep it looking cool.

To Clamp or to Weld: That Is the Question

Clamp-on, weld-on, clamp-on, weld-on—sounds like that old commercial with sports fans getting riled up over disputed beer qualities. But no, this is a serious question concerning the two styles of custom exhaust tips. This debate won’t provide a retirement haven for former athletes or spawn a rewriting of Hamlet; however, it does play a major role in your auto customizing endeavors. Rather than suffer the slings and arrows of an ill-fitting exhaust tip, ’tis nobler to consider the factors below before deciding upon a clamp-on or weld-on tip.

Clamp-on Tips

Anyone with a wrench can install a clamp-on style exhaust tip—they require no welding and install quickly. Most models even feature an integrated clamp, making it even easier. Just slide the tip onto your tailpipe, tighten the nut and voilá—instant style the quick and easy way. Clamp-on tips are the perfect choice for the do-it-yourselfer. Go with Gibson or MBRP for a solid clamp-on tip.

Clamp-on exhaust tips have two major drawbacks. Vibrations may cause the clamp to come loose, so you’ll want to tighten your tips up now and then. And, the gleam may catch the eyes of a petty thief, resulting in the loss of your tip.

Weld-on Tips

Weld-on tips, as their name implies, must be welded into place. This is always the preferred method for professional installers. It’s easy to do—if you know how to weld and have access to a welder. If not, most muffler shops can do the welding for you. Once installed, your weld-on exhaust tip is super secure—it can’t fall off, and the speed-wrenching thieves will be foiled again. Borla, Magnaflow, and Edelbrock all make weld-on tips.

Picking Your Style

We can’t really guide you here since there are so many shapes and types to choose from. This is where your individual style really takes over. Our exhaust tips are listed in categories by shape: dual, oval, round, and square—the rest is up to you. Here are a few words about the various shapes:

Dual

Two heads are better than one, and so it goes with exhaust tips. Inspired by classic European racing designs, our dual exhaust tips add a double barrel blast of style to your vehicle. Steer over to Borla, Gibson, or Magnaflow for an eye-catching dual tip.

Oval

Suited for more oblique styles, oval exhaust tips are the best way for your vehicle to display some subtle sophistication. Check out Borla, Magnaflow, and Edelbrock for a curvaceous oval exhaust tip.

Round

Round exhaust tips are the classic design, and their style is still turning heads. No fancy shapes here, just the clean look of pure automotive power. Get your round tip from any of our manufacturers, including MBRP, Borla, Magnaflow, Edelbrock, and Gibson.

Square

It really is hip to be square. Square exhaust tips are an outstanding way to add some distinct geometric flare to your vehicle. Magnaflow, Gibson, and Borla have the square tips bases covered.

Tipping the Scales of Selection in Your Favor

Believe it or not, this is just the beginning. These 4 basic exhaust tip designs are all available in a mind-boggling array of styles. Exhaust tips can turn up, turn down, or stick straight out. Select from angled cuts and flush cuts, or go with an intercooler design to tune your exhaust note and add space-age looks—the list goes on and on.

Stainless Steel — the Miracle of Metallurgy

What does the Chrysler Building, The Iron Pillar of Delhi and the DeLorean DMC-12 have in common? Yes, all three were vanity projects built by famous, high-profile mavericks of their day. More importantly, these masterpieces will all survive the test of time, thanks to the magic of stainless steel. The ability of stainless steel to miraculously rebuff the elements stems from an invisible, protective film that forms over the metal, keeping it shiny and rust-free. And, like human skin, if the metal’s surface is scratched, this invisible layer will quickly heal, protecting the metal beneath for years to come. How many years, you ask? Well, The Iron Pillar of Delhi has been with us for over 1600 years, the Chrysler building was erected over 80 years ago, and the gleaming DeLorean DMC-12 has been kicking around since the early 1980’s. Now that’s longevity. This is why stainless steel is the only choice today for products like cutlery, surgical instruments, cookware and, of course, exhaust tips. So when paying homage to your favorite deity, building a sports car/time-machine, constructing the world’s tallest building (at the time), or selecting quality exhaust tips, look to the miracle metal—stainless steel.

Selecting the Correct Exhaust Tip

The team of dedicated gearheads at AmericanTrucks has scoured the globe to bring you our wide selection of custom exhaust tips. Why? Because we want to be sure that you’re getting the perfect exhaust tips for your vehicle. The choices are many, but you can find the right exhaust tips fast by asking yourself these 3 questions:

• Should I choose a weld-on or clamp-on tip?
• How do I know what size to choose?
• How do I decide between stainless steel and chromed steel?

Conclusion

Custom exhaust tips offer a unique opportunity to express your individual style and enhance the look of your vehicle. Whether you're upgrading from a factory tip or adding the finishing touch to a new performance exhaust system, these tips play a crucial role in both aesthetics and functionality.

When selecting the right exhaust tip, consider factors such as material, size, and installation method. Stainless steel exhaust tips, known for their durability and resistance to corrosion, are a wise choice for those seeking long-lasting quality.

Whether you opt for a dual, oval, round, or square design, exhaust tips come in a wide range of styles to suit your preferences. The possibilities for customization are virtually endless, allowing you to make a statement that reflects your unique taste.

At AmericanTrucks, we understand the importance of choosing the perfect exhaust tip for your vehicle. By following the guidelines provided in this tech center, you can make an informed decision and enjoy the benefits of a customized exhaust system that not only looks great but also performs at its best.