The Top 7 Aftermarket Exhaust Choices for Your Daily Driver

By Averi Melcher - January 18, 2020

You feel a pang of pity for the Chevy Cavalier driving through downtown with its muffler tinging and sparking as it drags along the pavement. At least, until it belches exhaust annoyingly loud as it accelerates from the stoplight. But it’s even worse when it’s YOUR car that’s embarrassingly loud, drawing stares. Replacing your muffler or complete exhaust system used to be expected every three to five years. Luckily, more often than not today, installing aftermarket exhaust systems is usually to enhance your car’s sound and performance rather than to correct a safety issue like a dragging tailpipe.

Whether you’re in the driver’s seat of a high-end sports car or a low-displacement subcompact, you want it to sound good. The last thing you want people to think as you drive away is that your car sounds eerily similar to their grandmother’s Singer sewing machine. Or a marble in a coffee can. Sadly, that’s all too common on modern cars. If you’re sick of the bland drone from your commuter car, cruising at 65mph on the interstate, or if it’s time to change out a rusty old muffler, you have choices. Give your car’s exhaust system new life with a muffler or aftermarket exhaust system from AmericanTrucks.

What to Consider For Your Daily Driver’s Exhaust System

Like a fast-food joint, you could simply pick an item from the menu that fits – cheap, fast, and easy. But if you’re spending time every day in the driver’s seat, that could be a decision you soon regret. The better bet is to carefully consider the best replacement option you can afford, and one that’s the perfect fit for your vehicle.

Since you’re not pulling quarter-mile drags down the strip or looking to wake the neighborhood when you pull into your driveway, performance isn’t the top factor in your choice for an exhaust system. So, how do you select the right exhaust system parts for your car?

Just a Muffler, or More?

Sometimes, an easy fix is all you need. Whether you have a rotted-out muffler or you just want to change how your car sounds, an aftermarket muffler can do wonders for your daily driver. That’s especially true if your exhaust is in good shape otherwise.

But you might be better off looking at an exhaust system instead of just a muffler there’s more to your story. If your exhaust pipe has more holes than premium-quality Swiss cheese or if you’re trying to wring a bit more HP out of your stock engine, a simple muffler replacement isn’t going to cut it.

Types of Aftermarket Exhaust Systems

Options for exhaust systems are divided into two common camps: cat-back exhaust systems and axle-back aftermarket exhaust systems.

Cat-back exhaust systems are literally from the catalytic converter and back. That means you’re replacing the intermediate pipe, resonator, tailpipe, and muffler. It usually includes an exhaust tip too.

Axle-back systems are less encompassing. They’re usually from the rear axle assembly and back, and include the tailpipe and muffler, along with an exhaust tip.

There might be variations in how an exhaust system is classified, but most will fit into these two categories. There are also complete performance exhaust systems that run all the way from the engine to the tailpipe, but that’s not the type of thing you’ll be exploring on a commuter car or daily driver.

Other Common Exhaust System Parts to Think About

Mufflers, exhaust pipes, resonators, exhaust tips – what else could there possibly be to deal with? Well, if you’re changing out your exhaust as a repair rather than an accessory, you might be delving into a can of worms. An oxygen sensor may be faulty, or the catalytic converter on the fritz. If your Check Engine light has been on, this should be tickling the back of your brain. And if you are going for a little bump in performance, don’t forget to check out exhaust headers and crossover pipes to eke out a few more ponies.

What’s Important in an Exhaust System?

Let’s face it – unlike other car mods and vehicle accessories, exhaust systems don’t have to be as pretty because they’re hidden under the car. The exception would be the exhaust tip that peeks out from the back bumper. So, what should influence your purchasing decision on an exhaust system? Here are four things should be front of mind for your selection:

• Bolt-on fitment: A good-quality universal muffler is a piece of cake to change. But with an exhaust system, who has time to finagle with it to fit right? Go with either a high-grade muffler or a custom-fit bolt-on exhaust system specifically manufactured for your make and model.
• The sound you want: Most exhaust brands give you tone and volume choices among their products. Rude and obnoxious or tame and quiet – select based on the sound you want to project.
• Well-rounded warranty: Looks will fade in time, whether you choose a stainless steel or powder-coated system. Choose a muffler that is backed by warranty beyond just the finish.
• Top-quality manufacturing: Cheap steel won’t last long. Select a muffler and other exhaust system parts that use stainless steel or high-grade carbon steel, for example, so you know it’s going to last.

I am a writer and adventure travel blogger. I enjoy slow travel and going where there aren't roads - be it overlanding with my 1986 Ford Econoline campervan or my Surly Disc Trucker touring bike. Heck, sometimes, I'll even grab a backpack and hike. I'm more of a DIY person and spend way too many hours YouTubing videos about campervan renovations.