There is nothing quite like the roar of a V8 engine. Even at idle, V8s have a special quality that seems to get the adrenaline flowing through our veins, making us fantasize about smoke shows and wide open highways. While most V8s sound decent with a stock exhaust, one of the most rewarding modifications in terms of both power and pleasure that you can make to your muscle car is to add an aftermarket exhaust system.

Part of making the most horsepower out of an engine means getting the exhaust gases out as quickly as possible so that fresh air can come in. Tuning an exhaust system to increase gas flow can really help maximize the output of a V8 engine. The first thing to consider is the diameter of the piping. 2.5 inches is the absolute minimum for most V8s, while 3 inches is probably sufficient for all but the most extreme engines. Next, true dual-exhaust gives each exhaust manifold its own direct piping to individual mufflers. An X-pipe, which is a crossover pipe in the shape of an X, can help equalize pressure between the two sides of an exhaust system, as well as reduce any irritating drone that sometimes occurs in high-flow exhaust systems at highway speeds.

Now that you have got the basics installed, it is time to take care of the details. If possible, you should make the effort to replace the stock exhaust manifolds with headers. Headers are special manifolds with a better design when it comes to removing exhaust gases from the engine. They can add horsepower to the engine by making it more efficient.

Next, you will want to consider your catalytic converters. Now, if your vehicle did not come with them, as most did not in the 1960s, then you have nothing to worry about. If you do have them, and you are making upwards of 400 horsepower with your current setup, then you may wish to consider upgrading to high-flow cats. These will reduce the restriction that catalytic converters introduce into the exhaust system.

Finally, muffler choice is largely a function of personal preference when it comes to sound, and minimal restriction when it comes to power. There are a number of different muffler designs out there. Some, like the a cherry bomb style of muffler, use a straight-through design packed with fiberglass that is meant to absorb some of the noise as the exhaust gases pass through. Aside from straight pipes, this is the loudest muffler you can buy. Others use multiple chambers combined with insulation in order to slow the exhaust gases down and reduce the volume of the system. This type of muffler is more restrictive, but gives you a wider choice of tone, from raspy and wild to burbling and powerful.

There are several respected companies to chose from when it comes to performance mufflers, and some of the biggest names are Magnaflow, Borla, and Flowmaster. Many of these companies have sound clips on their websites where you can check out how their various products would sound on your vehicle. Whatever system you decide on, make sure to get it installed by a muffler shop you trust in order to make sure that your system will last you for as long as you own your car.

Altering your exhaust can have big benefits.

All of the system and components of a car need to be functioning well to enjoy a smooth ride. One important system is the exhaust system. This system is where the pipes, resonators and mufflers belong. They are tasked to carry the exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold out into the atmosphere. When fuel is burned the exhaust produced should be released efficiently, because these gases cannot stay inside the exhaust pipes for a long time. The Jeep’s exhaust system is continuously perfected to enhance the Jeep’s performance. A vehicle’s exhaust system starts in the manifold, where exhaust gases from all the cylinders are collected and are brought to a single pipe. After that is the header, which is an improved manifold. The Jeep header is designed to perform well in collecting the exhaust gases that the manifold did not collect. Headers are generally steel pipes with bends and folds so all the exhaust gases arrives at the same time.

The exhaust gases then passes through the catalytic converter, which turns harmful gases into less harmful ones. It then goes through the muffler, where the gases escape into the air.

A Jeep header is a good instrument that will remove all the performance-decreasing exhaust dirt to the engine, in order to reach optimum performance. It works by giving every exhaust cylinder their own small version of exhaust piping to improve the air intake and exhaust operation. The piping pushes the exhaust pulsing away from the cylinder head and then off into the downstream exhaust collector. A Jeep header also limits the backpressure to make the exhaust flow easier. Jeep vehicles are equipped with high quality parts to ensure the efficiency of the vehicles. A Jeep header is one of the important car parts that make driving pleasurable. An engine will reach its maximum power if other car systems are working properly. All Jeep models are properly equipped with this type of header. Vehicle models include, Jeep Compass, Jeep Liberty, and Jeep Commander and Jeep Cherokee.

Exhaust systems are generally ignored by most car owners. But, there is a lot of muscle in a good car exhaust system. The exhaust system of your car is essentially a tubing system that guides exhaust fumes and waste gases away from the engine of your car, and into the air outside through one or two exhaust pipes. The design of exhaust systems has to be perfect in order to facilitate the transportation of toxic gases. Additionally, the pipe must be heat resistant because most engines are very hot and pipes that become too hot can easily cause burns and scalds. If the pipe has holes, it will emit toxic wastes and your car will fail its MOT test. So, a robust exhaust system is vital to health of your car and of the environment.

If you ever thought that style and performance cannot coexist in exhaust systems, think again. These days, exhaust systems in cars are bought not just for their functionality, but also for their appearance. Good exhaust systems must look good and do a good job of waste disbursal. That is why carbon fiber exhaust systems have become very popular with consumers. You can find a wide range of carbon fiber mufflers that have a clear gloss finish that contain visible natural carbon fiber running around precision welded stainless steel pipes. Thus, these mufflers can easily provide the strength and impetus required for instant acceleration. Full carbon fiber exhaust systems may not operate properly under high temperature, but the fusion of stainless steel and carbon fiber will yield durability and performance, not to mention great looks too!

Two of the most popular kinds of exhaust systems are those made from carbon fiber and those made from titanium fiber. Of these, carbon fiber exhaust systems seem to be more popular due to various reasons. Carbon fiber exhaust systems are lighter. They are also easier to clean and they are very low maintenance. In contrast, titanium exhaust systems look good initially, but they scratch a lot and are difficult to maintain. So, if you want good looks but low maintenance, go for carbon fiber exhaust systems. Carbon mufflers give your car that aggressive race car look.

However, carbon filter exhaust systems do have a tendency to fade when they are exposed to UV rays for long periods. But using a UV resistant cleaner or protectant will help you keep this problem at bay for a long time. Carbon fiber exhaust systems are also cool to the touch even after a ride, thus making them safer for long term use.

An exhaust header is an after market automotive part designed to improve vehicle performance. The small gain in performance facilitated by an exhaust header is important to high performance drivers who often make other modifications to their vehicles in order to increase speed. These modifications include the installation of larger intake vents for the engine. An exhaust header modifies the exhaust system to prevent back pressure, meaning that the cylinders do not have to work as hard to push exhaust out as they do in a traditional system. There are different types of exhaust headers depending on the needs of the drivers, with some tuned for low performance and others aimed at high performance on the open road.

In a conventional exhaust system, after the cylinders combust, they push the exhaust out into the exhaust manifold, which routes the exhaust out of the vehicle through the exhaust pipe. However, the exhaust manifold can create a back pressure which pushes against the cylinder, meaning that it has to exert more energy to push the exhaust out and prepare for the next firing. As a result, some efficiency can be lost.

An exhaust header works differently, essentially creating a miniature exhaust pipe for each cylinder and routing the exhaust to a centralized collector which is much larger. The pipes of an exhaust header are bent to fit under the hood and cut to the same length so that the exhaust gases will arrive sequentially in the collector as each cylinder fires. This eliminates the back pressure problem and allows the cylinders to operate more effectively.

Aftermarket headers can be bolted in place of the stock cast-iron headers. Small block headers usually use 1-5/8-inch primary tubes and big-block headers use 1-3/4-inch tubes. An important consideration when choosing headers is quality of materials. Header tubing vary in thickness, but a good quality header should use between 18-gauge and 14-gauge tubing. The metal used in the header is also important. Some headers are mild-steel, which will rust and corrode over time. Headers can be coated, either with a ceramic coating or a high-temperature paint. Using 100% stainless steel construction eliminates the need for coatings, but it is usually out many buyer’s budgets. When headers are shipped, they sometimes come painted. Be aware that this coating is only for rust prevention during shipping, and the paint will not hold up to the heat once the header is installed. When headers are added along with a cat-back exhaust and high-flow catalytic converter, you can usually gain 20-30 horsepower over stock.

In some cases, an exhaust header can be tuned to pull at the exhaust valve of the next cylinder and suck the exhaust out, meaning even less work for the cylinder. Drivers who desire more power for around town driving and better acceleration under a heavy load usually opt for a low performance exhaust header, while drivers who are looking for speed on the open road prefer high performance headers.

A variety of manufacturers make exhaust headers for a dizzying assortment of vehicles, and it is important to install the exhaust header designed for your car. Because exhaust leaks can be dangerous, the exhaust header should be installed with care, or professionally if there is any uncertainty. An improperly installed header could lead to an exhaust leak which vents into the cabin of the vehicle, causing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning in the driver and passengers.

There are several methods to control hazardous chemicals. The best method is to eliminate it; the next best solution is to substitute a less toxic or less hazardous chemical for the one in use. If the substance in use cannot be engineered out and there is no way to prevent all harmful levels of exposure, then ventilation is used. The next best method is the wear of personal protective equipment and, when there is no way to control exposure, to regulate the amount of time an employee can be exposed to the chemical through administrative controls. A combination of general ventilation (whole area air circulation) and local ventilation is commonly employed.

Local ventilation is provided through vacuum air suction for removing vapors, gases, and particulates at the source of the airborne contamination. It is a major engineering control for removing hazardous chemical vapors, dusts, and fumes from the point of generation. The vacuuming action prevents the contaminant from entering the worker’s breathing zone or from entering general air. There are several types and many applications of local ventilation systems.

Use an enclosed hood when conducting chemical experiments and pouring hazardous materials. These types of enclosed hoods are called chemical fume hoods. They control vapor or particle generation during pouring operations, involving highly reactive or corrosive chemicals or carcinogens. These hoods have a lift or swing door for access at the front of the enclosure.

Use the glove box for greater contaminant exposure control. During normal use, the hood can not be opened; operations and manipulations are performed by putting hands and arms into rubberized/flexible gloves. Glove boxes are normally used when the risk of exposure to minute amounts of a hazardous substance can not be tolerated for the amount of time it takes to complete a task.

A commonly used local ventilation vacuum system is the movable “elephant trunk.” The exhaust intake is at the end of a movable or fixed position intake system consisting of a hood over the generation point. Examples of local ventilation at the generation point include capture of airborne contaminants generated by use of solvents, cutting oils, soldering and brazing materials.

For more information about the content of this article, consult Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/Globally Harmonized System Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Section 8, “Exposure Control/Personal Protection.” For information about references, products, and solutions involving equipment systems to provide local ventilation, click on this link to access the blog, “Using Local Exhaust Ventilation to Control Hazardous Chemical Exposures.”

Exhaust hangars are rubber straps that support your muffler and hold it close to the frame of the car. If you’re hearing a noise or seeing a spark from under your car, there is a good chance that you have a broken exhaust hanger. The first thing you need to do is look underneath your car and locate the muffler; you should see an exhaust hanger close by. If this hanger is broken, you will be able to tell right away.

Once you have found the broken hanger, remove it from the frame and the muffler. If it is a two piece, make sure you remove all of the pieces. You are ready to install the new hanger. Begin by attaching the hangar to the top mount on the car. Once that is done, let it hang there while you get ready for the next step.

If you have someone helping you, have them hold the muffler while you connect it to the hanger you just installed. If you don’t have a helper, put the muffler mount inside the mount while you hold the muffler up. Find a crescent wrench and use the end with the hole in it. Put the handle end through the hanger and put the hole end of the wrench to hang it on the mount. Another way to hold the muffler is to use a wire and attach it to a sturdy or stationary part of the car.

Exhaust hangers are fairly easy fix as long as you can remove the whole hanger yourself. If the car is an older model, you may find rust and corrosion. This can make it very difficult to remove the old hangar. Try using heat from a torch to cut it off. Be very careful of grease and of course, the gas tank. If are still having trouble, give your local muffler shop a call. If they are reputable and not too busy, they can fix it fairly quickly and for a reasonable price.

Today?s homes are built to be ?airtight? and energy efficient with few drafts. In terms of heating and cooling bills, an airtight home can dramatically lower your heating and air conditioning bills. In terms of air ventilation, however, an airtight home may be dangerous to your health and safety.

Why is an ?Airtight? Home is Dangerous?

Having proper air ventilation goes further than just getting rid of foul odors. In fact, air exhausting is about:

Preventing excess moisture that cause biological pollutants like mold and mildew that: Become harmful biological pollutants like airborne mold spores that can hazardous to your health and breathing Compromise the structural integrity of the building like your walls, ceilings, and floors; and lower the value of your house by causing bathroom fixtures to rust, paint to blister, wall paper to peel, and grout to be moldy. Eliminating harmful chemicals called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that naturally build up in your house from aging, decomposing, and curing building materials, carpets, furniture, and other household items.

So, good ventilation fans can keep the air in your home fresh and well circulated and thus help you take care of your family?s and your home?s well-being.

How to Select a Ventilation Fan

When selecting a fan, the purpose — that is, central or intermittent ventilation — should be your foremost decision-making criteria:

Continuous, central ventilation system are used to to continuously replace stale air with fresh, clean air in the whole house quietly and energy-efficiently. In the summer, in fact, circulating air can keep your house feeling 4 degrees cooler. Intermittent ventilation fans are used in certain areas like the bathroom, kitchen, or garage to quickly exhaust moisture and chemicals. In fact, if you live in an ?airtight? home, ?bathroom? (intermittent) fans are quiet and energy efficient-enough to continuously ventilate your entire home.

Additional Highlights of Fans

There are many brands of ventilation or exhaust fans today that keep the air throughout the house clean such as Panasonic Exhaust Fans. These fans have the following advantages:

Function very quietly Use less than 30 watts (that?s less than what many CFL bulbs use!) Designed for 100,000 hours of continuous use Have little to no defectiveness Energy Star rated Come with multi-year warranty

Why Your Home Needs An Exhaust Fan

Today?s homes are built to be ?airtight? and energy efficient with few drafts. In terms of heating and cooling bills, an airtight home can dramatically lower your heating and air conditioning bills. In terms of air ventilation, however, an airtight home may be dangerous to your health and safety.

Why is an ?Airtight? Home is Dangerous?

Having proper air ventilation goes further than just getting rid of foul odors. In fact, air exhausting is about:

Preventing excess moisture that cause biological pollutants like mold and mildew that: Become harmful biological pollutants like airborne mold spores that can hazardous to your health and breathing Compromise the structural integrity of the building like your walls, ceilings, and floors; and lower the value of your house by causing bathroom fixtures to rust, paint to blister, wall paper to peel, and grout to be moldy. Eliminating harmful chemicals called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that naturally build up in your house from aging, decomposing, and curing building materials, carpets, furniture, and other household items.

So, good ventilation fans can keep the air in your home fresh and well circulated and thus help you take care of your family?s and your home?s well-being.

How to Select a Ventilation Fan

When selecting a fan, the purpose — that is, central or intermittent ventilation — should be your foremost decision-making criteria:

Continuous, central ventilation system are used to to continuously replace stale air with fresh, clean air in the whole house quietly and energy-efficiently. In the summer, in fact, circulating air can keep your house feeling 4 degrees cooler. Intermittent ventilation fans are used in certain areas like the bathroom, kitchen, or garage to quickly exhaust moisture and chemicals. In fact, if you live in an ?airtight? home, ?bathroom? (intermittent) fans are quiet and energy efficient-enough to continuously ventilate your entire home.

Additional Highlights of Fans

There are many brands of ventilation or exhaust fans today that keep the air throughout the house clean such as Panasonic Vent Fans. These fans have the following advantages:

Function very quietly Use less than 30 watts (that?s less than what many CFL bulbs use!) Designed for 100,000 hours of continuous use Have little to no defectiveness Energy Star rated Come with multi-year warranty