Have you ever been driving behind another vehicle and noticed two exhaust pipes? Besides, have you ever wondered why one car has two when others have one? Some vehicles come with more than one exhaust pipe, but do they serve a purpose? Here’s everything you need to know about why some cars have two tailpipes or a dual exhaust system.
2 exhaust pipes vs. 1 exhaust pipe
According to Meineke, the main reason for having two exhaust pipes is to remove excess air from the cylinders more quickly. This way, the following exchange can start faster. Forced exhaust output is limited by vehicle camshaft size and timing. As a result, getting more out of two pipes can be beneficial instead of one faster. The more that comes out, the more can be absorbed back into the engine, resulting in extra horsepower.
Next, a non-turbocharged or four-cylinder engine will usually not have a dual exhaust system. That’s because it’s not likely to make a big difference. However, some vehicles may still have a second pipe just for looks, because it is visually more “sporty” than a single exhaust. However, a turbocharged four-cylinder can benefit from a second pipe because the turbo forces a lot of air and fuel into the engine quickly. The same goes for a V6 or larger engine, which will need to push the air used up quickly to inhale more quickly enough to provide a lot of horsepower.
Are the 2 exhaust pipes for looks?
It makes no difference if your vehicle has a single exhaust with two tips coming out of the back. In this case, it’s just for looks. Many drivers and even automakers think that the car looks sportier or faster with the visual upgrade at the rear. Otherwise, a true dual exhaust system benefits significantly from increased bad air production. Meineke describes it as allowing a more powerful vehicle to breathe better, resulting in better horsepower and overall performance.
For some vehicles without a factory dual exhaust system, it could be worth the money to increase the power. However, be aware that the intake manifolds, pipes, converters and mufflers could also use upgrading. It’s not as easy as replacing a part or two, although it rarely is.
Some cars 2 exhaust pipes improve efficiency
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Although not usually the main reason, some vehicles see improved fuel efficiency with a second exhaust pipe. Savings in fuel costs are always a welcome addition to a car, especially in 2022 with record high prices.
“With a larger, more efficient exhaust system, you can increase the amount of air and fuel drawn into the engine, however, by doing so you can negate the savings you realize from the dual exhaust,” says Meineke.
In conclusion, the dual exhaust pipes you see on other vehicles are usually for more than just looks. However, some people like the sportiness it adds to the rear of the vehicle. Most of the time, dual exhausts will be on higher horsepower vehicles. This is because those models have to blow out more air in order for the engine to inhale more quickly. As a result, the vehicle can perform better and produce more horsepower. This is especially true for turbocharged, V6 or larger engines.
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