One area prone to rust that many fail to consider is the exhaust system. Your exhaust system is there to process and direct emissions from your engine.
The exhaust system can rust quickly when exposed to corrosive rock salt in winter, humid climates, coastal climates or wherever they use corrosive rock salt on the roads in winter. Rusting parts compromise the exhaust system’s operation, including how compounds are filtered and where they are directed.
Here are several tips to prevent rust in your exhaust system. Routinely spraying off the underside of your vehicle, especially your exhaust, is one of the easiest ways to prevent corrosion on your undercarriage. Rinse on a routine basis will go a long way toward preventing rust from forming on your exhaust system, as it will remove much of the dust, dirt, and other debris that cause oxidation. The road particles tend to trap moisture against the metal in your exhaust system and allow rust to form. Opting for a high-quality exhaust system made of stainless steel from Top Speed Pro 1 Performance is another way to prevent rusting. Stainless steel is not 100% rust-proof, but it does resist the rusting process much better than other types of metal that factory exhaust systems are made of from the factory.
However, if you live in one of the climates mentioned above, it is crucial to take extra steps to protect your investment! Here is a step-by-step guide to protecting your exhaust and avoiding rust and corrosion before its time!
1. Routinely wash and rinse your exhaust with soapy water and a non-scratch dish scrubber.
2. For normal surface rust stains and corrosion, use a mag polish or car polish to remove the stains from the surface with portable buffer and cloth wheel.
3. For more stubborn rust stains that may have penetrated the surface, a rubbing compound can be used as it has a mild abrasive that will cut into the rust and remove it more easily than just polish alone.
4. Wipe down the polished exhaust system with a clean microfiber towel.
If you catch the problem early enough, and the rust is still mainly on the surface of the metal, you can remedy the problem with these methods. Once the rust penetrates the metal, it will spread very quickly, and you will need to repair or replace your exhaust. Either way, we want our customers to be happy with their investment, therefore, we are offering tips for preventative maintenance methods to all our customers!
Stay safe out there and happy motoring from your friends at TOP SPEED PRO 1 PERFORMANCE!
]]>Here at Top Speed Pro 1 Performance, we get the question quite often, “should I wrap my exhaust system?” This is a great question, and we hope to shed some light on this topic with this segment. There are many benefits to wrapping your exhaust. First, you can increase performance slightly by containing the radiant heat inside the headers and/or manifold. The more heat you retain inside the pipes, the faster the exhaust can escape and exit the system therefore removing heat faster from inside the engine valves, pistons, etc. This will allow the engine to perform more efficiently and should give you a bump in overall brake horsepower.
Another benefit to wrapping the headers is to reduce the amount of heat in the engine bay therefore causing less wear on the engine components, especially rubber hoses, wiring harnesses, plastic components, airboxes, etc. It also reduces the amount of heat on turbochargers which will allow them to perform better by allowing them to move cooler air through the turbocharger and increasing performance overall. Plus, reducing heat from the air intake will also make that system send cooler outside air into the engine from the very beginning of the cycle. So, in most cases, it is a good idea to use heat wrap on headers and manifolds.
But what about the rest of the exhaust system? It is generally not recommended to wrap the exhaust system underneath the vehicle. The heat is at much lower temperatures underneath the vehicle, and therefore it is not necessary to wrap the exhaust pipes. It is especially not recommended to wrap the exhaust pipes on a titanium exhaust system. Wrapping titanium exhaust can lead to uneven heating and cooling of the metal, which can cause it to warp or crack over time. Additionally, titanium is already a highly heat-resistant material, so wrapping it may not provide any significant benefits in terms of reducing heat transfer to other parts of the vehicle. Therefore, it is generally not recommended to wrap titanium exhaust.
There is also some debate over whether to use ceramic coating vs exhaust wrap. Ceramic coatings are a good option in many cases because they can be applied to the exterior and interior of the manifolds to help avoid the metal absorbing the radiant heat. However, there are different types of coatings for various temperature ranges. For example, there are several different types of ceramic coatings for different applications. For ceramic coating the temperature tolerance ranges from 1050 degrees C for motorsport applications, 650 degrees C for high performance and track use and 425 degrees C for aesthetics. Black has the highest temperature tolerance and the lighter the color, the lower the tolerance. Ceramic coating does have the advantage over wrap from a durability perspective. It will not be damaged by engine fluids unlike wrap which will degrade if in contacts engine oils, degreasers and or other fluids. There is also the risk of fire from engine oils being trapped in the heat wrap.
*** However, we do not recommend the use of ceramic coatings on our Top Speed Headers because the baking process requires such high heat that it can warp or damage the headers and cause fitment issues. This can also be the case on other aftermarket products, if the headers have separate flanges, it is usually not a good idea to ceramic coat these products.
]]>Many performance vehicles come from the factory with a valve exhaust system as these high-performance engines benefit from the ability to control the exhaust flow. Often, the vehicle will have an electronic system which automatically opens and closes the valves depending on the RPM or speed of the engine. This is to allow for maximum performance of the engine when the engine is in sport mode or track mode. For example, on the Ferrari 458 Italia, the flap valves are activated by the pressure difference between atmosphere and engine intake vacuum working on the opposite sides of the actuator; the pressure gap between the actuator surfaces becomes an actuating force that moves the flap valve rod. This may sound complicated, but in simpler terms, the system opens and closes the valves depending on atmospheric conditions, RPM and engine speed. This system can also be modified to always keep the valves open if you prefer.
The Top Speed Pro 1 Adaptive Valvetronic Titanium Exhaust for the Ferrari 458 Italia 2009-2015
comes equipped with electronic valve controllers that connect directly to the factory wiring harnesses to allow you to use the same OEM exhaust valve functionality on our aftermarket exhaust upgrade.
If your performance vehicle does not come with exhaust valves, do not worry! There are several aftermarket universal remote valve controllers you can purchase to add this function to your exhaust system. There are also many aftermarket exhaust systems on the market that come with remote valve controllers included. For example, Top Speed Pro 1 Performance has just released a new series of exhaust systems for the Porsche 997.1, the 997.2 and the Macan that come with valves and remote valve controllers. https://topspeedauto.com/porsche-997-2-carrera-3-6l-3-8l-09-12-catback-exhaust-with-remote-valve/ Now you can upgrade your exhaust system and control the sound and flow of your exhaust with the touch of a remote control button!
It is also important to maintain your exhaust valves as they may become corroded from driving over time and may need minor maintenance to keep them in top working condition. If your valves become squeaky or do not fully open or close, you can follow this simple quick fix.
Check out this video for more instructions on how to maintain your exhaust valves.
We hope this explains the function of exhaust valves and how they affect your vehicle’s sound and exhaust flow overall. For more blog content and to see all our performance exhaust products, please check us out www.TopSpeedAuto.com
]]>A muffler is designed to be positioned near the end of the exhaust system in order to deaden the overall sound produced from the combustion engine. A muffler can contain a series of tubes, cavities, baffles to remove various high or low pitched frequencies from the exhaust sound as well as materials such as wool, minerals and fiberglass designed to deaden the sound. An aftermarket muffler will typically be designed to remove some of the baffles and restrictions from the muffler in order to allow the exhaust to flow more freely and breathe which, in turn, will also allow for more performance and horsepower gains. Many car owners actually delete their mufflers and/or resonators altogether in order to get maximum exhaust flow and maximum performance as well as a big weight savings.
A resonator is like a muffler but is smaller and has a specific purpose usually to mitigate what we call “cabin drone,” which is a droning sound that can be heard and felt from inside the cabin and can be quite unpleasant to the driver and passengers. This is why you will typically see resonators positioned near the cabin area on the length of the exhaust and are positioned precisely to eliminate that annoying cabin drone. Sometimes you will even see dual or quad resonators depending on the make and model as well as the engine position on the vehicle. A rear-engine or mid-engine vehicle will typically not have resonators as the cabin is far enough away from the engine and exhaust.
You have heard the phrase “you get what you pay for!” This holds true for just about any purchase you make including aftermarket parts for your car. It is always good to do your homework before purchasing any aftermarket automotive parts, and if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. This is why we have put together a video to show you how our Top Speed Pro 1 exhaust mufflers are constructed and why you really do get what you pay for when you purchase an aftermarket muffler or resonator for your vehicle. All of our exhaust components are made from T304 stainless steel or grade 5 titanium which are among the absolute best materials available for exhaust systems. Many factory exhaust systems are made from lower grade steel or aluminum which is much cheaper to manufacture and ultimately will impact the longevity of the exhaust over time. This is why you see so many cars with rusted or corroded exhaust systems, especially in salt water climates or up north where salt is used on the roads in icy or snowy environments.
In conclusion, we hope this helps you to understand the difference between a muffler and a resonator and what purpose they serve. As always, thank you for reading our blog here and check back soon for more informative content from your friends at Top Speed Pro 1 Performance!
]]>Special note: you must use the stock exhaust mounting brackets. This exhaust has a very deep aggressive F1 exhaust note with minimal cabin drone. Because this system is 100% titanium, it will give you a 45% weight reduction compared with stock factory exhaust! We know you have a lot of choices in upgrading your F430 exhaust and we feel our exhaust provides the best performance, durability and cosmetic appearance for the best price in the industry!
]]>The remote valve catback exhaust is constructed from high-quality T304 stainless steel and features a straight-through design for maximum flow and power. The exhaust system also includes a pair of mufflers that are designed to reduce backpressure and provide a deep, aggressive sound. The remote valve allows you to adjust the sound level from a quiet, low-profile sound to a loud, aggressive sound. The sleek carbon fiber tips give you the modern look so popular on today's aftermarket exhaust systems!
The remote valve catback exhaust is easy to install and comes with all the necessary hardware and instructions. It is also backed by a limited 1-year warranty, so you can be sure that your investment is protected.
If you’re looking to upgrade your '05-'08 Porsche 997.1 Carrera with a catback exhaust system, the Porsche remote valve catback exhaust from Top Speed Pro 1 Performance is the perfect choice. With its high-quality construction, straight-through design, and adjustable sound level, you can be sure that you’re getting the best performance and sound possible at the absolute lowest prices in the industry!
The Remote Valve Catback Exhaust is constructed from high-quality T304 stainless steel and features a straight-through design for maximum flow and power. The exhaust system also includes a pair of mufflers that are designed to reduce backpressure and provide a deep, aggressive sound. The remote valve allows you to adjust the sound level from a quiet, low-profile sound to a loud, aggressive sound. The sleek carbon fiber tips give you the modern look so popular on today's aftermarket exhaust systems!
The Remote Valve Catback Exhaust is easy to install and comes with all the necessary hardware and instructions. It is also backed by a limited 1 year warranty, so you can be sure that your investment is protected.
If you’re looking to upgrade your Porsche Macan 2.9, 3.0L, or 3.6L 2015-2021 with a catback exhaust system, the Porsche Remote Valve Catback Exhaust from Top Speed Pro 1 Performance is the perfect choice. With its high-quality construction, straight-through design, and adjustable sound level, you can be sure that you’re getting the best performance and sound possible at the absolute lowest prices in the industry!
Porsche Macan All 3.0L & 3.6L 15-18 Catback Exhaust with Remote Valves
Porsche Macan S 3.0L / GTS & Turbo 2.9L 19-21 Catback Exhaust + Remote Valve
The Remote Valve Catback Exhaust is constructed from high-quality T304 stainless steel and features a straight-through design for maximum flow and power. The exhaust system also includes a pair of mufflers that are designed to reduce backpressure and provide a deep, aggressive sound. The remote valve allows you to adjust the sound level from a quiet, low-profile sound to a loud, aggressive sound. The sleek carbon fiber tips give you the modern look so popular on today's aftermarket exhaust systems!
The Remote Valve Catback Exhaust is easy to install and comes with all the necessary hardware and instructions. It is also backed by a limited 1 year warranty, so you can be sure that your investment is protected.
If you’re looking to upgrade your Porsche Macan 2.0L, 17-21 with a catback exhaust system, the Porsche Remote Valve Catback Exhaust from Top Speed Pro 1 Performance is the perfect choice. With its high-quality construction, straight-through design, and adjustable sound level, you can be sure that you’re getting the best performance and sound possible at the absolute lowest prices in the industry!
Porsche Macan Base 2.0L 15-18 Catback Exhaust with Remote Valve
Porsche Macan Base 2.0L 19-21 Catback Exhaust with Remote Valve
]]>Replacing the factory exhaust system with a high-flow aftermarket system can provide a noticeable increase in power and sound. Aftermarket systems are designed to reduce backpressure and increase exhaust flow, allowing the engine to breathe more freely and produce more power. Adding a performance muffler can also provide a noticeable increase in power and sound. Performance mufflers are designed to reduce backpressure and increase exhaust flow, allowing the engine to breathe more freely and produce more power.
Installing headers can also provide a significant boost in performance and sound. Headers are designed to reduce backpressure and increase exhaust flow, allowing the engine to breathe more freely and produce more power. Additionally, headers are often made from higher-quality materials than the factory system, providing improved durability and longevity.
Please check with your local, state, and federal regulations to ensure compliance as well as your auto warranty stipulations prior to any exhaust/header upgrades.
]]>Keep in mind that this is a “catback” system which means we replaced everything back from the catalytic converters. If you want to increase performance, you will get the best results by replacing the whole system behind the catalytic converters with larger diameter high-flow pipes. An “axle back” system means it pertains to the exhaust system from the rear axle back. This will also improve performance and sound, but for maximum performance improvements, a catback system is the better choice. However, in some cases an “axle back” system is the only option. For example, most mid-engine and rear-engine vehicles have much shorter exhaust system because of where the engine is located. This also allows for more immediate access to the exhaust system, and less distance for the exhaust to travel making an exhaust Also, replacing just the mufflers or the exhaust tips will not increase your airflow, which in turn will not increase performance. In some cases, it may even restrict airflow even more therefore decreasing performance overall. Some drivers delete the catalytic converter altogether with what is called a “straight pipe” or “test pipe” to remove all exhaust flow restrictions. However, it is illegal to delete the catalytic converters with straight pipes in most parts of the world because of emissions standards violations. Also, it is important to consider the rest of the components in your vehicle from the engine to the drive shaft to the suspension. All of the components need to be built to handle this increased performance so by no means do we recommend upgrading your car without first making sure your car can handle any engine modification or upgrade. It is always best to talk with a professional mechanic who has experience in performance upgrades before modifying your vehicle.
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