The emissions that we all seek to control, among other sources, they also come from our vehicles. When it comes to our vehicles, emissions are reduced by the exhaust system. The exhaust system doesn't have only one task though. An exhaust system is there to help make for better engine performance by providing a smooth surface for gasses to pass through. The fewer corners an exhaust has, the less restrictive it is and thus the easier it is to accelerate. Since there are many components found in an exhaust, there are many reasons for it to go bad. But you can easily uncover when your Landcruiser has a bad or failing exhaust.
Signs You Need a New Exhaust System
Acceleration
An immediate sign that something is wrong with the exhaust on your Land Cruiser is the slow acceleration you get when you put your foot on the pedal. At first, you might think that the mat has crumbled underneath the pedal. But if the effect is persistent you might have to think twice about it. In this case, you might need a new Landcruiser exhaust.
Economy
Although you wouldn't expect an out-of-this-world fuel economy with a vehicle as big as a Land Cruiser, you shouldn't expect poor fuel economy either. If you notice a difference in fuel economy then it's not only an issue with the exhaust system. You may also have an engine that is struggling to produce the power you need to make your 4x4 move. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't check the exhaust too.
Noises
Any excessive exhaust or engine noises can signify issues with either or both. Usually, this occurs because of a rusted muffler or a leaking manifold gasket. Either way, your exhaust system is in a need of repair or maybe even a replacement.
Smell
The smell of petrol or diesel is a telltale sign that something is wrong with the exhaust or a component that links to it. A gasket may be in poor condition or a tube is damaged and has started to leak. Whatever has created the smell, needs to be sorted immediately as there is a potential fire hazard.
Types of Exhaust Upgrades
Header-Back
A header-back exhaust system is a complete replacement that involves everything from the manifold to the exit pipes. While this type of upgrade gives you complete control over which parts you install, it is however the most time-consuming and expensive.
Cat-Back
A cat-back Land Cruiser exhaust is one that refers to the replacement of components starting from the catalytic converter and beyond. While this type of upgrade won't make the most drastic improvements it will definitely make for a notable difference in performance. A cat-back upgrade won't cost you as much time or money as a header-back upgrade though.
Axle-Back
The most affordable and the easiest to install exhaust system is going to be an axle-back upgrade. This upgrade involves replacing only the components behind the rear axle as well as the axle itself. These upgrades are the least time-consuming but they are also the least notable when it comes to providing a performance boost.
Other Factors to Consider
Material
The material of your new Land Cruiser exhaust system can be one of 4 types. You can have either a mild steel, aluminised steel, stainless steel, or a titanium Landcruiser exhaust.
Titanium exhausts are the most expensive since they are the strongest and also the lightest. They can also withstand high temperatures with ease without corroding easily.
Stainless steel exhausts are extremely resistant to rust and they can last you a long time. They're not as durable as titanium ones or as light. Stainless steel exhausts come in two grades 409 and 304 with the main difference being the amount of nickel and chromium they have.
Aluminised steel borrows some of the properties of titanium as the former also makes for lightweight exhausts. The downside here is that aluminium steel exhausts are not as strong as stainless steel exhausts let alone titanium exhausts. But they are still able to resist rust.
Mild steel exhausts are the most affordable of the 4 and they are also the most malleable too. Mild steel pipes will rust rather quickly and they aren't able to withstand high temperatures.
Valved vs Non-Valved
It's pretty straightforward when it comes to the sound regulation of exhaust systems. You will either have a valve and regulate the amount of noise your car produces when you rev the engine or not. Usually, stock exhausts have no valves, but when it comes to aftermarket ones you can have them valved.
Resonated vs Non-Resonated
If generating as much noise is all you want to be able to do with your Land Cruiser exhaust then you should go for a non-resonated system. A non-resonated system has all its resonators removed with just the back box left. This makes for an aggressive and growling noise.
A resonated exhaust system is exactly what you'd expect it to be. It has all the bells and whistles that make your Land Cruiser quieter and reduce cabin drone. If comfort is what you're all in for, a resonated exhaust system is for you.
Crush-Bent vs Mandrel-Bent
When it comes to the level of restriction an exhaust system comes with, you can avert your attention to the type of bends it has and not just how many.
A Land Cruiser exhaust system with crush-bent bends is going to be more restrictive. Why? Because it has wrinkles on them which make for an uneven surface and a more restrictive path for exhaust gasses to flow through.
Mandrel-bent exhaust systems are better in this regard since they do not have wrinkles where the bends are. In fact, the surface is smooth and it allows for a smooth flow of exhaust fumes and gasses. This helps improve performance.
