Saturday, November 23, 2013
High Flow Exhaust Information
The design of an exhaust system affects the flow rate of gases expelled from an engines cylinder ports through piping leading outside. Exhaust flow determines engine power and fuel efficiency. Small piping decreases flow rates but increases gas velocity, which increases torque. There must be a balance between flow and velocity.
Piping Diameter
High flow exhaust systems increase top-end power. However, excessively large piping allows full flow but reduces exhaust velocity. A larger amount of combustion occurs when there is a strong exhaust velocity, causing increased torque. Balancing flow and velocity optimizes engine power, fuel efficiency and strain on the engine.
Piping Shape and Length
Bends in exhaust piping reduces flow rate and velocity. Race cars use open headers for their short length and lack of bends. Open headers expel gases directly into the air without routing it through a front pipe, catalytic converter and muffler. While street cars normally cannot use open headers because of noise and emission laws, the quicker exhaust gas releases outside, the less chance the engine loses power due to exhaust system causes.
Catalytic Converter and Muffler
A catalytic converter filters harmful chemicals out of exhaust gas. A muffler reduces exhaust sound. High flow aftermarket catalytic converters and mufflers increase flow and velocity by reducing internal restrictions.
No comments:
Post a Comment