Hooniverse Asks- Dual Exhausts, Brah! Or Blah?

Robert Emslie

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dual exhaust

Have you ever considered contradiction? I mean really given it some thought? When it comes to cars, it’s pretty plain that some of us engage in inconsistency in the view of our end game. And so do a number of car makers. We all know that the key to speed and efficiency is light weight- which is why I always poop before jumping in the commute-mobile for the trip home from work. 

Still, car makers keep adding weight to their cars, and one of the ways they do so is a multiplicity of exhaust pipes. We keep on buying them because of those dual exhausts just look so cool. Heck, a certain sub-set of us adds the extra plumbing when the manufacturers fail to do so in the first place. I for one don’t see the value in having two (or more) chrome tips on my ride instead of just one, and I’m wondering if you feel the same way.

Oh sure, I know about the necessity of providing the engine with proper breathing, and the gains to be made with balancing exhaust pulses and back pressure and all that. . . but I still think it could be achieved with a single pipe system that doesn’t add another 50 or 80 pounds to the car. Plus there’s the added cost of doubling your pleasure with cats, 02 sensors, and mufflers to consider. What’s your take on dual exhausts, are they Brah! or Blah?

Image source: Chivethrottle

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Robert Emslie

Robert Emslie

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58 responses to “Hooniverse Asks- Dual Exhausts, Brah! Or Blah?”

  1. Josh_Howard Avatar
    Josh_Howard

    My '13 Altima has dual exhaust. It's more pleasing to my eye than a single exit any day of the week. In a lot of ways, it's one of those quintessential "American" things. Most people don't even realize what size engines are in cars today and putting dual exhaust on everything makes it that much harder for the untrained eye. People, in general, believe dual exhaust means power… whether it's real or not. It's something else for them to talk about.

    Reply
  2. CalculatedRisk Avatar
    CalculatedRisk

    Duals are welcome in "V" configuration engines or even horizontally opposed motors. I hate false duals on inline 4's and 6's. I often pull up behind a car and see only one of two exhaust exits sooty and it makes me sad. As a side note to superfluous exhaust, my all time favorite is a set of zoomie pipes as per Mad Max.
    <img src="http://youonlyliveonce.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mad-max.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      "I hate false duals on inline 4's and 6's"
      Somewhere, you just made a CBX cry.
      <img src="http://usedmotorcycles-forsale.com/images/CBX-oarf-xl.jpg&quot; width="500">
      Now, that being said, your point about the individual zoomies is valid.
      <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Honda_RC174E_engine_front_Honda_Collection_Hall.jpg/800px-Honda_RC174E_engine_front_Honda_Collection_Hall.jpg&quot; width="500">

      Reply
      1. mdharrell Avatar
        mdharrell

        An L-head six with genuine split exhaust is fine by me.
        <img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IDyjJIjXeHc/TjndaI2ssBI/AAAAAAAAECo/Q1CbfgCbYU0/s1600/500502186_sSzF6-L.jpg&quot; width="450">

        Reply
      2. pj134 Avatar
        pj134

        Best sounding bike ever.

        Reply
        1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
          Peter Tanshanomi

          I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
          [youtube o57JwibqCb8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o57JwibqCb8 youtube]

          Reply
      3. hachie1 Avatar
        hachie1

        Ahhh, the CBXes, and the Benellis of the day. Awesome music

        Reply
    2. topdeadcentre Avatar
      topdeadcentre

      Sadly, the zoomies on the Mad Max interceptor as built for the movies were as fake as the supercharger on top of the engine.
      It's my most favorite movie prop car, but it's still a prop.

      Reply
  3. JayP2112 Avatar
    JayP2112

    Duals make you scratch your head?
    <img src="http://stwot.motortrend.com/files/2013/01/2014-Chevrolet-corvette-Stingray-rear-end-1024×640.jpg&quot; width="600">
    <img src="http://images.pistonheads.com/nimg/27946/TellIAmWrong_Zorsts_04-L.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
  4. RichardKopf Avatar
    RichardKopf

    Single exhaust, dual exhaust, I don't care. What I want to know is whether or not it has 180 degree headers. Seriously, youtube that.

    Reply
    1. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
      Irishzombieman☆

      I didn't know what those were until a week ago. I like.

      Reply
  5. $kaycog Avatar
    $kaycog

    You can't have too many exhausts. OH, YES, YOU CAN!
    <img src="http://cdn.carthrottle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Too-Many-Exhausts-655×409.jpg"width="500"/&gt;

    Reply
    1. Vavon Avatar
      Vavon

      This type of humor is so exhausting.

      Reply
      1. monkey_tennis Avatar
        monkey_tennis

        (Receives only muffled applause.)

        Reply
      2. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        Pipe down!

        Reply
        1. monkey_tennis Avatar
          monkey_tennis

          Well that has silenced me.

          Reply
          1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
            Peter Tanshanomi

            Cat got your tongue?

          2. monkey_tennis Avatar
            monkey_tennis

            There are manifold ways that I could reply…

  6. mdharrell Avatar
    mdharrell

    I must be in favor: I've owned several vehicles with exhausts that have more than one exit point.

    Reply
  7. Arco777 Avatar
    Arco777

    The lead image makes me sad every time I see it.
    Anyways, dual exhausts. Can look good but IMO are so overused today. When a Camry has it, it shows how much the effect has been cheapened.
    Apparently every 88-98 Chevrolet has had a recall or something ordering a mandatory dual exhaust made of the cheapest materials and dangling precariously at odd angles.
    A rare positive point is the dual exhaust on the new Dodge pickups.
    I have always loved lake pipes, and also the dual exhaust on a single side like some Lightning pickups.

    Reply
    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      " The lead image makes me sad every time I see it. "
      Well, if it's had a diesel swapped into it, I could almost approve.

      Reply
  8. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
    Irishzombieman☆

    I love dual exhaust.
    So much that I thought about putting it on my Geo Metro.
    But then I thought, "How do I plumb three cylinders into two pipes?"

    Reply
    1. tiberiusẅisë Avatar
      tiberiusẅisë

      Wait, they have to be hooked up to the engine?

      Reply
      1. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
        Irishzombieman☆

        Well played, amigo.

        Reply
    2. monkey_tennis Avatar
      monkey_tennis

      Try an homage to the Ferrari F40 — three pipes!
      <img src="http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8560/f40exhaust.jpg&quot; width="600">

      Reply
    3. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      You just need triple exhaust.
      <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2499/3855984889_c2ac31971f.jpg"&gt;
      G'won. I triple dog dare you.

      Reply
      1. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
        Irishzombieman☆

        Ooooh, maybe I oughtta give each cylinder *2* pipes.
        <img src="http://goo.gl/7A8QY&quot; width=400>

        Reply
        1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
          Peter Tanshanomi

          A trio of zoomies coming out from under each side?

          Reply
    4. topdeadcentre Avatar
      topdeadcentre

      Three-cylinder Triumphs have 3 into 2 pipes, so it's certainly possible.
      Desirable Metro mod? Probably not.

      Reply
  9. C³-Cool Cadillac Cat Avatar
    C³-Cool Cadillac Cat

    While I like they symmetry of them, unless there is a good reason for it, which there can be even on I6 engines, unless it's an V or an flat motor, pass.
    I don't see any point in putting 'dual' outlets when they're coming out of the same resonator, however.

    Reply
    1. gzuckier Avatar
      gzuckier

      If the muffler design, however, is such that it's more efficient or quieter or smaller because it has two outputs instead of one, then I won't tell them not to.

      Reply
  10. SSurfer321 Avatar
    SSurfer321

    I'm ok with true duals on sports cars and trucks, so long as its done tastefully.
    NOT OK with dual chimneys out the back of diesel trucks.

    Reply
  11. IronBallsMcG Avatar
    IronBallsMcG

    I just got some new dual exhaust. Of course it replaced existing dual exhaust.
    <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qlr1eKi0kxg/Uby_Pjtb0YI/AAAAAAAACyE/zWiiXyBjjmE/w1125-h634-no/IMG_20130615_142331_466.jpg"width=500&gt;

    Reply
  12. CABEZAGRANDE Avatar
    CABEZAGRANDE

    It depends on how necessary it is. On a lot of cars that are moving a lot of exhaust flow, you simply can't fit a single pipe of sufficient size. It can get very hard to route a single 3.5" pipe under a car that needs it, whereas a dual 2.5" system will flow as much or more and can be significantly easier to route while maintaining ground clearance. Same goes for mufflers. It's a lot easier to package 2 smaller mufflers than one large one in many cases. And for a V configuration car, especially a V8, it makes more sense as you have two flow paths anyways.

    Reply
    1. CABEZAGRANDE Avatar
      CABEZAGRANDE

      But when it isn't necessary from a functional perspective, I'm more torn. I often find dual exhuasts more aesthetically pleasing than singles, even on people pushers like Camrys or Fusions, and they often sound better. But my engineer brain just can't quit mulling the fact that it really is just unnecessary weight and cost. It's why my LS2 swapped RX7 has a single exhaust. So this is really one that comes down to a case by case basis.

      Reply
      1. Rover1 Avatar
        Rover1

        Isn't it easier to muffle lower frequency vibrations with 2 smaller diameters rather than one large one.I thought that dual exhasts came about because of the need to keep exhaust flow up while effectively quietening the more penetrative,( & effectively louder), lower frequencies i.e. the annoying exhaust boom.

        Reply
  13. tiberiusẅisë Avatar
    tiberiusẅisë

    One pipe seems to be enough for FrankenJeep.
    <img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2887/9091992699_653c0816a8_o.jpg&quot; width="400">
    And apparently its the same size as my son's boss ride.
    <img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/9094215414_2f7e9ef12d_o.jpg&quot; width="400">

    Reply
  14. LTDScott Avatar
    LTDScott

    I just spent a good chunk of change redoing the exhaust on my LTD to true duals, so you know what my answer is.

    Reply
  15. Preludacris Avatar
    Preludacris

    When it's chilly out and you see an unequal amount of steam from the two exits, Blah.
    When it's your own car, Brah!
    <img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z313/ndrwhrnr/2013-06-12173709_zps2194ac70.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
  16. don fehlio Avatar
    don fehlio

    I prefer one step past a dual exhaust.
    <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8jtopmOpM1qm7h9jo1_1280.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      Purple Bosozoku Crown laughs at your feeble attempt.
      <img src="http://pinktentacle.com/images/10/bosozoku_39.jpg"&gt;

      Reply
      1. HTWHLS Avatar
        HTWHLS

        ???!

        Reply
  17. racer139 Avatar
    racer139

    Since the exhaust on my car just broke right after the cat not even an hour ago… I can say its just nice to have an exhaust. Its funny cause the D.O.T are out in force today.

    Reply
  18. Scandinavian Flick ★ Avatar
    Scandinavian Flick ★

    It really depends on the car. True duals are excellent on anything with a V8 or greater, and some 6 cylinder cars/trucks. Exhaust that splits into two is fine if it's done right.
    Heck, how 'bout true duals with a single exit, like on the '04 GTOs?
    <img src="http://i.imgur.com/CSCluKE.jpg&quot; width="550">
    Click to embiggen: <a href="http://i.imgur.com/CSCluKE.jpg” target=”_blank”>http://i.imgur.com/CSCluKE.jpg

    Reply
    1. JayP2112 Avatar
      JayP2112

      No crossover?
      Interesting.

      Reply
      1. Scandinavian Flick ★ Avatar
        Scandinavian Flick ★

        Yeah, not on the '04s. They changed it up quite a bit for the 05/06, going up to 2.5" from 2.25" pipe, and going to a single center resonator from the dual resonator setup on the '04s. Makes it really easy to delete the resonator and add an x-pipe piece…
        <img src="http://i.imgur.com/2lK04YZ.jpg&quot; width="550">

        Reply
      2. Vairship Avatar
        Vairship

        Sure there's a crossover. It's right there by the rear wheel, one pipe crossing over the other. 😉

        Reply
    2. wunno sev Avatar
      wunno sev

      two tips on one side of the car is the best configuration, looks fantastic every time.

      Reply
  19. Danno1985 Avatar
    Danno1985

    <img src="http://i69.servimg.com/u/f69/18/04/82/76/cimg6510.jpg"&gt;
    Only if it's actually a legitimate dual exhaust system from the exhaust manifolds back.

    Reply
  20. MVEilenstein Avatar
    MVEilenstein

    I knew a guy who put dual exhaust with Flowmasters on his pastel green F-150 with the I-6. Sounded like a can of angry bees every time he shifted.

    Reply
  21. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Blah! Functionality first.

    Reply
  22. monkey_tennis Avatar
    monkey_tennis

    The UK site Pistonheads has just run a similar thread; starting off with the bold step of defining 7 rules which all car manufacturers should follow. A good post and a lot of good commentary followed…
    http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=279…
    (And for anyone who is a cyclist the site which inspired PH set 'the rules' — Velominati http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/ — is a wonderful read as well).

    Reply
  23. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    If I'd ask any local granny, the answer would be: "What exhaust?":
    <img src="http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5505/tzux.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
  24. buzzboy7 Avatar
    buzzboy7

    True duals. Love em. My Comet had long tube headers and non-crossed-over true duals with Flowmaster 40s dumping at the rear axle. Sounded like pure sex. ACVWs also sound really good with true duals. Especially something like a dual-cannon. Then I of course love side pipes, be they on muscle, van or truck, or even certain Locosts. Pickups with dual stacks? Still love em. I'd rather something smallish like a 3-4" not the 6"+ miters I see but I still think they look/sound good even though its a split after the turbo, not a true dual.
    <img src="http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc368/buzzboy7/DSC00760.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
  25. HTWHLS Avatar
    HTWHLS

    True duals on V8's – yes!..only if there is a real crossover.

    Reply
  26. designsareesuits Avatar
    designsareesuits

    I go through your website its very good and we are also having similar website you can visit us.
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    Reply
  27. designsareesuits Avatar
    designsareesuits

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    Exhaust System Manufacturers

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  28. designsareesuits Avatar
    designsareesuits

    I go through your website its very good and we are also having similar website you can visit us.
    Exhaust System Manufacturers

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