What is a Straight Pipe Exhaust System and How Much Does it Cost?

This roar sound is an unadulterated reflection of the natural sound of the engine and is something that motoring fans around the world aspire to. A similar but much quieter version of this sound can be achieved with the use of a straight pipe exhaust system.

In this article we will explain more about what a straight pipe exhaust system is, what the pros & cons are and how much it costs to fit such a system. This can be a contentious topic as you will see later in the article.

What Is a Straight Pipe Exhaust?

Essentially a straight pipe exhaust system is one that runs from the exhaust manifold but does not go through a muffler, resonator or a catalytic converter. The result of this is a loud sounding exhaust that has not been muffled.

You usually find this type of exhaust system on race cars. The reason for this is that by removing the muffler, resonator and the catalytic converter you usually get a performance boost along with that loud natural engine sound.

The exhaust fumes are allowed to flow freely from the engine and are not slowed down by the other parts that usually make up the exhaust system. The result is a boost in horsepower but also exhaust fumes that have not been filtered.

How Much Does a Straight Pipe Exhaust System Cost?

This is not a cheap modification to your car as a straight pipe exhaust system alone can cost $200 - $600 to buy. If you then factor labor costs of between $100 - $200 dollars the whole process can run you $300 - $800 out the door.

The final price will depend on your car and what type of exhaust you have fitted. You can of course do the work yourself if you have the skills and if you are willing to essentially destroy your old exhaust. This will be much cheaper but it harms your resale options and you may need that old exhaust at some point so be aware of that.

Pros of a Straight Pipe Exhaust System

Aside from the growling sound that hardcore motorheads crave there are other advantages to this type of exhaust, including:

Performance Boost

As mentioned race cars use this type of exhaust and the reason is that by allowing the exhaust to exit the engine unhindered will boost horsepower and torque numbers. The back pressure is reduced in the engine so it can run more efficiently.

It Looks Good

Often these exhausts are chromed aftermarket giving a shiny and sleek look under your car. Some owners will use some creative welding techniques to create beautiful colors on the unit. Additionally you can achieve a twin exhaust with this system which looks very cool.

Natural Engine Sound

In most road cars the effect of the muffler, resonator and catalytic converter serves to limit the sound of the engine. If you like a quiet running car this is great but some people just want to hear the power of their engine. This does mean of course everyone else can hear your engine as well so just be mindful of that.

Decreased Weight

Obviously by removing three of the exhaust components you create a lighter unit in general. This is great for a racing car specifically as it improves the power to weight ratio and makes for a faster vehicle. It does the same on the roads but you don’t always get to use the benefit of this.

Improved Fuel Economy

As mentioned with a straight pipe exhaust system there is less back pressure in the engine. This means the engine does not have to work as hard and will actually use less fuel than if it had a muffler, resonator and a catalytic converter.

Cons of a Straight Pipe Exhaust

As with all things there are pros and cons and there are some unavoidable cons to this type of exhaust system which include:

It’s Not Cheap

Installing a straight pipe exhaust system is not a cheap option so you have to be really committed to this change. Finding a complete new exhaust pipe is not cheap and many actually choose to custom build their own exhausts.

Another important cost consideration is that you will have to have your car tuned after installation to make sure it runs correctly with the new exhaust. This is because of the back pressure difference and failing to do this tune up can damage your engine.

Unrestricted Emissions

This is a real con of the system. By removing the catalytic converter you take away the aspect that cleans your exhaust fumes. As a result harmful exhaust that would normally be converted to something less harmful are released into the atmosphere.

You may favor your cool new sound over the environment but in some states you may wind up not being able to register your car for example California which requires emissions tests.

Can Be Too Loud

You may love your loud exhaust but the neighbors might not and this can bring you some unwanted legal woes. Realistically if you are going to do this to your car you should probably be enjoying it on a racetrack rather than around your neighborhood.

Difficult to Resell

If you come to the point you want to sell your vehicle you will find your pool of potential buyers limited. You will need someone who wants the same roar and performance boost you originally wanted. Your best bet for future planning is to keep the old exhaust and replace that system when you come to sell the vehicle.

It Might Not Be Road Legal

This is a big con depending on the state you live in as some will not allow unrestricted exhaust vehicles on their roads. Removing the catalytic converter and muffler may be illegal in your state and it’s not like the police won't notice your car roaring down the road.

Make sure that it is legal to be on the road with these modifications in your state and try to stay to the letter of the law. You will likely get noise complaints if you are driving around your neighborhood and the police will look into the legality of your exhaust.

How Much Is the Increase in Horsepower?

As mentioned the decrease in back pressure within the engine will help boost your horsepower somewhat. It is generally not a massive boost but it can be as much as 10 horsepower. This will all depend on the type of car and modifications involved.

The more powerful the engine to begin with the greater the potential boost from a straight pipe exhaust system. Standard engines may not receive much of a boost if any from this type of exhaust.

Conclusion

A straight pipe exhaust can be an expensive modification to your car but it will give you that natural engine growl, a cool look, better fuel economy and improved performance. On the flip side however it might annoy your neighbors, produce harmful fumes and may not actually be legal in your state.

Be sure you know the laws and use this modification responsibly. It may be great fun and seem cool but spending hundreds of dollars on a modification that can get you fined by authorities for using it is not a very smart investment.

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