Exhaust
Muffler
There are two basic modifications that you can do for a cheap boost in horsepower: exhausts and intakes. While both of them only offer up to a 10 horsepower boost, they are the cheapest performance parts.
Exhausts and Mufflers
What is an exhaust? The exhaust is basically the pipe under the rear bumper that expels the car’s gases. What does changing it mean? Allowing more air flow in the pipe allows for more gas release, meaning more horsepower. It also means more noise. And the common myth (not true, of course) is that more noise equals more power. Aftermarket exhausts are, typically, legal. The strictest law on emissions is California. Californian cars must pass a noise test, which, in a nutshell, states that the car must be quieter than 95 dB. Stock cars are usually around 87 dB. Many after market exhausts, however, can go up to 108 dB. For car tuners outside California, however, have it much easier. The main concern, however, is how well the exhaust cleans out the air, so that the car can pass smog tests. In most cases, this shouldn’t be a problem, especially with company warranties.
What’s the difference between a muffler and an exhaust? Well, when purchasing these parts, it is important to realize the difference. A muffler is the last part of the exhaust system. Its purpose is to muffle the sound and keep it quiet. Purchasing a muffler is cheap, but installation (which requires welding) will cost money. Getting an exhaust is different. The exhaust starts further into the car than mufflers do. Large exhaust pipings allow for greater air flow and a bigger increase in horsepower than just mufflers (by the way, purchasing exhausts include a muffler). Installing an exhaust is simple and direct, just bolts, no welding.
Exhaust
Muffler
Since exhaust systems are built specifically for a car, they are ready to install with a few bolts. Mufflers, on the other hand, are universal, meaning they can be used by basically any car. To properly install a muffler, it must be welded onto the existing exhaust pipe where the old muffler sat. Also, arm brackets must be welded onto the muffler to secure it onto the car (as the pictures indicate). Failure to properly install a muffler will result in gas leakage and violent vibrations.
Short Ram and Cold Air Intakes
Like mufflers and exhausts, there are two different ways to buy intakes. Intakes are what sucks up the air outside, filters it, and delivers it to the car.
Short ram intakes are short, staying inside the engine bay. Cold air intakes are long, and extend from the engine into the front bumper. The purpose of cold air intakes is to suck up the air outside directly, which is colder than the air inside the engine bay. Like the exhaust, larger diameters of the intake piping often offer more power (3 inches usually being the max). The advantages of short ram intakes are that they are very easy to install, louder, and cheap. On the other hand, cold air intakes offer more horsepower and stay cleaner than short rams. Installation can be a hassle, since it often requires the removal of the front bumper. That also means that replacing the filter can be a pain, since the filter is behind the bumper. Another drawback to cold air intakes is that they are low to the ground, meaning they are at a higher risk of being in contact with water. If in intake sucks in water, then the engine will die.
Accessories (shift knobs, strobes, etc)
What is a tuned car without accessories? While they look cool and probably have no real purpose, it is important to understand that they, too, are liable to fall apart or break. When selecting accessories, you should avoid ghetto, no name branded items. I learned the hard way. I purchased an automatic shift knob that was made in Taiwan a long time ago. While it looked cool and served its job, it didn’t last very long. One day while driving, the shift button popped out of the knob. How did that happen? Poor design. The screw holding the button in place could not take the stress from the spring under it and popped. I also purchased a set of indiglo pedals, again, no name branded. After less than a year, the pedals died. Instead of being indiglo pedals, they are simply regular pedals now. My story doesn’t end there. I also purchased strobe lights for my car. After installing them into my corner lights, I turned them on and found out that: 1) they were dull, 2) they were slow and 3) they blinked out of sync. So what is the lesson here? Even when purchasing little things, like accessories, it is important to shop wisely. Buying no name branded items will give you no name branded quality.