Downsides of Installing Aftermarket Exhaust Systems
When considering an upgrade to an aftermarket exhaust system, you might be thinking about the potential performance benefits. However, it’s essential to be aware of the possible downsides, some of which can have legal, financial, and functional repercussions.
Legal Restrictions
When you modify your car with an aftermarket exhaust system, you're entering a territory that can have legal implications. Many regions have stringent noise ordinances and emissions standards that aftermarket exhausts can violate. Especially loud exhaust systems may attract unwanted attention from law enforcement, leading to fines or mandatory reversal of modifications. In the long term, this means ensuring your system complies with local regulations – a responsibility that can require time-consuming research and possible future legal struggles.
Additionally, emissions regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or equivalent authorities require that vehicles meet specific clean air standards. Installing an aftermarket exhaust system that doesn't comply with these rules can lead to failed inspections and prevent you from renewing your vehicle's registration. It's a persistent risk that could mean your car is deemed off-road worthy, potentially rendering your investment in aftermarket components a loss.
Warranty Voiding
When you install an aftermarket exhaust system, there's a real risk of voiding your vehicle's warranty. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, while a dealer can't void your warranty simply because you've installed an aftermarket part if they can prove that the aftermarket part caused the damage or the problem, your claim can be lawfully denied. This risk means that any future repairs, that might have been covered, could become a significant out-of-pocket expense.
Furthermore, if an issue arises and a claim is made, the burden of proof often falls on you to show that the aftermarket part was not the cause. The long-term implications include potential disputes with warranty providers and the possibility of greater costs over the lifespan of your vehicle. Considering the cost of major repairs, particularly on powertrain components, this is an important factor to weigh.
Increased Emissions
Modifying your car’s exhaust system can inadvertently increase its emission levels, potentially harming the environment and contributing to air pollution. Some aftermarket systems are designed for performance gains, often at the cost of higher emissions.
In the short term, you may enjoy increased power or a sportier exhaust note, but the long-term impacts can be more serious. Beyond personal environmental responsibility, this can lead to difficulties with state and federal emissions testing, possibly limiting your ability to use or sell the car in some regions.
Added Cost (Expensive Parts and Labor)
The expenses associated with aftermarket exhaust systems are not limited to the cost of parts. There's often a significant labor cost for professional installation, and some high-end systems can be quite expensive.
Pricey materials like stainless steel or titanium, often used to improve exhaust flow and aesthetics, can drive these costs up. Long-term, these could impact your financial planning, as maintaining or repairing custom systems can also be costlier than stock options.
Increased Road Noise
With the addition of an aftermarket exhaust system, you're likely to experience increased road noise. While a throatier sound may be desirable when driving, it can become tiresome on long trips or daily commutes.
The drone of a loud exhaust system is not only a potential nuisance to you and your passengers but can also be disruptive to communities. Considering noise ordinances and possible fines, the long-term aspect of noise pollution could become a public issue and personal annoyance.
Poor Fitment Causing Issues
Aftermarket exhaust systems that are not precisely tailored to your vehicle can lead to poor fitment. Improperly fitted components can cause a range of problems from rattling noises to more serious issues like exhaust leaks, which can lead to reduced performance or even pose a safety risk due to the potential for carbon monoxide entering the vehicle cabin.
Over time, issues stemming from poor fitment may also contribute to premature wear of other vehicle components, which means additional costs and potential inconveniences down the road.
Reduction in Fuel Efficiency
You might not expect it, but some aftermarket exhaust systems can decrease your car's fuel efficiency. This is often due to the engine running less efficiently with the new exhaust or modifications that encourage a more aggressive driving style, which naturally increases fuel consumption.
Over time, this decrease in fuel efficiency can add up to a significant amount of additional money spent on gas, negating any initial performance benefits you might have gained from installing the aftermarket system.
Little To No Increase in Power
Counterintuitively, an aftermarket exhaust system may provide little to no actual increase in power. While these systems are often sold with the promise of improved performance, the results can be negligible for a variety of reasons, such as restrictions elsewhere in the car's engine system that are not addressed by simply upgrading the exhaust.
Consequently, the long-term benefits may not match your expectations, and the money and effort invested in this modification may not yield the tangible performance improvement you're looking for.
Harder to Sell the Car
Installing an aftermarket exhaust system may make your car more difficult to sell. Many potential buyers prefer a vehicle in stock condition or are wary of modifications that might imply the car was used for performance driving, which can be harder on the vehicle.
Ensuring the exhaust is a selling point rather than a drawback often requires finding a niche buyer who appreciates the specific modifications you've made. This can be a challenge and is something to keep firmly in mind for the future resale of your car.