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Exhaust systems used to be made of cheap iron. But most manufacturers these days use resilient stainless-steel pipes—to ensure that emissions systems last the life of a vehicle. But you’re not stuck forever with what came standard in your ride. Instead, owners wanting to make a style statement can upgrade to a set of custom exhaust tips.
Shop now for exhaust pipes and tipsA new set of exhaust tips can be an in-your-face fashion statement or add a subtle touch of class. Either way, the exposed part of your tailpipe is usually the last thing others see as you speed away. So, give it some love. Here are some options to consider.
Chrome exhaust Tips. or Black?
A black exhaust tip is sleek and helps hide emissions residue.
The finish of the tailpipe is usually either chrome or stainless steel. If you want the shiny piece of metal to look its best, you’ll want to occasionally polish it up with a kit to remove the exhaust residue. Otherwise, it will slowly take on the grimy look from the pipe’s exhaust fumes.
To avoid showing any exhaust residue, consider switching to black tailpipes. The black look can be a big plus if you drive a soot-producing diesel. Depending on your car’s color combination, black pipes visually recede from the car’s curbside appearance. Besides, they look sleek.
Scorched Blue and Other Flame Tips
You probably have seen drag racers that shoot a flame from the exhaust. That’s unspent fuel coming into contact with the hot exhaust fumes.
That flame will dull a tailpipe finish and leave a blue discoloration. But if you like that look, then go with a set of pre-scorched blue-flame exhaust tips.
Or walk the walk by modifying your exhaust with actual flame throwers available on eBay. The setup typically adds a trace amount of fuel to the exhaust and ensures a flame by producing an electrical spark. However, it’s not the most subtle way to get somebody to stop tailgating behind you. (Please heed warnings about local laws against this effect.)
Exhaust Tips for Sound
Another trend is swapping to an exhaust tip made of carbon fiber. Or one that looks like it. And if you’re going to the effort to install a carbon-fiber exhaust tip, why not make it stick out an extra inch so it will get noticed?
The rectangular exhaust tip emulates the look of NASCAR racers.
Add hot-rod style with a skull-shaped exhaust tip.
Another fun faux style is to mimic a dual exhaust with two outlets. Just add a dual-pipe exhaust tip on the end of a single tailpipe, and you get the dual look. Or consider the NASCAR look with a rectangular, multi-port style.
Why not make an even bigger impression with a set of noisy coffee-can tailpipes? They have a much larger diameter pipe at the tips—making sure everybody hears you coming and going.
Depending on the design and construction of exhaust tips, you’ll probably change your exhaust note by installing a new tailpipe extension. See “How to Tune Your Exhaust Note.”
Some designs create a throaty growl that could get accented with a skull design.
Installing Custom Exhaust Tips
Most tailpipe extensions are secured to the existing exhaust with a screw or clamp. First, measure the current exhaust diameter to ensure the new extension fits.
Depending on the extension, you might want to cut off the existing tailpipe by a few inches to avoid the new tailpipe sticking out too far. If you have dual tailpipes, make sure they line up and are level. However, perfection is not required. Exhaust tips are one accent piece on a car that can easily swap out throughout the year.
