Alongside power and torque, an internal combustion engine also generates a lot of fumes and gasses as a by-product. This is where the exhaust comes into play as it takes care of most of the pollutants produced by the engine. Made up of various components an exhaust system, doesn’t only filter harmful particles but also reduces the amount of noise the engine makes especially when revved up.
Thanks to components such as the oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, muffler and resonator an exhaust is one of the most protective systems when it comes to the environment. Just like any other system in your car, it can be upgraded.
Types of Aftermarket Exhausts
Cat-Back
The most popular exhaust replacement is a cat-back system which replaces components starting from the catalytic converter all the way to the tailpipes. With a cat-back D22 exhaust upgrade, you can easily improve both efficiency and performance without spending a fortune or a lifetime mounting it.
Header-Back
If you don’t mind spending a lot more on a new exhaust and being under your Navara for half a day then you should go for a header-back D22 exhaust system. A header-back system replaces everything from the manifold (header) to the tailpipes making it one of the most comprehensive solutions when it comes to improving both performance and efficiency to the max.
Turbo-Back
If you have a turbocharged Navara then your best bet is to go for a turbo-back exhaust. With it you will truly replace every single component that’s part of the exhaust or the system works together with it. Compared to a header-back system a turbo-back exhaust replaces one more component that comes after the manifold, the turbo.
Axle-Back
The least notable difference in both performance and efficiency is the outcome of fitting an axle-back Nissan Navara D22 exhaust. Axle-back systems are the most affordable since they replace the smallest number of components starting from the rear axle to the tailpipes. They are easy to fit meaning a complete beginner in vehicle mechanics can take on the job.
What to Consider with an Aftermarket Exhaust
Material
Your D22 exhaust upgrade can come made of various materials such as mild steel, aluminised steel, stainless steel and even titanium. The most affordable Nissan Navara D22 exhaust is one made of mild steel but it’s also the most malleable and least durable. Aluminised steel exhausts are quite a better option since they are fairly durable and can withstand impacts better than mild steel.
With stainless steel exhausts, you can expect excellent corrosion resistance as well as impact resistance which makes them the most common solution. Titanium exhausts do exist but they are not as common as any of the above since they are quite expensive and their capabilities are mainly used by performance vehicles.
Bends
Unless you’re going for a straight-piped exhaust, bends are going to be quite an important factor when it comes to the efficiency of your exhaust. There are two ways exhaust can be bent and that’s either by crush or mandrel bending. A crush-bent exhaust is one with lots of small ribs on the places where it takes a turn.
This restricts airflow but makes for an affordable D22 exhaust system. A mandrel-bent exhaust, on the other hand, is a much more efficient option because it’s smooth throughout but it does cost more due to its specific manufacturing process.
Diameter
The diameter of the exhaust’s piping affects how well engine fumes are going to flow and a larger diameter is better if you have more HP under the bonnet. But anything below 100 HP can be mated with a smaller diameter exhaust. You can go up to 4 inches in diameter with more powerful vehicles.
Tailpipes
The number and placement of tailpipes can affect the look of your D22 at least from the back. Typically a vehicle with more exhaust tips than one looks much sportier especially if the tips are placed away from each other. You can have one, two or even four tips at a time and you can place them either in pairs on both sides or individually. That’s all up to your liking just know that overcomplicating things at the back can affect the rest of the system over time.
Valve
A new D22 exhaust system, no matter how comprehensive it is can be coupled together with a valved. A valved exhaust is able to let you have fun on the track or a private road by opening up the exhaust enough so that you can hear the real sound of your car. When you’re cruising down the motorway or through a school zone, press a button and the valve closes, making your Navara as quiet as it came from the factory. This level of versatility isn’t on any other type of exhaust except on a valved one.
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