Does Modified Exhaust Improve Throttle Response?
2 Answers
Modified exhaust improves throttle response. Introduction to the throttle: The throttle, also known as the "air valve" or "throttle valve," refers to the control device that regulates engine power (thrust). In gas turbine engines, the throttle controls the metered fuel flow of the fuel regulator, thereby determining the thrust generated by the engine. The throttle position is controlled by the pilot in the cockpit via the throttle lever, which is transmitted through control system components such as pushrods, rocker arms, torque tubes, cables, pulleys, and sector gears to the carburetor or fuel regulator on the engine. Introduction to the automotive exhaust system: The automotive exhaust system is a system that collects and discharges waste gases. It generally consists of the exhaust manifold, exhaust pipe, catalytic converter, exhaust temperature sensor, automotive muffler, and exhaust tailpipe. The primary function of the automotive exhaust system is to discharge the waste gases produced by the engine while reducing pollution and noise. It is mainly used in light vehicles, microcars, buses, motorcycles, and other motor vehicles. The working principle of the automotive exhaust system is as follows: after the exhaust gases from the engine cylinders are discharged through the exhaust valves, they are collected by the exhaust manifold from each cylinder into the exhaust header. The gases are then purified by the three-way catalytic converter and muffled by the muffler before being discharged from the tailpipe.
Modifying the exhaust system can indeed make throttle response quicker, as I've tried on my own car. The principle is quite simple. The exhaust system is like the engine's respiratory tract. Stock exhaust pipes are designed with backpressure to control airflow speed for noise reduction and environmental reasons, but this slows down exhaust gas discharge. After modification, the exhaust flows more smoothly, allowing exhaust gases to exit faster when engine RPM rises, making the engine noticeably more responsive at high RPM ranges. However, be aware that low-end torque may weaken slightly because low RPMs require backpressure to maintain torque. It's recommended to prioritize upgrading the header paired with a high-flow catalytic converter, combined with ECU optimization for more stable results. Don't just listen to others' exaggerations—consider your own driving habits.