Reliability, efficiency, and safety are the three features that most Japanese automakers, including Nissan, put a lot of emphasis on. Although Nissan wasn’t always called that way, they’ve been around for a while and have produced some of the most fuel-efficient and innovative vehicles, with one of them being the Navara. The Nissan Navara is the automaker’s main pickup truck option. It’s known as the ultimate multitasker amongst car enthusiasts since it can do so many things right despite heavy competition. A Navara’s smart features, the ability to haul almost everything, and to last a long time are three things that not all pickup trucks can do well. But like any pickup truck, performance is on the top of the priority list, which is why having an aftermarket exhaust system that frees up the engine’s potential is important. With an aftermarket exhaust system, you increase fuel efficiency, engine HP as well as the lifespan of certain components in the engine bay.
How Does an Exhaust System Work?
As you probably know, the job of an exhaust system is to help the fumes and gasses leave faster from the engine. A quality aftermarket Navara exhaust will expel gasses much faster since its construction allows for unobstructed airflow. Think of your Navara exhaust system as the respiratory system of your vehicle.
What Are Your Options When it Comes to Aftermarket Systems?
Axle-Back
There are plenty of reasons to go for aftermarket systems and having lots of options is one of them. There are three different types of exhaust upgrades you can make on your Navara, one of which is an axle-back system. This type of upgrade involves replacing every single component of the exhaust from the axle to the exhaust tip. It may make for the least amount of downtime but it doesn’t offer as much performance improvement as a car-back upgrade.
Cat-Back
With a cat-back Nissan Navara exhaust upgrade, you replace every component starting from the catalytic converter all the way to the exhaust tip. While a cat-back upgrade isn’t as affordable or as easy to install as an axle-back system, it offers a lot more performance gains.
Header-Back
If you want to get the best performance gains for your Navara, you should consider installing a header-back exhaust system. This involves installing a completely new system since every single component from the header (manifold) to the exhaust tip gets replaced. You have total control of how the system will look and perform, hence why you get the best improvement.
What Experts Suggest You Look for in an Aftermarket Exhaust System
Configuration
Now If you decide to go with a header-back Navara exhaust system you need to consider certain factors such as the configuration of the system. This is where you need to choose between a single and dual exhaust system. The most common configuration is single exhaust systems as they feature a single exhaust tip at the back. Dual exhaust systems just double the number of exhaust exits, and they do not offer any advantage other than aesthetics.
X vs H vs Y-pipe
If you want something that will affect performance on a fundamental level you need to choose the setup of components, especially the piping. With an H-pipe exhaust system, you get a system with H-shaped piping, which provides solid performance gains but not as good as those of an X-piping. An X-pipe system provides the highest performance gains since it’s the freest-flowing configuration. Y-pipe systems are good as well, but not as good as X-pipe systems, yet better than ah H-pipe exhaust system.
Mandrel vs Crush Bends
When it comes to the type of bends a Navara exhaust system has, you can choose between crush- or mandrel-bent piping. Crush-bent piping is more affordable but it’s more restrictive to the gasses as the diameter of the pipe is reduced in the bending process. If you want your exhaust system to be the motorway of exhaust fumes and gasses then go for mandrel-bent piping. This type of piping makes for smooth bends thanks to a special technique that bends the piping without any creases.
Material
There are usually three options you can choose from when it comes to an exhaust system’s material – mild, aluminised, or stainless steel. Mild steel is a strong material that can withstand high temperatures but it isn’t as strong and resistant as stainless or aluminised steel. Aluminised and stainless steel are more expensive, but they are way better at handling extremely high temperatures and the porous effect of moisture. Aluminised steel is lighter in weight, whereas stainless steel is more resistant to the elements.
If you live in a saltwater area you should go for a stainless steel Navara exhaust as it has better protection from rust and corrosion. This is thanks to