Cat-Back Exhausts Explained
When you want to upgrade your muscle car’s exhaust system, a cat-back is always one of the best options because it replaces the most parts in one go. These systems replace exhaust components from the catalytic converter all the way back to the exhaust tips, so it's a complete system that comes with a mid-pipe, mufflers, resonators, and anything else you may need.Every muscle car comes with some type of OEM exhaust system but they tend to be limited with mufflers and resonators to meet sound and emissions regulations, so swapping out stock parts for high-performance aftermarket cat-back exhausts is a great way to free up some of your engine’s power. Most aftermarket cat-back exhaust systems are manufactured by brands like Corsa, Borla, and BBK, which offer premium high-flow exhaust systems that improve the way your muscle car’s engines sound and perform.
Cat-Back vs Axle-Back Exhausts
The difference between a cat-back and axle-back exhaust comes down to the parts on your OEM exhaust that are replaced. Cat-back systems replace everything from the catalytic converters back to the tips, so they're complete exhaust systems – minus the headers and catalytic converters, of course.On the other hand, axle-back exhaust systems only replace exhaust parts from the rear axle back to the tips. While axle-back exhaust systems look and sound great, you'll find that cat-back exhaust systems sound great while improving performance.
How to Choose the Right Cat-Back Exhaust
Choosing the right cat-back exhaust comes down to what you're interested in because there's a lot of variation in how they look, perform, and sound. First and foremost, you'll want to have an idea of what you want your exhaust to sound like. If you want an aggressive and loud exhaust, look for options in our catalog that are marked with the color red. Moderate exhausts are labeled with the color yellow and quiet exhausts are labeled with the color green, so you can start there depending on the sound you’re after.Once you've locked in a sound you can begin to branch out to performance. Look for high-flow exhaust systems from brands like Flowmaster and Borla for the best horsepower gains and exhaust pipe quality. You'll also find racing cat-back exhaust systems in our catalog but sometimes they may not be suitable for street use, especially if you've removed your catalytic converter, so how and where you drive your car is another factor to consider.
Last but not least, don't forget about style. If you want your exhaust to look nice, it's all about finding systems that come with exhaust tips that fit your style. There are chrome tips, tips for black coatings, and even metal-looking tips with blue or black color accents that help your new cat-back exhaust system stand out. Whatever your motivation, plenty of cat-back exhaust systems are available when you shop online, and our sales techs will help you find the right setup for your build.
