The Attraction of Performance Exhaust Systems

Many people often wonder why someone would spend large amounts of money on an aftermarket exhaust system for their vehicle. Is it for the performance? Is it for the sound and attention it creates? These questions have raised a debate for many years, and performance exhausts can be utilized for either reason. I have put together some useful facts about the advantages of installing a performance exhaust system on your vehicle.

Many people purchase performance exhaust systems purely for the sound they provide. They like the low growl at idle and mean roar it gives off when accelerating. If you aren't interested in the sound, then you are into the performance aspect of performance exhaust systems. The difference in power they provide depends on two main factors.

The first factor that determines the benefit of a performance exhaust is engine size. Many small compact tuner cars with small engines have been equipped with aftermarket performance exhaust components. In this case, it produces much more sound, but you don't see much horsepower and torque improvement the majority of the time. This is because there really isn't excessive backpressure in the exhaust system, so not much improvement can be made. With a big engine, there is a much higher volume of exhaust gas produced, so more gains can be had. Also, since they start off with more horsepower to begin with, they are naturally going to have a more significant amount of horsepower in proportion to a smaller engine.

On the other hand, there is one case where a performance exhaust can provide a very significant performance gain. Turbocharged vehicles can be a great candidate for a larger exhaust system. When the exhaust gas can flow through the turbocharger with the least resistance possible, not only will you gain horsepower, but you will also gain a wider powerband. The turbocharger will spool faster which in turn will provide you with more power at a lower engine rpm. If you are looking to increase the power of your turbocharged vehicle, the first step to take is to install a turbo-back performance exhaust system, and you will see significant gains.

There are a wide variety of performance exhaust components out there, and they range from relatively cheap to rather expensive. Headers are a common performance upgrade, especially for V8s, and can add a little bit of performance for not too much money. Cat-back exhaust systems are a popular choice for many import tuners, and it is basically just a larger, more free-flowing pipe and muffler after the catalytic converter. "Test pipes" are basically just a straight-through pipe that replaces the factory converter. These are illegal for street use, but turbocharged track and drag cars can see some significant gain from them. Some people choose to replace the whole exhaust system from the header all the way to the tail pipe for ultimate performance, but this can get very expensive. If you just want a performance exhaust for the sound, an aftermarket muffler is your cheapest option and will fit your needs nicely. If you are still unsure about what performance exhaust system to install, I suggest starting with a cat-back system.

If you have question about any performance exhaust systems, cat-back systems or aftermarket mufflers, contact Lawson Industries. Lawson Industries carries a wide range of peformance exhaust systems and muffler tips that can be viewed at: www.lawsonindustries.com.

Lawson Industries 3 Step Guide for Choosing The Right Muffler

The job description of a muffler is simple: noise reduction. Once internal combustion takes place, the engine expels exhaust gasses in the form of high pressure pulses. These high pressure pulses create very powerful sound waves, and the muffler is tasked with reducing this powerful sound to a tolerable level.

While the job description is simple, the way in which a muffler performs its main task is more varied and complicated. Ideally, an aftermarket muffler will provide a good performance exhaust tone without creating too much power-stealing backpressure. Depending on the style, a muffler uses some combination of baffles, chambers, perforated tubes, and/or sound deadening material to achieve this goal. Lawson Industries configures these components in different ways to produce different exhaust tones. To help you choose the right muffler for your sound and performance tastes, we’ve created this 3 Step Guide for Choosing The Right Muffler:

1. Find the Right Fit: Inlets, Diameters & More No matter what style of muffler you choose, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions about your existing exhaust system:
   • Is it a single or dual system? This will help you determine the number of inlets you need on your muffler. For example, a single exhaust will require a single inlet on the muffler. If you’re merging a dual exhaust into one muffler, you’ll need a dual-inlet muffler.
   • What is the exhaust pipe diameter? You’ll need to match your inlets, and in some cases outlets, to match your existing exhaust diameter.
   • How much room is available for the muffler(s)? You’ll need to make sure the outside dimensions of your muffler allow for proper clearance under the vehicle. The right length will ensure easy installation and proper clamping; the right casing size and shape will allow it to fit within the confines of your vehicle’s undercarriage.
     
     
2. Choose a Style: Chambered vs. Turbo vs. Straight-ThroughThe three main muffler styles are chambered, turbo, and straight-through. Each style has its own set of benefits and drawbacks:
   
   • Chambered Mufflers:Ideal for street machines and musclecars, chambered mufflers are designed to reduce exhaust noise while providing a throaty performance sound for the street. They use a series of inner chambers that are configured at specific lengths to reflect sound waves against each other. As the sound waves bounce into one another, they cancel each other out, causing a reduction in exhaust noise. The exact exhaust tone and noise reduction of chambered mufflers depends on the size and number of the chambers. Insynerator Performance Series, Race Series & Big Body mufflers are all chambered mufflers manufactured by Lawson Industries.
   • Turbo Mufflers: Typically use a set of perforated tubes, which often guide the exhaust gasses through the muffler in an S-shaped pattern. Although this design is more restrictive than other styles, the S-design allows the gasses to travel through more tubing for better noise reduction. Ideal for street applications, some turbo-style mufflers also incorporate a sound deadening material, which is packed around the tubes for increased muffling. Lawson’s version of this muffler is the TurboMax.
   • Straight-through Mufflers or Glasspacks: These are designed to allow maximum flow—and horsepower. Straight-through Mufflers or Glasspacks feature a straight, perforated pipe wrapped in sound absorbing material such as fiberglass packing. Lawson Industries manufactures several versions of straight-through mufflers. The Insynerator Resonator Series features our classic glasspack muffler. This is the loudest of our straight-through mufflers. Rush Performance Mufflers are stainless steel mufflers packed with acoustical fiber around a large mandrel bent core. This is our best flowing muffler. It creates almost no flow restriction while offering you a deep and tuned performance sound.
     
     
3. Consider Construction: Aluminized vs. Stainless Steel Mufflers: The muffler body is usually made of aluminized or stainless steel. The advantage of choosing an aluminized steel muffler is cost. Aluminized steel is generally less expensive than stainless steel; however, stainless steel mufflers offer superior corrosion resistance, durability, and life span than the aluminized steel versions. Lawson Industries also offers mufflers with special ceramic and powder coatings to resist weathering and heat damage.

When shopping for a performance exhaust the Lawson Industries 3 Step Guide for Choosing the Right Muffler is a great tool to get you started. There are always other variables to consider depending on your application, but the Lawson Industries staff can help answer any questions you might have.

Advantages of Removing the Diesel Particulate Filter

At Lawson Industries we get a lot of questions about performance exhaust systems. Recently, I have been asked about the advantages of removing the diesel particulate filter from the exhaust systems of the newer “clean diesel” trucks. When making the decision to remove the Diesel Particulate Filter, here are some facts to consider!

The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is an exhaust filter designed to reduce Particulate Matter (PM) aka soot/black smoke from the environment. This is not green house gas, it is fine dust that settles to the ground.

The DPF is a system consisting of a filter and a complex monitoring maintenance system, to keep the filter operating correctly. The filter itself is made of a special catalyst which, the exhaust from the engine is forced thru, before leaving the tail pipe. The filter collects Particulate Matter. As the Particulate Matter accumulates exhaust pressure builds up behind the filter. The truck computer monitors the pressure, and when it determines the filter is clogged it injects raw diesel fuel into the exhaust system. This ignites in the filter and re-gens (burns), the Particulate Matter out. This re-gen cleaning cycle happens from every 100-300 miles and lasts from 15-45 min. This re-gen cleaning cycle, only happens when vehicle is at speeds above 45 mph.

Long Term Effects:

The Diesel Particulate Filter reduces engine power because of the restriction in the exhaust caused by the filter. Reduced fuel economy, because of lower engine performance, and wasted fuel used in re-gen. Increased wear and tear caused by soot backing up into the turbo and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and diesel in the oil. During re-gen fuel is injected into the engine during the exhaust stroke. Small amounts of this fuel leaks past the piston and into the engine oil, thus dilutes the oil, which reduces the oil's ability to lubricate the engine properly, causing extra wear and reduced engine life. This can be prevented by replacing your oil after ever 1000 miles.

Valve Train Component Comparison:

This is a comparison of two identical rocker arms out of two 6.4L engines. Both have been disassembled to show the contrast in the condition of the ball joint after 75,000 to 100,000 miles. The reduced lubricity from diesel fuel in the engine oil, the ball joint on the rocker arm to the right has worn down to the point that it seized causing the rocker arm to break. The rocker arm to the right had a DPF delete pipe installed when the truck was new, thus eliminating the re-gen process that puts the diesel fuel in the engine oil. The ball joint has been lubricated well and does not show the extreme deterioration seen in the rocker arm to the right.

Seven Typical Catalytic Converter Failures

Every wonder what could be causing your catalytic converter to fail? At Lawson Industries, we have a lot of experience with catalytic converters and often get asked questions about how to keep a catalytic converter working at optimum performance. We have put together a list of seven typical catalytic converter failures and possible causes.

Engine Tune-Up Required: A number of problems could occur to the catalytic converter as the result of an engine that is out of tune. Any time an engine is operating outside proper specifications, unnecessary wear and damage may be caused to the catalytic converter as well as the engine itself. The damage is often the result of an incorrect air/fuel mixture, incorrect timing, or misfiring spark plugs. Any of these conditions could lead to catalytic converter failure or worse.

Excess Fuel Entering Exhaust: The fuel that powers your vehicle is meant to burn in the combustion chamber only. Any fuel that leaves the combustion chamber unburned will enter the exhaust system and light-off when it reaches the catalytic converter. This can super-heat the converter far above normal operating conditions and would cause a meltdown. Possible causes are an incorrect fuel mixture, incorrect timing, corroded spark plugs, a faulty oxygen sensor, sticking float, faulty fuel injector or a malfunctioning check valve.

Oil or Antifreeze Entering Exhaust: Oil or antifreeze entering the exhaust system can block the air passages by creating heavy carbon soot that coats the ceramic catalyst. These heavy carbon deposits create two problems. First, the carbon deposits prevent the catalytic converter from reducing harmful emission in the exhaust flow. And second, the carbon deposits clog the pores in the ceramic catalyst and block exhaust flow, increasing backpressure and causing heat and exhaust to back up into the engine compartment. Your engine may actually draw burnt exhaust gasses back into the combustion chamber and dilute the efficiency of the next burn cycle. The result is a loss of power and overheated engine components. Possible causes are worn piston rings, faulty valve seals, failed gaskets or warped engine components.

Deteriorated Spark Plug or Spark Plug Wires: Spark plugs that don’t fire, or misfire, cause unburned fuel to enter the exhaust system. The unburned fuel ignites inside the converter and could result in a partial or complete meltdown of the ceramic catalyst. Spark plugs and spark plug wires should be checked regularly and replaced if damaged or if wires are worn or cracked.

Oxygen Sensor Not Functioning Properly: An oxygen sensor failure can lead to incorrect readings of exhaust gasses. The faulty sensor can cause a too rich or too lean condition. Too rich and the catalyst can meltdown. Too lean and the converter will be unable to convert the hydrocarbons into safe elements and may not pass a state inspection.

Road Damage or Broken Hangers: The catalyst inside a catalytic converter is made from a lightweight, thin-walled ceramic. It is protected by a dense insulating mat. This mat holds the catalyst in place and provides moderate protection against damage. However, rock or road debris striking the converter or improper or broken exhaust system support can cause a Catalyst Fracture. Once the ceramic catalyst is fractured, the broken pieces become loose and rattle around and break up into smaller pieces. Flow is interrupted and back pressure in the exhaust system increases. This leads to heat build-up and loss of power. Possible causes of a catalyst fracture are road debris striking the converter, loose or broken hangers, potholes or off-road driving.

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Lawson Industries is profiled in Dragzine.com
Author: Clifton Klaverweiden
Date: November 3, 2011
Publication: Dragzine.com

The folks at Team Lawson make just about any exhaust system part you can possibly think of – everything from OEM replacement mufflers for daily drivers, to mondo stainless tips for your diesel truck, down to the gaskets to keep it all sealed up. Basically, if hot exhaust gasses flow through it, they have it.

At this year’s SEMA show, Team Lawson was showing off several new products meant to “bring your exhaust to life” including their Rush and Insynerator performance muffler lines. The Rush series mufflers feature a fully welded design centered around a straight-through perforated core, and are made of 409 stainless steel. The Insynerator line of mufflers are high-flowing chambered designs made of heavy gauge aluminized steel, and come in a variety of popular sizes to cover almost any custom application you can dream up. Team Lawson sells axle-back exhaust systems for 05-10 Mustangs, and 10-11 Camaros in both the Insynerator and Rush muffler lines that come complete with stainless tips and welded on hangers. And if you’re really looking to bring the sound to life in your late model Mustang or Camaro, take a look at their Bullit axle backs with 5-inch glasspacks.

Lawson was also displaying their new line of QuikCat Catalytic Converters, designed for easy installation. The Quikcats don’t have a neck and are much easier to weld onto the existing piping. Lawson’s Quikcats are made of 409 stainless for years of rust-free use, and some lines even carry “True OBD II” EPA approval.

Team Lawson proudly introduces Insynerator DSL Performance Exhaust. This well constructed product line is priced so competitively, that it will soon be recognized as a key player in the diesel aftermarket industry. Team Lawson has engineered a line of exhaust systems that feature superior construction, premium materials & maximum performance. All of this is available for a fraction of the competitor’s price.

Here are some key product features:

• 100% Stainless Steel System
• T409 Satin Stainless Steel Tubing
• T304 High Polished Stainless Steel Muffler & Tip
• Straight Through High Flow Muffler
• 4 Inch Mandrel Bent Exhaust Pipe
• Easy Bolt-On Design
• Deep Performance Sound
• Lifetime Warranty

Learn more about performance exahaust products and stay up-to-date by Joining Team Lawson. Join Team Lawson

Lawson Industries is excited to announce the launch of our new Team Lawson website (www.lawsonindustries.com) to Bring Your Exhaust to Life! The new website offers our customers a great way of browsing our exhaust products, learning about exhaust systems and collaborating with us.

"Our customers want to be able to choose on-line, to see the products and find out who we are and how we work" says Michael Lawson. "We are a successful, strong and growing company. This year we received further Industry recognition, winning the prestigious SEMA Global Media award for its one-piece QwikCat Catalytic Convertor and the EDC’s 2011 Industry of the Year Award winner for Excellence in Innovation. We are continually innovating and improving our products. The new website is the natural next step."

The new Lawson Industries website has been designed with a fresh new look, an online product catalog, product reviews, live chat and has been updated with information about our latest products and services. Additionally, our new site will provide support and information to answer our customers' most common questions.

Over the next few months, we will introduce new features and more information about Lawson Industries. Your comments and suggestions are encouraged and welcome!