New is always better and the same could be said even if you’re getting a part for your vehicle that isn’t made by the official manufacturer. It may seem kind of sketchy at first but sometimes, what are known as aftermarket parts, can make for a bang-for-buck purchase. Take exhausts, for example, they are big and bulky and hence why cost a lot to replace or even upgrade. But with an aftermarket exhaust, you can not only save money but give your Landcruiser the performance gains it’s made for.
Aftermarket exhausts can cost you as much as OEM but give you a better performance to sometimes even cost less than an OEM and still give your Landcruiser the same bump in performance. Usually with a new aftermarket exhaust or upgrade your Landcruiser will have more power and improved fuel economy thanks to a more obstacle-free airflow. You can also alter the sound of your Landcruiser if you want to make it sound sportier but this usually comes at the expense of emissions. But which system or upgrade should you go for?
Types of Exhaust System Upgrades
Axle-Back
If you want the least invasive upgrade which will also be the most affordable one, you should then go with an axle-back exhaust. Your Landcruiser won’t experience major performance improvements but there will be a substantial upgrade than your stock exhaust. This standard Landcruiser 200 exhaust upgrade replaces components starting from the back axle and to the exhaust tip. With an axle-back upgrade, you won’t spend a lot of time installing it too.
Cat-Back
If you want to replace the stock exhaust with a more demanding upgrade that makes a bigger difference in fuel economy and power then consider getting a cat-back exhaust. With this type of upgrade, you replace every part from the catalytic converter and back. It does take more time and money to install a cat-back exhaust upgrade but it has a moderate effect on your Landcruiser.
Header-Back
For those of you who want to replace their exhaust system completely, you should go for a header-back Landcruiser 200 exhaust. This way you replace every component starting from the header (manifold) and all the way to the exhaust tip or tips. Again, this isn’t as affordable as any of the previous upgrades nor is it as easy to install. But a header-back exhaust upgrade revamps your Landcruiser’s performance and makes it unrecognisable.
Turbo-Back
If your Landcruiser comes with a turbocharger then I would advise you to get a turbo-back upgrade, since it replaces only this component. A turbo-back upgrade will give you a lot of performance gains without having to spend a lot of money.
Exhaust Configuration
Single
While this is more for style rather than performance, the configuration of your new exhaust can make your Landcruiser 200 look sportier or just boring. If you don’t want to bother with how your car looks at eh back just go with a single exhaust system that has one exhaust tip at the back.
Dual
If you want to make your Landcruiser look like it’s ready to chew up some of its competitors then go with a dual-tip exhaust system. The two exhaust tips can be positioned either at both sides of your vehicle or together at one side. It’s up to you.
Exhaust Construction
Crush Bent
While the bends of your new aftermarket exhaust won’t be visible they are as important as the type of exhaust you get. If you go with a crush bent exhaust then expect it to perform rather close to the stock one. This is because a crush bent construction makes the exhaust come with wrinkles where it bends. This obstructs airflow making the exhaust struggle with expelling the gasses in the air.
Mandrel Bent
If you want to not only see the difference in your new exhaust but feel it too, you should then consider getting an exhaust system with a mandrel-bent construction. A mandrel-bent exhaust is made with a special machine that bends it without causing wrinkles. Bends are smooth and so is airflow which makes your engine not only more powerful but also more efficient too since nothing is in the way of gasses exiting from the exhaust.
Exhaust Material
Mild Steel
The name says everything between these two types of materials. Mild steel, whilst it is steel, it’s not as strong nor as durable but it is far more affordable than stainless steel. If you’re going to perform heavy-duty off-roading and put your Landcruiser to the test then avoid installing a mild steel exhaust.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel exhausts are not only stronger and more durable but also better at keeping any moisture from causing corrosion. This makes a stainless steel exhaust more expensive but also a better long term solution than a mild steel exhaust. If you go about your day mainly on paved roads and don’t push your Landcruiser then getting a stainless steel exhaust will be an overkill.