When it comes to 4x4 vehicles, power and performance are everything. However, no matter how much you tune your engine, inferior exhaust systems that can’t keep up with the greater amount of exhaust your engine creates will bottleneck your truck’s performance. To help you understand how vital your truck’s exhaust system is and how it can help improve your truck’s performance, here are three things to know about 4x4 diesel exhaust systems.

The Importance of Air Flow

Ensuring your vehicle’s air flow is efficient is the first step. Any issues that prevent air from smoothly flowing through the system can create stale air, which potentially causes problems for your engine—especially 4x4 diesel engines. Stale air will eventually cause a buildup of burnt oil and fuel residue, further restricting airflow and damaging the engine. If this does occur, you’ll want to invest in a high-quality snorkel. Snorkels pull clean air from the roofline of your vehicle into the engine. As a result, your engine won’t have to work as hard, and your fuel economy will vastly improve.

Ensure You Have the Right Size

Size matters when it comes to matching your exhaust system to your engine and its upgrades. For instance, if you’re working with a Ford 6.0 Powerstroke engine, you’ll naturally want a 6.0 Powerstroke exhaust system and accessories. By having a matching exhaust system to the diameter of your turbo, you’ll prevent a buildup of back pressure. Without this back pressure, you’ll have more power, a more efficient turbo, reduced turbo lag, and better fuel economy.

Noise Doesn’t Mean Performance

The last thing to know about 4x4 diesel exhaust systems is that a louder noise doesn’t mean a more powerful truck. The roar of an engine is pleasing and creates the preconception that your truck is more powerful, but a loud exhaust is just for show. Quality exhaust systems don’t make your truck louder. Rather, they change the tone of the sounds your exhaust makes. A larger diameter of the exhaust system creates a deeper sound, and that deeper sound is indicative of a more efficient engine.