Upgrading your diesel truck’s exhaust system is a great way to improve its appearance and its performance. Upgrades to your engine won’t do you much good unless your exhaust system can keep up and prevent a chokepoint of exhaust from building up. That said, there are two kinds of exhausts, cat-back and axle-back, and you should know the difference between them. Here’s what you need to know.

Cat-Back Systems

Cat-back systems, like the Cummins 5.9 exhaust, generally feature a more efficient exhaust flow that yields greater performance. They include upgraded parts like larger diameter tubing and mufflers with a better flow that are also lighter than stock parts. As a result, you’ll be able to hear the improvement in the sound of your vehicle. A cat-back system refers to the components that exhaust and gasses flow through after leaving the catalytic converter, such as the mid-pipe, muffler, tailpipe, and tips.

Other benefits of cat-back systems include bolt-on installation and reduced vehicle weight. They also replace the exhaust system from the catalytic converters back into the muffler. Aesthetically, cat-back systems make your truck look a bit more aggressive and provide a unique sound.

Axle-Back Systems

Axle-back systems only focus on the parts after the rear axle of your truck: the muffler, tailpipe, and tips. These systems are typically much more affordable as a result. The focus of axle-back systems is to modify the sound quality of your truck. They provide a more aggressive tone than stock exhaust systems. Like the cat-back system, axle-back systems provide easy bolt-on installation.

Which Is Best?

Now that you know the differences between cat-back and axle-back exhaust systems, which should you choose? Well, the answer is often determined for you. Cat-back and axle-back exhaust configurations are typically vehicle-dependent, as certain makes and models can only support one or the other.

If you do have that choice, the cat-back will be a larger investment, but you get more practical benefits in addition to customizing the sound of your truck. To learn more about which system is better for your truck, don’t hesitate to contact us at Blessed Performance. We’ll be happy to help you determine the best performance upgrade for your vehicle.