Aside from the stock power and efficiency, one of the biggest benefits of turbocharged vehicles is their potential. With just a few mods, turbo car owners can unlock tremendous power gains without an extreme price tag or upgrading engine size. A new intake, a computer tune, and a turbo back exhaust can turn a quick car into a true beast. And it’s the latter of those three that we’re going to talk about here.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand what a turbo back exhaust is, how to choose the right system for your engine and driving style, and even highlight some of our favorite models for cars and trucks.
What is a Turbo Back Exhaust System?
A turbo back exhaust system is a type of exhaust kit that replaces everything after the turbocharger. Unlike a cat-back that replaces everything after the catalytic converter, a turbo back exhaust replaces much more, including:
- Downpipe
- Midpipe
- Resonators
- Muffler or mufflers
- Tip or tailpipe
A turbo back system will generally be larger and features smoother bends and transitions and more length of straight pipe than a stock kit. The point is to reduce back pressure, which is caused by the exhaust system filling faster than it can expel fumes. The reduced boost pressure typically gives the engine more power and even improves efficiency.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Turbo Back Exhaust
You obviously can’t just purchase the first turbo back exhaust you find and install it. There are a few things you need to know first.
Vehicle Compatibility
The most important factor to consider is vehicle compatibility. Turbo back exhaust systems are not universal, so look for kits designed specifically for your vehicle model and engine size to avoid the headaches during installation.
Sound Profile
Turbo back exhaust systems make a huge impact on the way a vehicle sounds. These kits create a more aggressive sound thanks to the free-flowing pipes, performance mufflers, and resonators.
Material Type
When considering a turbo back exhaust system, you may have a choice between two main materials: stainless steel and aluminized steel. Keep in mind that they’re quite a bit different.
Stainless steel is excellent for corrosion resistance and long-term durability. On the other hand, aluminized steel is much more affordable, but far more likely to rust and corrode. When it comes to a performance exhaust system, stainless is really the way to go.
A third choice, which is a bit more rare and quite a bit more expensive, would be titanium. These exhaust kits are lighter and extremely corrosion resistant, and they dissipate heat well, but they’re very expensive and might not be a great fit for everyone’s upgrade budget.
Performance Goals
The biggest benefit of a turbo back exhaust system is the power boost it can provide. By allowing the engine to breathe better, these systems can easily add 40 to 50 horsepower or even more in some cases. Look for a system that meets your performance needs and is backed by dyno test results.
Installation Complexity
Generally speaking, high-quality kits will be direct replacements for the existing exhaust system with very little modification. If your kit requires heavy modification or customization to install it, it might not be the best fit for your vehicle.
Performance Benefits of Turbo Back Exhaust Systems
If your number one reason for installing a turbo back exhaust system is to help your car perform better, here are the areas where you might see gains:
- Power output: Reducing back pressure will allow the turbo to spool faster and more efficiently
- Better throttle response: A free-flowing exhaust helps your engine breathe better and improves its responsiveness
- Lower EGTs: Lower exhaust gas temps (especially for diesels) can be a major performance boost
- Better mileage: On some vehicles, a better-breathing system can lead to better fuel efficiency
Top Turbo Back Exhaust Brands to Consider
The following are some of our favorite brands at Vivid Racing. These brands all manufacture turbo back exhaust systems for various vehicles, but even if you can’t find one from these brands, we have more at vividracing.com
- APEXi is known for building high-performance exhaust systems for JDM cars.
- CTS Turbo makes exhaust systems for European vehicles like VW, Audi, BMW, and others. Precision fit and bent for the best performance.
- Gibson Performance makes a range of turbo exhaust systems for diesel trucks and can significantly boost their performance.
- FabSpeed Motorsport makes high-end exhaust systems that are a great fit for exotic and performance cars.
- MBRP offers a wide range of turbo back exhaust kits for a broad variety of gas and diesel vehicles.
Final Thoughts
Between the sound, power output, and responsiveness, a turbo back exhaust isn’t just an upgrade; it’s really an entire attitude change. With more power on tap and quicker throttle response, these kits can make a car feel like an entirely different vehicle.
Whatever your reasons are for a turbo back exhaust upgrade, check out the selection at Vivid Racing. We carry a wide range of performance parts, including turbo back exhaust systems, to fit a wide range of vehicle types and models. Shop for your kit at vividracing.com.
