Peformance Exhaust,Is It For Me?

A new performance exhaust system is the best place to start when modifying your vehicle. Each system we carry is designed for a direct fit with no modifications, unless specified. The most common exhaust system is a cat back. A cat back exhaust is best described as the section of an exhaust system that attaches after the last catalytic converter in the system all the way through the end of the pipe to the tip. The other type of system is an axle back system which just replaces the muffler, and the section of piping that attaches between the muffler and the rest of the exhaust system. A new header, catalytic converter, and down pipes are also other items you may look at upgrading.

The idea behind improving your exhaust system is to reduce the amount of backflow pressure on the engine allowing it breath easier. Most exhaust manufactures incorporate a larger diameter of piping and higher-grade mandrel bent tubing for a less restrictive flow. The amount of horsepower gained depends highly on the design of your factory exhaust system and the quality of the catalytic converters in front of it. Stock catalytic converters are typically fairly restrictive, and therefore less power can be gained from a cat back exhaust system. With the addition of a new performance or racing catalytic converter a cat back exhaust system should offer a nice increase in power.

Another big benefit of a cat back exhaust system is the sound they can produce. Whether you want just a little more grunt or a full-on growl, there is a system out there that will satisfy your ears. This is actually a very big consideration when purchasing, so make sure to do your homework first. There's nothing worse than spending a lot of time installing an auto part only to find out it isn't what you wanted. On many of  exhaust manufacture's websites offer sound clips of a vehicle with the system installed to give you a general idea of the aggressiveness of the exhaust note. Keep in mind that only certain systems are designed to pass restrictive smog test, and this should play a large factor in which system you decide to go with also.

One added benefit of adding a new performance exhaust system is the increase in fuel economy that is often experienced after installation. This is the result of the engine not having to work as hard to push the exhaust gases through the piping. This reduces the total amount of load on the engine, causing higher efficiency and MPG. This increase in fuel economy typically occurs when traveling at freeway speeds, but can sometimes be noticed when driving in the city as well. An increase in fuel economy typically only comes when your driving habits do not change either. Many drivers find themselves pushing the gas more often at first just to hear or show off their new exhaust system

My personal favorite is Flowmaster.Their exhaust Systems add an aggressive growl with without being to annoying.Although they do offer super loud mufflers that just scream!Check them out they have many sound clips to check out. www.flowmastermufflers.com

How to Choose the Right Tire

There are a lot of things on your car that need to be regularly checked and replaced, but none may be more important than your tires. As your anchor to the road, your tires need to be in top condition for what ever driving situation you find yourself in. Before you walk into a Marengo tire store, here are a few things you need to keep in mind.

When purchasing tires, it is important to make sure that all the tires on your car are the same or at least very close to the same. This is most easily done when buying all four tires at once. But lets say you need to change just one or two tires because they were damaged. You just have to makes sure that you try and buy the same brand, size, type, and speed rating. Even if this tire is a little more expensive than others, your safety is worth it.

The next thing you need to know when buying tires is what kind of conditions you will be driving your car in. Foxlake, IL tires are going to be different than San Diego, CA tires. In Illinois, there is a lot of snow in the winter and lots of rain throughout the spring and summer. Because of this, someone's Foxlake, IL tires are going to need to be the best tire for the worst driving conditions you will face. This might mean buying two sets of tires, one for the summer and one for the winter. This way, you will always have the right tire for your situation.

For places with milder climates, you may be able to get away with just one, all-season tire. But you have to consider your normal driving habits as well. If your furthest driving distance is to the local shopping center, you can choose just about any tire. If you spend a lot of time in rush hour traffic, you'll be better off getting more responsive tires. For regular long highway trips, you'll need some smooth, quiet, long lasting tires. And it comes to no surprise that you'll want tires with great handling if you frequently find yourself on a winding mountain road.

One of the last things you need to think about is your tire's speed rating. This is an important number to pay attention to because it can save you money if you know what to look for. Lets say you're at your local Marengo tire store and you think you've picked out the prefect tire. What's the speed rating on that tire? If it is any higher than 150MPH then you're paying too much for a tire that you'll never fully use. When are you ever going to be driving faster than 150MPH? If you knock down your tire's speed rating to 130MPH, you'll also knock down it's price. Most high performance tires come with a higher speed rating, even though you'll never use it, so just know what you're actually paying for. And be cautious. Most tires with a high speed rating have softer rubber and don't last as long.

Common tire speed ratings: Q= 99 mph S= 112 mph T= 118 mph U= 124 mph H= 130 mph V= up to 149 mph Z= 149 mph and above W= 168 mph Y= 186 mph