What Exactly Do Exhaust Tips Do For Your Vehicle | JEGS (2024)

A vehicle's exhaust system is important for moving the gases combustion causes away from the cab because they're toxic. The exhaust tip is located at the end of an exhaust system and functions as the last place exhaust gases pass through.

Understanding how these exhaust systems work will help you alter the sound and choose the right exhaust tips for your truck’s style.

What Exhaust Tips Really Do

The exhaust on a truck funnels gases from an internal-combustion engine out from under the vehicle. Without an exhaust system, the gases enter the vehicle's cabin and become dangerous, making you sick. The tail pipe is the last part of an exhaust – the part that sticks out near the bumper.

Exhaust tips are more of a cosmetic upgrade rather than a performance upgrade. The tips of an exhaust are typically bland from the factory, but adding aftermarket exhaust systems enhances the appearance where it juts out past the rear bumper.

Exhaust tips can also change the sound of exhaust. Increasing the size of the exhaust tip or the type of exhaust tip will alter the exhaust note. Smaller tips are raspy, whereas larger tips produce a deep sound.

Most exhaust tips connect directly to the end of the exhaust pipe. Some simply use set screws or clamps to hold them in place, but you might have to do some additional welding.

Using Exhaust Tips to Change Your Truck's Sound

It's easy to change your truck's sound with exhaust tips, albeit a mild change. Plus, adding exhaust tips is inexpensive compared to replacing the entire exhaust system.

To change your truck's sound using exhaust tips you need to consider the size, material, and type of exhaust tips. Bigger exhaust tips produce deeper sounds, whereas small exhaust tips are higher-pitched. As for the metal, single-wall exhaust tips won't alter the sound of your truck much but double-wall exhaust tips will make the exhaust note even deeper.

The type of exhaust tip you choose is also a factor. For example, down-turned exhaust tips are quieter than backward-facing exhaust tips.

Exhaust Tip Sizes

Exhaust tip sizes vary depending on the year, make, model, and engine size of a vehicle. Typically, exhaust systems have a diameter that's between two and four inches. Trucks with large diesel engines may have even bigger exhaust tips with a five-inch diameter.

When it comes to exhaust notes, size is a big factor. Small exhaust tips produce a loud and raspy sound, while large exhaust tips produce a large and deep sound. Large exhaust tips are more common because the raspy sound is not as sought after. Overall, all sizes can be loud exhaust tips.

Types of Exhaust Tips - Single Vs. Double Wall

Exhaust tips come in a few different shapes and sizes. The most common types of exhaust tips are single-wall and double-wall exhaust tips. There are also some additional options like intercooled exhaust tips – don’t worry, it’s more about increasing surface area with internal fins than plumbing an intercooler under your truck.

Fortunately, JEGS has many types of exhaust tips for you to choose from.

Single Wall

Single-wall exhaust tips have one layer of metal. The one layer of metal represents the entirety of the exhaust tip's mass, so they're lighter than double-wall exhaust tips, and for performance, the lighter the exhaust tips the better. Cosmetically, single-wall exhaust tips have one solid color and that's often a polished metal look.

Double Wall

Double wall exhaust tips are similar to single wall tips but there's another layer of metal. The metal wraps back around itself for a smoother finish. Double wall exhaust tips incorporate more to their design and are heavier than single wall tips, so the sound is deeper.

Intercooled

Intercooled exhaust tips are also a viable option for changing the sound of a vehicle's exhaust. An intercooled exhaust tip has slits in the metal that remove heat from the exhaust gases. Removing heat from exhaust gases makes the exhaust system just a little quieter. Intercooled exhaust tips are great for high-performance trucks and are typically made of stainless steel.

Turn-Down Exhaust Tips

Exhaust tips are mostly backward-facing, which means the opening of the exhaust tip is parallel to the rear bumper. In some cases, exhaust tips are downward-facing, which means the opening is pointed at the ground. These are known as turn-down exhaust tips.

Turn-down exhaust tips are quieter than backward-facing tips and collect less debris.

Whether you’re looking for a bit of bling behind the rear bumper or a change in the exhaust sound, find popular exhaust tips for your truck at JEGS. Get expert advice on choosing the right size and style, and buy online to get your part sent to you fast.