The Isuzu D-Max is one of the toughest workhorses available on today’s market. It sports a 3.0L turbo diesel engine and it is capable of handling up to 6.5 tonnes of load. However, as is the case with most vehicles, Isuzu has left a ton of room for improvement in the exhaust department for obvious reasons. Not everyone is looking to get more out of their Isuzu D-Max than they already got out the factory, but there are those, like myself, who want to squeeze every little bit of horsepower and torque out.
So if you’re anything like me, you’re probably in the market for an aftermarket DMAX exhaust but aren’t completely sold on the idea of getting one. Well, if you’re still contemplating whether spending a couple of hundred dollars for an aftermarket performance DMAX exhaust is a justifiable purchase, knowing the benefits you will get might help you with the decision. The main benefit of aftermarket exhaust systems and the main reason most people get them is that they increase horsepower and torque. How? By simply implementing larger parts that promote more efficient gas flow. It all starts at the first point of contact between the exhaust system and the engine – the manifolds, which are replaced with headers, also known as extractors.
Aftermarket headers are much better at extracting the exhaust gases from the engine’s cylinders, which reduces backpressure and improves fuel burning ratios. They accomplish this by implementing mandrel bent tubing, which unlike stock manifolds that feature crush bent tubes, is far less restrictive. After the exhausts travel through the headers, they reach the catalytic converter. Aftermarket catalytic converters are high-flow, which basically ensures the process is faster and much more efficient. Additionally, the pipes that connect all aftermarket parts are wider in diameter which again, results in improved gas flow throughout the entire system, practically allowing your engine to “breathe” easier.
Once the exhaust gases leave the catalytic converter, they pass through the mufflers. The muffler is where the exhaust note is produced. Aftermarket exhaust mufflers aren’t as restrictive and don’t have to necessarily deafen the exhaust note, allowing your D-MAX to produce a more aggressive note that can turn heads when you pass through. However, not all aftermarket mufflers have to sound aggressive – there are still kits that come with noise-dampening mufflers.
And lastly, the exhaust gases go out the exhaust tip. Aftermarket exhaust tips come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and finishes. The whole purpose of the exhaust tip is to release the exhaust gases, and to give your D-MAX a better appearance. You can browse through thousands of different exhaust tips and get the one that appeals the most to you.
