Introduction: If you’re looking to upgrade your ride’s performance, the next step after the intake system should be your exhaust. The stock units generally look and perform poorly, so a nice exhaust tip can help. Now, many people confuse the sound of a truck with it having big wheels and tires. That’s not true. The sound comes more from the exhaust. The Clamp-On 3 Inlet 3.5 Outlet Exhaust Tip available from Summit and other places is a good way to add some flavor. You might be wondering why we chose a “3×3.5” in our header pic. That’s a good question.
Overview to Clamp On 3 Inlet 3.5 Outlet Exhaust Tips
Many car fanatics opt for the clamp-on exhaust tip. The exhaust tip is designed to fit onto the car’s existing exhaust system. The tip has a 3″ inlet, which means it fits onto a pipe 3″ in diameter. The tip itself has a 3.5″ outlet. This doesn’t seem like much of a performance upgrade over stock, but the exhaust tip’s qualities give it a very different sound profile than what the stock exhaust would produce.
Installers at the Car Life Center noted that it is a very straightforward installation for do-it-yourselfers. The tip is welded at the Car Life Center onto the exhaust system. This is a good installation method because clamps can come loose over time. The Car Life Center uses high-quality tips. I would say that using a tip that’s well-made is important. Otherwise, just like with the stock exhaust, you’ll have an exhaust with a muffler that’s rusting through.
What is a Clamp On Exhaust Tip? Understanding the Basics
An exhaust tip clamp is an accessory that you attach to the end of your vehicle’s exhaust system. Unlike welded exhaust tips, these are easy to install and remove. They especially lend themselves to the kind of installation you might do when you don’t want to make a permanent change (such as a change that would require you to weld the exhaust tip into place).
They typically feature a mechanism that clamps the tip onto the pipe, thus securing it in place. They come in a variety of styles, finishes, and sizes. The primary purpose of an exhaust tip, especially a clamp-on one, is to make the vehicle look good and sound good.
Benefits of Using a 3 Inlet 3.5 Outlet Exhaust Tip
There are a lot of advantages when it comes to the choice of a three-inlet, three-and-a-half outlet exhaust clamp tip for your vehicle. First and foremost, these exhaust tips look pretty darn good; they give your car a sweet, sporty appearance that makes it seem a lot more aggressive than it probably is—and hey, it looks good even if you drive a minivan.
Another great aspect of these tips is that they can help the exhaust gases flow better. The three-inlet configuration means that exhaust gases, which are coming out of the manifold and into the catalytic converter, can mix a lot better (and cooler), and then exit in a much smoother fashion.
How to Choose the Right Clamp-On Exhaust Tip for Your Vehicle?
When you’re choosing a clamp-on exhaust tip, you’re going to want to think about a few different things. For one, what size do you need? Make sure the inlet size matches your existing exhaust. In our case, that’s a 3-inch inlet. The outlet size is 3.5 inches, I think that suits us well aesthetically and performance-wise.
Next, what’s your tip made of? Stainless steel is common, and its durability is hard to beat. It also has a nice appearance, especially in the case of our tip, which is polished. And yeah, exhaust tips can be stylish. Round, rolled-edge tips are very common, but you can also find angled-cut and straight-cut tips with a somewhat different appearance. Finally, check reviews and any manufacturer details for compatibility not all clamps fit all tips.
Step-by-Step Guide: Installing a Clamp On 3 Inlet 3.5 Outlet Exhaust Tip
Installing a clamp-on 3-inch inlet, and 3.5-inch outlet exhaust tip is not a complicated task. It requires only a few tools, the most important of which is the trusty socket wrench. Like all good times, the installation should start with preparation: securing the work area, and ensuring the car, exhaust system, and your body are clean, cool, and safe. The work is done at the rear of the vehicle. It’s important to make sure the exhaust tip is in line with the whole exhaust assembly, and that it won’t be prone to rattling or coming loose after a few hundred miles of driving.
Tools You’ll Need for Installing Your Exhaust Tip
You will need some basic tools to install a clamp on the exhaust tip. The most important is a socket wrench and, quite possibly, the ratchet part of a ratchet-and-socket set. These will help do the heavy tightening of the clamps. Also, wouldn’t you know it, a tape measure is key, for ensuring that the tip is positioned correctly on the exhaust pipe.
You also ought to have something handy for cleaning the area up before installing the tip. A cloth or rag would work just make sure you don’t get the exhaust pipe too hot to touch. If you have a dirty or rusty exhaust pipe, that won’t do you any good. A wire brush can help remove dirt and loosen rust for a better fit. When you have all these tools on hand and have done all the prep, you’re ready to install the clamp-on exhaust tip.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Exhaust Tips
To achieve a successful upgrade of a 3-inlet 3.5 outlet exhaust tip, you must be sure not to make common rookie errors. One of these is failing to measure the exhaust pipe accurately. A good practice is to not only measure but also to closely observe the exhaust system from different angles to understand its shape. You might want to think of yourself as a detective in this scenario. The next error is to clean the exhaust pipe thoroughly before installation. A clean surface is vital for good bonding. Also, I’d rather be part of a “conspiracy” with muffler clamps than be part of a daylight missive.
The next thing to avoid is over-tightening. A muffler clamp is to be used in a “just right” sense—use it too little and the tip will fall off; use it too much and you might damage the tip, the pipe, or create sound issues. Lastly, you must align the tip properly. It may seem visual at first, but you’re going to want to check and make sure the exhaust isn’t sneaking past the tip.
Enhancing Sound: The Impact of a 3 Inlet 3.5 Outlet Exhaust Tip
One of the most valuable features of a 3-inlet, 3.5-outlet exhaust tip is its capacity to improve your vehicle’s sound. Many automotive enthusiasts searching for the perfect exhaust note find that a quality exhaust tip can make a respectable difference in how their car sounds—not necessarily a bad thing. The design of the tip, in this case, affects how exhaust gases leave the system, which in turn affects the sound produced. To put it in more basic terms, a larger outlet (in this case, 3.5 inches) gives more of a robust, aggressive tone.
Performance Improvements from Using a Clamp On Exhaust Tip
A clamp-on exhaust tip can bring noticeable performance gains to a vehicle. These tips are meant to do just that: optimize the exhaust system’s performance. While the gains experienced with the addition of an exhaust tip may not seem radical, they serve a purpose.
They allow the exhaust system to work better, which in turn means that the engine — the “exhaust’s power plant,” as Car and Driver once put it — is working better, too. According to Car and Driver, the 3.5-inch outlet tip on the Roush exhaust system is a good way to cut down on back pressure in the exhaust system and to achieve better throttle response.
User Reviews: What Customers Say About Clamp-On Exhaust Tips
Insights into the performance of clamp-on exhaust tips come from user reviews. Many customers value how easy the tips are to install, often saying the installation is part of the straightforward clamp-on design. But almost all reviews get to the heart of the matter, which is how much more aggressive the vehicle sounds after the upgrade.
The customers who leave reviews seem to relish the exhaust note. A few comments go so far as to say the tip made their car sound like a muscle car, and some reviews touch on the way these tips can alter the rear-end aesthetic of the vehicle. One thing most reviews have in common is the mention of a stainless steel option for the tips and what seems to be an assumption that such options are durable and able to withstand the test of time.
Maintenance Tips for Your 3 Inlet 3.5 Outlet Exhaust Tip
To keep your 3.5-inch outlet, and 3-inch inlet exhaust tip in excellent condition, regular maintenance is necessary. What does maintenance on an exhaust tip involve? Well, cleaning the tip is a good start. I recommend using a gentle cleaner that is specifically designed for automotive finishes. Avoid anything that is abrasive and could scratch the surface. Inspect it occasionally if the exhaust tip is connected to your vehicle properly. To inspect the exhaust tip exhaustively and to secure it, you’ll need a few basic hand tools. Knowledge of how to work with basic hand tools is also a prerequisite for this particular inspection job.
Comparing Clamp-On Exhaust Tips to Welded Options
When deciding on an exhaust tip, will you choose a clamp-on or a welded option? There are many factors to consider; for instance, clamp-on tips are safer, because they do not require welding and do not put the installer at risk of burns. Clamp-on tips also are easier to install and remove, making them a good option for the DIY enthusiast. On the other hand, if you want a permanent solution that you don’t plan to change any time soon, you might consider going with a welded exhaust tip.
Welded tips can be fit tightly, and they’re more of a certainty to last in the long run. But if you go the welded route, make sure you know how to do it or have a pro take care of it. Because welded tips and much-overused puns aside, you don’t want to leave your installation a gasket.
Upgrading Your Exhaust System with a Clamp On Tip
Upgrading an exhaust tip can enhance a vehicle’s appearance and slightly alter its sound, giving the impression of improved performance. However, true gains in torque and horsepower require independent testing, as exhaust tips alone rarely impact these metrics. Still, many believe such upgrades can complement broader performance enhancements.
In summary, a clamp-on exhaust tip, such as a 3-inlet 3.5 outlet setup, can enhance both the performance and look of a vehicle. These tips improve exhaust sound and flow while being easy to install. This article covered their construction, performance impact, buying considerations, and installation process. If you feel comfortable undertaking a bolt-on vehicle modification, doing so could very well enhance your driving experience.
