Remove exhaust tips?

[nosro]

Has anyone removed the original exhaust tips?

I am annoyed by the visible air gap between the exhaust tips and the muffler outlet pipes and was looking to replace them with a nicer aftermarket set of chrome tips. (Yes, I'm easily annoyed. Aren't you glad you're not my spouse? )

[Superjim]

Nope ... haven't thought about removing them. I keep them polished up real nice.

I kinda figured that the air gap was to let a little cool air in to mix with the hot exhaust gases to prolong the life of the tips and so that they would not get discolored by the exhaust heat.

All of my motorcycles always discolored the chrome exhaust pipes REAL QUICK.

Had put a pretty set of chrome headers on a 454 years ago. They were discolored in a week, then they didn't look so pretty.

Texas Jim

[nosro]

My experience has been that with modern vehicles, the exhaust temperature is very cool. The many catalysts absorb whatever heat remains in the exhaust gas. Thus, I have never had problems with any discoloration of exhaust tips - chrome, stainless or otherwise. I can understand why headers would become discolored (close to engine) or why motorcycle exhausts would get discolored (no catalyst to absorb heat), but modern car tailpipe temperatures are very cool.

I see no reason for the gap other than cost-savings, hence my annoyance. Hey, at least it's better than mid-1990's Pontiacs. Anyone remember those horrible exhaust "tips"?

[TSS]

Originally Posted by nosro

Has anyone removed the original exhaust tips?

I am annoyed by the visible air gap between the exhaust tips and the muffler outlet pipes and was looking to replace them with a nicer aftermarket set of chrome tips. (Yes, I'm easily annoyed. Aren't you glad you're not my spouse? )

The quad tips have been that way for a very long time on the Caddys, including my 01 SLS and even earlier Sevilles and Eldos. It bothered me at first too, so I know what you are talking about with respect to the gap. However, they are quality tips that still look brand new, so I am ok with them now.

[tateos]

Maybe the air gap is there to protect the nearby plastic (or whatever you want to call it) bumper? My '97 ETC has aluminum heat shields directly above the tips, in addition to the air gap, so that makes me think heat is an issue.

[Superjim]

Originally Posted by nosro

My experience has been that with modern vehicles, the exhaust temperature is very cool. The many catalysts absorb whatever heat remains in the exhaust gas.

modern car tailpipe temperatures are very cool.

Hold your hand by the exhaust tips after the engine is warmed up and have someone rev it a few times.

it is HOT.

Texas Jim

[TulsaVic]

Since the catalyst burns the excessive hydrocarbons--I remember the early warnings about parking your car over high grass with the motor running for fear of igniting the grass--I would think if anything, the exhaust would be hotter in today's cars. I vote for the air space being there to dilute the hot exhaust coming out the tip.

[tateos]

Right - what TulsaVic said

[nosro]

Originally Posted by TulsaVic

... I vote for the air space being there to dilute the hot exhaust coming out the tip.

I don't buy that at all, least of all because you don't see these kind of gaps in a BMW or Mercedes. It is not as though the Northstar is a special engine that burns extra hot compared to the competition. This is a cost cut measure plain and simple.

There are plenty of production vehicles with real stainless piping and stainless outlets (not a pretty tip welded onto a cheap pipe). There is not the slightest hint of excessive temperature (melted plastic of discolored stainless steel). Heck look at a Ferrari - now those engines run hot! You won't see chrome tips with gaps on those exhausts.

If you can hold your hand up to the exhaust and not burn yourself in 1 second, the exhaust is not hot enough to discolor stainless steel.

Back to topic: it sounds like no one has tried removing the stock exhaust tips?