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Step 1
Know the difference between a true dual exhaust system and an exiting dual exhaust system. A true dual exhaust system has two complete sets of the exhaust array—two mufflers, two catalytic converters and two tail pipes—while an exiting dual exhaust system has a single modified muffler with two pipes extending from it. The former provides a genuine boost in horsepower and efficiency, while the latter is essentially a single exhaust system tricked out for aesthetic or stylistic reasons and has no other practical effect.
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Step 2
Examine the size of the vehicle's engine. You will usually find a dual exhaust system in a V-6 or V-8 engine because they have two exhaust manifolds. Smaller engines tend to have a single exhaust system or else a dual existing system rather than a true dual exhaust system.
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Step 3
Compare the difference in horsepower. Dual exhaust systems tend to be better at this than single exhaust systems because there is more exhaust leaving the engine through a second system. This produces more horsepower and improves engine performance, though the emissions they create may not be legal in many areas.
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Step 4
Examine the potential for torque, which is usually manifested in the size of the exhaust system's pipes. The narrower the pipe, the more quickly exhaust moves through the system and the more torque the system produces. A dual system tends to use smaller pipes than a single system, which thus produces more torque.
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Step 5
Compare the noise levels which the exhaust system produces. Ideally, the difference is negligible, especially if the mufflers are doing their job properly, but a dual exhaust system is naturally inclined to produce more noise than a single exhaust system. The particular pitch and timber of the sound can vary as well, which is part of the appeal of installing a dual exhaust system in the first place.
