A few questions about exhaust

[Lafarga]

I was thinking about getting an aftermarket exhaust system (cat back most likely), and I was wondering what is it about the exhaust system that gives it its distinct pitch? Is it the width of the piping used, the thickness of the pipe, or a combination of it the whole system (headers, cat, piping, muffler, etc.)? Will pipes witha smaller diameter yeild a higher or lower sound then pipes with a larger one? And finally, how would one go about picking out a good muffler? Are all the different mufflers out there really that much different from one another? Thanks.

[Igovert500]

Everything affects the pitch. Design, materials used, diamter, engine displacement, everything. Yes there are some better mufflers than others, but if you are talking about throwing on a muffler and catback, practically anything will do. Generally, some people have thier preferences. Like the long tubular style muffler is generally used on imports, and flowmasters are generally used on domestics, etc...but it is pretty much personal preference.

[curtis73]

In general, the larger diameter, the louder the exhaust will be. Longer is quieter, so if you're looking for quiet, make sure it goes the whole way back to the rear bumper. A common way domestic guys make more flow is to cut the exhaust in front of the rear axle. Makes more flow, but also much more noise.

Thicker tubing walls are typically quieter. Mufflers packed with fibrous material (an extreme generalization) flow a little less but tend to make the low-pitch rumble. Another extreme generalization is that you get what you pay for. Glasspacks are dirt cheap, but they flow very poorly and do very little for altering or cancelling sound. Flowmasters are expensive, but do a good job of flowing well and making a distinctive muffled sound... if you like the sound of flowmasters

Start listening to other cars similar to yours. When you hear one you like, ask the owner what kind of exhaust/muffler they are using.