The large 4WD sector in Australia has been dominated by two makes and models: Toyota with the Landcruiser, and Nissan with the Patrol. Both have been produced for over 7 decades and available to Australian customers in different trims and engine options. The Patrol is undeniably the more capable off-roading vehicle and undercuts its major rival by some margin. This leaves more space for the wide range of aftermarket goodies to get the car you want.
One of the more practical additions is an aftermarket exhaust Nissan Patrol . This is miles ahead of the stock system, and let’s the big diesel and petrol engines breathe that bit better. You get added torque and power for demanding tasks, and a system meant to last. This, despite the affordable prices even for complete systems.
Why Change the Stock Exhaust on Your Patrol?
Price tags for big and capable 4WDs are expectedly steep, but still some corners are cut. The stock piping on the Patrol is made of mild steel using inferior crush bending and in narrower diameters than what the engines want. The result is that there’s an unwelcome increase in backpressure, or exhaust gases making their way back to the manifold, effectively choking the engine and robbing it of power. This also leads to higher exhaust temperatures and pressure hitting the thin side walls, a recipe for imminent kinking and ruptures. .
Going with aftermarket options relieves the car of all the above issues. The tubing is wider (in most variants by half an inch or more), parts are strengthened on a mandrel to ensure uniformity, and there’s a better choice of materials, with high grade stainless steel the entry-level option. Parts can handle the extremes in typical off-roading with higher resistance to stresses and eternal impact. Layouts have also been revised to ensure exhaust paths are straighter, so fewer restrictions from manifold to tips. Spent gases are removed quicker, increasing engine efficiency and putting less stress on the internals. In short, you get straighter pipes, better materials and an engine ready to make use of its full potential.
Expect more low-down grunt in slow-speed maneuvers, higher horsepower numbers and a wider power band. The numbers are different for different Patrol engines, but all will benefit from a revised exhaust Nissan Patrol. Buyers can also opt for different parts for additional power gains, or cut out excessive exhaust drone.
The Right Choice for Your Patrol
The Patrol has seen a few engine options throughout the years, with diesels particularly popular for their pulling power, while the current crop of cars is based around the huge 5.6-litre V8 petrol. Traditional choices are divided into axle-back, cat-back and header systems, each containing different parts. Axle-back exhausts change the stock Patrol piping from the mufflers and rear axles to the tips, adding low-down torque, more push through the pedal and a crisper exhaust note. Parts are also strengthened to last when hitting rocks and other obstacles, as well as treated against corrosion when wading through water.
Cat-back systems offer wider mid-section pipes stemming from the catalytic converter, as well as the straighter layouts of a axle-back unit. Wider tubing removes backpressure and helps with exhaust scavenging. The power gains are more substantial and something you can definitely feel. This is the more popular choice for the current petrol engine, but also the older powerplants (the 4, 4.2 and 4.5-litre units). Systems can also be optioned with straight pipes or twin mufflers when going louder or quieter than stock.
Nissan additionally offered a range of diesels (the turbocharged 2.8 and aspirated 3 and 4.2-litre engines in the GU). Here, you’ll be looking at a DPF-exhaust with better filtering capabilities (so fewer toxic particulates) and in turbocharged variants, improved turbo spooling for more low-down push. This also keeps more of the revs higher up.
Go with a header or turbo-back exhaust Nissan Patrol when changing out the whole system. This means new piping from the exhaust manifold to the exhaust tips, more thought in layouts for improved gas flow, and the choice of different parts to further null possible restrictions. Go with cat-less pipes, extractors or revised headers to remove inherent restrictions in the old exhaust, get gases out faster and add a few horses and more torque. The wider and straighter layout also means more rumble from the engine, less wear and tear to pistons, valves and other internals, and a system that will be more in tune with demanding off-roading. Header back systems are a ripe addition for petrol engines (considering all are aspirated), while turbo-back variants primed for the various turbocharged diesel powerplants.
Summing Up
Regardless of which Patrol model you drive, an aftermarket exhaust helps by adding more power and torque, a livelier exhaust sound, and a car that’s more willing when flooring the acceleration pedal. Parts are offered in quality stainless steel, have included hardware for quick mounting, and optioned in varying configurations to get more out of the engine. When buying consider engines and trims to get the right aftermarket exhaust for your Nissan Patrol.
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