Whether you need an exhaust for your car, truck, RV or boat, Gibson Performance has a product for you. And they probably sell it at a reasonable price.
Gibson exhaust systems are considered the most cost-effective performance upgrade you can buy. They take pride in the fact that their products deliver more performance per dollar than any other system.
Does this sound too good to be true? Keep reading to find out.
Company Background
Gibson has been in business for over 20 years and they are still going strong. All of their manufacturing is completed in a 100,000 square foot warehouse in Corona, California.
Even though they take pride in being the low cost leader, that doesn’t mean they cut corners. Each exhaust system is tested on the engine and chassis dyno to measure performance gains.
They also test each system on the flow bench and monitor noise levels with audio testing equipment.
All of this testing is put into place to help reduce back pressure and improve exhaust flow. Stock mufflers have about 34% exhaust restriction from the factory. This means reduced fuel efficiency and lost horsepower.
Gibson Superflow mufflers have only a 5% restriction to help you get more horsepower and torque.
Construction Quality
So how does Gibson create exhaust systems and mufflers that outperform other brands but cost so much less? The answer is in the materials they use.
Brands like Corsa use 100% T304 stainless steel throughout their entire exhaust systems. In contrast, Gibson uses mostly aluminized stainless steel and adds 100% stainless steel exhaust tips.
Aluminized stainless steel is more prone to corrosion overtime and is considered a lower quality material. If you drive your car in harsh environments like the Northeast during winter, you may want to consider a high-quality exhaust. Snow, ice, moisture and road salt are all enemies of your new exhaust system.
However, if you are on a budget, Gibson offers superior performance without breaking the bank.
They are able to reduce exhaust turbulence and backpressure by using slip fit joints on all of their systems. That means each pipe fits into the larger opening of the next downstream exhaust pipe.
According to their research this design has less turbulence compared to flange and gasket joints.
Common Gibson Exhaust Complaints
Being the most cost-effective exhaust brand doesn’t come with it’s downsides. Although Gibson has many customers who were satisfied with the quality they received for the price, there are others that were disappointed.
Some of the most common complaints online revolve around exhaust fitment and shipping problems.
More specifically, many customers have complained that the shipping packaging was damaged when it arrived to their house. In some cases even the exhaust was damaged, causing them to have to return it immediately.
However, Gibson does not have control over how the UPS driver handles your package, so we’ll let them slide on this point.
The most important customer complaint to consider is their issues with fitment. In many cases we encountered, customers found that the exhaust alignment was slightly off. In order to make it fit they had to make adjustments themselves or worse, take it to a shop to be modified.
I should also point out that some customers experienced drone at cruising speeds. If drone is something you are concerned about I would suggest looking at a brand like Corsa, or purchasing an exhaust resonator to help reduce low frequency sounds.
Conclusion
If you are looking for more power without spending a fortune, a Gibson exhaust system is a great option. For V8 engines you can expect to gain anywhere from 10 to 25 horsepower with their Superflow design.
When compared to other premium brands Gibson offers more performance per dollar. However, most of their products are built using aluminized stainless steel instead of the more superior T304 stainless steel.
While not an important factor to most people, you should keep it in mind if you live in an area with harsh winters or rough road conditions.