I apologize right off the bat if this is in the wrong forum, AND if this is a dumb question.

I am in the process of getting a Scion tC, probably completely stock for starters and adding some aftermarket items myself (buying outside of Toyota/Scion). I have been reading the forums for a few days now and see exhaust systems mentioned over and over again. What exactly is the advantage of getting a new exhaust? I am pretty sure the sound is different, but are there any performance gains? If so, are they noticeable in any way?

Again, I am a complete idiot when it comes to cars, but I am trying to learn now.

I appreciate any help or information you can give me. I did use the search function, but nothing really directly answered my question.

Aftermarket exhausts are generally a lot less restrictive (meaning, allow more gases to pass through). This is usually due to design and/or a larger diameter of the piping. For most NA cars (normally aspirated, i.e. no turbo or supercharger), especially of such a relatively small displacement, an exhaust by itself won't give you big gains. Depending on just how much of the piping you replace, you can't really expect more than 5-10hp from the exhaust alone.

In general, people get exhausts for looks, sound, and a slight boost to performance. You won't notice a huge gain.

Aftermarket exhausts are generally a lot less lestrictive (meaning, allow more gases to pass through). This is usually due to design and/or a larger diameter of the piping. For most NA cars (normally aspirated, i.e. no turbo or supercharger), especially of such a relatively small displacement, an exhaust by itself won't give you big gains. Depending on just how much of the piping you replace, you can't really expect more than 5-10hp from the exhaust alone.

In general, people get exhausts for looks, sound, and a slight boost to performance. You won't notice a huge gain.

I appreciate the time you took in answering my question. Thank you very much.

You're welcome :D

P.S. In case it wasn't apparent, I meant "restrictive", not "lestrictive" in my post. Fixed it now...

If I was to buy an exhaust from the cat back (is that the proper terminology?)....and probably invest $500.00 - $800.00 in it, would it be anything more than just a nicer "looking" exhaust for the 'everyday' driver?

Think of everything as a package, you see more gains when things compliment each other. Such as an intake and an exhaust you will see more of a diffrence. Another example would be putting on a header, by itself you will see no diffrence but do the header and the rest of the exhaust system and you will.

If I was to buy an exhaust from the cat back (is that the proper terminology?)....and probably invest $500.00 - $800.00 in it, would it be anything more than just a nicer "looking" exhaust for the 'everyday' driver?

It will give you gains, but one thing you have to realize: if you want to make the tC actually fast, you need to spend a LOT of money. Most of the mods you see people do, header, intake, exhaust parts, flywheel, etc., are just to make the car more quick and fun, not fast. There are realistically only 3 ways to make the car actually fast: forced induction and/or engine swap and/or nitrous. The first two can cost a ton of money, especially if you can't install everything yourself, and the last one can be very risky and potentially become even more costly.

Getting just one bolt-on mod, no matter what it is (well I guess turbo is technically bolt-on, but that's a different story), won't give you big gains. Noticeable? Sure, but nothing extreme. In this case, your car will sound and feel faster, but in reality it won't be. I don't think anyone can really feel +\-7hp on their car unless they drag race 24/7. Most people also get a psychological effect from mods that makes them think the car is alot faster. So that contributes to the fun factor. I think that this is probably the coolest thing about mods. An exhaust can give you 0hp, and yet I bet you will think your car is faster because it sounds like a race car.

You can make the car faster and leave it NA but not without some internal engine work (i.e. higher compression forged pistons, ported and polished head, full engine balancing, etc) and ECU remapping but that will be quite costly as well.

If I was to buy an exhaust from the cat back (is that the proper terminology?)....and probably invest $500.00 - $800.00 in it, would it be anything more than just a nicer "looking" exhaust for the 'everyday' driver?

It will give you gains, but one thing you have to realize: if you want to make the tC actually fast, you need to spend a LOT of money. Most of the mods you see people do, header, intake, exhaust parts, flywheel, etc., are just to make the car more quick and fun, not fast. There are realistically only 3 ways to make the car actually fast: forced induction and/or engine swap and/or nitrous. The first two can cost a ton of money, especially if you can't install everything yourself, and the last one can be very risky and potentially become even more costly.

Getting just one bolt-on mod, no matter what it is (well I guess turbo is technically bolt-on, but that's a different story), won't give you big gains. Noticeable? Sure, but nothing extreme. In this case, your car will sound and feel faster, but in reality it won't be. I don't think anyone can really feel +\-7hp on their car unless they drag race 24/7. Most people also get a psychological effect from mods that makes them think the car is alot faster. So that contributes to the fun factor. I think that this is probably the coolest thing about mods. An exhaust can give you 0hp, and yet I bet you will think your car is faster because it sounds like a race car.

I definately wont be racing the car and to be honest, I think it looks pretty awesome as purchased stock. Im really just getting my feet wet into this whole new car/mods thing and thought i'd ask around, and see what the reasons for certain mods are.

Thanks for all those who replied.