How to Buy the Right Peterbilt Exhaust Kit (Installation Steps Included)

Choosing the right heavy-duty aftermarket exhaust kit is important. The quality of the kit’s materials will affect the performance, visual appeal, and even DOT compliance of your Peterbilt semi truck. 

Here are some of the top-selling exhaust kit brands for Peterbilt trucks. 

Trux Accessories

Available for many Peterbilts and has a 1-year warranty. 

Kit sizes: 

• 6” 
• 7”
• 8”
• 10” 

American Eagle

Made for most Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Freightliner models and has a 1-year warranty.

Kit sizes: 

• 7”
• 8”

BESTfit Truck Parts

Made for most Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Freightliner models and has a 2-year warranty.

Kit sizes: 

• 6”
• 7”
• 8”

Lincoln Chrome

Made for most Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Freightliner models and has a 1-year warranty.

Kit sizes: 

• 6”
• 7”
• 8”

Vendetta Exhaust Kits

Made for most Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Freightliner models and has a 5-year warranty. 

Kit sizes:

• 7”
• 8”

Semi Truck Exhaust Stack Styles

Your ideal style will entirely depend on personal preference. 

Flat Top Exhaust

• Design & Appearance: Features a clean, flat-cut tip for a modern look.
• Performance Benefits: Provides efficient exhaust flow without restrictions.
• Best For: Drivers who prefer a sleek, minimalist appearance.

Short 30 Exhaust

• Design & Appearance: Compact exhaust design, typically shorter than standard stacks.
• Performance Benefits: Ideal for low-clearance situations without sacrificing airflow.
• Best For: Truckers looking for a space-saving exhaust option.

West Coast Curve

• Design & Appearance: Smoothly curved exhaust tip, common on classic rigs.
• Performance Benefits: Enhances aerodynamics and directs exhaust away from the cab.
• Best For: Drivers who prefer a vintage, west-coast-inspired aesthetic.

Goncho Exhaust

• Design & Appearance: Unique angled exhaust design with a bold look.
• Performance Benefits: Directs exhaust flow efficiently and adds a distinct style.
• Best For: Owner-operators looking to personalize their truck’s appearance.

Straight Exhaust

• Design & Appearance: Simple, traditional straight-pipe design.
• Performance Benefits: Maximizes exhaust flow and improves engine efficiency.
• Best For: Drivers who want a classic, high-performance exhaust setup

Meiter Exhaust 

• Design & Appearance: Sleek, classic straight-pipe design
• Performance Benefits: Improved airflow, reduced backpressure
• Durability: Heavy-gauge stainless or aluminized steel options
• Best For: Drivers wanting a traditional, high-performance exhaust setup

Bull Horn Exhaust 

• Design & Appearance: Aggressive, upward-angled horns
• Performance Benefits: Directs exhaust away from the cab, reduces soot buildup
• Durability: Resistant to weather and road debris
• Best For: Owner-operators looking for a bold, high-visibility style

Curved 

• Design & Appearance: Classic top-curved exhaust tip
• Performance Benefits: Prevents rain and debris from entering pipes
• Durability: Common in stainless steel for longevity
• Best For: Drivers seeking functionality and DOT compliance

Spools and Elbows

• Design & Appearance: Modular design with multiple bend options
• Performance Benefits: Customizable for unique truck setups
• Durability: Heavy-duty construction to withstand high exhaust temperatures
• Best For: Drivers needing flexible exhaust routing solutions

How to Choose the Right Exhaust Kit for Your Rig

Considerations

Style, performance needs, and DOT compliance seem to be among the top issues to take into account when choosing your exhaust kit. 

Cost vs Longevity 

The type of brand you’ll buy and the material its made out of matter. Cheaper can usually mean poor longevity.

Matching Configurations

It goes without saying; your kit needs to match the year, make and model of your Peterbilt. 

You may already have an idea of the height you want your exhaust kit to be.

Find the estimated height by using a simple formula: 

• Let’s say you want to buy a 108” exhaust kit. 
• Measure from the center of the lower elbow clamp (the area where the exhaust seam is covered) to the ground. 
• The measurement comes out to 48” - so, add 108” to 48” to get 156”.
• Divide the 156” by 12 = 13. 
• Your overall exhaust height is around 13 feet. 

Remember, this number won't be exact.

Every truck is different. The suspension and tire size will affect the clamp-to-ground measurement. 

What Parts Comes with Aftermarket Peterbilt Exhaust Kits?

Clamps and Cab Brackets

• All Peterbilt exhaust kits have angled clamps and angled cab brackets (some don’t include cab brackets, however). These will space the exhaust further away from the cab and allow for greater adjustability
• There are 4 clamps in total
• Offered in all sizes
• Straight clamps and straight brackets work on Peterbilt models
• You can mix and match straight or angled clamps and brackets together, but it’s really not advised.

Grommets and Silicone

• All exhaust clamps and brackets require rubber grommets between them 
• Each kit has 2 packages of rubber grommets with 4 grommets in each order 
• Use silicone to seal the seams of the exhaust pipe to prevent leaks (3 beads per seam on each tapered portion of the pipe) 
• BESTfit, Lincoln, and Vendetta exhaust kits have silicone included

Extra Parts NOT Sold in Aftermarket Exhaust Kits

Under Truck Mufflers 

• Grab handles: grab exhaust stacks without burning your hands 
• Heat shields: prevent risks of burns against hot exhaust component 
• Resonators: (legality depends on the state) minimize noise and drone

Bolt Kits

• Bolt kits contain the bolts and hardware to pass through the grommets
• Bolt kits are fabricated in-house
• 1 bolt kit is required per truck
• Vendetta exhaust kits come with the bolts

Peterbilt Model Options 

Peterbilt 359 Exhaust Kits

• Made exclusively by BESTfit and Lincoln Chrome
• Exhaust kits are available in 6”, 7”, 8”, and 10” sizes
• 10” kits are only available with a Pickett elbow (a long drop curve style) 
• Kits do NOT include cab brackets 

Peterbilt 379 Exhaust Kits

• Available in 6”, 7”, 8” and 10” sizes
• 10” exhaust kits are only available with Pickett elbows
• Peterbilt 379 models 1987-1993 = non-unibilt. Non-unibilt kits do NOT come with cab brackets
• Peterbilt 379 models 1994-2007 are unibilt. These kits come with 2 cab brackets as OEM replacements for your lower cab brackets. You can keep and reuse the upper brackets or purchase 2 new, aftermarket cab brackets. 
• Peterbilt 379 models 1987-2003 use 52” spools 
• Peterbilt 379 models 2005 - 2007 use 55” spools.
• TPHD, BESTfit, American Eagle, Lincoln Chrome, and Vendetta 
• Determine spool length: check the upper cab brackets, if the intermediate bracket is on the top side = new style (55” spool), if it’s on the bottom side = old style (52” spool). 

Peterbilt 389 Glider 

• Rolling glider kit: new cab and chassis with rear axles and without an engine transmission or accessorial parts 
• Glider kits have an engine that is pre-emissions 
• Exhaust kits are the exact same as a 2005 - 2007 Peterbilt 389 model with a 55” spool 

2008 - 2010 Peterbilt 389

• Lincoln Chrome offers 7” and 8” kits
• Kits have double wall elbows and 1 piece stacks 
• The piping is made from chrome-plated stainless steel 
• Stacks are ONLY available as 1 piece

2011 & Newer Peterbilt 389

• Lincoln Chrome offers 6", 7” and 8” kits with OEM style chrome plated stainless steel elbows with regular 1 piece stacks 
• Lincoln also has the 6", 7” and 8" Pickett (long drop 90) style kit for newer Peterbilt models 
• Lincoln’s Pickett style kit requires you to remove the DPF (relocation brackets and 2 chrome hangers for the DPF are included in the kit)! 

Exhaust Kit Substitutions & Replacements

• We ONLY substitute kits in BESTfit with Lincoln Chrome components
• TPHD, American Eagle, Lincoln Chrome, and Vendetta CANNOT be substituted 
• Most of the time, different brands will not be compatible with one another (especially for Lincoln long drop 90 kits’ elbows and pipes)

Installing Aftermarket Peterbilt Exhaust Kits: 8 Steps Total

Step 1

• Completely remove the original exhaust system, including the mufflers, stacks, elbows, flex pipe, and exhaust “tee” pipe. 

Step 2

• Remove the original lower cab exhaust brackets
• Install the chrome replacement brackets and the new rubber mounting grommets

Step 3

If your upper cab exhaust bracket has a large “C” shaped muffler support bracket:

• Grind through the rivets that attach it to the cab bracket and discard the “C” shaped bracket
• Install the new rubber exhaust grommets directly into the cab bracket
• Wear eye protection and cover the cab and glass areas on the cab so that sparks don’t embed the paint or glass

Step 4

• Install custom tee pipe and loosely connect the 5” connection 
• You can support the tee pipe with wood blocks or jack stands temporarily 
• NOTE: 6”, 7”, 8” Y-pipes will not work with factory exhaust hangers. Customization is required. 

Step 5

• Fully insert elbow into the spool assembly
• Then, install the elbow and spool on the trucks as one assembly 
• BESTfit, Lincoln, and Vendetta kits come with the hi-temp silicone for all joints of the 3 piece pipes. 

Step 6

• Lift the spool and elbow assembly into position and attach to the y-pipe. Requires 2 people. 
• Slightly spread open the lower 8” chrome mounting clamp and slide over the top end of the spool and slide it down the spool into correct position 
• You can put a rag or masking tape around the inside area of the chrome 8” clamp as you slide it down the spool to mitigate scratches and scrapes to the exhaust 
• Slide the upper 8” mounting clamp over the top end of the spool and loosely install all four bolts in cab brackets
• Check the alignment on elbows, spools, and tee pipe 
• Tighten all of the connections 

Step 7 

• Slide the upper stack section on to the spool section 
• Use silicone once the turnout is positioned at the desired “angle” 
• Tighten clamps completely 

Step 8

• Visually inspect beginning at y-pipe inlet and work your way to the upper cab clamps 
• Check each clamp connection and make sure all bolts and clamps are tight and secure
• Start vehicle and check for exhaust leaks 
• If there are exhaust leaks, use aluminum foil with silicone to seal them
• Once all connections are tight, the job is done! 

Browse for Top-Rated Exhaust Kits at 4 State Trucks

Get high-quality exhaust kits that suit your style preferences and match your Peterbilt’s model/make. Give us a call today and we’ll help you find what you’re looking for!