8 replies to this topic

[S3mon]

Hi

My exhaust fell to bits at the weekend (pipe going into the last silencer box) so I quite fancy getting it replaced before the decent weather arrives. I tried an exhaust fix wrap just to keep me going, but its totally rusted though and dropped straight off again!

I was always disappointed with the sound (or lack thereof) of the previous system, so am pretty interested to know what options for upgrade/replacement are out there.

I see there are at least 2: The SJ ss & Lotus bits one. There is a huge difference in price, so Id like to know if its worth it (good looking exhaust systems are great when they are not installed )
Are these the only 2 off the shelf kits available?

Secondly, by "complete kit" does this mean everything from the manifold to the tail pipe?

thanks

Simon

[silverfrost]

Hi Simon,
I used the used the SJ sportscar setup,, When it was purchased it was sold as seperate bits not sure if this has changed by now and may work out cheaper to buy complete as a kit maybe.

The downpipe was stainless steel, I used the sj straight through pipe to delete the centre exhaust box ( Well worth it to make it sound a bit more throaty, and ss back box. All good, well made, will last and to me it sounded pretty good

Regards danny

[slewthy]

HI, am in the same boat as you - a few holes in my system. Could patch up but ought to replace.

Whilst my car was at Lotusbits, Mike showed me their StSt system - its from block to rear pipe. Don't know how ready it is to deliver but I'm told it sounded good and added a few extra HP.

Would be worth speaking to him I'd have thought. I think it is around the £1250 mark. Cant remember exactly.

[mr.oogieboogie]

get a stainless one made on the car.

[Wilf]

I've got an SJ manifold and unknown manufacture centre and rear silencer. I had to put a couple of dents in mine to stop it rubbing, but pretty pleased with it overall. The Lotus bits one is the one I'd like however, bit too pricey for me though.

Biggest advantage of SJs is that I can remove the maifold if necessary now in about 45 mins. It took about 6 hours to get the original off, I changed all the studs whilst I was at it.

[scottmgibb]

I have the Lotusbits one... and it is great!

Bought it for my old car, a totally standard S3 and it made a noticable difference to the delivery of power from the engine - a lot more torque. I had to get the carbs re-jetted to accomodate the extra flow through the engine. Same happened when I put the exhaust on the car I have now - it is fuel injected, and I have just had to get the ecu re-mapped as the engine started running very lean. The exhaust/manifold I had on the old car was totally standard, while the one I have now had a 4-1 ss manifold with un-equal length pipes.

It sounds great too - I will try and get a video of the car running uploaded to youtube or something.

The system was built in-situ to an S3. When I first phone Mike about getting an exhaust (about 2.5 years ago) he was still trying to find a system - or someone to build a system - he was going to be happy with. It had to be 4-2-1 and ss. I had to wait a while (fortunatly I was not in a rush), but he eventually found someone, and they built the system around a customer's car. I got a copy of the system, which saved me having to take the car somewhere.

Not cheap though - I was luck to buy mine when steel cost a LOT less, and VAT was just 15%!! It does come with eveything you need from (and including) the manifold to the tail pipe (which is a larger single exit). I even got new ss straps to hold the silencer to the back of the gearbox.

Scott

[S3mon]

Thanks guys

I tried contacting Steve at sjsportscars, but had no reply - not to emails nor via the website (I am in a secure location for a few months with no phone access during office hours)

Its a 6 week delivery time on the lotus-bits exhaust, which isnt too bad. I am going to drop by at the weekend and see it on their car and talk about getting one for me. Its a lot more cash, but at least he responded, and should be a lot nicer system

[PilotSteve]

im in the same boat i spoke with quicksilver via e mail got a very quick and helpful reply ,they have a system (2 weeks delivery) checked the reviews everyone seemed happy with their systems ,claim to increase hp and throttle response the system was not to expensive ,dont know if this helps ,if you do go with sj system please let us know how it works as its a fairly economic system rgd steve

[S3mon]

Got a very fast response from quicksilver, 21 day lead time but they dont do a manifold - and if I am upgrading the rest of the system, it would make sense to get rid of that lump of pig iron as well