OE vs. Sport exhaust

[spoonito]

I just purchased a 2001 Esprit. Right now I'm all smiles and I'm enjoying it for the few weeks I have before winter comes.

I am coming from an e46 M3 (inline 6) so they exhaust note is completely different. Well what I want to know is, how can you tell the difference from the OE exhaust and the Lotus sport exhaust? The only other Esprit I've heard was an 04 US spec with the center exit exhaust. From what I've read, the OE and Sport exhaust look the same externally. So how would I find out which I have? I planned on getting an aftermarket one, but if I have the sports exhaust on there already I'll hold off for now but I plan on getting hi-flow cats and straight pipes down the road.

I have uploaded a clip of my car. Hopefully this may help you tell me what I have on there now.

http://media.putfile.com/114-1421

[cweeden]

I just purchased a 2001 Esprit. Right now I'm all smiles and I'm enjoying it for the few weeks I have before winter comes.

I am coming from an e46 M3 (inline 6) so they exhaust note is completely different. Well what I want to know is, how can you tell the difference from the OE exhaust and the Lotus sport exhaust? The only other Esprit I've heard was an 04 US spec with the center exit exhaust. From what I've read, the OE and Sport exhaust look the same externally. So how would I find out which I have? I planned on getting an aftermarket one, but if I have the sports exhaust on there already I'll hold off for now but I plan on getting hi-flow cats and straight pipes down the road.

I have uploaded a clip of my car. Hopefully this may help you tell me what I have on there now.

http://media.putfile.com/114-1421

Hi Spoonito,

That sounds like the sports exhaust to me, both of my V8s only had this but for reference a friend of mine had the sports version before being hit from behind. The garage who repaired the damage replaced it with a standard exhaust and it was quite noticably quieter.

Lets see what others think.

BTW for anyone else looking at the clip it seems to sit on the web page for about 2 minutes before playing so just hang in there it will load. :-)

cheers

-Chris

[fmxa]

Simplest and best sounding (IMHO) is to remove the muffler and run straight out of the cats. The turbo's and stock cats muffle very well, and you wont even notice much difference until you use lots of throttle! Did this on my car as have numerous others I know. (I also have hyper-flow cats)

Edited October 24, 2006 by fmxa

[mike_sekinger]

The Lotus Sport Exhaust should have "For Track Use Only" on the part number plate which is spot welded to the muffler body. If not, then it is a standard exhaust.

[spoonito]

Simplest and best sounding (IMHO) is to remove the muffler and run straight out of the cats. The turbo's and stock cats muffle very well, and you wont even notice much difference until you use lots of throttle! Did this on my car as have numerous others I know. (I also have hyper-flow cats)

Thanks for the replies. I do plan on getting hi-flow cats and straight pipes, but if it has the sport muffler on it already I'll hold off and do the taillight revision first.

Also it's getting a bit off topic, but I notice that alot of forum members opt to get off-the-shelf cats instead of going aftermarket (Larini, Hyper-flow, PNM, etc...) Is getting off-the-shelf cats and custom piping just as effective as the aftermarket companies?

[2003 V8 TT]

In the US, post-97 V8s were fitted the "sport exhaust" as standard. It was an option for the 1997 V8s (OE or "track only" sport exhaust). The external appearances are identical, the only difference being that the sport exhaust is nothing more than straight pipes being held together via a muffler cavity. Yes, there is ZERO airflow in the muffler. The muffler serves only 1. as a support for the straight pipes that enter the sides and came right back out through U-bends inches aft. and 2. as and rear air dam to direct air flow away from the cavity hehind the transaxles under the boot.

The US center exhuast continued this tradition of using a "pseudo" muffler as structural supports for straight pipes and air dam. Why people pay money to install aftermarket straight pipes is beyond me. All V8s since the late 90's come with OE straight pipes. The only muffling comes from the T-25 turbos and the catalytic converters. The advantage with aftermarket straight pipes (sans muffler) is the ability to see that lovely transaxle through the rear valence and to get the 50+ lb weight savings. Personally, I don't mind the look of the muffler or the additional weight on the rear tires at high speeds (which bring the question: Do the rear wing on the Esprit V8 SEs actually add downforce at speed? Or is it purely...as Ali G would say...for the sake of "respek?").

See attached for a disected OE 2003 V8 exhaust...best kept V8 secret for the millenium I'd say. B)

Edited October 24, 2006 by 2003 V8 TT

[cweeden]

In the US, post-97 V8s were fitted the "sport exhaust" as standard. It was an option for the 1997 V8s (OE or "track only" sport exhaust). The external appearances are identical, the only difference being that the sport exhaust is nothing more than straight pipes being held together via a muffler cavity. Yes, there is ZERO airflow in the muffler. The muffler serves only 1. as a support for the straight pipes that enter the sides and came right back out through U-bends inches aft. and 2. as and rear air dam to direct air flow away from the cavity hehind the transaxles under the boot.

The US center exhuast continued this tradition of using a "pseudo" muffler as structural supports for straight pipes and air dam. Why people pay money to install aftermarket straight pipes is beyond me. All V8s since the late 90's come with OE straight pipes. The only muffling comes from the T-25 turbos and the catalytic converters. The advantage with aftermarket straight pipes (sans muffler) is the ability to see that lovely transaxle through the rear valence and to get the 50+ lb weight savings. Personally, I don't mind the look of the muffler or the additional weight on the rear tires at high speeds (which bring the question: Do the rear wing on the Esprit V8 SEs actually add downforce at speed? Or is it purely...as Ali G would say...for the sake of "respek?").

See attached for a disected OE 2003 V8 exhaust...best kept V8 secret for the millenium I'd say. B)

My understanding is that all Lotus wings are to reduce drag apart from the Sport350 which offers about 80kg of downforce at some speed, I guess 100mph or more.

cheers

-Chris

[fmxa]

I bought the hyper-flow cats as they cost $2K for both vs $2K each for the factory original (and they look better!). You should know the hyper-flows are significantly louder than stock - I park in a underground lot on the weekend and I set practically every car alarm in the structure off as I drive by Hate to say it, but it's almost too loud!

Thanks for the replies. I do plan on getting hi-flow cats and straight pipes, but if it has the sport muffler on it already I'll hold off and do the taillight revision first.

Also it's getting a bit off topic, but I notice that alot of forum members opt to get off-the-shelf cats instead of going aftermarket (Larini, Hyper-flow, PNM, etc...) Is getting off-the-shelf cats and custom piping just as effective as the aftermarket companies?

[2003 V8 TT]

I just purchased a 2001 Esprit. Right now I'm all smiles and I'm enjoying it for the few weeks I have before winter comes.

I am coming from an e46 M3 (inline 6) so they exhaust note is completely different. Well what I want to know is, how can you tell the difference from the OE exhaust and the Lotus sport exhaust? The only other Esprit I've heard was an 04 US spec with the center exit exhaust. From what I've read, the OE and Sport exhaust look the same externally. So how would I find out which I have? I planned on getting an aftermarket one, but if I have the sports exhaust on there already I'll hold off for now but I plan on getting hi-flow cats and straight pipes down the road.

I have uploaded a clip of my car. Hopefully this may help you tell me what I have on there now.

http://media.putfile.com/114-1421

Also, keep in mind that both factory OE and sport exhausts have tips that are prone to cracking. You'll hear buzzing around the tips when this happens. Many have tried weld repairs, but it only buys time. Others have decided to bolt on an '02 - '04 center exhaust system to get the durability and straight pipe perk -- though it's heavy...like all 70 lbs worth -- then you have to bolt on the rear cheese grator valence, etc. So if the weight bothers you, you can always buy a pair of 20 lb straight pipes (cheap), "plug" them with a pair of HyperFlow cats, and call it a day.

Edited October 24, 2006 by 2003 V8 TT

[superdavelotus]

Hi all,

The best sounding Esprit exhaust is the centre exit. The reason being is slightly different to other V8 sports exhuasts is the link pipe (see picture above Will supplied). This is clevely in the flow path of the exhaust gases which means they will try to go down the link pipe first. Same goes on the other side until the waves bounce of each other and exit through the tailpieces.

I am right in the middle of having a centre exit exhaust made after cutting open an OEM one to find this out. My car was dropped off today and will be ready tomorrow. The company is making a jig to produce them in larger numbers.

They should be around half the cost. pm me if anyone is interested.

Iam also developing lots of different rear valances, one of which (a fun thing really) is to have 'Esprit' or 'Lotus' instead of the holes or slots perhaps??

[superdavelotus]

Hi all,

Had a centre exis exhaust made by PNM Engineering on Friday with a cheesegrater valance. In the end I decided the centre exit had much bigger tailpipes which looked better and the sound was better anyway.

They have jigged it up to now produce for sale. Should be around half the cost of the Lotus OEM one. The only difference is the PNM doesn't have a can but the Lotus one only had this for cosmetic reason. It served no other useful purpose.

Click here to see it fitted

Pic of exhaust on floor

Oh they also made it in tow halves for adjustment and ease of transportation so no excuses to the owners overseas!

[jcbjs 260]

Looks much better Dave,wise choice.

[andyblackman777]

dave,

Looks great!! I want one any idea of price?

cheers Andy

[superdavelotus]

Andy,

I'll pm the price tomorrow as soon as I get one.

Leonard,

Glad you kept your car, it looks good with the centre exit. Now for the round lights perhaps?

All I need now is the 'ESPRIT' sticker and reflectors to complete my transformation.

[jcbjs 260]

Hi Dave, have to hold my hands in the air and addmit I am addicted,probably never sell it now. cheers Leonard

[Guest autosportsonline]

Simplest and best sounding (IMHO) is to remove the muffler and run straight out of the cats. The turbo's and stock cats muffle very well, and you wont even notice much difference until you use lots of throttle! Did this on my car as have numerous others I know. (I also have hyper-flow cats)

I just bought a 98 Esprit, my first Lotus. Never heard another one before. It seems just too loud and raspy so I looked underneath and sure enough, straight pipes. I really dont like the sound. It doesnt seem fitting of an exotic car. Its too damn raspy. Sounds like one of those hondas with a cheap ass exhaust on it, just throatier. Definately want to change it. I just wish I could hear what the orignal one sounds like and also the sport version to see which way to go.

[gmendoza]

I just bought a 98 Esprit, my first Lotus. Never heard another one before. It seems just too loud and raspy so I looked underneath and sure enough, straight pipes. I really dont like the sound. It doesnt seem fitting of an exotic car. Its too damn raspy. Sounds like one of those hondas with a cheap ass exhaust on it, just throatier. Definately want to change it. I just wish I could hear what the orignal one sounds like and also the sport version to see which way to go.

It will sound almost the same with the sport exhaust as it does with straight pipes. If you don't have cats, you can quiet it down by installing some hi-flow cats.

[Guest autosportsonline]

It will sound almost the same with the sport exhaust as it does with straight pipes. If you don't have cats, you can quiet it down by installing some hi-flow cats.

Thanks, but I dont even know if it has cats, stock or otherwise. Anyone have any pics of the underside of a stock set up??

[gmendoza]

Here's cut away of a 4cyl but the location/shape of the cat is almost the same in the V8s

Edited November 10, 2006 by gmendoza

[Guest autosportsonline]

Here's cut away of a 4cyl but the location/shape of the cat is almost the same in the V8s

Ya, it has what looks like those cats and from there, just straight pipes with chrome tips right out the back on each side. The raspy sound is really getting to me. It sounds like an old car with a big hole in the muffler. I dont like it at all. I wonder if it would be a better sound if the pipes came out of the cats and criss crossed to go out the opposite side to make the travel of the exhaust longer??? Similar to the stock set up. I bet an exhaust shop could do this pretty economically.

[gmendoza]

Ya, it has what looks like those cats and from there, just straight pipes with chrome tips right out the back on each side. The raspy sound is really getting to me. It sounds like an old car with a big hole in the muffler. I dont like it at all. I wonder if it would be a better sound if the pipes came out of the cats and criss crossed to go out the opposite side to make the travel of the exhaust longer??? Similar to the stock set up. I bet an exhaust shop could do this pretty economically.

I wonder if your cats are gutted. Although all V8 Esprits I've heard are loud, not as loud as mine, but loud nonetheless.

Edited November 11, 2006 by gmendoza

[Guest autosportsonline]

I wonder if your cats are gutted. Although all V8 Esprits I've heard are loud, not as loud as mine, but loud nonetheless.

i really dont know. I dont mind loud, as long as its a nice sounding "loud", like a ferrari loud. But this loud is like a dirt bike as opposed to the loudness that comes from a nice crotch rocket.

[gmendoza]

i really dont know. I dont mind loud, as long as its a nice sounding "loud", like a ferrari loud. But this loud is like a dirt bike as opposed to the loudness that comes from a nice crotch rocket.

The V8 Esprit does have a unique sound with the occasional pop very different than Ferrari eventhough they are both flat plan cranks. This may be due to the untuned exhaust manifolds and turbos compared to Ferrari's tuned exhaust.

[jcbjs 260]

Ya, it has what looks like those cats and from there, just straight pipes with chrome tips right out the back on each side. The raspy sound is really getting to me. It sounds like an old car with a big hole in the muffler. I dont like it at all. I wonder if it would be a better sound if the pipes came out of the cats and criss crossed to go out the opposite side to make the travel of the exhaust longer??? Similar to the stock set up. I bet an exhaust shop could do this pretty economically.

If it is not centre exit just fit the standard lotus exhaust, much quieter