Sport Exhaust

[brucet]

I'm looking around for a replacement for my factory-original muffler (from the Cat on out) for my 95 S4s, and came across Larini Systems. Anyone know much about them? I'd have to have it shipped to Southern California from GB. Are there any good options from this side of the pond?

[aerobat]

I've got a 1994 US model S4, currently living out the rest of its life in Canada. I'm the fourth owner, and have had it since 2004. One of the first things I did was to de-cat it, and put on a dual outboard Larini exhaust system. It was too early in my experience to tell you if it changed the performance, but if nothing else, it has changed the sound - for the better !!

I'd highly recommend it. I've had it on the track with other exotics, such as Ferrari's and Lambo's, and I had nothing but compliments from them all. They said it made my 4 - cyl. sound like a V8.

I had the exhaust system purchased and installed at ZR Auto in Calgary: www.zrauto.ca .

Edited October 27, 2006 by aerobat

[fmxa]

I have a dual 3" tip Magna Flow on my S4s and it sounds great. The part is actually for a firebird/Camero (Magna Flow part # 12267). Total cost was $363 for muffler, 3" tips, 3" pipe and installation. Work was done in San Diego at Wholesale Tube Bending.

[islandbloke]

I have no idea what make the PO fitted to my SE, but it seems little bigger than a bike exhaust muffler, and it SOUNDS awesome. Bit too much at times...

[fflyingdog]

I have a Larini Sports system complete with de-cat pipe,and does sound very nice and pops enough to scare young children and small animals Very well built everything fitted although they didnt supply one clamp that you need which i thought was a bit tight.Not overly loud but when it comes 'on' cam/boost it does sound lovely................ who needs a radio/cd/mp3?

Cheers

Nick

[Jonathan]

I'm moderatly happy with the sound out of my Larini exhaust....

(joking, it's excellent)

I've got the twin exit version and had comments along the lines of it's the best Esprit they've heard !

Even the Bibs was moderatly impressed which is a good thing. I have a functioning standard CAT btw.

Sound = Excellent

Build = Excellent

The worst thing is the fitting, it goes on the original Lotus brackets but becuase it's 10000x times lighter the weight centres are not the same so I made a new set of mounting brackets for it.

I also had a stainless extension welded in and a stainless mounting flange welded in place to aid fitting to the CAT. Come on and off with no leaks in seconds rather than hours now.

http://www.espritgt3.com/technical/modific...haust/index.htm

[brucet]

I'm moderatly happy with the sound out of my Larini exhaust....

(joking, it's excellent)

I've got the twin exit version and had comments along the lines of it's the best Esprit they've heard !

Even the Bibs was moderatly impressed which is a good thing. I have a functioning standard CAT btw.

Sound = Excellent

Build = Excellent

The worst thing is the fitting, it goes on the original Lotus brackets but becuase it's 10000x times lighter the weight centres are not the same so I made a new set of mounting brackets for it.

I also had a stainless extension welded in and a stainless mounting flange welded in place to aid fitting to the CAT. Come on and off with no leaks in seconds rather than hours now.

http://www.espritgt3.com/technical/modific...haust/index.htm

Jonathan

Did it come with the Spacer for the Exhaust Bypass Valve, or is that a separate purchase? Or are you still running with the dreaded EBPV?

Thanks all for the input!

Brucet

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Ditch the muffler - you know you want to!!

[Jonathan]

GT3 didn't have the EBPV as standard.

I took it to a friend of mine who does welding at extorsionate prices but he did a great job of welding 2" length onto the down pipe as you can see from the pictures, ha also welded the stainless flange on there was well, it's a dream to adjust and re-fit when you want extra access under the car.

Sadly Larini wouldn't entertain the idea which is a real shame, but you can get an alloy spacer from PUK / Marcus.

Problem I have is it's not tuned for the 920 engine, it sounds glorious and revs beautifully but gives poor pickup from lift off throttle and pops (loudly) on lift off sometimes so you have to be very gentle with the accelerator - I'm waiting to see if this cures itself over a few 1000 miles as it fills up with poop, I'm guessing it has too little back pressure now - when I complete the next stage of upgrades (injectors, leads, porting + blah) I'll have the car propperly tuned so it runs a bit smoother.

The single exit one should not give these probs I would have thought, Larini is well liked by Elise owners as well.

[esprits4de]

I have a Larini ( remake ? ) dual exit as well, and it sounds awsome. It pops and whoes and makes the loudness sound natural to the car. The old original made it sound like a vaccumcleaner.

One thing though, there should have been a vane fitted at the intersection tubing, to have the longer pipe receive a little more exhaust gas. I fitted detachable end-fittings to interchange them to get an even colored look on them.

Just out of the sporting thought we should have a loudness ( db ) challange with sound samples for the different types of exhaust systems. Would be fun....

I' ll get a sample this week-end....

[Jonathan]

Totally agree olaf, the left side is totally cold EVEN after a rapid run, i was thinking of getting new (insulated) tips anyways or seeing if a restriction on the straigter pipe might help with the flow and back pressure - although I would miss the noise, I think you can over come the popping with having it re-tuned.

[aerobat]

I don't know about you guys, but I like the popping . . .

[esprits4de]

Totally agree olaf, the left side is totally cold EVEN after a rapid run, i was thinking of getting new (insulated) tips anyways or seeing if a restriction on the straigter pipe might help with the flow and back pressure - although I would miss the noise, I think you can over come the popping with having it re-tuned.

Doesnt come out that well, but you can see the little notches at the bottom of the end fittings, using a maggot screw for quick interchange ! Makes the look even.

[brucet]

I have a Larini ( remake ? ) dual exit as well, and it sounds awsome. It pops and whoes and makes the loudness sound natural to the car. The old original made it sound like a vaccumcleaner.

One thing though, there should have been a vane fitted at the intersection tubing, to have the longer pipe receive a little more exhaust gas. I fitted detachable end-fittings to interchange them to get an even colored look on them.

Just out of the sporting thought we should have a loudness ( db ) challange with sound samples for the different types of exhaust systems. Would be fun....

I' ll get a sample this week-end....

But wouldn't the installation of a vane tend to negate the purpose of a "free-flow" exhaust system? It sounds to me that just using the single-pipe exhaust is the way to go, especially if the left-hand side is not apparently "doing" anything anyway.

[Jonathan]

Quite possibly, but possiibly only at low revs.

Bin reading a lot into exhausts, pulses, back pressure and the lot - it's quite an art from and the characteristics change from different rev ranges. At low revs it's possible a too large oppening will increase back pressure as the exhaust pulses are not flowing and pulling each other along propperly.

TBH I only got a win because it looks better, I suspect the twin however causes initial pickup and on/off/on throttle popping (explosions ?) - but at high revs the car feels much quicker revving and sounds glorious.

The final proof for me was the rolling road, if I could smooth my boost out a bit (probably got a dicky wastegate capsule) I would have got 260bhp - 20hp increase over standard from that and an air filter job.

People say "yeah yeah rolling road...." but we had a standard V8GT run not long after and get 349bhp (or was it bang on 350 ?) with the torque as well so the rollers were not that far out ! (if at all)

[brucet]

Ditch the muffler - you know you want to!!

Dear Dr Evil Fish

Okay, I ditched it! Well, at least, I ordered the Larini Sport, single pipe, RH exit, and a EBPV spacer from JAE in California. Keeping the Cat, though. Take about two weeks to get it, then I'll let you know how it is.

Thanks all for the advice.

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

GOOD MAN!

Hope it sounds awesome

[fmxa]

Bruce, if you're in the LA/OC area we usually meet in Saturday morning near Newport or Irvine.

[brucet]

Bruce, if you're in the LA/OC area we usually meet in Saturday morning near Newport or Irvine.

I'm in San Clemente. Where do you go? Not Crystal Cove anymore? The Ford (excuse me--"Premier Auto Group") parking lot? Hate to say it, but it was my company that kicked everyone out of the Cove.

[Vulcan Grey]

GT3 didn't have the EBPV as standard.

I took it to a friend of mine who does welding at extorsionate prices but he did a great job of welding 2" length onto the down pipe as you can see from the pictures, ha also welded the stainless flange on there was well, it's a dream to adjust and re-fit when you want extra access under the car.

Sadly Larini wouldn't entertain the idea which is a real shame, but you can get an alloy spacer from PUK / Marcus.

Problem I have is it's not tuned for the 920 engine, it sounds glorious and revs beautifully but gives poor pickup from lift off throttle and pops (loudly) on lift off sometimes so you have to be very gentle with the accelerator - I'm waiting to see if this cures itself over a few 1000 miles as it fills up with poop, I'm guessing it has too little back pressure now - when I complete the next stage of upgrades (injectors, leads, porting + blah) I'll have the car propperly tuned so it runs a bit smoother.

The single exit one should not give these probs I would have thought, Larini is well liked by Elise owners as well.

No such thing as too little back pressure in a turbo Esprit...

The turbo is more than enough back pressure!

Off idle throttle response increases greatly with no cat and a straight tube from the turbo. Low rpm driveability is best too.

Though some of my friends made up exhausts with a small Borla muffler where the CAT used to be and just a straight pipe out the left hand exit. Straight design and sounds great... some flames.

Edited November 7, 2006 by Vulcan Grey

[fmxa]

Thats too funny! In all honesty I was surprised CC lasted as long as it did, afterall if I paid ~$2million for townhouse/condo there I'd be pretty ticked off by the noise as well! We usually gather at various locations for breakfast and a chat, some of the guys have been to PAG, I stopped by last weekend and thought it sucked. I'm not certain where/when our next gathering is, but I'll keep you posted. Once you have the exhaust on, I'd love to compare it to my magnaflow.

I'm in San Clemente. Where do you go? Not Crystal Cove anymore? The Ford (excuse me--"Premier Auto Group") parking lot? Hate to say it, but it was my company that kicked everyone out of the Cove.

[Jonathan]

No such thing as too little back pressure in a turbo Esprit...

The turbo is more than enough back pressure!

On a straight through system obviously, but you cant use that on a road car (not legally).

When you have a muffler / network of pipes you can adversly affect gas movement post turbo (turbo or not) by over enlarging the pipes which has different effects on the gas pulses at different RPM. Back pressure is back pressure - no matter where it occurs.

Although it's advertised as a low back pressure system it's actually causing the pulses to become so disorganised that it 'creates' extra back presure.

I've seen it in practice on my car, 1 side does exhaust but not a lot in comparison to the other, when you block that pipe and rev it the pick up is much better - the problem is on this system is by blocking off 1 pipe you get better pickup but lose the upper RPM flow which is why it improves the horsepower.

Put the old system back on (which is 1/2 the exhaust cross sectional area = more back pressure) and it goes nicely too. Just becuase there's a turbo there doesn't mean you can slap together any old maze of pipework and get proper gas flow out of it.

I'm not dissing Larini becuase overall I think it's a great system and I'd recomend it, it probably works a lot better on a 2.2l engine but on mine it's definatly the cause of stutter becuase of the way it doens't flow the gas correctly at low RPM.

On the last picture the pulses are so far away from each, not only are they disorganised but air/oxygen can get in and help detonate the unburned fuel causing back fire + back pressure. Odd, I hated thermodynamics in college.

[Advantage]

I took a grinder to the factory silencer on mine. (The cat is already in, er, storage for MOT time!) I removed all the wadding (essentially wire wool) and welded it back up again.

I stuck a shiny tailpipe trim on the end and bolted it back on the car.

It's not a Diablo wail, but it sounds ok. (and cost peanuts, which in my book is perfect!)

[brucet]

Thats too funny! In all honesty I was surprised CC lasted as long as it did, afterall if I paid ~$2million for townhouse/condo there I'd be pretty ticked off by the noise as well! We usually gather at various locations for breakfast and a chat, some of the guys have been to PAG, I stopped by last weekend and thought it sucked. I'm not certain where/when our next gathering is, but I'll keep you posted. Once you have the exhaust on, I'd love to compare it to my magnaflow.

Granted, I wasn't PERSONALLY responsible for kicking them out.....

Maybe in another week, I'll get the system in the mail (from England via Phoenix). I'll post when I get it bolted up.

I see you "committed" to the July Lotus Fair next year in Hethel. I'm still kicking myself for not going to this year's event, so I'm pretty sure I'll go to this one.

[brucet]

Finally, an update on the Larini Sport Exhaust: After waiting for it for two and one-half months (is this typical for British "customer service"?), the exhaust arrived, mid-January, in two parts. So, instead of trying to clamp around a SS pipe (they didn't supply a clamp anyway), I had to fit the system up, mark the positions of the two pipes, and then remove it and have a shop weld the two together. I finally installed it today, and it sounds great, and seems to run great. If I ever do this again, I think I'll buy here in the good ol' USA, though. The wait-time was outrageous.

Brucet