Alternative exhaust system.

Anonymous · November 18, 2003, 19:56

Being a new member I missed the GB for a H&S exhaust, Icontacted H&S direct and was given a quote of £400 +fitting+VAT.
This made me look for an alternative, I looked up a local specialist exhaust supplier & found out that he could make a system for the MR2 & quoted me £270 installed including VAT
I decided to take a chance with this company & delivered Sue's MR2 to him yesterday(its easy to take a chance when its not your car). They asked me what noise level & frquencey I was looking for & then started to make the thing from scratch. They use grade 304 stainless throughout (which is far better than the grade 409 in general use).
Removing the cat was easy (thanks to applying 4 doses of easit oil), & purpose made brackets where welded in situe. The whole process was 5hrs start to finnish, he said the next one he did would be much less knowing what he had to do.
You have the choice of any tips you want at no extra charge, & you decide what noise level you want.
Details of the company are as follows:-
Unique Exhausts,
Unit 8,
Marston Road Trading Estate,
Stafford,
ST16 3BX.
Tel01875 097545. Ask for Paul.
By the way he will not do another for £270 he said the fitting time was twice as long as estimated & the charge for future systems would be £340 all in.

Anonymous · November 18, 2003, 20:17

Seems like you got a good deal.
Keep us informed of any power loss or gains v's petrol consumption/mph.
Any chance of pics and video/noise levels.

SteveJ · November 18, 2003, 21:58

David,

Will you be able to make this month's Midlands meet (at Gaydon Motor Museum) - I am seriously interested in taking a look / listen to your exhaust.

A couple of questions too - is it a twin exit, and you mention removing the cat - have you gone for a cat back system, or have you ditched the main cat (just leaving the 2 pre-cats)

Anonymous · November 18, 2003, 22:34

Steve,
It is a 2.5"dia cat back system the cat was only removed for access then replaced on completion.
We will be at the Midlands meeting you can inspect then.

GSB · November 19, 2003, 07:56

Sounds like a familiar story! A couple of questions for you:

1/ Did they make a jig so they can manufacture further examples?
2/ Did you take any photos?
3/ Did you Dyno it?

Okay, thats 3 questions... s:roll: :roll: s:roll:

Slacey · November 19, 2003, 08:44

Quote from: "SteveJ"A couple of questions too - is it a twin exit...

Dave called me the other day and I asked the same question, he said it is indeed a twin exit.

Anonymous · November 19, 2003, 22:37

Steve,
I did not answer all your questions.
It is a twin pipe system with 4" by 3" tips.
GSB,
A jig was not made not knowing what intrest there would be if any.
Photos where not taken, things where a bit hectic and untidy at the time.
I will not be doing a dyno run due to fact that the posible small gain in BHP do not drive at any where near the cars capabilities even on track days, it would only be a talking point in the pub.

Slacey · November 20, 2003, 08:42

Well, we could G-Tech it, but not having a 'before' figure, it's probably not very useful.

GSB · November 20, 2003, 09:20

Quote from: "David Watson"GSB,
A jig was not made not knowing what intrest there would be if any.
Photos where not taken, things where a bit hectic and untidy at the time.
I will not be doing a dyno run due to fact that the posible small gain in BHP do not drive at any where near the cars capabilities even on track days, it would only be a talking point in the pub.

Oh well, see if you can take a couple of photos now the system is in the car. Shots of the tips and the silencer are always useful as they give a good indication of the quality and care put into the design. Did you notice if the new system is much lighter? and how does the car feel now? The first thing I noticed with my Hayward & Scott, (besides the increased volume) was a increased tendency to break traction at fairly low rpm's, and the engine seemed a little bit more "willing" somehow. Obviously what I'd felt was confirmed when Roger had his dyno'd, but until then it could quite easily have been my imagination!

Have you had any problems as yet with fit and finish? Obviously its early days as yet, but being such a compact car, several components are in very close proximity to the exhaust, and I have found with my H&S that for the first few miles it has a tendency to move around alot until it settles into its final position. This movement could bring it into contact with bumpers or heatshields if care is not taken with the initial installation.

Anonymous · November 20, 2003, 17:10

The car definatly revs free without any lagg and instant pick-up.Also the existing system was severly restricted and built to meet the most stringent uk regs most after market system would weigh less and be more efficient.Unfortunatly Paul was in a rush to complete the job and get on with the rest of his work that I did not get any free time to weigh or take photos of the system, the new system felt a lot lighter.
The fit and finnish are firt class with adiquate clearance from other components but I will keep an eye out for any movement and scorching.
I will take photos this weekend and ask Slacey if he would download them for me.