Exhausts?

[Joesson]

Just spoke to Kevin at Zero Exhausts and he doesn't do backboxes for the 1ZZ so that is one less option, makes things a bit easier I suppose.

That's odd... He has definitely done at least one. Maybe he means he doesn't do it to the stock cat? He doesn't like delivering stuff after the manifold because he wants it to fit perfectly.

They do offer an exhaust manifold/ header at £396.
https://zeroexhausts.co.uk/pricing/

Nice to see our car listed with other illustrious models!

[shnazzle]

Just spoke to Kevin at Zero Exhausts and he doesn't do backboxes for the 1ZZ so that is one less option, makes things a bit easier I suppose.

That's odd... He has definitely done at least one. Maybe he means he doesn't do it to the stock cat? He doesn't like delivering stuff after the manifold because he wants it to fit perfectly.

They do offer an exhaust manifold/ header at £396.
https://zeroexhausts.co.uk/pricing/

Nice to see our car listed with other illustrious models!

Yes that's the Zero manifold that has been known for quite a while. Added to his arsenal is the 200 cell Magnaflow cat (I believe it's £320).  And, to my knowledge, if you drop by he will make you a backbox but it has to be fitted on the car. He won't make one without the car in shop.

[Karthoum]

I bought the below from @thetyrant that he made himself. Think it only cost around £120 to make and its brilliant. 6kg lighter than the OE unit, revs so much more freely and there's 100% power increase. Oh and it sounds awesome.

I had the Corbra quad tip before this which was a piece of junk.

You cannot view this attachment.

Should of kept that im going to have to make another once turbo is sorted again

I'd be interested in one myself

[treeroy]

Yes that's the Zero manifold that has been known for quite a while. Added to his arsenal is the 200 cell Magnaflow cat (I believe it's £320).  And, to my knowledge, if you drop by he will make you a backbox but it has to be fitted on the car. He won't make one without the car in shop.

His manifold and sports cat are expensive... like double what you should be paying really.

On the phone earlier he said that he can't help with making a backbox. So idk.

[shnazzle]

Yes that's the Zero manifold that has been known for quite a while. Added to his arsenal is the 200 cell Magnaflow cat (I believe it's £320).  And, to my knowledge, if you drop by he will make you a backbox but it has to be fitted on the car. He won't make one without the car in shop.

His manifold and sports cat are expensive... like double what you should be paying really.

On the phone earlier he said that he can't help with making a backbox. So idk.

The sports cat is actually VERY well priced for a quality cat (Magnaflow performance 200cell) and top quality actual stainless steel with 100% perfect fit. I paid 450 for a custom equivalent.


The manifold, again, is spot on price. This isn't just another ebay copy. This high quality steel, equal length and tuned collector with wider pipes. You won't find a piece like this under 396,or anywhere near it. 

Yes you can get a 90quid ebay manifold (not equal length, thin pipes and questionable steel at best, without brackets and flanges that warp). And a cat can be had for 120 but fitmebt is iffy at best, it won't be anywhere near proper stainless and good luck with MOT

[Gaz mr-s]

I had a chance conversation with an exhaust builder earlier this year. I showed him a picture of my Zero manifold & he thought it was 'ok', nothing more. He also thought that the curved pipes would have been bought from a company like his, - part of what they do is make formed pipes for exhaust-builders.... 
Whether the Zero is good value or not, I don't know.

I think the cat price is not. The Magnaflow can be bought on ebay for under £100.

[Mikeymead]

Have to agree with shnazzle, having had both the difference is night and day in both quality and fit.

[Carolyn]

I had a chance conversation with an exhaust builder earlier this year. I showed him a picture of my Zero manifold & he thought it was 'ok', nothing more. He also thought that the curved pipes would have been bought from a company like his, - part of what they do is make formed pipes for exhaust-builders.... 
Whether the Zero is good value or not, I don't know.

I think the cat price is not. The Magnaflow can be bought on ebay for under £100.

I installed a zero manifold that JVanzyl had bought when we did an engine swap for him.  I can attest that it was of the highest quality of materials and construction and design.  Dissing things from a photograph is pretty poor form in my book.

[Gaz mr-s]

@Carolyn .... did you read my post carefully enough?  I had one, it was the pic of mine (with additional ceramic coating) that he saw.  The way it was made suggested to him that it wasn't all made in one place.
 

[InnerStaytes]

Yes that's the Zero manifold that has been known for quite a while. Added to his arsenal is the 200 cell Magnaflow cat (I believe it's £320).  And, to my knowledge, if you drop by he will make you a backbox but it has to be fitted on the car. He won't make one without the car in shop.

His manifold and sports cat are expensive... like double what you should be paying really.


On the phone earlier he said that he can't help with making a backbox. So idk.

I have a full Zero system from Kevin: manifold, cat and back box and I can attest that the whole thing is absolutely top quality from one end to the other. I doubt you will find a better exhaust builder in the UK. The reason that Kevin won't send out a backbox but insists on building them in his workshop, on the car, is because he makes it bespoke to your requirements - like a perfectly-fitted Saville Row suit. His follow-up customer service is superb too; he gives a lifetime guarantee (if you can get to him for a yearly check-up).

Yes, it's not cheap - the system cost me £1500 (albeit I bought the manifold and backbox in 2015 and added the cat this year) - but it looks beautiful, sounds fantastic - just the right blend of burble and pop - and I think it has added some hp to the car (and I don't care if it hasn't!). If you can afford it (or one part of it) you should do it.

[InnerStaytes]

@Carolyn .... did you read my post carefully enough?  I had one, it was the pic of mine (with additional ceramic coating) that he saw.  The way it was made suggested to him that it wasn't all made in one place.
 

I can attest that Kevin makes everything in his workshop because I've seen him do it. He has invested a huge amount of money in the best mandrel bending machines from the US. Go and visit him and see a master craftsman at work.

BTW - I am not related to Kevin! And I live a long way from him, but the journeys were worth it.

[Joesson]

@Carolyn .... did you read my post carefully enough?  I had one, it was the pic of mine (with additional ceramic coating) that he saw.  The way it was made suggested to him that it wasn't all made in one place.
 

I can attest that Kevin makes everything in his workshop because I've seen him do it. He has invested a huge amount of money in the best mandrel bending machines from the US. Go and visit him and see a master craftsman at work.

BTW - I am not related to Kevin! And I live a long way from him, but the journeys were worth it.

I guess I could be called a voyeur regarding modifications rather than an active participant, I have read on here in particular about wrapping manifolds ( headers!)so does Kevin/ Zero advocate this?

[thetyrant]

@Carolyn .... did you read my post carefully enough?  I had one, it was the pic of mine (with additional ceramic coating) that he saw.  The way it was made suggested to him that it wasn't all made in one place.
 

What a load of tosh!, no way you can judge the quality or hows its built from a picture, sure it might look similar to something else after all its just some bent/welded tube but no way he could tell for sure to imply what he did, ive no idea if Zero make it all in house but sounds like they do looking at above, typical internet rumour mill gets companies a bad name from hearsay and speculation

[InnerStaytes]

I don't know Kevin's opinion on that, but I am sure he would have one! I think the general consensus is that high quality stainless like Kevin's can take wrapping whereas poorer quality suffers for it (because of moisture retention by the wrap?).

I haven't felt inclined to wrap mine. I would quite fancy a ceramic coating, but I doubt I'll do it now - I think the time would be when it is brand new.

I'm no expert, but I doubt wrapping makes a really significant difference to a good system. And to me it spoils the look. My Zero is five years old and still looks great.

[Gaz mr-s]

I guess I could be called a voyeur regarding modifications rather than an active participant, I have read on here in particular about wrapping manifolds ( headers!)so does Kevin/ Zero advocate this?

Yes, Kevin said it could be wrapped because of the high quality of the steel.

[InnerStaytes]

@Carolyn .... did you read my post carefully enough?  I had one, it was the pic of mine (with additional ceramic coating) that he saw.  The way it was made suggested to him that it wasn't all made in one place.
 

Actually thinking about it you are correct. I had to wait 10 days or so for my cat because Kevin was waiting for some flanges (or something) to be made off site. I think he gets a whole batch made up at once. That may be true for the manifold as well. So, your contact knows what he's talking about.

However, I don't believe that has any impact on the quality of the finished product.

[Gaz mr-s]

I can attest that Kevin makes everything in his workshop because I've seen him do it. He has invested a huge amount of money in the best mandrel bending machines from the US. Go and visit him and see a master craftsman at work.

I'll state again.... I bought one, (& I'm a lot further away....)

If he does make all the parts then the guy I was speaking to is incorrect.

[Gaz mr-s]

Lol...... the guy I talked to was talking about the curved pipes.  Judging by what you've said though, incorrect. 

[shnazzle]

He gets flanges in. Because why the hell would you fabricate flanges from scratch that are standard for 1zz/2zz?
But pipework, not sure how he would buy that... That's all custom made. Obviously he doesn't forge the steel... But you get what I mean.
Anyway, it's a proven excellent quality piece of kit as proven over more than 10 years of service to MR2s alone.

Get a 90 quid mani and rust-stacular cat from Malian or ebay and be done with it it does the job. These aren't exactly race cars. 90% of drivers wouldn't notice thr difference between a Zero and an ebay bag of sh1te anyway.

But if you're after quality... That's the provider to go for

[Carolyn]

@Carolyn .... did you read my post carefully enough?  I had one, it was the pic of mine (with additional ceramic coating) that he saw.  The way it was made suggested to him that it wasn't all made in one place.
 

Not aimed at you, Gary, more at your buddy.... Having people with the right pipe bending kit do your bends for you is common practice and no detraction from quality.

[Joesson]

@Carolyn .... did you read my post carefully enough?  I had one, it was the pic of mine (with additional ceramic coating) that he saw.  The way it was made suggested to him that it wasn't all made in one place.
 

Not aimed at you, Gary, more at your buddy.... Having people with the right pipe bending kit do your bends for you is common practice and no detraction from quality.

I mentioned elsewhere Dairy pipe line stainless bends. These are made of food grade stainless steel. When we lived in Salisbury, over 15 years ago, there was a guy who built custom trikes. He used the Dairy pipe line bends , to make the exhausts, and they were works of art.
Few engineering manufacturers, if any, make  everything from raw materials although I did once work for an engineering company that had its own foundry for producing some components but  the economy of scale today determines that which can be obtained from a specialist supplier will  be.

[treeroy]

Yes that's the Zero manifold that has been known for quite a while. Added to his arsenal is the 200 cell Magnaflow cat (I believe it's £320).  And, to my knowledge, if you drop by he will make you a backbox but it has to be fitted on the car. He won't make one without the car in shop.

For what it's worth  - just thought i would reply to let you know - that I spoke to Kevin at zero exhausts and asked if you bring a car to him will he do a backbox - and he said no, he is not able to make a backbox on a 1ZZ. Only a 2ZZ swapped mr2.

[Smithy]

Best option as the others mentioned is to go custom, unless you go for a well known brand that has good customer service (there aren't many of those for our cars).

Pay less for a cheap off the shelf item and you'll pay twice.

You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.

Is this the Milan centre exit that I've got my heart set on once I've persuaded my other half?

[shnazzle]

Yes that's the Zero manifold that has been known for quite a while. Added to his arsenal is the 200 cell Magnaflow cat (I believe it's £320).  And, to my knowledge, if you drop by he will make you a backbox but it has to be fitted on the car. He won't make one without the car in shop.

For what it's worth  - just thought i would reply to let you know - that I spoke to Kevin at zero exhausts and asked if you bring a car to him will he do a backbox - and he said no, he is not able to make a backbox on a 1ZZ. Only a 2ZZ swapped mr2.

Huh... 

@Mikeymead didn't you just get a backbox from him? Or was it someone else? Someone was saying they got a full system.. I'm obviously wrong.

[Mikeymead]

Yes that's the Zero manifold that has been known for quite a while. Added to his arsenal is the 200 cell Magnaflow cat (I believe it's £320).  And, to my knowledge, if you drop by he will make you a backbox but it has to be fitted on the car. He won't make one without the car in shop.

For what it's worth  - just thought i would reply to let you know - that I spoke to Kevin at zero exhausts and asked if you bring a car to him will he do a backbox - and he said no, he is not able to make a backbox on a 1ZZ. Only a 2ZZ swapped mr2.

Huh...

@Mikeymead didn't you just get a backbox from him? Or was it someone else? Someone was saying they got a full system.. I'm obviously wrong.

No I got the opposite, manifold and sport cat,back box is Blitz Nurspec.