MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Performance Related => Topic started by: almitch1 on March 11, 2021, 17:43

Title: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: almitch1 on March 11, 2021, 17:43
Hello Everyone,

I hope all is well? I am making a list of jobs i need/want to do on my 2 over the coming months. One job i keep adding then taking off the list is a new exhaust. The one on it is fine and has had the pre cats done but i was thinking of something a little upgraded but i cant make my mind up.

What exhaust mods if any have you guys done and would you recommend it or should i just leave it as it is?

Thanks

Al
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: 1979scotte on March 11, 2021, 17:53
Leave be.
Handling first.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: almitch1 on March 11, 2021, 17:56
Quote from: 1979scotte on March 11, 2021, 17:53Leave be.
Handling first.

yeah, of course. She is booked in for new rubber on Monday and 4 wheel alignment on Tuesday.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Topdownman on March 11, 2021, 18:04
Exhausts tend to be expensive so its a good idea to hear them before you commit to one in particular.

As said though, get the basics sorted first.

Over time, what you think you want initially maybe not be what you go for so its good not to rush.

Its also a good idea to do mods when you renew your insurance as otherwise they have you over a barrel for policy amendment costs (if they even allow them).
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: shnazzle on March 11, 2021, 18:11
Depends on your budget. 
Service, tyres, brakes, alignment all come  first but if you then have some cash left then a new exhaust can really add to the enjoyment (caveated by Simon's post above about hearing it first). 

I remember the sheer boy-ish joy that came from the burble or my TTE when I installed it. And the manifold and sports cat that followed.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Carolyn on March 11, 2021, 18:29
Funny how boys go for noise first!

I would say the best exhaust mod is a manifold - the rest is ear candy.

A gutted pre-cat one is not going to do a swell as even an inexpensive Toyosports tubular manifold.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Petrus on March 11, 2021, 18:35
Quote from: Topdownman on March 11, 2021, 18:04Its also a good idea to do mods when you renew your insurance as otherwise they have you over a barrel for policy amendment costs (if they even allow them).

By Jóve, insurers again. They really are just about running our lives. Or so they would lóve to.


@almitch1
The OEM pots are a awesome quality and replacing will likely be both lighter and louder.
If you leave the OEM main cat, then a Malian non-sports will be good enough, a bit better flowing but not so much loud that it would wake up the neighbours if you´d happen to have those close by.

@Carolyn
A gutted manifold is indeed most likely not exactly improving flow.
With a spaghetti one a sports cat, or dare I write de-cat, with freeer flowing damper will notably improve power.
Mind way more noise increase than horses but it doés have just about the greatest effect on tne n.a. 1ZZ.-FE short of supercharging.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: puma2 on March 12, 2021, 11:55
Quote from: almitch1 on March 11, 2021, 17:56
Quote from: 1979scotte on March 11, 2021, 17:53Leave be.
Handling first.

yeah, of course. She is booked in for new rubber on Monday and 4 wheel alignment on Tuesday.

what new rubber you got going as iam looking at the moment.

new exhaust  custom made will be around £350 in my area
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: almitch1 on March 18, 2021, 16:06
Quote from: puma2 on March 12, 2021, 11:55
Quote from: almitch1 on March 11, 2021, 17:56
Quote from: 1979scotte on March 11, 2021, 17:53Leave be.
Handling first.

yeah, of course. She is booked in for new rubber on Monday and 4 wheel alignment on Tuesday.

what new rubber you got going as iam looking at the moment.

new exhaust  custom made will be around £350 in my area

I just went for Toyo CF2's
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: almitch1 on March 20, 2021, 07:46
Hi All

Is the below worth buying? What would you pay for it?

Thanks
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Joesson on March 20, 2021, 10:50
For me that says a lot but doesn't do a lot.
I wouldn't want it although it looks outwardly to be in good condition although  I understand exhausts deteriorate from the inside
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: shnazzle on March 20, 2021, 12:01
That looks like a Cobra which used to command about 450 but over time people got sick of how loud they are so tend to go for 250 or less now.
Good exhaust, tips tend to rot off, and they're loud as hell
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Petrus on March 20, 2021, 12:45
Quote from: shnazzle on March 20, 2021, 12:01and they're loud as hell

With an OEM cat it cannot be thát bad Patrick. The OM cat muffles too. As long as you don´t need start it up early in the morning right under the window of the neighbours, all is relative.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: 1979scotte on March 20, 2021, 13:06
Cobra exhausts seem loud to me but then lots of people run them without cats or with sports cats.
Jan speed or TTE is what i would have on a stock engine.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Carolyn on March 20, 2021, 13:10
But then there's that awful loud drone when driving at highway speeds.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: 1979scotte on March 20, 2021, 13:11
Quote from: Carolyn on March 20, 2021, 13:10But then there's that awful loud drone when driving at highway speeds.


I'll listen out for it can't remember atm.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Petrus on March 20, 2021, 13:35
Quote from: Carolyn on March 20, 2021, 13:10But then there's that awful loud drone when driving at highway speeds.


Yes, I don´t like drones either. Nor helicopters ;-)

Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: shnazzle on March 20, 2021, 17:09
The Cobra is that loud. Even on stock cat.
But Petrus you're either half deaf or very tolerant because yours might as well not have an exhaust!
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: 1979scotte on March 20, 2021, 17:19
Quote from: shnazzle on March 20, 2021, 17:09The Cobra is that loud. Even on stock cat.
But Petrus you're either half deaf or very tolerant because yours might as well not have an exhaust!

He is just a very different guy.
He comes at most issues from a different point of view so why not exhausts.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Petrus on March 20, 2021, 17:44
Quote from: 1979scotte on March 20, 2021, 17:19
Quote from: shnazzle on March 20, 2021, 17:09The Cobra is that loud. Even on stock cat.
But Petrus you're either half deaf or very tolerant because yours might as well not have an exhaust!

He is just a very different guy.
He comes at most issues from a different point of view so why not exhausts.

Do you know how much the, at least ´mine´, gírls like a good growl?

And if the wife does not, it is thé solution for whining noises.

Yes, mine it too loud.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: almitch1 on March 20, 2021, 18:18
I can get the exhaust in question for £120.  Is it worth whiles getting?
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: 1979scotte on March 20, 2021, 18:20
Quote from: almitch1 on March 20, 2021, 18:18I can get the exhaust in question for £120.  Is it worth whiles getting?

It's your decision mate.
I don't know how deep your pockets are but if your exhaust is OK I personally wouldn't bother until I had nice fresh suspension.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: shnazzle on March 20, 2021, 18:44
For 120 I'd go for it. But as Scotte says, depends on your personal finances.
120 is definitely cheap enough to give it a try. If it's no good, then sell it for 150-200 :)
(just not here haha)
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: almitch1 on March 21, 2021, 15:26
Quote from: shnazzle on March 20, 2021, 18:44For 120 I'd go for it. But as Scotte says, depends on your personal finances.
120 is definitely cheap enough to give it a try. If it's no good, then sell it for 150-200 :)
(just not here haha)

There is no confirmation about what brand it is. I think I will pass and spend the money on suspension.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: almitch1 on March 21, 2021, 15:27
Quote from: 1979scotte on March 20, 2021, 18:20
Quote from: almitch1 on March 20, 2021, 18:18I can get the exhaust in question for £120.  Is it worth whiles getting?

It's your decision mate.
I don't know how deep your pockets are but if your exhaust is OK I personally wouldn't bother until I had nice fresh suspension.

Hi mate,
Yeas I agree, get it driving right then move on. Although it's driving pretty well at the moment.

Would you go for lowered springs or stock size?

Thansk
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Topdownman on March 21, 2021, 15:34
Haha, theres a can of worms!

There are 2 camps on this choice (for any car, just google it!).

If you like the look of the car on lowering springs, theres your answer.

If you dont notice the difference or dont care, probably better with stock height.

(Toyota did offer a lowering spring option so that at least confirms they work with the stock dampers).
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: 1979scotte on March 21, 2021, 19:12
Quote from: almitch1 on March 21, 2021, 15:27
Quote from: 1979scotte on March 20, 2021, 18:20
Quote from: almitch1 on March 20, 2021, 18:18I can get the exhaust in question for £120.  Is it worth whiles getting?

It's your decision mate.
I don't know how deep your pockets are but if your exhaust is OK I personally wouldn't bother until I had nice fresh suspension.

Hi mate,
Yeas I agree, get it driving right then move on. Although it's driving pretty well at the moment.

Would you go for lowered springs or stock size?

Thansk

All my 2s are lowered.
Originally with springs and then on coilovers.
Divided speed bumps and high curbs can cause trouble especially if you can get hold of a mid brace to stiffen the chassis but we'll worth while imho.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Petrus on March 21, 2021, 19:49
Quote from: Topdownman on March 21, 2021, 15:34(Toyota did offer a lowering spring option so that at least confirms they work with the stock dampers).

Do you mean the TTE springs?
The part numbers are AM27911 (front) and AM27912 (rear).
Those indeed should work (if obviously less well as the stock springs) with the stock dampers.
They do not overly lower the car; less than other lowering springs.
It seems the least compromising solution.

Toyota also offered TRD springs meant in conjuction with the Sportivo dampers and optional rather hard ´race´ springs.
None of the TRD springs will work well with the stock dampers as the rear springs are twice as stiff as the front ones whereas stock is only 50% stiffer rear.
These too lower the car are only some 20-25 mm.

Very apt:

]http://spydersearch.org/img/default_bg.jpg
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: 1979scotte on March 21, 2021, 21:38
Quote from: Petrus on March 21, 2021, 19:49
Quote from: Topdownman on March 21, 2021, 15:34(Toyota did offer a lowering spring option so that at least confirms they work with the stock dampers).

Do you mean the TTE springs?
The part numbers are AM27911 (front) and AM27912 (rear).
Those indeed should work (if obviously less well as the stock springs) with the stock dampers.
They do not overly lower the car; less than other lowering springs.
It seems the least compromising solution.

Toyota also offered TRD springs meant in conjuction with the Sportivo dampers and optional rather hard ´race´ springs.
None of the TRD springs will work well with the stock dampers as the rear springs are twice as stiff as the front ones whereas stock is only 50% stiffer rear.
These too lower the car are only some 20-25 mm.

Very apt:

]http://spydersearch.org/img/default_bg.jpg

They don't make TTE or TRD springs anymore so doesn't really matter.
Tein H&R Apex maybe some others.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Petrus on March 21, 2021, 21:59
Quote from: 1979scotte on March 21, 2021, 21:38They don't make TTE or TRD springs anymore so doesn't really matter.
Tein H&R Apex maybe some others.

The perspective was a nice, polite, non confronting way to paint the situation.

Good point Topdownman.

It is not rocket science OP.
The lower the ride height, the shorter the wheel travel, the stiffer the spring needs to be.
This creates two problems:
- The damping needs to be upgraded equally or the car will be underdamped which will be the more appearant the harder you push it.
- A stiffer spring equals raising the suspension frequency asking quicker driver responses.

A refreshed OEM set up is for real world circumstances very, véry hard to improve upon.
Again, what works on a track is often and for mortal drivers the wróng way to go for real world roads.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: ManInDandism on March 22, 2021, 21:44
Quote from: 1979scotte on March 20, 2021, 13:06Cobra exhausts seem loud to me but then lots of people run them without cats or with sports cats.
Jan speed or TTE is what i would have on a stock engine.

I keep reading on here that that Cobra exhaust are loud but is hard to discern whether that's 'bad' loud just sometimes or permanently and whether or not this depends on what other exhaust sections you have.

Still hoping that my TTE stands up to being uncoupled from a dead Malian cat.  But being partial to the dual exit look, Cobra is one that I have considered.  This is chiefly because they are reputable brand  who make exhausts for quite a few different marques (yes - I have also read the odd bad experiences on here).

Also for ease of purchase, but is a lot of cash to then find that you yourself need ear defenders plus several more sets for the neighbours...

A few good vids of installs on YouTube, but issue is you still can't really tell what they sound like.

Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Benlake on March 23, 2021, 04:44
I have cobra exhaust have ran it with and without cat and it is loud when on the motorway (the rest of the time I don't mind it) but agree for the money front brace followed by coil overs was best bang for buck imo.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Matt on March 25, 2021, 01:24
I made my own bumper exit exhaust as my first ever welding project. Cost me near £250 but was well worth it for the experience and pride :) You can get cheap ones every so often on ebay too.
Title: Re: New Exhaust....Yes or No?
Post by: Smithy on May 14, 2021, 15:13
I've got my eye on a powerflow single exit exhaust on the FB group at the moment.
Anyone have any experience of them?