Des

Hi

After dithering around for ages I have finally decided to take the plunge and to start modifying my car.

First item on the list is the exhaust system. Im basically looking for a downpipe+centre+backbox combination which keeps the emissions legal and which does not intrude, unless I really really want it to ;-)

Reading the other threads, I have noticed that other peoples experience tends to indicate that the more you mod, the louder the car gets. Im looking to avoid this but I definitely need some guidance. So far the Magnex seems to be a good option.

Has anybody replaced the above and still maintained a sound that is easy to live with???

Any help would be welcomed.

Cheers

LG John

Des my car currently has a scoobysport backbox and a decat centre section. It would still pass emissions and sounds lovely and gives useful gains. IMO it's only loud (but not silly loud) when you give it some good ol stick. Totally liveable at 70mph. I notice your local, just shout out if you want me to come round and give you a demo. As soon as I stick my downpipe on (in garage) it will get very loud

scottywrx

Des ..
I fitted a Magnex 6x4 on MY01 WRX...
V.nice sound at low revs and then good roar when giving it some !!
Then I fitted a TSL centre Decat .. Wow .... what a difference .. It really complements the Magnex although does increase in-car rumble but still livable on the Motorway cruise...
Neighbours know when I leave the house in the morning !!!

Go for it .... and take a pic of the big smile on your face as the car is backed out of garage after its fitted !!! You will not regret it !!

Scott

Visit ScoobyCity


[Edited by scottywrx - 9/24/2002 6:38:52 PM]

Brun

Forget the downpipe if you want emmisions. I say, sod em and do it anyway

Contigo

Saxo Boy I have similar mods to you ATM.

SSport back box and centre.
ITG air filter
Dawes
Bailey BV

I am running the dawes at 1bar exaclty when I wind it any more the fuel cut kicks in. What are you running at?

hades

If you want all three sections and emmissions, there are three options:-
1. Fit a sports cat system. Eg Power Engineering, APS (via JW racing in the UK), Graham Goode
2. Fit a full de-cat, but borrow a catted centre section for the MOT only
3. Fit a full de-cat, warm the car up for the MOT, cross your fingers and bribe the testers if necessary
Having similar priorities but on a MY02, I'mm probably be taking option 1, but that doesn't mean it's the right one.

editted due to finger trouble

[Edited by hades - 9/21/2002 2:21:53 PM]

Moles Dad

LG John

Contigo your boost gauge must under-read quite a bit?? Fuel cut on the standard ECU is about 1.21 bar and I was running at about 1.19 for a while (this would creep to 1.2 in cold) and didn't hit fuel cut. When I tried to get 1.2 in all conditions it hit cut so I dropped it back!

At the moment I run 1.2bar which sometime goes to 1.21 in the cold but that's fine cause I've got the de-cat centre section on and the ECU has been TEK3'd raising the fuel cut and so on.

Still use dawes for boost control though, gives a nice kick now

Contigo

That's funny I heard that fuel cut was at 1.05 bar and that would definitely tie up with my findings.

I don't think I can tek3 mine cos it's a MY95 car.

IanW

You can get away with the Downpipe, and Backbox leaving the OE centre inplace and this will leave you with legal emmissions.

Also the changing the DP will give you bigger gains than changing the centre.

LG John

Doh, 95 car I thought you had a 99 like me. I can only assume your fuel cut is 1.05bar then. In that case your as far as you can go with it without a fuel-cut-defender or similar.

Contigo

IanW yeah definitely it's far bigger and thus more restrictive.

I am going to do the downpipe next week and I have kept the centre cat in the garage ready for MOT day

I may try a mates garage before that to see if it fails cos at the end of the day it's a free re-test if it fails.

carlpcross

i am also thinking of decatting to enhance the noise and performance of my tsl firestorm bb.
how does decatting the down pipe and centre section affect the warranty, insurance and road legality.
i have a friend who is a copper, and he reckons removing a cat is illegal, and would void any insurance claim.

what do you guys know??

carl..

Contigo

If it's a manufacturers warranty then I am pretty sure that it would void your warranty. How old is tha car?

Secondly if it passes emissions on the day and you have a valid MOT certificate then nothing can be done.

Des

Hi

Thanks for all the helpful posts. Might just have to take you up on your offer Saxo Boy. Who did the mods for you by the way or were they DIY?

I have seen a lot of posts relating to 3" vs 2.5" pipes. Am I correct in saying the OEM stuff is 2.5" but that using 3" pipes improves the flow?

Thanks

LG John

No probs des! The scoobysport back box was on when I got the car and I got the centre section fitted by a local tyre and exhaust fitter (who could do the backbox too easily). The downpipe I'm going to leave for the pro's as it can be tricky.

If you look in the scottish section you'll see us edinburgh lads/lady's are having a little gathering on Monday night, might be a good idea to come along and hear all the combinations of exhausts on offer

If not drop me an email sometime and we'll arrange another time.

Des

Hi Saxo Boy

Thanks for the offer. Monday (today) is unfortunately out. Week days usually are.... Ill drop a line directly to your mailbox in the future though, to arrange to meet up.

Been looking at Falkland Performance centres and JW Racings exhaust options. Quite liked the look of the APS system (though it seemed quite expensive compared to the Magnex system). Do you know anyone who has the APS system?

Cheers

[Edited by Des - 9/23/2002 6:27:33 PM]

LG John

Sorry I don't. Sipie has a swana but I think that was a one off, I've got scoobysport, pretty sure someone else local has a magnex.

Drop me a line and we'll meet up

nom

Sorry - feel like I'm butting in here - the APS jobbie will be expsnsive 'cos of the cat. Look at the PE centre with cat - nearly £500! Performance with eco-emissions are a tad expensive

LG John

As long as he keeps the big downpipe cat on he shouldn't need to worry about emission. Useful gains can be had from back-box change and centre cat. Thereafter slap in a boost gauge and dawes for real fun

IanW

I would rather remove the big downpipe cat, and leave the smaller center cat in place.

Des

Hmmm, thanks nom that explains it.

The reports Ive read on here seem to indicate that removing the downpipe cat works best though as it improves the flow coming out the engine. What direction are you going to go in, when you change your downpipe Saxo Boy? No cats?

Cheers

LG John

I'm already missing the centre cat so when I finally get round to putting on the scoobysport downpipe I'll be catless

I agree if your going to remove one then remove the downpipe. However, whilst some have passed emissions with just the centre cat is it not a lot more touch and go??

fubar

FWIW, I had OEM DP + DE-cat centre, Scoobysport BB. This was loud enough.

Then I added Scoobysport DP, and it got ridiculous.
Installed Remus BB (thanks Tom aka nom), and things are now quite tolerable.

I have heard (but not verified) that ScoobySport have different noise levels exhausts - choose carefully if that is the direction you are going, and most importantly try and hear someone else's first.

Insurance wise: Frizzell didn't mind - just make sure you do tell your insurer.
MOT wise - I've bought a standard centre which I will try to pass with. If not .. will have to hire a double cat centre-section. Or find a 'friendly' test centre.

CharliePsycho

I went the whole hog and got the ScoobyMania 3" twin Dump and centre, onto a P1-WR SIlencer (only cos I wanted the badges to match)

I recorded a before and after (before is standard P1)

The bbs code syntax help is not working... so it's the addresses I'm afraid!
www.psychohosebeast.com/car/p1.mp3 - Before
www.psychohosebeast.com/car/p1-sm-st.mp3 - after



[Edited by CharliePsycho - 9/24/2002 6:17:07 PM]

Des

Hi

Thanks for the sound files CharliePsycho. Real nice... didnt sound bad before the change either.

Saxo Boy, Im hoping that the sports cat from which ever system I choose will pass the MOT checks. In fact I think I will make that a requirement of whichever system I go for.

I must say though that the more I look at the APS system the more I like it. Fits my requirements perfectly according to the detail on the JW racing website (ie not to loud, improved performance). Will wait to have a listen to yours (and others) first though before I make up my mind.

Cheers

ScottishMenace

Des what kind of Scoob do you have is it bugeye or classic?

Dave Allan

Des

Hi

Classic DBM 2000MY - the good looking shape ;-)

Why?

ScottishMenace

I have just bought a Magnex Backbox and centre decat for my bugeye and I am considering selling it.
My last car was DBM MY00 and I had the fully decat Magnex system, it worked a treat, not to loud but enough to let you know it was there.

All the best with it. No doubt I will catch up with you at a meet soon.

Dave Allan

Des

Hi

Definitely think I am leaning towards the APS system, but wouldnt mind hearing the Magnex (ever feel like there are to many options). Does Magnex have a sports cat version of their exhaust system?

Cheers