I know exhaust modifications have been flogged to death on here but just in case someone has someting new to add thought I would set out my requirements for your assistance …
Well car is a week old tomorrow and in Nick Whales for its first/1000 mile service. Few minor problems … intermitent wiper parks where it likes between wipes, standard Lotus creaks and has cut out 4 times when idling but nothing really to worry about. The main problem is the lack of noise.
Having test driven NW’s orange Exige the induction sound is good, above 5000rpm the supercharger starts to wail, the noise getting greater up to the red line however the exhaust is pitiful. What really brought it home was the trip to Donnington yesterday … driving home in the Exige I had to rev it a couple of times to make sure the engine was still running. I am not really after any more bhp but if I am forced into an expensive exhaust system (Larini / 2bular) I would like to think the expense gave me a) a better sound and b) more power. I am also concerned regarding the warranty issues. A de-cat may be a cheaper way of getting the sound but I presume this would throw the warranty out of the window. Also I have little or no time to fit de-cat or exhaust myself. Does this dictate I use Nick Whale? They have suggested stage2 ~ any experiences/cost on an ExigeS?
Thanks in anticipation of your valued comments. kimbo
I had a stage two and found it noisey (the wrong kind of noise)and just genrally crap. I now have a 2bular and its great. Mark a S2 Exige owner has a Larini fitted to his car which has progressivly got louder and louder I believe he is now looking at the 2bular opotions. I would not go for a de-cat unless as you have to start playing with the wiring etc.
Lotus I beleiev keep saying they have a S compatable sports zauts on the way but have not seen anything of it yet.
as always its horses for courses - i have a stage 2 (on a standard S2) with a hurricane induction kit and quite frankly everytime it goes on the power cam i almost wet myself with excitement. The sound is immense and gets better with speed… at 140mph it is basically a screaming banshee. The induction kit gives a noticeable BOOOOOOM as the cams cross over and again highly recommended.
I bought my car standard, then had the exhaust added the finally had the induction kit installed. All in the quest for more sound. Bizarrely the test car i drove had both fitted already and i didnt like the sound then!
i’ll try and upload a little video tonight to give you a clue as to how it sounds, 0-100 sprint
oh and also with 11k miles on the clock the sound has only got better with age. so much so that i am contemplating keeping the car rather than swapping for an S in december!
Jamie is right about my Larini. I was very pleased with it at first - reasonably quiet when cruising but a fantastic howl at full chat - but in nine months it got louder and louder. I eventually got fed up with it and removed it and discovered that there were lots of bits rattling around inside the box, so presumably some of the sound deadening material has melted. So my advice to everyone is Larini are to be avoided - expensive, and clearly crap quality! Probably going to go the 2Bular route. Giving Ed a hand fitting his tonight so will let you know what it sounds like.
interesting to reead replies on this thread. Im also shopping for a new pipe for my Exige S, but I might wait to see what this new one is like that Lotus are rumoured to be bringing out. I have to say the standard Exige I test drove last year with a stage 2 and induction kit sounded harsh and un-enjoyable. I havent heard an S with a sports pipe on yet. The 2bular route could be an option for me.
What is the effect on Warranty and Insurance with the 2bular? with the Sports pipe on my S2 Elise I didnt declare it as it was a Lotus Part and was also told that it didnt effect warranty claims.
DanM … exactly my point. Just about to collect car after 1st service so I will see if exhaust sounds any better now I can increase revs. - doubt it. Will also get thoughts of dealer re warranty/2bular as it seems I may be going that way. Bearing in mind my Midlands base any comments please re fitting (I won’t be doing it however easy!) i.e. is there a better deal to be had if I purchase through fitter or, subject to warranty comment from dealer, am I best to get him to fit as car is only 9 days old? Thanks again everyone. kimbo
ps as DanM may want one is there likely to be any benefit in joining buying forces? - Approx cost fitted?
The line on warranty is unless it is the direct cause of the issue your warranty is not effected fullstop. Basic example would be your steering wheel falls off they cant blame it on the new zaust. But if your engine were to blow-up it would need further investigation to the exact cause.
Also my car is a SCed car too and they do need slightly different treatments Zaust wise due to the higher volume of air. Stage 2s have been proven to not gain a single BHP while a sytem like mine will give you a few BHPs
Thanks everyone for the help. It appears (looking at previous posts as well) that 2bular is the way to go so I will email them today. Fitter in the Midlands? Overall cost? kimbo
Mark (re Larini) - can you open up the exhaust reasonably easily? If so, then it’s probably repackable and will do this. Geary’s S1 exahusts are the same. Exhaust packing is relatively cheap.
Can’t really pan them for crap quality if it’s repackable, as the packing is a consumable…
Thanks everyone for the help. It appears (looking at previous posts as well) that 2bular is the way to go so I will email them today. Fitter in the Midlands? Overall cost? kimbo
Cost is as on 2bulars website
Fitting is easy - do it yourself in a couple of hours or get charged 100 by a dealer your choice!
Jamie … thanks. Hadn’t realised prices were on website - will look when I’ve finished this. Think I might get dealer to fix for free. In for 1st (1,000m) service yesterday and console needed to be replaced - grating 2nd gear change in particular. Car came back with aluminium floor cross member scratched (car only new a week ago!) - obviously impossible to replace. Dealer searching for paint RAL number to hide - think I’m due a bit of goodwill here ? Thanks again. kimbo
Looks like I’m going with 7" 2bular, keeping diffuser and cat at the moment. If I can get three people together there is a bit of a discount going…i.e. myself plus 2 others. Mail me if interested and I will let you have details. kimbo
At Goodwood Easytrack track day on Monday our Exige S came out at 96 decibels (at 6000 rpm) on the noise test - limit was 98 decibels.It is the bog standard exhaust so beware any mods for extra sound if you want to do track days with noise limits. A TVR in front of us recorded 107 decibels so he wasn’t allowed on the track - and lost his money paid for the track day.