Got a Janspeed and hate it!
Discussion
Picked up my S2 from SInclaire's yesterday after having a Janspeed exhaust and Hurricane induction kit fitted.
I absolutely hate the sound! It's not the volume I dislike (I LIKE loud cars!), it's just the quality of the sound. It's boomy. Particularly at low revs, it sounds like I'm driving some badly modified Vauxhall Nova. I expected a crisper sound. I should have listened to someone else's Janspeed before I ordered one, but it had so many thumbs up I was sure I'd like it, and so I left the car with Sinclaire's for the work whilst I was in the US last week.
I am booked in on the 7th (soonest they could do) to have my original exhaust refitted.
I don't like the sound of the car standard, but I prefer it to the Janspeed.
Maybe by the 7th I will have learnt to love it... ? or maybe someone can give me a tip on how to make it less boomy? I think the sound it makes at high revs is lovely, but it's the low rev stuff I don't like.
I guess I've just been spoilt, coming from cars with straight sixes and V8's.
I was planning to go to Pistonfest on Sat or Sun. It would be nice if I could meet up with someone with another brand of sports exhaust, to see how they sound (maybe B&C, etc.) I really do want to have a sports exhaust, so if I could replace the Janspeed with another brand rather than go back to the standard one that would be preferable, but I need to hear them first.
I absolutely hate the sound! It's not the volume I dislike (I LIKE loud cars!), it's just the quality of the sound. It's boomy. Particularly at low revs, it sounds like I'm driving some badly modified Vauxhall Nova. I expected a crisper sound. I should have listened to someone else's Janspeed before I ordered one, but it had so many thumbs up I was sure I'd like it, and so I left the car with Sinclaire's for the work whilst I was in the US last week.
I am booked in on the 7th (soonest they could do) to have my original exhaust refitted.
I don't like the sound of the car standard, but I prefer it to the Janspeed.
Maybe by the 7th I will have learnt to love it... ? or maybe someone can give me a tip on how to make it less boomy? I think the sound it makes at high revs is lovely, but it's the low rev stuff I don't like.
I guess I've just been spoilt, coming from cars with straight sixes and V8's.
I was planning to go to Pistonfest on Sat or Sun. It would be nice if I could meet up with someone with another brand of sports exhaust, to see how they sound (maybe B&C, etc.) I really do want to have a sports exhaust, so if I could replace the Janspeed with another brand rather than go back to the standard one that would be preferable, but I need to hear them first.
I've got the Lotus (Magnex) Sports Exhaust without the Sports Cat so you'll be able to hear what a striaght exhaust swap would sound like. Sounds great to me -slightly quiter than the Janspeed at low revs from memory. I'll be at Pistonfest (although havn't got ticket yet - I'm assuming you can buy them on the day).
W022A said:
I've got the Lotus (Magnex) Sports Exhaust without the Sports Cat so you'll be able to hear what a striaght exhaust swap would sound like. Sounds great to me -slightly quiter than the Janspeed at low revs from memory. I'll be at Pistonfest (although havn't got ticket yet - I'm assuming you can buy them on the day).
Which day were you thinking of going?
I had a s/s exhaust (Scorpion) fitted to my previous car and it sounded a bit tinny and resonant for the first 1000 miles or so until it properly sooted up. After that it sounded fantastic, especially as it got hot on a long or hard run. Okay, it was on a Golf GTI, but the same principles apply. I'd wait a few weeks and then thing again, you've already binned the cash on the zorst, so might as well give it some time to impress you.
Hi girlracer!
I had a Janspeed fitted on my S2 at Sinclaires about 4 weeks ago now, combined with a Carbon Dynamic Airbox induction kit from Racespeed (interesting alternative to hurricane ).
Got to admit that at first I wasnt sure, exact same concern that it was too boomy, however overjoyed at the improvement from the Singer sewing machine it once was and have to say it has bedded in somewhat as the miles are accumulated. Either I am just getting used to it more or it is improving. First night when I pulled up in the local high street to see some friends at the pub I thought they were going to slaughter me....something along the lines of having hidden a max beast nover under the elise shell! Not so, they all agreed it was a marked improvement!
However final twist sees me agreeing with Juice tins last comment. A silver S1 witht the exige exhaust rocked up for a chat and when he pulled away it did indeed sound the business. Like other s have said you have spent the money now so I would at least bed it in first, bear in mind most of the others you may get to hear at Pfest may also have been on long eneough to alter that just been fitted sound?
Even after the mammoth waffle I am sure that probably hasnt helped?
I had a Janspeed fitted on my S2 at Sinclaires about 4 weeks ago now, combined with a Carbon Dynamic Airbox induction kit from Racespeed (interesting alternative to hurricane ).
Got to admit that at first I wasnt sure, exact same concern that it was too boomy, however overjoyed at the improvement from the Singer sewing machine it once was and have to say it has bedded in somewhat as the miles are accumulated. Either I am just getting used to it more or it is improving. First night when I pulled up in the local high street to see some friends at the pub I thought they were going to slaughter me....something along the lines of having hidden a max beast nover under the elise shell! Not so, they all agreed it was a marked improvement!
However final twist sees me agreeing with Juice tins last comment. A silver S1 witht the exige exhaust rocked up for a chat and when he pulled away it did indeed sound the business. Like other s have said you have spent the money now so I would at least bed it in first, bear in mind most of the others you may get to hear at Pfest may also have been on long eneough to alter that just been fitted sound?
Even after the mammoth waffle I am sure that probably hasnt helped?
You will find that the sound usually changes as the exhaust soots up! I think most people are shocked by the sound of their exhaust when you first fit it!!
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www.midlandslotus.co.uk
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www.midlandslotus.co.uk
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I am SO pleased to hear that other people have had the same experience. I guess you are right - the thing is fitted now so I should at least give it 1000 miles and see how it sounds then.
However, I would like to meet up with anyone at Pistonfest on Sunday who has an alternative exhaust on their S2 - and actually, if anyone has a Janspeed that is already bedded in and sounding good, then I would really appreciate a quick listen! I will be there on Sunday. If anyone can help out, please PM me. Thanks!
However, I would like to meet up with anyone at Pistonfest on Sunday who has an alternative exhaust on their S2 - and actually, if anyone has a Janspeed that is already bedded in and sounding good, then I would really appreciate a quick listen!
I will be there on Sunday. If anyone can help out, please PM me. Thanks! When I test drove a standard s2 it had the lotus "track" exhaust fitted- wife (only 25years old and loves sports cars) hated the volume.... we thought it was standard and nearly didn't buy an elise.... the S2 111s has the "valved" exhuast which is much better to live with on a daily basis.
That being said.... the exhaust on my Esprit sounded crap, and so does the elise... no matter what exhaust you fit- I had a sport ehaust fitted to my M roadster and the M-Power straight six used to howl with a note that raised the hairs on my neck- at lower revs, sounded like expensive silk ripping.... Its a well known fact that straigt six's (jag, TVR, BMW) sound fantastic, sport V8's even better (Ferrari,TVR, BMW, lexus- with sport exhaust!)and ferrari V12's..
I haven't heard any four's that sound great... I think its the phasing of the cams on a 4cy engine, the exhaust pulses just never get the right harmonics- incidently why fours are smoother with a balance shaft (think mitsubishi/porsche). Whilst I REALLY admire the engineering in the Honda VTEC engines (espcially in s2000) and BMW valvtronic (318i)... they all sound dissapointing...
I accept that the elise is a fantastic "drivers" car- and sounds like a race car (cammy & loud) however, from a sound persective, you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear....
PS I think my 1980 2 door range rover, with 3.5l carbed (and slightly invreased lift/duration cam)with sport exhaust (similar to RPI engineering) sounds waaay better than the elise..
>> Edited by SydneySe on Friday 27th June 02:26
That being said.... the exhaust on my Esprit sounded crap, and so does the elise... no matter what exhaust you fit- I had a sport ehaust fitted to my M roadster and the M-Power straight six used to howl with a note that raised the hairs on my neck- at lower revs, sounded like expensive silk ripping.... Its a well known fact that straigt six's (jag, TVR, BMW) sound fantastic, sport V8's even better (Ferrari,TVR, BMW, lexus- with sport exhaust!)and ferrari V12's..
I haven't heard any four's that sound great... I think its the phasing of the cams on a 4cy engine, the exhaust pulses just never get the right harmonics- incidently why fours are smoother with a balance shaft (think mitsubishi/porsche). Whilst I REALLY admire the engineering in the Honda VTEC engines (espcially in s2000) and BMW valvtronic (318i)... they all sound dissapointing...
I accept that the elise is a fantastic "drivers" car- and sounds like a race car (cammy & loud) however, from a sound persective, you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear....
PS I think my 1980 2 door range rover, with 3.5l carbed (and slightly invreased lift/duration cam)with sport exhaust (similar to RPI engineering) sounds waaay better than the elise..
>> Edited by SydneySe on Friday 27th June 02:26
Girlracer, dont be disheartened, i bumped into a chap with a new Mk2 Elise last night with a Magnex exhaust fitted. He said it sounded rubbish when first fitted, but i have to admit, revving it in the car park last night it sounded brilliant, very deep. So the morale of the story is...it should get better with age. Like blokes and wine.
i had the janspedd on s2 as well from new
At first I hated the infamous boom. it gave me a headache and ringing ears
However 6 months later and i love it.
it seems that as it soots up over time it get better.
I cant say i noticed the change as it was probably gradually, but im glad i stuck with it.
im not saying its perfect but i understand ure first impressions. i had them too.
At first I hated the infamous boom. it gave me a headache and ringing ears
However 6 months later and i love it.
it seems that as it soots up over time it get better.
I cant say i noticed the change as it was probably gradually, but im glad i stuck with it.
im not saying its perfect but i understand ure first impressions. i had them too.
jfrf said:
i had the janspedd on s2 as well from new
At first I hated the infamous boom. it gave me a headache and ringing ears
However 6 months later and i love it.
it seems that as it soots up over time it get better.
I cant say i noticed the change as it was probably gradually, but im glad i stuck with it.
im not saying its perfect but i understand ure first impressions. i had them too.
That's good to hear jfrf.
It would be nice to meet up and hear your Janspeed now it's all sooted up. Not going to Pistonfest on Sunday by any chance are you?... >> Edited by girlracer on Friday 27th June 18:59
Yeah it will bed in. Otherwise sell it if you don't like it and go for the B&C or Magnex. Neither of them is quite as raucous. I've got the B&C myself.
Also as Bogie mentioned indirectly, getting rid of the standard CAT gets rid of some of the nasty resonance. You can either get a cat replacement pipe (MOT hassle though unless you have ramps and inclination) or a sports CAT which is free-er flowing and sounds better (as Bogie has). Latter option is pricey though.
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