172 Exhaust Upgrade. Suggestions?

[Lewis's Friend]

Im looking to upgrade the whole exhaust system on my ph2 172, and was wondering what others have gone for in this area, and their experiences...

I've been looking at a KTR Stealth mk2 with a 182 4-2-1 manifold conversion and either a sport cat or decat. So, anyone know anything about these, or have any suggestions.

I use this car everyday, and don't particularly want a system that will drone endlessly ant motorway speeds or be too intrusive just trawling around town. Other than that...

Cheers for any help...

[John D.]

I had a KTR stealth and sports cat fitted (by KTR) at the same time to my 172 Cup. I'd gone for the KTR stealth as been told it was fairly subtle and not boomy. Took it off after a month though as it was too boomy around 3k rpm on over run - felt a bit 'barry boy' around town! sounded awesome at full chat though. Now my mistake was probably to go for the sports cat as this increases resonance - without it might not have had the issue around 3k rpm. Or my idea of subtle is different to others!

Note that I had the exhaust fitted around Sept '07 so it may have been a KTR stealth mk1 rather than the mk2 you are looking at. I believe KTR have toned down the exhaust note further on the mk2.

My solution was to go to Prospeed in Cardiff which have done many 172 exhausts in different styles and are very well regarded. Its a custom exhaust place rather than off the shelf so you can request what you want. Cost circa £300 fitted with lifetime guarantee for stealth cat back system (prices have increased since then I believe). Very happy with it. Relatively quiet around town with slight burble on tickover and no excessive boomy-ness, especially when cold. Sounds good when ragging it too and actually gets louder once hot but still bearable on the motorway (which fortunately I don't do many miles on). Only problem I've had in 30k miles is a mount breaking which rattled a lambda sensor. £10 to weld the mount back.

With regards fitting a 182 manifold I did toy with this idea too. Its an easy 10bhp gain in theory but just too expensive IMO. Personally I would'nt bother. Theres fk all difference between 172/182 straight line pace in the real world in my experience and neither are about outright power anyway. Save the cash and enjoy the chassis on a track day or road trip to Wales!

HTH

[Lewis's Friend]

Cheers for all that. As i say, i'd quite like a little more aggression to the sound of it when you're pressing on, but fairly understated around town (i'd be mortified if i thought i was going to be mistaken for a chav in a bewinged, flick painted fiber-glass truck)!

My uncle has a 2.5 twin turbo legacy with a 3 inch system which is pretty much perfect in my book. Quiet rumble until you really floor it. I know its horses for courses, but thats my general idea...

Thanks for the heads up about the place in Cardiff. I'll check it out...

[rev-erend]

I have a KTR stealth bought about 6 months ago .. as a replacement for my original system.

Cat has not been touched so is original.

The noise level is very acceptable .. OK - there is a little bit of extra noise or drone at higher motorway speeds and it does not have anthing like a Barry boy exhaust note .. then again it's no TVR or Ferrari exhaust note either..

Just fairly quiet and understated but slightly louder than original.

[B.J.W]

I had an exhaust system custom built by Nemesis for my 172 Cup. Sounds bloody fantastic and comments have all been postive, particulary from fellow PH'ers.

If you do get an upgrade, please be sensible and don't go a stupid below the bumper number. Mine sits exactly where the previous exhaust previously sat and has not changed the outward appearance of the car.

K-Tec are a good bunch of lads and I take mine down to Dorset for servicing. I have also fitted adjustable suspension and dampers and had the N/A remap as well.