4 Cyl Esprits.... exhaust sound Q...

[rjjuge]

Okay... Throwing the idea around of gutting my cat. It'd be simple to do, and I know it would be of some benefit. My question is sound. I've got a flowmaster 80 series muffler on it now, ebpv plate removed (PITA getting the valve off the shaft!). I love the sound, but I want to go faster.

Has anyone gutted their cat with a race-type exhaust? Basically, I don't want to end up with impossible amounts of in-cabin resonance and I DON'T want to sound like a honda....

any opinions?

[karmavore]

I have a 3" Magnaflow Hi Flow cat on my 3" system. Here's a vid:

www.karmavore.net/jane/LadyJane.mov

[Htown]

rjjuge said:

Okay... Throwing the idea around of gutting my cat. It'd be simple to do, and I know it would be of some benefit. My question is sound. I've got a flowmaster 80 series muffler on it now, ebpv plate removed (PITA getting the valve off the shaft!). I love the sound, but I want to go faster. Has anyone gutted their cat with a race-type exhaust? Basically, I don't want to end up with impossible amounts of in-cabin resonance and I DON'T want to sound like a honda.... any opinions?

I have a gutted factory cat with a Motoconcept rear exhaust. Hardly any difference in noise from full cat with same rear exhaust. Do get pronounced pops and gurgles though on decel.

Used to have Quicksilver downpipe/Motoconcept, and it was REALLY F'n loud, and kind of boy-racerish.

Out of all the 4cyl Esprit's I've heard, I like the way Karmavore's car sounds the best.

[njgsx96]

Yeah, Luke's car sounds great. Nice and meaty.

I think if you are going to gut the cat, you should do the whole exhaust around it as well since the muffler is a big POS as well. I bought my car with the catback it had (Neil Mickelright exhaust) and who knows the condition of my cat but this spring I am going to make a test pipe to replace it. I like the sound of the exhaust though and the pops are ubercool, of course.

Here is what my car sounds like with the Mickelwright exhaust and unknown condition cat. Sorry for the quality.

www.databurstpc.com/lotus/pictures/Driving.wmv
www.databurstpc.com/lotus/pictures/Revving%20in%20the%20Driveway.wmv

>> Edited by njgsx96 on Friday 21st January 04:24

[karmavore]

It woulda sounded better if I had shut up.

Rich, the "driving" link don't work.

Luke.

[njgsx96]

karmavore said:

It woulda sounded better if I had shut up. Rich, the "driving" link don't work. Luke.

hahahaha I thought it was good.

Driving link fixed. Thanks.

[rjjuge]

thanks guys. I've got the rest of the exhaust done real nice. I think I'm gonna do some gutting tomorrow. Why not, I can always put a race cat on it later if it sounds awful!

Thanks again, and again to everyone for all the help they've given in turning this beast around!

[avantiesprit]

rjjuge said:

Basically, I don't want to end up with impossible amounts of in-cabin resonance and I DON'T want to sound like a honda.... any opinions?

I was the one filming Karmavore's exhaust. From a non-owner's opinion, i didnt think the in cabin noise was bad at all. It was more of the engine noise, than anything else. I didnt hear any resonance at all.

And no, didnt sound like a honda to me at all

[Autocross7]

I am running a Tubi 3 inch pipe and a free flow CAT (back pressure valve removed and vacume line plugged)... Def. does not sound like a Honda. One of the Ferrari club guys in town describes the sound as a "legal dB level F1 car"... whatever? It does sound pretty good though...

Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[silver12r]

On my 1990 SE I pulled the cat and ran a custom 3" stainless pipe to a "bullet" style can (5" wide, lowers the tone just a bit - but essentially straight through - from Jegs) The Turbo actually is enough muffler for the car :-) ...anyway, the thing sounds absolutely perfect and occasionally shoots flames out the back!

Cost = $150 and it looks gorgeous.

Combined with one of Saj's 330HP chips the car turned into a pavement seeking missile and sounds like one too.

[rjjuge]

you're telling me the esprit seemd fast after a 12r? Hah. just a lil aside, i recently got rid of my busa, and the esprits just plain slow when compared to an interestate speed wheelie.

Thanks everyone for your help. I think I'm gonna go ahead and gut it!

[splodge s4]

I've just had a custom build back box made, click my profile & see what you think, its a lower basey sound but not much louder than the original. Ive still got the cat but the by pass thing is long gone. Theres more pics on Esprit world under mods & then exhaust options.

[silver12r]

rjjuge said:

you're telling me the esprit seemd fast after a 12r? Hah. just a lil aside, i recently got rid of my busa, and the esprits just plain slow when compared to an interestate speed wheelie. Thanks everyone for your help. I think I'm gonna go ahead and gut it!

Did you get rid of the 'Busa for a 12? :-)

Just kidding. The Lotus is fast for a car.

Good luck with the exhaust, you're gonna love it when you're done.

[sanj]

njgsx96 said:

I bought my car with the catback it had (Neil Mickelright exhaust) and who knows the condition of my cat but this spring I am going to make a test pipe to replace it. I like the sound of the exhaust though and the pops are ubercool, of course. Here is what my car sounds like with the Mickelwright exhaust and unknown condition cat. Sorry for the quality. www.databurstpc.com/lotus/pictures/Driving.wmv www.databurstpc.com/lotus/pictures/Revving%20in%20the%20Driveway.wmv

For those interested in the Micklewright exhaust, he has made a final batch. Once these are gone there will be no more. Pics here:
http://turboesprit.tripod.com/exhaust.html

Contact me off list for details.

Cheers,
Sanj

[superdave]

I see you're missing the fed spec rear valance. PNM has one sitting on their shelf. Should be able to do a a cheap price on it if you are interested?
Where did you get the exhaust from? Mine needs doing soon and i was thinking maybe either centre exit or twin V8 style.

Dave Walters

splodge s4 said:

I've just had a custom build back box made, click my profile & see what you think, its a lower basey sound but not much louder than the original. Ive still got the cat but the by pass thing is long gone. Theres more pics on Esprit world under mods & then exhaust options.

[splodge s4]

superdave said:

I see you're missing the fed spec rear valance. PNM has one sitting on their shelf. Should be able to do a a cheap price on it if you are interested? Where did you get the exhaust from? Mine needs doing soon and i was thinking maybe either centre exit or twin V8 style. Dave Walters [quote=splodge s4]I've just had a custom build back box made, click my profile & see what you think, its a lower basey sound but not much louder than the original. Ive still got the cat but the by pass thing is long gone. Theres more pics on Esprit world under mods & then exhaust options.

It was custom made at Longlife exhausts. They are on the A38 just north of Bristol, they also have a branch in Cardiff, really top build quality & guaranteed for life, im well pleased with it. I went for the centre because its different to see a UK car like that, every V8 has a one on each side. If you want the number for then send me an email bud.