Late MK1 exhaust options.

[Rickyy]

My exhaust is falling to bits, the tailpipe snapped off the back box yesterday!

I've a 1998 registered UK mk1 1.8i. As far as I know this has the long cat that no-one makes exhausts for!

I was thinking of having a stainless one custom made from the cat back, but I quite fancy the MX5 parts stainless exhaust they have.

What do I need to fit one of the smaller cats, is it just the cat and downpipe or is the manifold different too?

Any other options available to me?

[Boobonman]

Where are you Ricky? As far as I know you can just take up the slack with a flexible pipe. I've just taken an mx5parts dual exit cat back off a breaker that I might not need...

[Rickyy]

Boobonman said:

Where are you Ricky? As far as I know you can just take up the slack with a flexible pipe. I've just taken an mx5parts dual exit cat back off a breaker that I might not need...

I'm in South Wales. I'm trying to keep it fairly original, I think the dual exit would be a bit too loud.

Where are you? I'd be interested in the cat and down pipe if you're breaking for parts, if it's a 440mm cat.

[mycool]

I have exactly the same issue with the joint fracturing where it enters the back box and means it now vibrates on the chassis brace - its driving me up the wall and after a bodge fix with putty failed this morning looking for a replacement.

I thought the issue was the later mk1's have a longer cat so its not a case of taking up the gap but that its all too long so the bends wont clear things etc?

[Rickyy]

From what I've read, the cat sits at a different angle too, so the unions won't line up.

IL Motorsports do a cat back system for the 475mm, but I've heard reviews that it's very loud at low revs, which is what I'm trying to avoid.

[cwinterb]

Had trouble getting anything to fit the long cat on mine. Ended up biting the bullet and replaced end to end with a complete Racing Beat system. Manifold, cat, silenced midpipe and twin outlet back box. Sounds luvverly.

[Oldandslow]

Rickyy said:

My exhaust is falling to bits, the tailpipe snapped off the back box yesterday!

I've a 1998 registered UK mk1 1.8i. As far as I know this has the long cat that no-one makes exhausts for!

I was thinking of having a stainless one custom made from the cat back, but I quite fancy the MX5 parts stainless exhaust they have.

What do I need to fit one of the smaller cats, is it just the cat and downpipe or is the manifold different too?

Any other options available to me?

Any of the custom exhaust shops should be able to modify the end of an off the shelf back section to fit the longer cat for not much money. Maybe a few beers.

[J-Tuner]

Mines '97 1.8 and i swapped the downpipe to one from a '95 model and added a 440mm cat. Was able to bolt up a cat-back Cobalt system with no issue afterwards Its a nightmare, the longer cat thing!

[mycool]

ok so if i replace the downpipe and cat (440mm) i can then use the exhuasts on MX5 parts etc.

Starting to think i might as well get a full manifold, although that would make the exhaust worth about half the cars value!

[mycool]

Also am I right if I got a manifold like this....
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/exhaust-manifold-parts-s...

I would only need the shorter 440mm cat as the manifold is the downpipe too?

[PATTERNPART]

Racing Beat.

Dual exhausts seem big heavy and silly of a 4 cylinder car. Fine for a V8!

Also you'd have to cut the back bumper to make a space for an extra outlet.

[etjnev]

Ho I have a long cat 1.8 na model.as well and just wondered if you'd had any luck on an aftermarket exhaust for yours?

[MattWMX5]

I have been running the IL Motorsport catback with the 475mm cat for a few years now. Its decent quality, nice tone and not overly loud. It can be a bit droney on a long run though.

[Maccles]

mycool said:

Also am I right if I got a manifold like this....
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/exhaust-manifold-parts-s...

I would only need the shorter 440mm cat as the manifold is the downpipe too?

Yes, that's correct.

Mind you, if you don't want to spend £200 on the pre-cat section then its not hard to find a standard used manifold and downpipe for very little money. They're often removed to upgrade or as part of a turbo conversion, and don't suffer as badly from corrosion as the rear exhaust section. Easy to find on Facebook marketplace, etc.