Exhaust problems
Discussion
I imagine this has been covered previously, but can't find the info I need using the search.
Scenario:
All going well till a couple of months ago, when the exhaust started to blow
.... took it in and was told the centre box had split along the top seam... no problem, had it welded 
.... two weeks later, blowing again. This time the centre box split along the bottom seam.... again had it welded. Since then it's been resonating at 3500 revs BADLY!, general sounds of vibration at low revs, and has split again. 
Independant inspection tells me it has split along the top seam again, adjacent to the previous weld.
1. Has anyone experienced similar problems?
2. Is this something that "just happens" when the stainless systems get older? (not exactly sure of the age, but the general condition I was told is not bad... whatever that means!!!)
or 3. Would there be an underlying cause to the continual splitting of the centre box.... excessive vibration perhaps?
As always any help gratefuly accepted.
Ian M-L
Scenario:
All going well till a couple of months ago, when the exhaust started to blow
.... took it in and was told the centre box had split along the top seam... no problem, had it welded .... two weeks later, blowing again. This time the centre box split along the bottom seam.... again had it welded. Since then it's been resonating at 3500 revs BADLY!, general sounds of vibration at low revs, and has split again. Independant inspection tells me it has split along the top seam again, adjacent to the previous weld. 1. Has anyone experienced similar problems?
2. Is this something that "just happens" when the stainless systems get older? (not exactly sure of the age, but the general condition I was told is not bad... whatever that means!!!)
or 3. Would there be an underlying cause to the continual splitting of the centre box.... excessive vibration perhaps?
As always any help gratefuly accepted.
Ian M-L
Mine had split along the front lower edge of the main rectangular box, probably due to car park speed ramps. It also sounded strange at 3000rpm or so.
I had an entire new system built except the rear tail pipes in mirror finish stainless steel for less than £150.
I asked them to build it without baffles, just a straight through with slotted pipes passing through the main box containing the insulation wadding, so there is pretty much no back pressure.
Back pressure gives more power at low revs but a free flow exhaust gives a better peak power.
The only downside was that it was way too loud, and I mean seriously loud but it did pass the MOT like it
It sounded like a full on race car when I went through a tunnel the other week, the roar from the exhaust was horrendously deafening and cars actually moved over to let me past.
It sounded fantastic on the move but rather spluttery when idling and the police were also interested in following me along dual carriageways, so I fitted a pair of silencer inserts. It still sounds great but not so much of a hooligan ....and I can always remove them if I wish
I had an entire new system built except the rear tail pipes in mirror finish stainless steel for less than £150.
I asked them to build it without baffles, just a straight through with slotted pipes passing through the main box containing the insulation wadding, so there is pretty much no back pressure.
Back pressure gives more power at low revs but a free flow exhaust gives a better peak power.
The only downside was that it was way too loud, and I mean seriously loud but it did pass the MOT like it
It sounded like a full on race car when I went through a tunnel the other week, the roar from the exhaust was horrendously deafening and cars actually moved over to let me past.
It sounded fantastic on the move but rather spluttery when idling and the police were also interested in following me along dual carriageways, so I fitted a pair of silencer inserts. It still sounds great but not so much of a hooligan ....and I can always remove them if I wish
Stainless steel welds suffer from (hot cracking),different parts are cooling down at different rates hence the weld cracks on the seam.Try to let the car cool down slowly after long run and avoid deep puddles and snow in winter.I use my 88 S1 all year round as my main car. Last exhaust lasted 6 years .
Bit the bullet and had a new exhaust fitted.... sounds better than when I first had the car, so suspect I've had some sort of problem since I bought the car Only problem is the new exhaust is slightly lower than the old one so have to pick and choose where I go now as even the smallest speedbumps ground it out! 
Only problem is the new exhaust is slightly lower than the old one so have to pick and choose where I go now as even the smallest speedbumps ground it out! Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff