Lotus Exige Sports Exhaust Stage II for I swap ??
Discussion
Hi, I just bought a second hand Exige S2 N/A this weekend and it's my first Lotus. I've moved up from a BMW 320ci (so big difference in power). So first question is if anyone has any advice please let me know...
Secondly since I picked it up second hand it has had a Lotus Sports Exhaust upgrade, but how do I check which stage it is. I think it's stage 2 (as the previous owner mentioned this but he was 100%, as it had one owner before him but he added it after from Lotus not when ordering the car). My question to the experts is how can I confirm this is infact the stage 2 exhaust (it has twin pipes bent downwards, so can only see it if I crouch down). It sounds very nice BUT since I will be driving this car a lot, I wanted something slightly quieter for daily use but still loud when booted (preferably Stage I if indeed this is a stage II).
If anyone out there is interested in an upgrade to Stage II and wanted a swap for a Stage I or indeed for cash, message me. If there is somebody near the London/Surrey/Kent area that has a Stage I fitted I'd be reallly appreciative if I could hear it and definitely owe you some beers?
Any advice to earlier questions most appreciated. Thanks guys.
Rav
Secondly since I picked it up second hand it has had a Lotus Sports Exhaust upgrade, but how do I check which stage it is. I think it's stage 2 (as the previous owner mentioned this but he was 100%, as it had one owner before him but he added it after from Lotus not when ordering the car). My question to the experts is how can I confirm this is infact the stage 2 exhaust (it has twin pipes bent downwards, so can only see it if I crouch down). It sounds very nice BUT since I will be driving this car a lot, I wanted something slightly quieter for daily use but still loud when booted (preferably Stage I if indeed this is a stage II).
If anyone out there is interested in an upgrade to Stage II and wanted a swap for a Stage I or indeed for cash, message me. If there is somebody near the London/Surrey/Kent area that has a Stage I fitted I'd be reallly appreciative if I could hear it and definitely owe you some beers?
Any advice to earlier questions most appreciated. Thanks guys.
Rav
Stage 2 finishes flush with underside of undertray so you barely see it.
Stage 1 finishes out of the back of the car like standard only the pipes are slightly larger.
Standard looks like a couple of peashooters.
The oe lotus ones are known for being rather heavy and rusting through every few k (although this is probably lack of use knowing most owners
) so you might be better off looking at a larini/2bular. If your going to be using it a lot i'd probably go for a standard exhaust (£50 second hand)/air filter combo as this will only be loud on 2nd cam instead of all the time. Depends whether you want the noise in the cabin for your enjoyment or just to 'look cool' to everyone else.
Stage 1 finishes out of the back of the car like standard only the pipes are slightly larger.
Standard looks like a couple of peashooters.
The oe lotus ones are known for being rather heavy and rusting through every few k (although this is probably lack of use knowing most owners
) so you might be better off looking at a larini/2bular. If your going to be using it a lot i'd probably go for a standard exhaust (£50 second hand)/air filter combo as this will only be loud on 2nd cam instead of all the time. Depends whether you want the noise in the cabin for your enjoyment or just to 'look cool' to everyone else.If you have a look on the Bentley Edinburgh website they have a black Exige S that I owned a few years ago. That had a Stage 1 N/A exhaust fitted by the dealer and you can see this in one of the pictures. Also if you have a look on the Bell & Colvill web site under the online shop, Exige S2 there a 2 good pictures of the different design
Thanks for the advice lads, definitely seems as if I have the Stage II.
Zasker - What was the Stage I like, did you feel it produced a nice sound level without being too loud or droning on the motorway? My car's not going to be a daily driver and I think changing from Stage II to stock will be a regret as I'd want a good exhaust note without being over the top?...
Would anyone know whether the 2bular are more like the Stage I or Stage II with similarity to loudness etc or a completely different ball game?
Zasker - What was the Stage I like, did you feel it produced a nice sound level without being too loud or droning on the motorway? My car's not going to be a daily driver and I think changing from Stage II to stock will be a regret as I'd want a good exhaust note without being over the top?...
Would anyone know whether the 2bular are more like the Stage I or Stage II with similarity to loudness etc or a completely different ball game?
Definitely do NOT go to a standard exhaust, it's like alcohol free beer - pointless, with a crucial ingredient missing!!
I had a stage 1 on my Exige initially and changed to the Stage 2 because I just loved the sound. The stage 2 definitely sounds louder from the outside of the car, but I found that inside the noise difference wasn't too different. Yes it's louder for sure, but strangely because the sound was a lower more rounded pitch than the raspier stage 1 it seemed more bearable. When going along on the motorwary etc where you're not putting much load on, it was much more comfortable with the stage 2, and then gave the much more noticeable pleasure when booted.
If you're not going to be tracking the car stick with the stage 2 - those cars deserve to be heard! Go and find some tunnels and you'll be hooked!
2bular is a definite alternative.
I had a stage 1 on my Exige initially and changed to the Stage 2 because I just loved the sound. The stage 2 definitely sounds louder from the outside of the car, but I found that inside the noise difference wasn't too different. Yes it's louder for sure, but strangely because the sound was a lower more rounded pitch than the raspier stage 1 it seemed more bearable. When going along on the motorwary etc where you're not putting much load on, it was much more comfortable with the stage 2, and then gave the much more noticeable pleasure when booted.
If you're not going to be tracking the car stick with the stage 2 - those cars deserve to be heard! Go and find some tunnels and you'll be hooked!
2bular is a definite alternative.
Edited by MiniDiva on Tuesday 8th September 19:30
Thanks for tips. Has anyone any idea what I should/could sell my Lotus Stage II exhaust for - it's covered around 9k miles.
What 2bulars have people gone for? I'm thinking of the 7x24 - assuming it has a less boomy and droning sound like my stage II and would mostly come alive when booting the throttle right??...
What 2bulars have people gone for? I'm thinking of the 7x24 - assuming it has a less boomy and droning sound like my stage II and would mostly come alive when booting the throttle right??...
Ravi - I was in the same position as you about 8 months ago. Stage ll fitted to my Exige, loved the sound but it was just too loud and boomy for general driving. The sound was great when you floored it and had some lovely pops and bangs on the overrun but the bass was too much when just pottering about and became quite tiresome on the motorway.
So after a lot of research I went for a 2bular 8X22 through diffuser to maintain the standard look. It's fantastic and can't fault it. Like everyone says the build quality is great, it's almost a shame to hide it. The sound is fantastic, quiet enough for a conversation (the wife will go away for holidays in it now) but when floored there's a lovely howl as the revs rise with a few pops and bangs on the overrun.
Jim at 2bular will make exactly what you want, I asked for a quieter exhaust than the stage ll and Jim recommended the 8X22 which is the quietest (I believe). The 7X24 that you're looking for is a little louder I think but I don't know by how much. Best thing to do is contact Jim at 2bular and ask him what he recommends.
So after a lot of research I went for a 2bular 8X22 through diffuser to maintain the standard look. It's fantastic and can't fault it. Like everyone says the build quality is great, it's almost a shame to hide it. The sound is fantastic, quiet enough for a conversation (the wife will go away for holidays in it now) but when floored there's a lovely howl as the revs rise with a few pops and bangs on the overrun.
Jim at 2bular will make exactly what you want, I asked for a quieter exhaust than the stage ll and Jim recommended the 8X22 which is the quietest (I believe). The 7X24 that you're looking for is a little louder I think but I don't know by how much. Best thing to do is contact Jim at 2bular and ask him what he recommends.
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