14 replies to this topic

[andym172]

As I've said in quite a few of my posts, I'm looking to change the exhaust on the n/a VX - IMHO the exhaust on the VX doesn't suit the character of the VX. It looks good, but the sound (in my opinion) leaves a lot to be desired.
And so I'm going to change the exhaust on my VX.

When choosing who to make the exhaust it's no brainer for me, there's pretty much only one place that I would trust Tube Torque (I recommend you have a look at their gallery!).

I in no way have any affiliation with this company but am a very satisfied customer - after a couple of recommendations of people who I regard to know what they're talking about regarding all things petrol headish, I had an exhaust made by them for my Clio 172 and was hugely happy with the power gains and the sound that the exhaust made. Watching them make the exhaust on the car was an education and well worth the money itself!

I spoke to them today and have booked my car in at the earliest possible opportunity (2 weeks time).
A while ago Thorney asked that I enquire as to if Tube Torque would be willing to make exhaust's for the VX and give a discount for VX forum members. I didn't get a chance to do this today but when my car goes in I'll ask Mark (my contact at Tube Torque) if he's willing to do this. In order to get a good price I'll need to know how many people are interested if the price is competitive.

Below is what I'm personally looking for:

- Price around or below £400
- No louder than 95db @ 4,000 revs (I've heard this is going to be the new trackday sound limit for most tracks)
- As much power as possible. There are many bullsh*t claims about exhaust power increases but I honestly believe the exhaust on my 172 produced near 10bhp power gains, I reckon the VX's will too.
- I also want to keep the standard look of the VX's exhaust. Mark has suggested that I go for one large oval (like Regal's?) which he says will produce the best power output and will be cheaper to make (and therefore buy), but I'm more inclined to stay with the standard look.

Obviously I can't guarantee all of the above, and I'm not even sure if Mark will agree to do it, but please let me know your thoughts!

It'd be good if I could turn up and say "we have a possible X number of orders, what's the best price you can do for us?".

Thanks!

Andy.

[Thorney]

Well done Andy, keep up the good work, same with minime and Regal.

[rasputin]

hi andy why dont you see if they can make a cat replacement pipe as well.with quick release screws,

[R3D VX]

That's what i would be interested in, Some way of replacing the cat for the MOT, then having a quick easy swap to a straight through pipe for the rest of the year! Mike.

[Dave T-S]

I used Mark at Tube Torque some years ago, and their stuff is ok but a bit agricultural (unless they have since bought a hydraulic tube bender, the bends were all cut and welded not mandrel bent which is not condusive to optimum gas flow).

I would also view this comment

Mark has suggested that I go for one large oval (like Regal's?) which he says will produce the best power output

as coming from the fairies.........

From personal experience, Hayward & Scott at Basildon are excellent.

[andym172]

hi andy
why dont you see if they can
make a cat replacement pipe as well.with quick release
screws,

Ok, cool - I'll ask about that!

From personal experience, Hayward & Scott at Basildon are excellent.

For what it's worth I met up with a fellow 172 owner who had H&S make him an exhaust once I had my TT exhaust fitted.

His was quite a lot more expensive than mine (if I recall correctly about £100), looked good, but didn't produce any power gains.

Then again, H&S make excellent exhausts for the Impreza so maybe this was a one-off case?!

I'd recommend having a look at Tube Torque's gallery here and here, and definitely have a look at their manifold section

Andy.

[andym172]

I would also view this comment

Mark has suggested that I go for one large oval (like Regal's?) which he says will produce the best power output

as coming from the fairies.........

Sorry, I forgot to mention this:

According to Mark, if I were to choose a letter box style exhaust with one outlet (instead of the VX's original two) then there won't have to be as many chambers and so gas flow will be at its optimum.

This makes sense to me...

I think I'm still gonna go for the original look though!


And for the cat replacement pipe - what would you guys be prepared to pay? I'll try to haggle Mark down if we can get a few possible orders!

Andy.

Edited by andym172, 18 April 2003 - 12:41 PM.

[Ricky2772]

According to Mark, if I were to choose a letter box style exhaust with one outlet (instead of the VX's original two) then there won't have to be as many chambers and so gas flow will be at its optimum.

This makes sense to me...

in my komo-tec box


the twin pipes fork-out from single hose just before the chrome tips, so no diff. whatsoever....
unless they plan to work a double pipeline all the way from the inside of the cylinder box, but I can't see why they would do that....heavier, more complicate, more expensive.

Attached Files

•  tailpipes.jpg   175.51KB   0 downloads

[TheRockstar]

Ricky, that seems a mighty small screwdriver to be removing the exhaust with, how long'd it take ya?... all day?...

[rasputin]

Ricky wheres the bloody cat. or was it takeing the photo.

[BogBrush]

I'd be interested in a pre-cat replacement pipe.

[andym172]

Has anyone got any news on this cat replacement pipe yet?

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply - I had my exhaust fitted on Wednesday but have been too busy to post anything.

Anyway, in the end I went for a cat replacement pipe as well as a new exhaust. Thankfully I'm very happy with it - pictures/video are to follow (when I have a chance to take a few pics etc - within the next week or so!).

The price for the cat replacement pipe is £145.

Obviously I can't comment on what sort of power gain will be achieved, because I replaced the exhaust at the same time, but I will say that it is definitely noticable on my car - more specifically, higher up the rev range

If you're interested please send me an e-mail to: andym172@[no spam]yahoo.com (take the [no spam] bit out )

Thanks!

Andy.

[Thorney]

Andy, can you post it all up....I'm sure there are more than a few interested.