43 replies to this topic

[paulb]

I got my car back from Milltek today, having had their first 2.2 VX exhaust fitted. They had my car for a week and used it for development.

The exhaust is designed to look very similar to standard but has a telltale Milltek logo etched on the top.





The system is a consists of flexible coupling, sports cat and back box (no pre cat). There may be further development work on a manifold but that will depend on other tuning progress...





The exhaust is not as noisy as some as Milltek were keen to be well inside trackday noise limits and allow overhead for some other noisy tuning components (such as induction). It will probably get a bit louder as it beds in, but mine was measured at 91 dB. Since most track days are currently 98 dB and the strictest are only about 95 dB, there is a fair amount of overhead.

When you start the car, the exhausts gives a nice throaty burble. Above about 4500 revs, the engine noise dominates, although you can still hear the roar of the exhaust. Obviously, at high speeds, the wind noise is still the loudest thing.

What the car does produce is a lovely sound on the overrun.

I think this is a very subtle sound but certainly well suited to the car. It sounds like I think it should now, without being intrusive.

I have not been able to get the car on a rolling road yet, but there is a noticable improvement in throttle response and the engine seems to rev more freely.

Paul

[rubber]

All important. How much?! Ian

[paulb]

Dunno yet, pricing should be finalised in the next few days. I'm going to be off line for a couple of weeks from the weekend, but Thorney is on the case and should be able to get an answer fairly soon. According to Phil at Milltek, it will be "competitive"

Edited by paulb, 11 June 2003 - 09:05 PM.

[NikNoC]

Sounds good! Any ideas on price yet? Edit - darn, too slow - same question and response posted while I was typing my original post. Will be interesting to see what competitive means!

Edited by NikNoC, 11 June 2003 - 09:06 PM.

[R1 nur]

Looks real classy. And by that I mean the physical look and also the noise etc! Being thrown off or being inelligible for any trackday is too big a compromise for me. So. Thorney - the VXT version. How long are we going to have to wait? And what do I do with my OE exhaust. Since my divorce (!) no garage........

[Ricky2772]

weight?!

[rubber]

weight?! 

Trust you ricky

Ian

[Thorney]

Here's the deal. The cost of these kinds of products consist of three elements, the actual cost of production, profit margin for the manufacturer and development cost. Its very easy to look at the final retail cost, subtract a reasonable manufacturing cost and conclude the rest is pure profit. However, development isn't cheap and as such needs to be spread accross each item to cover it. I looked into existing exhausts available for the 220 and concluded that they were either too noisy, offered no increase in power, too expensive, crap quality or an unique combination of all of the above. Hence I approached Miltek (whom I knew through Audi aftermarket exhausts) and offered them a deal. Miltek have designed and manufactured an exhaust system for the NA and the VXT just for us (vx220.org.uk) for sale through us. The design brief was: 1. Designed for performance. Nice noise would be good but design was about efficient exhaust gas flow to be 'expandable' with extra performance mods. 2. Quality. Proper stainless contruction, its a visible part and should be seen as such. 3. Noise - got to be under 95 db's for track clearance but still sound 'rorty' PaulB kindly lent his car to Miltek for a week for measurement and testing, mine will be going to Miltek on the 23rd for the same. Miltek won't charge either of us for this development time. Essentially Paul and I get an exhaust for free, the downside being that ours are necessarily pre-production and as such won't be as highly 'polished' but for free we ain't complaining. PaulB got the gig purely because he'd already contacted Miltek for an exhaust independantly, all I've done is combine the deal. Miltek will make a donation to the vx220 club for each item sold either direct or via a third party tuning company. Miltek want to wait until the VXT kit is done so they can work out in their own minds want they want to charge (we will have input into this but its still their business and as such recognise they want to make a profit) taking into account the development work, time and frankly just how many units they think there is demand for? Just to re-inforce the concept, I went to Miltek because they make top quality kit and specialise in specialist sports cars. Amongst other accolades they made exhausts for racing Bentleys, le mans car etc etc - they know their stuff. The fact that they're prepared to offer us this kind of deal simply reflects they recognise that sales come from word of mouth (which works both ways) and they are happy to 'put a bit back' for our benefit. We should know final costs end of June (when my VXT is finished) but we've already agreed that the RRP should be 'competitive' which I take to mean cheaper than most, if not all the others I hope you guys agree with the concept?

[R1 nur]

I will have one. Looks good kit. DEFO - if that helps! Anyone able to store OE 'zorst for me? Just 'till I get out of this flat! Divorce and all that!!

[Jim_Cross]

Thorney - that sounds like a great deal all round, and I'm sure everyone here appreciates the work you, Paul and Miltek have put into it! Anyone know what the decibelage of a standard VX is, just for comparison? Also, Paul (or anyone at Miltek), any chance of some nice in-car and outside sound clips of the exhaust when everything's been finalised? I am currently over the moon with my (standard) VX, but I guess in time I might crave a bit more power or a bit more noise. If so, I would certainly be looking for a sports exhaust which isn't much louder than the standard exhaust as the VX is my only car, so I don't want something stupidly loud. It sounds like the Miltek is the best option for people like me...so hopefully, when insurance costs allow, I may well be interested It'll be interesting to see what sort of power gains can be had from just the Miltek exhaust and either a cone air filter or performance panel filter.

[Jamie K]

I have also spoken to Phil at Milltek today. Very interested. Jamie

[Ricky2772]

Just 'till I get out of this flat! Divorce and all that!!

ahem....isn't that the "girlfriend" piccies have something to do with the impending event?!

(only joking... )

[Jamie K]

Anyone know what the decibelage of a standard VX is, just for comparison?

I had a static noise test 2/3rds of max rpm at MSA defined distance at a sprint last month and standard is 89dba - I spoke to Phil at Milltek today and the same static MSA test was done on the Milltek exhaust to produce the 91dba reading

Jamie

[Jim_Cross]

Cool, thanks Jamie

[Sicey]

Looks nice, will be interesting if they can do the manifold to release some power though but it has to be competitive with the other tuning company's to win some business.

[paulb]

Also, Paul (or anyone at Miltek), any chance of some nice in-car and outside sound clips of the exhaust when everything's been finalised?

Jim, if I get the chance, I'll try to do a recording on my PC. Won't be top quality though. Since I sold my recordable minidisc, I don't have any way of making portable recordings!

will be interesting if they can do the manifold to release some power though

Having been speaking to a couple of engine tuners, it seems that the general belief is that the manifold won't add any benefit on a standard car. I plan to investigate further tuning options (Jamie - very interested in throttle bodies!) before then returning to the manifold once everything else is in place. Different states of tune benefit from different back pressures.

Paul

[Jase_MK]

I hope you guys agree with the concept?

Definately. Vauxhall unit is a bit loud and also has those dull black pipes - and anything that contributes to the well running of the site and its reputation is a good thing. I was planning on doing some upgrades later in the year - this definately looks like the best option if the price is good and they are not based in Scotland...

Thorney - you da man!
PaulB - Good on you for being a guinea pig!

[GerryM]

R1_NUR, whereabouts do you live? I can store it for you but obviously we need to be fairly close to each other. cheers Gerry

[Dave T-S]

I've got loads of space in the garage roof too (North Essex just south of Cambridge)

[paulb]

Off topic apologies... Dave - where are you. I work near Saffron Walden. Paul