78 replies to this topic

[Thorney]

it's not like there's a huge distance from the engine to rear bumper is it

...and thats why its expensive. The level of development thats gone into this system (and its proven power gains) is significant.

Same applies for other mid engine'd cars though. I've got an MR2 turbo which obviously has a similar exhaust setup to a VX and none of the exhausts are anywhere near the price of a Milltek, not even the crazy expensive Jap ones like Nur Specs.

Sure the Milltek might be good, but then again so is a Nur Spec (and Mongoose if you want to include it)

Fair enough. But the Milltek was also adopted by Vauxhall for the VXR220 (as an optional extra) and the Milltek range adopted by Vauxhall for the entire VXR range so I guess you could say that the manufacturer likes it. The Milltek was also destruction tested by Lotus, power tested by Lotus and Vauxhall and proven gains (by Lotus at Hethel) of 16-20bhp

I've no idea what race cats Mongoose use. Milltek only use HJS motorsport spec cats, these are different and significantly better than a non motorsport cat (just becuse its xxx cell doesn't mean they are the same) and these are expensive. I'm not trying to slag off any other system, just offer reasons why the Milltek is not expensive for what you get.

[philz]

Well, the way I read that is that you would need to get the £250 200 cell 'upgrade' to match the milltek spec...

so its £860?

Not how I understand it.

The exhaust is £395
The 200 cell cat is £250
Fitting is £50

Total £695

Fair enough. But the Milltek was also adopted by Vauxhall for the VXR220 (as an optional extra) and the Milltek range adopted by Vauxhall for the entire VXR range so I guess you could say that the manufacturer likes it. The Milltek was also destruction tested by Lotus, power tested by Lotus and Vauxhall and proven gains (by Lotus at Hethel) of 16-20bhp

I've no idea what race cats Mongoose use. Milltek only use HJS motorsport spec cats, these are different and significantly better than a non motorsport cat (just becuse its xxx cell doesn't mean they are the same) and these are expensive. I'm not trying to slag off any other system, just offer reasons why the Milltek is not expensive for what you get.

I don't disagree with you at all John, the Milltek certainly is a very well proven exhaust and I'm sure it's still the best available for the VX. I'm just curious to know how close the Blueflame comes to it as the price difference is quite substantial.

[cheeky_chops]

Is it not worth keeping the standard exhaust and just getting the downpipe that replaces the precat? The std exhaust can't be that bad... can it?

this is what i originally had from AMD - stage 2 remap and a precat pipe, gave approx 245bhp/250lbft. Didnt have pockets deep enough at the time for a full system with a nipper on the way. Car wasnt any louder with just the precat

[VXT Tim]

Is it not worth keeping the standard exhaust and just getting the downpipe that replaces the precat?  The std exhaust can't be that bad... can it? 

this is what i originally had from AMD - stage 2 remap and a precat pipe, gave approx 245bhp/250lbft. Didnt have pockets deep enough at the time for a full system with a nipper on the way. Car wasnt any louder with just the precat

My pockets are telling me thats all i can afford to do!

[Thorney]

The 200 cell cat is £250

That explains it, they aren't using a motorsport cat...these cost £390 each. It maybe a 200 cell but there is a World of difference (design, coating used etc etc) between a motorsport and non motosport cat. At least that explains the price difference. Compare like for like and the Milltek looks pretty good value IMO

[RichH]

Thorney, What would you expect to see in terms of performance between a 200-cell motorsport cat and a 200-cell non-motorsport cat? Rich

[MrDemon]

Blue flame are a top company and nice guys to talk to and deal with I had one on my Audi TT and its the dogs and a much better fit than the miltek on the TT also. Plus you can go there and get it fitted by the people who make it if you so wish. So 1: Blueflame was better on the TT than a Miltek 2: i had a miltek on the 350z and thought it was over priced and seem to add neither power or sound ( this has put me off Miltek). 3: No middle man to take there cut as you buy direct. 4: Miltek seem to make to many exhausts imo to test I cannot see them testing every one for every car make, blue flame do. 5: Blue flame supplied the Lotus 340R exhaust so they deal with Lotus already Blue flame make all the TVR exhausts for TVR as standard fit. Blue flame sell direct to the customer so you get value for money. rembember the middle man wants to make 30% as well as the maker so thats why Blue flame are 30% cheaper no middle man to take a cut. Ring Nigel and ask him about his exhausts he is very helpful.

Edited by MrDemon, 22 February 2006 - 08:43 PM.

[craglett]

This is a good deal. Direct from Nigel.

Clicky

[da_murphster]

I was after a full exhaust and was unwilling to pay the extra for the Milltek when other coys seemed to offer the same product substatially cheaper. I ended up going for a Janspeed. Sounds great, definate power improvement, good service, good build quality. But..... Tripped my (ond other VX's) MIL light - Janspeed had my car for weeks and couldnt figure out why the MIL light was being tripped by the Sports Cat. Janspeed took back the Cat (keeping the backbox) and I am now in the process of ordering a Milltek CAT pipe. I reckon that there is a difference in CAT quality and it all depends weather you are willing to risk the hassle endured if your MIL tripped to save money (about 100 quid). I have decided I am now willing to cough up for a hassle free exsistance!

[Thorney]

4: Miltek seem to make to many exhausts imo to test I

Sorry, Milltek test EVERY single system they make both on the road and on rolling roads before they are released.

Sounds like you've had a bad experience, however if you weren't happy with any of the Milltek systems then you should've contact them direct and I've no doubt they would have rectified the issue of refunded your money.

The difference in costs between these systems is sown to the cats. Motorsport cats are simply more expensive but offer better flow rate, better performance and last longer due to higher quality.

By all means get a system with a non motorsport cat (buyers choice n all that) but don't justify to yourself its because Milltek are 'overpriced' they aren't, they simply only make high end systems regardless for how high end the car is.

[Joe-Turbo]

hmmm, how about using the milltec sports cat with the blueflame zorst? would that work? can you buy the sports cat seperate? just throwing in ideas

Edited by Joe-Turbo, 23 February 2006 - 07:43 AM.

[craglett]

Tripped my (ond other VX's) MIL light

I would have thought Nigel would have developed a working system by now, he seems to have plenty of experience. He sounds like he would tweak it for you anyway if there were any problems. My experience of guys making SS exhausts has been very good in the past when it comes to rectifying problems.

it all depends weather you are willing to risk the hassle endured if your MIL tripped to save money (about 100 quid).

£100?....try £400+ I think I would be willing. I would have to get him to design a nicer tailpipe though.

[VXT Tim]

I would have to get him to design a nicer tailpipe though.

Agreed

[Joe-Turbo]

i think the tail pipe looks nice in the thread that i linked to.

[philz]

I took the liberty of emailing Nigel from Blueflame to ask for power curves, sound clips etc. so I could get an idea of how it might compare to the Milltek.

Here's his response for those who are interested. (I'm not called Gareth, no idea where he got that from!)

Hi Gareth
Unfortunately we do not have a definitive power curve at this time.
however, we are reliably informed that the power is comparable to the Milltek system.
The db killers shave off arround 5 db
Please find attatched our sound files
best regards
Nige
01695 724444

He also sent me 2 video clips (Quicktime) so I've hosted them for you to see/hear.


Clip 1
Clip 2

Edited by philz, 02 March 2006 - 09:35 AM.

[Joe-Turbo]

i have a different movie clip but dont know how to post. plus here are two pics edit, cant upload the pics either

Edited by Joe-Turbo, 02 March 2006 - 02:17 PM.

[philz]

You could try uploading to Imageshack

[Jase_MK]

All this talk of motorsport cats.... does anyone in motorsport actually use a cat? Just curious really, sorry can't offer anything constructive to this thread!

[Thorney]

All this talk of motorsport cats.... does anyone in motorsport actually use a cat? Just curious really, sorry can't offer anything constructive to this thread!

WRC cars have to.....verious others round the World

[christurbo]

BTCC have to use cats.