The definitive "what exhaust?" discussion thread!

[Jim]

Ok.. in response to comments in yet another exhaust thread, this is going to be the all new conclusive exhaust discussion. I'd prefer if it DIDNT become a flame war as occasionally seems to happen in these threads (especially over Milltek systems) so just - be normal. I'll kick it off! I might also turn this into a poll to find out what people have once I get a few manufacturers together..? Anyway..

Car: Corrado G60
Exhaust: Magnex CAT back system w/ oval tailpipe
Opinion: Quality was superb.. no signs of any kind of knocking - fit appeared to be very good with no signs of leaking after 30,000 miles of service and no obvious damage or corroding on the stainless steel. Only problem was passengers always complained that the exhaust was exceptionally boomy if sitting in the back seats.

[dr_mat]

Ok get this over with quickly shall we?

Corrado VR6
Genuine VW Exhaust.
Opinion: Original exhaust lasted 8 years, obviously fit+finish are superb (even after 8 years), no clunking, no knocking, no rattles, subtle tone and everything.

I replaced it with .. another VW exhaust. £155+VAT from GSF for the centre and rear sections. Had it fitted by a local VW specialist, have had equally few problems with the replacement as with the original. Fitted once, forgotten.

[Guest]

Heres my overview:

Car: G60
Exhaust: Miltek with Cat bypass and JMR hi flow s/s front pipe + ported manifold
Opinion: Very solid system, fits well, nice deep exhaust note that is not too noisy, small warranty issue sorted with no messing around whatsoever, JMR front pipe not cheap but worth every penny

As this is the definitive thread can we make sure it doesn't degenerate into another "lets knock other brands" thread that others appear to do

[kevhaywire]

I'm in agreement with Dr Mat, otherwise SuperSprint gets my vote.

Not going anywhere near a Milltek again.

Other quality brands (reputedley) are Hayward & Scott, Quicksilver, Sebring, Blue Flame, Tube Torque and shed loads more!

[biggerbigneil]

Milltek - £300 fitted

Car: VR6
Exhaust: cat back Milltek s/s system, uprated exhaust hangers added
Opinion: fitted by JMR, can't complain, excellent looks, alot lighter than the original ( I held them both, must be 1/4 of the weight if not less)

Also had a Jetex on my MK3 Golf, fitted by Halfords to start with and no end of problems. Was then refitted by a specialist and was perfect and apparently still is 4 years on.

It's all in the fitting

[Neil VR6]

Car: G60
Exhaust: Miltek with Cat bypass fitted by JMR
Opinion: Very solid system, fits well, nice deep exhaust note that is not too noisy on motorway, subtle oval tailpipe, couldn't ask for more!

[mrbeige]

Car: 2.0l 16v
Exhaust: Magnex CAT back with Supersprint CAT bypass
Opinion: Once it was fitted properly by Demon Tweeks, its superb. Lovely raspy sound to it, but NOT CHAV like at all. Subtle oval tailpipe. Very pleased, especially when you nail it and at around 4500rpm brings a smile to my face!!

[corradophil]

Car: 2.0 16v
Exhaust: Magnex cat back with oval tail pipe
Opinion: Very nicely made, does not fit perfectly, but better than some other aftermarket exhausts I've had. I don't particularly like the exhaust note, too Mk1 Escort for me, its quite raspy and echoey, but some of my mates really like the sound, so thats just my personal opinion. If I had to replace it I would go for a standard one.

Whilst writing my post Mr Beige posted his and he likes the raspy note - Definately a personal opinion thing.

[Yandards]

Car: 1.8 16v (For another month or two)
Exhaust: Full miltek, oval tail pipe with JMR downpipe & ported exhaust manifold
Opinion: Has never knocked but had an issue with the cat bypass pipe not sealing at the pinch end - sorted with no furthur problems very quickly. I like this exhaust its not intrusive until you boot it and I don't want a system that makes my ears bleed after an hour on the M4! Car also pulls much better from low down thanks to manifold and front pipe.

[Chris M]

Car: G60
Exhaust: stainless steel Scorpion with some home made Cat Bypass all fitted by the previous owner
Opinion: crap crap crap. Rattled, knocked and started melting the baffle box under the back seat.

Due to not being able to aford a new system, i chopped it up and open at work (what a crap design they are inside no wonder it was melting) and now i have a custom system and decat, 90% improvement, get 5mpg better fuel also.
Nice tail pipe though

[Campaign]

Car: G60
Exhaust 1: SuperSprint Mega System, Cat back. Sturdy, appeared well made (albeit mild steel). VERY heavy system, which required about 3 hours fitting by specialist. However, very satisfying visually and orally. Went through rubbers like crazy though. Lasted approx 4 years/45,000 miles, then rotted through.
Exhaust 2:Stainless Steel Scorpion, cat back. Looked okay off the body, but fit was worse than terrible. Rattled against rear bumper so badly that after about 2 months had melted the bumper around the surround. Took back to Scorpion and their excuse was that I had some "weird german body kit on the car" Like hell I did!

Car: VR6
exhaust Standard VW still. Now consider this is now a 13 year old car, has done 70k miles and STILL has the original exhaust on...

So, in conclusion, Heart says go for the SuperSprint, head says stick with the OE VW one.

[G60Jet]

Car: G60 (late type hangers)
Exhaust: Supersprint with Cat Bypass
Opinion: Great exhaust note, nice oval tail pipe, middle box however split, but Supersprint replaced it under warrenty. Fit was good once fitted properly, even with the car lowered.

[Chris VR6nos]

I have a:
VR6
Mongoose cat back
AAS cat pass pipe

Mongoose S/S zorst gives a decent note but not loud but bumps off everything so it's s**t for that and it tw@ts off speed humps and has taken on the same curve of the speed hump it's self!

Supersprint gets my vote if your funds extend that far.



Chris

[Henny]

Car: '92 G60 (J-DUB)
Exhaust: Custom made by JP Exhausts in Macclesfield
Opinion: Fits beautifully, nice and quiet up until 3500rpm when all hell breaks loose until 4500rpm when it goes nice and quiet again (as I requested it to do! ) single round rolled tail pipe as they'd run out of ovals when I got it made...

Car: '92 G60 (J-DUB after the engine mods)
Exhaust: custom (as above) with JMR/Milltek downpipe and ported manifold
Opinion: Downpipe didn't make any difference to the noise of the system but did appear to help flow considerably

Car: '91 G60 (H-YYU)
Exhaust: Milltek full system
Opinion: Oval tail pipe (kinda OEM+) Really like this system... was fitted to the car when I got it, but it sits nicely, is quiet enough when cruising but gives enough growl at 3000ish RPM to let people know that they need to get outta the way!

[CaiosG60 PWR]

Car: Golf G60
Exhaust: Supersprint Cat Bypass, Full twin box system, Oval tail pipe.

EDIT Added price paid as suggested by coolrado

Supersprint Cat Replacment £80.51
Supersprint Centre Exhaust and Front pipe £123.75
Supersprint Backbox 120x80 oval £176.93

Total including P&P £394.19

Opinion:

Fitting: I fitted it myself and found it to fit almost like OE. Needed to turn one of the middle hangers on the car around for perfect fit, it also came with a replacement rear hanger in chrome which was a nice touch.

Look: I really like the size of the tail pipe, its kinda smaller than others so in my opinion looks more OE. Also the distance from the end of the back box to the tail pipe is quite far so you cant see any of the back box from the rear of the car.

Sound: Its no where near as loud as a Janspeed I had on my Rocco. Its pritty subtle at low revs but give a good noise in high rev's. Juts how you want it! Gets a bit louder with age, think most exhausts do. Would go for the twin silenced like I have if you dont want loud.

Performance: I know that supersprint test each application of there exhausts on a Dyno and road test while developing them. This could be just good PR but I don’t think some of the cheaper manufactures do this.

Price: They are more expensive than other systems. Especially when you consider that there not completely Stainless Steel.

I'd like to try a Miltek system to see what there like as there a little cheaper. But if I had the extra money I would buy Supersprint again.