Exhaust experiences - track legal please
Discussion
OK I know there are loads of exhaust threads. Most of them are 'which brand' and degenerate into arguments.
I've finally realised that the crap sound of the Exige S needs a little added extra. I've normally had characterful-sounding engines in my cars, and went back to 4 cylinders because the rest of the package made up for it. My VXT had a Miltek system on, and with the turbo delivery and hissiness was adequately characterful for me (for a four-pot). Now I love the supercharger whine on my Exige, but there's no bass, no roar, scream or crackle and pop (mine has a Lotus factory standard exhaust on).
Now I've read the historical threads and listened to some of the sound clips / videos of aftermarket exhausts. Most of them are *not* on supercharged cars, though - I'm making the assumption that this matters little, though the noise from the blower has to be added to the total output.
Unfortunately the vast majority of the clips I've heard sound far too loud to be acceptable on a trackday. And this is a dealstopper requirement. I'm not prepared to bolt supertrapp extensions to my pipe just to pass scrutineering at a trackday - the exhaust system *has* to be track legal and that means 98 dB really. My local / favourite track is Brands which is normally 98, as are many other tracks (I think Bedford is lower, but not sure by how much).
So as a sort-of 'what exhaust' question - who of you here regularly attend trackdays in a Toyota Elise / Exige (preferably an S) and also have a fruity, charismatic sounding exhaust? I'm not expecting it to sound like my old 993 on J-pipes (God shouting, etc.) but just a bit more character is needed. Anyone tried multiple exhausts and found one which is 'just right'? I'm not looking for anti-social noise (which wouldn't pass the trackday criterion either), and I definitely do *not* want resonance and booming, as I also drive motorway distances in my car.
I'd also appreciate lower weight than the OEM pipe, though I imagine that this is not particularly difficult and every aftermarket exhaust will be lighter.
Sounds like I want the best of all worlds - is there anything out there that is recommended?
I've finally realised that the crap sound of the Exige S needs a little added extra. I've normally had characterful-sounding engines in my cars, and went back to 4 cylinders because the rest of the package made up for it. My VXT had a Miltek system on, and with the turbo delivery and hissiness was adequately characterful for me (for a four-pot). Now I love the supercharger whine on my Exige, but there's no bass, no roar, scream or crackle and pop (mine has a Lotus factory standard exhaust on).
Now I've read the historical threads and listened to some of the sound clips / videos of aftermarket exhausts. Most of them are *not* on supercharged cars, though - I'm making the assumption that this matters little, though the noise from the blower has to be added to the total output.
Unfortunately the vast majority of the clips I've heard sound far too loud to be acceptable on a trackday. And this is a dealstopper requirement. I'm not prepared to bolt supertrapp extensions to my pipe just to pass scrutineering at a trackday - the exhaust system *has* to be track legal and that means 98 dB really. My local / favourite track is Brands which is normally 98, as are many other tracks (I think Bedford is lower, but not sure by how much).
So as a sort-of 'what exhaust' question - who of you here regularly attend trackdays in a Toyota Elise / Exige (preferably an S) and also have a fruity, charismatic sounding exhaust? I'm not expecting it to sound like my old 993 on J-pipes (God shouting, etc.) but just a bit more character is needed. Anyone tried multiple exhausts and found one which is 'just right'? I'm not looking for anti-social noise (which wouldn't pass the trackday criterion either), and I definitely do *not* want resonance and booming, as I also drive motorway distances in my car.
I'd also appreciate lower weight than the OEM pipe, though I imagine that this is not particularly difficult and every aftermarket exhaust will be lighter.
Sounds like I want the best of all worlds - is there anything out there that is recommended?
I can't help other than to suggest it might be worth talking to Larini, 2Tubular etc about your requirments. I think Bedford is 98dB drive-by. I was chucked off last time I was there and I reckon I've one of the quieter S1 exhausts (Blue Flame/Motobuild). I normally get 93/94dB static at 4.5k rpm on my car so I know I'm not particularly loud.
Do Larini sell a specifically-98dB track-friendly exhaust?
I've aware of the pros and cons of 2bular - it appears that Jim up in Scotland is happy to provide a bespoke service, but bespoke engineering IME always takes a hell of a lot more time than anticipated... and I don't want to be waiting months for an exhaust.
Ideally it'd be something off-the-shelf that multiple people have tried and found fine on multiple trackdays.
Not asking much am I?
Can't be arsed to ask on SELOC as I'll just get wound up by all the snarky replies...
I've aware of the pros and cons of 2bular - it appears that Jim up in Scotland is happy to provide a bespoke service, but bespoke engineering IME always takes a hell of a lot more time than anticipated... and I don't want to be waiting months for an exhaust.
Ideally it'd be something off-the-shelf that multiple people have tried and found fine on multiple trackdays.
Not asking much am I?
Can't be arsed to ask on SELOC as I'll just get wound up by all the snarky replies...
king serious?????!!! Have a Larini Sport back box on my S.
Not had it tested for noise, but I am informed that it is at around the 98 dB mark - Larini told me the Clubsport was MUCH louder and a bit too much for general road use?
I too missed the sound of my flat 6 (albeit water cooled) with PSE and opted for the Larini to rid the car of its' sewing machine soundtrack.
From your description of requirements, I think it would fit the bill?
Not had it tested for noise, but I am informed that it is at around the 98 dB mark - Larini told me the Clubsport was MUCH louder and a bit too much for general road use?
I too missed the sound of my flat 6 (albeit water cooled) with PSE and opted for the Larini to rid the car of its' sewing machine soundtrack.
From your description of requirements, I think it would fit the bill?
The Bandit said:
zebra said:
My Larini was tested today and maxed at 126.7 dB! 
That's me not track legal then! Bugger!
Zebra
Fookin 'ell Zebs,i take it thats a Club Sport?That's me not track legal then! Bugger!
Zebra
My Sport is supposed to be 96db....but i doubt that!
If I want to go back on track now lloks like I need to fit the stock exhaust for the day.
Zebs
Sounds like both Larini pipes are off limits 
Do all other trackdayers stick to factory zorsts? I can't believe that since they're so heavy...
Perhaps it's going to have to be a 2bular bespoke 'make it under 98dB, Jim' jobby - however as getting him to build something just for me will take significant time, I'd rather choose something off the shelf that others are using, as I'd at least be able to hear what it sounds like before purchase...
Dilemma-tastic.
Do all other trackdayers stick to factory zorsts? I can't believe that since they're so heavy...
Perhaps it's going to have to be a 2bular bespoke 'make it under 98dB, Jim' jobby - however as getting him to build something just for me will take significant time, I'd rather choose something off the shelf that others are using, as I'd at least be able to hear what it sounds like before purchase...
Dilemma-tastic.
I thought the 8"x24" would be more than acceptable for Brands ??
According to Jims website the 7"x24" is only 96db drive by
http://www.2bular.com/ExigeS.htm
UK tds are getting worse
,hence the huge numbers of people now doing LoT days abroad where noise rules are far more relaxed.
According to Jims website the 7"x24" is only 96db drive by
http://www.2bular.com/ExigeS.htm
UK tds are getting worse
,hence the huge numbers of people now doing LoT days abroad where noise rules are far more relaxed.Alex, your best way of doing it, is keep the standard cat-back and fit a 4-1 proper manifold with no precat and a 200 cell race cat, then you'll get pops and bangs without much noise increase and if you do want to change you don't have to ditch your manifold.
A lot of people do it on the supercharged Cooper S, it gives it a roar and some pops and crackles without being loud, they still get a power increase of 7-8 bhp (but not the full 14-15 bhp with a full system)
A lot of people do it on the supercharged Cooper S, it gives it a roar and some pops and crackles without being loud, they still get a power increase of 7-8 bhp (but not the full 14-15 bhp with a full system)
cyberface said:
Sounds like both Larini pipes are off limits
Do all other trackdayers stick to factory zorsts? I can't believe that since they're so heavy...
Perhaps it's going to have to be a 2bular bespoke 'make it under 98dB, Jim' jobby - however as getting him to build something just for me will take significant time, I'd rather choose something off the shelf that others are using, as I'd at least be able to hear what it sounds like before purchase...
Dilemma-tastic.
I've had a number of off the shelf exhausts, albeit for K series engined cars, and each was very good. Bell & Colvill, Janspeed and Raceline. I've also had a hand-made one for the Honda'd car (mde by Simpson IIRC), I forget the name of who made it, but it was excellent, repackable, sounded very fruity especially when hot, helped the car make good power on the dyno, and met every tracklimit everywhere - had I had an off the shelf one for it, I'm pretty sure I'd have a) blown the thing to bits with the power, and b) very likely been kicked off for noise in various places.Do all other trackdayers stick to factory zorsts? I can't believe that since they're so heavy...
Perhaps it's going to have to be a 2bular bespoke 'make it under 98dB, Jim' jobby - however as getting him to build something just for me will take significant time, I'd rather choose something off the shelf that others are using, as I'd at least be able to hear what it sounds like before purchase...
Dilemma-tastic.
Were I in your place now, I'd take the time to have a good talk to Jim @ 2bular and I'd have one custom made for exactly the application I wanted. The craftsmanship of those exhausts appears to me to be absolutely first-class. If that's not an option, I would next pick up the phone and talk to someone at Plans, Hoffmans or Maidstone Sportscars and seek some advice about who they know who can make really good exhausts for the Toyota engine.
In my humble opinion, it is well worth taking the time (and a little extra money if need be), and get a really great product that you'll be super-happy with, rather than rushing to buy something off the shelf and "chancing it".
2bular exhaust fitted on mine which castle lotus fitted when i purchased the car.
Get the pops and bangs and nice and loud when giving it some beans but still good for motorway driving.
Static test at Snetterton was only 93-95db earlier this year so would be a good choice for trackdays.
Get the pops and bangs and nice and loud when giving it some beans but still good for motorway driving.
Static test at Snetterton was only 93-95db earlier this year so would be a good choice for trackdays.
Don't forget that most places test at 4-4.5k rpm not max revs. They ought to be testing Toyota Elises/Exiges at higher rpm because of the high max rpm and they are slowly cottoning onto this. I think most tracks are still running with a static limit tested at x rpm (3/4 max revs?) so as long as you can meet that you'll be OK. Bedford is a rule unto itself as not only do they do the static test (which I pass with flying colours) but also monitor drive-by around the circuit (which I failed on my last outing). Don't forget Bedford now have a one strike and you're out rule - no appeal, no chance to keep the revs down etc: bye, bye on your way home. I've been at Bedford when a standard factory spec Elise was thrown out for failing drive-by. Strangely you can fail the static test at Bedford but pass the drive-by - I've seen a 996GT3 manage to do that!
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