Longlife Exhausts

[C8PPO]

I've touched on this subject before, but thought I'd provide an update.

Whilst recognising that Messrs Wortec & Co do provide aftermarket exhausts, it's fair to say that they're not exactly cheap. So, I've been considering alternatives. My principle aim is for the car to sound more like it has a V8 under the bonnet than it does as standard - more performance would never be a bad thing but isn't my main wish here.

So, I contacted Longlife Exhausts. Have had good reports of their quality and their customer service from elsewhere (different cars).

They have offered either a pair of back boxes at £349, or a full cat-back system at £549. This is for a 2.5" system (same as standard?) in stainless steel (not sure of grade) with a lifeteime warranty. Standard exit is (I think) a twin-tip, as standard, but they have a massive range of alternatives, some of which will cost slightly more. That's apparently a special offer price, normally +£50 for each option.

Also, they offer varying sound levels depending on what you want, so you can go for anything from a muted growl to loud-as-you-like.

Overall, seems like a reasonable deal, and one which I might have a go at. I have nothing whatsoever to do with the company, this isn't a sales pitch, just passing on the info!

[stigmundfreud]

are they a powerflow style reseller then? It is very hit and miss with their work done on franchised places

Having said that I just recently went to Bell Silencers in swindon for some pipe work - excellent work done etc. There are options out there but of course with Wortec you do get he retune too. If you are after the sound you will really be wanting to look at headers too the retune will take advantage of the air flow but also make things sound right rather than fluffy.

If you do get your own system made up, get yourself in touch with ringram and get a copy of efilive tune. Simply sticking the exhaust on without altering your tune wont get you the sound you are after

[ringram]

You can even buy my old set of headers Going cheap.. 1.5/8 try-y's

[C8PPO]

Interesting, I didn't realise that the engine tune would need to be altered in order to make changes to the exhaust note. That throws it back up again then! Mine starts to snarl quietly when you're pushing it and using higher revs, it's a nice sound but it's still very muted, and I imagine that's just induction noise anyway. I love the V8 sound and would like to hear a little more of it, but from the sounds of things that isn't going to be as simple as I expected?

[well_fans]

change the exhaust will change the note but you won't necessarily get any performance gain from it without a retune to take advantage of it. If I was going for a custom built system I'd import a set of headers from Oz, or buy Richards, and have them make up a full system including sports cats - 200 cell ones can be had for under 70 quid each for the bare cats from US, guy I know just took delivery of two he's using to make up Astra VXR pipes. Before tax/import duty you can get a set of four into one full stainless hpc coated headers from someone like Capa for just under the 500 quid mark, mild steel for around 300-350 - probably want to order new gaskets and bolts while you're at it.

[iacs_hsv]

stigmundfreud said:

Simply sticking the exhaust on without altering your tune wont get you the sound you are after

Just got an SLP on mine - any suggestions where to start with the retune?

[stigmundfreud]

i wasnt saying there wouldnt be an increase in noise

efilive is where it is at for the DIY route, speak to ringram on here.

[msm29]

I have an old wortec system on my car - before the changeable silencer option was available. I also had headers and sports cats fitted about 5 months ago as part of a focus pack.

Whilst this offered a very nice V8 rumble I wanted more so I went to Longlife in Basingstoke last week who cut out the middle boxes and made up some straight pipes. They flanged the middle boxes so I have the option to put them back in if I want to. The quality of the welding is excellet. They took about 2 hours all told and it cost 150 quid. The noise now is fantastic - obnoxiously loud in fact :-)

[anonymous-user]

msm29 said:

I have an old wortec system on my car - before the changeable silencer option was available. I also had headers and sports cats fitted about 5 months ago as part of a focus pack.

Whilst this offered a very nice V8 rumble I wanted more so I went to Longlife in Basingstoke last week who cut out the middle boxes and made up some straight pipes. They flanged the middle boxes so I have the option to put them back in if I want to. The quality of the welding is excellet. They took about 2 hours all told and it cost 150 quid. The noise now is fantastic - obnoxiously loud in fact :-)

Is it a 'nice' loud or a 'i'm getting a headache now' loud? One of the things I like most about the Wortec is it isn't boomy on the motorway. If it sounds cool I might consider getting mine done as I'd like a little more Bowler Wildcat to my exhaust note.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 2nd October 08:52

[msm29]

It is nice. There is a drone at 1,500 rpm when cold but at m'way cruising speeds there is just a burble - until you put your foot down of course.

[Monnington]

The septics have far more options than we do! check this 'Exhaustive' thread.. www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115630

With the exchange rate as is, it's not too bad to import some of this stuff at present..

[ringram]

Headers are different in the US due to location of steering shaft cat back should be the same.

[bennno]

stigmundfreud said:

If you do get your own system made up, get yourself in touch with ringram and get a copy of efilive tune. Simply sticking the exhaust on without altering your tune wont get you the sound you are after

Thats utter jot, the sound of the exhaust will be down to its shape, design and materials used - the tune of the engine wont make the slightest difference to this

bennno

[gareth h]

I would have thought that a different tune would change gas velocities through the exhaust, hence the increase in power, that would almost certainly change the exhaust tone.

[ringram]

bennno said:

Thats utter jot, the sound of the exhaust will be down to its shape, design and materials used - the tune of the engine wont make the slightest difference to this

bennno

Not true dude.

Imagine timing advanced or retarded. That will alter cylinder pressure (power), higher pressure gas exiting a compressed chamber makes a different noise, as does unbunrnt charge "popping" in the exhaust etc. Fueling will also make a difference.

Try it and you will see/hear for yourself.

[anonymous-user]

Who are you calling Retarded ?

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 3rd October 12:13

[ringram]

If the shoe fits

[bennno]

ringram said:

bennno said:

Thats utter jot, the sound of the exhaust will be down to its shape, design and materials used - the tune of the engine wont make the slightest difference to this

bennno

Not true dude.

Imagine timing advanced or retarded. That will alter cylinder pressure (power), higher pressure gas exiting a compressed chamber makes a different noise, as does unbunrnt charge "popping" in the exhaust etc. Fueling will also make a difference.

Try it and you will see/hear for yourself.

Still disagree somewhat, the timing may make a slight difference - but the original questioner wanted V8 noise which is determined more by engine, exhaust bore, design, silencer quality, manifold configuration makes 95% of the noise characteristic.

On another subject, might be worth asking Longlife if they make any Monaro exhausts for anybody else (nudge, nudge)

Bennno

[stigmundfreud]

benno get efilive, do your own tuning and hear the differences

[C8PPO]

bennno said:

On another subject, might be worth asking Longlife if they make any Monaro exhausts for anybody else (nudge, nudge)

Bennno

???