NC exhaust snapped, should I get a sports cat?

NC exhaust snapped, should I get a sports cat?

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Discussion

MajorMantra

Original Poster:

1,293 posts

112 months

Tuesday 13th October 2020
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The other day my NC (2007 2.0) suddenly got much louder and, lo and behold, the exhaust has snapped clean through just aft of the resonator (?) thingy near the back of the centre pipe. Damn.

Now, the cheapest option to fix this would be something like this repair section from MX5Parts: https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/exhaust-centre-pipe-rep...

However, there's another issue...There's a small hole in the cat near the front of my centre pipe. Now, this may have been here for years (it's rusty, so probably), but I don't want to waste money on a repair only for the car to fail an MOT because the cat is leaking.

This has led me to look at potentially replacing the whole centre pipe. Genuine parts will be mad coin, so the options look like:

1)Complete pattern centre pipe with cat. Could be as little as £180 (PartsInMotion on ebay) but will this be total crap?

2)Some sort of nice stainless centre pipe, probably with a sports cat. There are ones (e.g. Gravity for £210 on ebay) that don't promise you'll pass your MOT. Others claim to be MOT compliant, but cost significantly more (£500 plus).

Thoughts? Advice? The standard exhaust never sounded amazing but was fine. I definitely don't want something obnoxiously loud, or which drones at higher speeds.

I also don't want something that risks failing MOTs, as it's just not worth the aggro. (Been there with my old Eunos...)

Cheers!

Bertrum

467 posts

223 months

Tuesday 13th October 2020
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I have a standard exhaust I’m reasonable condition going spare, based on the south coast.

If you are interested.


dapper

182 posts

75 months

Wednesday 14th October 2020
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I have just got a manifold for my NB from the GRAVITY place on ebay.

Have to say very very impressed with the quality for how cheap it is.
Can't guarantee it's going to last in the long run but shall wait and find out I suppose.

MajorMantra

Original Poster:

1,293 posts

112 months

Wednesday 14th October 2020
quotequote all
Bertrum said:
I have a standard exhaust I’m reasonable condition going spare, based on the south coast.

If you are interested.
Emailed you, I might be.

MajorMantra

Original Poster:

1,293 posts

112 months

Wednesday 14th October 2020
quotequote all
dapper said:
I have just got a manifold for my NB from the GRAVITY place on ebay.

Have to say very very impressed with the quality for how cheap it is.
Can't guarantee it's going to last in the long run but shall wait and find out I suppose.
Good to know. I did find a few rather spicy reviews of them online. I think the worry over MOT/emissions would be a dealbreaker however anyway.

bltamil1

298 posts

144 months

Monday 19th October 2020
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I’ve got a full Cobra stainless steel sports exhaust if you are interested. It fits onto the manifold down pipe and includes the cat, resonator and back box.

In good condition and only a couple of years old.

MajorMantra

Original Poster:

1,293 posts

112 months

Tuesday 20th October 2020
quotequote all
bltamil1 said:
I’ve got a full Cobra stainless steel sports exhaust if you are interested. It fits onto the manifold down pipe and includes the cat, resonator and back box.

In good condition and only a couple of years old.
I've actually already bought one of those cheap BM Catalysts centre pipes but have emailed you...

ARHarh

3,755 posts

107 months

Tuesday 20th October 2020
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I have had a "parts in motion" cat on mine for 2 years. No issues at all passes mots, fitted perfectly seems good quality for the cost.

MajorMantra

Original Poster:

1,293 posts

112 months

Wednesday 21st October 2020
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ARHarh said:
I have had a "parts in motion" cat on mine for 2 years. No issues at all passes mots, fitted perfectly seems good quality for the cost.
That's where I ordered mine. They seem to offer two options, BM Catalysts and something else. I opted for the BM one. Haven't had it fitted yet though...