Tuscan Exhaust Options... what to do what to do?

[ruta87]

thinking of macking some 'alterations' to my mark 1 tuscan. specifically the exhaust.

Ive found a few options and im wondering if anyone has any experience with any of these??


firstly there is the de-cat which is available from the usual suspects.

There is the option of replacing cans for the louder ones, or sleeving the standard ones i have at the moment.

People that have had the De-cat, how do you get around mot issues? people that have had the de-cat and loud cans... is it a little too loud?

there is also the 200 cell high flow sports cats.


st8six have developed a new exhaust for the tuscan which isnt on sale yet (i think) - they are quoting about 1500 fully fitted which seems pretty pricey but its a full system from the cat back and would mean saying bye bye to the cans.


ive also been recommended just upgrading to the tuscan s big bore exhaust.

there are lots of different combos and possibilities so wondering what experience people have had with these.


im guessing some of these would require altering the engine mapping to make sure the engine is suited to the exhaust back pressures.

I want it to be loud but not unbarable, as im planning on taking it down to le mans this year. I want to here that nice exhaust note when you lift off the throttle like you get on the old classic racers!

Any ideas or previou experience folks?!

Cheers - Christian

[blueg33]

Mine is decatted with straight through carbon cans.

It goes for MOT with cats in.

It is pretty loud. I have just driven about 3 hors home from North Wales and tbh I wear ear plugs as it is a bit droney at cruise.

When you are hooning the exhaust noise is great and I get lots of pops and bangs on the over run and even on changing up.

It does sound a bit too raspy at times but on other days I like it. Ideally switchable would be good

[ruta87]

I have heard they are rather loud with decat and cans done! have you ever had problems with the rozzers?

how much of a pain is it to swap it back to the cats for mot? i.e does it involve it being welded and how much would it cost each time you do it??

[nrick]

I have tried a few options :-

Sleeved with cats - good
Std decats - good but not as good as above

So I have decided to go with decats, std cans (maybe something different), and removing of the rear boxes (shot to pieces), stainless manifold back at 'S' diameter. Just need to finish my 12k

[ruta87]

nrick said:

I have tried a few options :-

Sleeved with cats - good
Std decats - good but not as good as above

So I have decided to go with decats, std cans (maybe something different), and removing of the rear boxes (shot to pieces), stainless manifold back at 'S' diameter. Just need to finish my 12k

so would i be right in saying its going to be straight through until it gets to the cans which will provide some baffling? will you have to remap for back pressures? id be interested to hear what that sounds like!

[blueg33]

ruta87 said:

I have heard they are rather loud with decat and cans done! have you ever had problems with the rozzers?

how much of a pain is it to swap it back to the cats for mot? i.e does it involve it being welded and how much would it cost each time you do it??

No probs with the Rozzers to date.

The guys that service the car sort the cats out. It costs me about 45 mins labour. I would do it myself but its easier on a ramp.

Nick

[ruta87]

blueg33 said:

No probs with the Rozzers to date.

The guys that service the car sort the cats out. It costs me about 45 mins labour. I would do it myself but its easier on a ramp.

Nick

Thanks nick, doesnt sound like too much trouble for the extra noise! plus i guess you get the benifits of 'saving' the cats as they cost about 1300 quid to replace once you sub in labour and the sensors!

[blueg33]

ruta87 said:

Thanks nick, doesnt sound like too much trouble for the extra noise! plus i guess you get the benifits of 'saving' the cats as they cost about 1300 quid to replace once you sub in labour and the sensors!

If your car is pre 2001, for MOT you can use the cheap cats that are £90 each. They do not need the approval stamp.

[ruta87]

blueg33 said:

If your car is pre 2001, for MOT you can use the cheap cats that are £90 each. They do not need the approval stamp.

its 2002, i think it has the 400cell cats on it at the moment, so was looking to upgrade or remove, to upgrade the 200cells are about 400 each then another 120 or so each for the sensors so decat is looking more likely, unless i leave cats as is and change from cat back...

[blueg33]

ruta87 said:

its 2002, i think it has the 400cell cats on it at the moment, so was looking to upgrade or remove, to upgrade the 200cells are about 400 each then another 120 or so each for the sensors so decat is looking more likely, unless i leave cats as is and change from cat back...

Are the sensors not in place already? You leave them in, even with a decat (at least mine has them there. The cheapy cats are for MOT only.

[WhyTwo]

I've tried the following on my mk1

De-cat std cans - OK but not quite right
Full sleeve std cans and de-cat - Armageddon! Way too loud for me. I drove it about 2 miles before I turned for home and removed the sleeves (enter Macey the hooligan to put me right )
Full sleeved std cans - too raspy
De-cat with CCC cans - seemed a little 'manufactured' and still a bit too raspy
Cats in with CCC's - perfect! Just about the right noise levels, 110.9 dB. Loads of pops and bangs on the overrun and no issues with 'drone' on log trips. Took it to Le Mans a couple of times and it certainly got loads of attention without being in the slightest bit annoying.

The above is all IMHO of course and others will have different opinions

[NCE 61]

blueg33 said:

ruta87 said:

its 2002, i think it has the 400cell cats on it at the moment, so was looking to upgrade or remove, to upgrade the 200cells are about 400 each then another 120 or so each for the sensors so decat is looking more likely, unless i leave cats as is and change from cat back...

Are the sensors not in place already? You leave them in, even with a decat (at least mine has them there. The cheapy cats are for MOT only.

I think he is refering to the Lambda sensor's, I don't knkow the reason but I have seen on one dealers web site that they recomend changing the Lambda sensors when you de-cat.

My Tuscan S has de-cats and the titanium Blue flame end cans sounds good IMO, save the cats,reduces the cabin/undrbonnet temperatures and the damage that this can cause.

[Macey]

WhyTwo said:

(enter Macey the hooligan to put me right )

[WhyTwo]

Macey said:

Hello Steve! I Knew it wouldn't be long! You've been out and about a lot recently, spotted all over the place! Need to meet up soon, are you around this w/e for a quick lunchtime beer?

[Macey]

I have fully sleeved std cans and a decat at the mo. I agree with WhyTwo that it is a bit too raspy. I plan on trying different cans in the summer. I will also keep the decats in which does help keep the cabin temp down.

Your best bet is to go to Chatsworth in April and speak and listen to some of the Tuscans that will be there. I will be doing just that myself.

[ruta87]

NCE 61 said:

I think he is refering to the Lambda sensor's, I don't knkow the reason but I have seen on one dealers web site that they recomend changing the Lambda sensors when you de-cat.

My Tuscan S has de-cats and the titanium Blue flame end cans sounds good IMO, save the cats,reduces the cabin/undrbonnet temperatures and the damage that this can cause.

Correct, i was referring to the lambda sensors, i was also recommended changing them at the same time. I think i heading towards the de-cat and saving the cats for mot as my ones are fine at the moment so wouldnt have to buy new ones. now to decide what to do behind the cat/decat!
may go for the double option again of getting a new set of loud cans and keeping the quite ones and maybe getting the big bore 's' echaust.

out of interest whats the damage on the blue flame? and what are peoples opinions on the shark nose cans?

[tvrchim500]

I have blueflame shark nose cans on my MK2 with the rear boxes removed. I think it was about 700 all in. Looks and sounds fine IMHO.

[WhyTwo]

Macey said:

I have fully sleeved std cans and a decat at the mo. I agree with WhyTwo that it is a bit too raspy. I plan on trying different cans in the summer. I will also keep the decats in which does help keep the cabin temp down.

Your best bet is to go to Chatsworth in April and speak and listen to some of the Tuscans that will be there. I will be doing just that myself.

I've still got a set of std cans in the shed if you fancy trying your de-cat with std, non-sleeved cans? Danny said he wanted them and we agreed a price ages ago but nothing ever happened so they're still sat in the shed.

Are you mellowing in your old age Macey

[Macey]

WhyTwo said:

I've still got a set of std cans in the shed if you fancy trying your de-cat with std, non-sleeved cans? Danny said he wanted them and we agreed a price ages ago but nothing ever happened so they're still sat in the shed

Hi Stu,

Can I take you up on that offer so that I can try them and see what it sounds like over a couple of week?

P.S

How are you and the Cerb?

Steve

[WhyTwo]

yep no probs. If you're around this w/e you can collect them. Suggest you spray yours with WD40 if not taken them off for a while. Then it's a 5 min job to switch them.

Cerb is great but has a few little niggles that need sorting, most urgent is a rattling exhaust. Think I'll get it in to APM in the next few weeks. Just got it out of the garage and am off for a blast in a bit perfect day for it, just wish I could get the roof off!