V8 Vantage tuning (SLINC) - Milltek Exhaust & Sports Cats
Discussion
Hi all,
This was my 2nd upgrade (after the AM Power Pack).
First stage was Sports Cats then full cat back exhaust a month later.
Location
Paramount Performance : www.paramount-performance.com
Tel: 01753 533633
Work
Replace OEM cats with Milltek Sports cats ( www.millteksport.com ).
Fit Milltek sports exhaust and block off redundant vacuum mechanism (opens up OEM exhaust bypass above 4000rpm).
Cost (Cats): c.£1,500
Cost (Exhaust): c.£1,300
Results
Brilliant! (plus some negatives).
As a combination the weight saving alone - c.20kg! - adds to the effect of the resulting power increase.The Sports Cats give a decent hike in power (c.11bhp with AM Power Pack already fitted).
Moreover the exhaust note takes on a fabulously bassy tone at idle.Having said that, whilst still fitted to the OEM exhaust, the noise when the exhaust bypass valve opens is staggeringly loud. In fact it was this that prompted me to have the full catback exhaust fitted soon after.
The full exhaust complements the cats perfectly. Exhaust tone is gorgeously rich and deep at low revs, hardening smoothly up the rev range. Personally I much prefer the lack of "step-change" at 4000rpm the regular exhaust gives - it always seemed rather contrived.
The Milltek system sound really suits the Vantage (imho). It can be heard on their website.
A few negatives ;
Paramount didn't replace my rather worn gaskets (the thin slice of material that joins the downpipes to the Cats) which realistically they should've told me about, even though they were under no obligation to replace them.
Sure enough they failed some months later (resulting in a blowing exhaust).
The chaps at TDI fixed this in double quick time and only charged me for the parts (£5 each!).
Another subsequent problem was that the join in the front-mid section of the exhaust started to develop a bit of "give", resulting in a rather rattly tone at idle. Rick at DMS solved this (and free of charge!). Apparently on fitting, this joint should be 95% tightened followed by a spirited drive out and then retightened 100% straight afterwards. The problem had occurred because the engine pulls quite hard on the exhaust (under full throttle) and this fixing technique sets the exhaust in it's post-pulled state, thereby negating any subsequent slippage.
No problems at all since then - thanks Rick!
The last problem (again at Paramount's door unfortunately) is that the vacuum pump mechanism wasn't blocked off properly. This resulted in a continual buzzing noise as the unit was repeatedly trying to shut an exhaust valve that was no longer there!
I hadn't noticed this noise til I got home, but clearly it's something Paramount should've spotted.
Fix was a 5 min job at AM Sevenoaks (again free of charge).
Apparently Paramount have distribution rights for the Milltek system (meaning it's a bit cheaper to go directly to them) but given the above hassles I'd recommend having it fitted by your dealer or Rick at DMS.
It is DEFINITELY worth every penny though!!
This was my 2nd upgrade (after the AM Power Pack).
First stage was Sports Cats then full cat back exhaust a month later.
Location
Paramount Performance : www.paramount-performance.com
Tel: 01753 533633
Work
Replace OEM cats with Milltek Sports cats ( www.millteksport.com ).
Fit Milltek sports exhaust and block off redundant vacuum mechanism (opens up OEM exhaust bypass above 4000rpm).
Cost (Cats): c.£1,500
Cost (Exhaust): c.£1,300
Results
Brilliant! (plus some negatives).
As a combination the weight saving alone - c.20kg! - adds to the effect of the resulting power increase.The Sports Cats give a decent hike in power (c.11bhp with AM Power Pack already fitted).
Moreover the exhaust note takes on a fabulously bassy tone at idle.Having said that, whilst still fitted to the OEM exhaust, the noise when the exhaust bypass valve opens is staggeringly loud. In fact it was this that prompted me to have the full catback exhaust fitted soon after.
The full exhaust complements the cats perfectly. Exhaust tone is gorgeously rich and deep at low revs, hardening smoothly up the rev range. Personally I much prefer the lack of "step-change" at 4000rpm the regular exhaust gives - it always seemed rather contrived.
The Milltek system sound really suits the Vantage (imho). It can be heard on their website.
A few negatives ;
Paramount didn't replace my rather worn gaskets (the thin slice of material that joins the downpipes to the Cats) which realistically they should've told me about, even though they were under no obligation to replace them.
Sure enough they failed some months later (resulting in a blowing exhaust).
The chaps at TDI fixed this in double quick time and only charged me for the parts (£5 each!).
Another subsequent problem was that the join in the front-mid section of the exhaust started to develop a bit of "give", resulting in a rather rattly tone at idle. Rick at DMS solved this (and free of charge!). Apparently on fitting, this joint should be 95% tightened followed by a spirited drive out and then retightened 100% straight afterwards. The problem had occurred because the engine pulls quite hard on the exhaust (under full throttle) and this fixing technique sets the exhaust in it's post-pulled state, thereby negating any subsequent slippage.
No problems at all since then - thanks Rick!
The last problem (again at Paramount's door unfortunately) is that the vacuum pump mechanism wasn't blocked off properly. This resulted in a continual buzzing noise as the unit was repeatedly trying to shut an exhaust valve that was no longer there!
I hadn't noticed this noise til I got home, but clearly it's something Paramount should've spotted.
Fix was a 5 min job at AM Sevenoaks (again free of charge).
Apparently Paramount have distribution rights for the Milltek system (meaning it's a bit cheaper to go directly to them) but given the above hassles I'd recommend having it fitted by your dealer or Rick at DMS.
It is DEFINITELY worth every penny though!!
whoami said:
355f said:
May i ask if there is any droning in the cabin
Just Mrs SLINC
Unfortunately I find myself "between" girlfriends.
Even more unfortunately I don't mean that literally.
I reckon the exhaust note from inside the cabin is spot on.
It's pretty unobtrusive but it can certainly be heard when you put your foot down.
I certainly wouldn't call it droney...
Apparently Larini and Quicksilver produce a harder, leaner sound - which could be interpreted as that?
The Milltek is quieter, yet "richer".
Had 'em on previous Scoobies... got hooked!
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