Freer flowing exhaust?

[AdamW]

Freer as in "more free"

I went past the 30K miles barrier last week, my car still has the original exhaust. Last time I had it serviced they said the backbox would need changing before the next annual service but was not yet "blowing".

Now, I have noticed recently a few things:

1) exhaust is still pretty quiet when just driving normally
2) exhaust is loud (not quite chav loud though) when I put my foot right down
3) the car feels slightly more responsive to the accelerator (no extra acceleration, but it picks up accelerator input more quickly)
4) the backbox looks a bit of a mess!

Is it likely that having a swiss-cheese silencer would produce a noticeable effect on throttle response? Anyone care to comment?
There is a whole industry devoted to aftermarket exhausts, is it possible that with an intentionally-designed loud exhaust you really do get an extra 5bhp from improved gas flow?

I should emphasise that my car doesn't feel any quicker, but that slight delay between putting the foot down and the engine picking up seems more immediate.

I might even consider a semi-chav exhaust when I get round to replacing it

 

[david and julie]

I should emphasise that my car doesn't feel any quicker, but that slight delay between putting the foot down and the engine picking up seems more immediate.

Years ago OK, we used to use four branch manifolds and big bore exhausts etc to get more power,but we used carbs then, yours is governed by a factory set ECU. You could still do these mods but you would have to get your ECU remapped to suit any mods.

I reckon your car is just nicely run in and probably at its best now, I am suprised though that it needs an exhaust at three years old, original ones normally last longer than that.

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

Ah, the old 'Kent' engine... Happy Days!

Easy to tune, and could be lifted out by hand in an hour by hand!

Heady days!

Don't think I'll attempt anything major on my present day motor...

(not actually mine - but same model)

 

[AdamW]

Ah MMJ, you and I probably have among the last cars with an exposed engine. They all have big plastic covers now.

What's that about? Surely the sole reason you lift the bonnet is TO GET AT THE ENGINE! Why have a bonnet, and then a big plastic cover? Are there really people so stupid that they have mistaken the oil filler cap for the washer bottle, or decided to take the rocker cover off just to see what's under there?

Can you seriously lift out a Kent by hand? I.e. without an engine hoist? I thought the engines back then were even heavier than now, I know the Cologne V6 weighs a shedload (big cast iron lump).

Won't bother with that chav exhaust if it won't offer any benefit... After I had written that I had a look on the net to see how much for a chav backbox. Not that expensive even for well-known brands, but then I noticed that they all come with massive pipes and I reckon my otherwise-standard 1.6 Astra would look a bit daft with dual 3" or even 4" pipes!

How long does an original exhaust system usually last then? It's only the backbox that appears to have corroded, rest seems fine.

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

Ah MMJ, you and I probably have among the last cars with an exposed engine. They all have big plastic covers now.

What's that about? Surely the sole reason you lift the bonnet is TO GET AT THE ENGINE! Why have a bonnet, and then a big plastic cover? Are there really people so stupid that they have mistaken the oil filler cap for the washer bottle, or decided to take the rocker cover off just to see what's under there?

Nice touch about the Audi A2, they have a 'Service Panel' - behind the grill, where you can check/top-up the oil/fluid levels without going under the bonnet.

Let's face it, with cars being so electronically technical these days, you have to be armed with so many specialist tools, even a mechanic can't do much. Let's face it, this is what the manufacturers want! I would imagine servicing is the the real money is now for car dealers. I remember a briefing by Volvo Penta (marine engines) and it was something like 75% of turnover was spares!

Can you seriously lift out a Kent by hand? I.e. without an engine hoist? I thought the engines back then were even heavier than now, I know the Cologne V6 weighs a shedload (big cast iron lump).

Sure could! Two of us with a short scaffold pole and a bit of rope! The best bit was that I carried the engine up to the house on my own - about 25 stairs! I was a bit stronger back then mind.....

Won't bother with that chav exhaust if it won't offer any benefit... After I had written that I had a look on the net to see how much for a chav backbox. Not that expensive even for well-known brands, but then I noticed that they all come with massive pipes and I reckon my otherwise-standard 1.6 Astra would look a bit daft with dual 3" or even 4" pipes!

Try typing 'Hall Of Shame' into your browser for reasons not to modify your car!!!

How long does an original exhaust system usually last then? It's only the backbox that appears to have corroded, rest seems fine.

Originals last for ages, replacements don't, even if they are genuine... Conspiricy?

 

[pipme]

Just replaced 'original' on Nissan 62K, 5yrs 8mnths, pipe broke off on entry to rear box ... the box was actually in good nick but difficult to part from pipe -- Replaced.
I reckon relatively short journeys are exhaust killers .... my 50 a day commute probably kept all the bits in good nick, oil reaches optimum temperature burns off the rubbish, exhaust hot but internally dry ... same kinda mileage on two previous Nissans...
Keep her standard is my advice ... hint of boy racer removes value.

Back int he 60's my 'S' had been ported and head polished, chambers and port tracts balanced .. by an older aerospace colleague on the shop floor, spent his early years on the old piston engines as a polisher ... All the very best kit at finger tips, result was not as great as the work input may have suggested ...
The engine component balancing static and dynamic resulted in most noticeable effect, allowed those extra rpm -- dead smooth !!
Just realising what a helluva workshop and source of expertise we worked with --- the good old, bad old daze !! I loved it !

 

[2scoops0406]

You could always opt for a stainless steel exhaust, these last a lot longer, cost a lot more though (and look a bit chav'ish)

 

[pipme]

Peco the traditional 'big bore' exhaust supplier, also used to produce very good quality standard systems, that was years ago, do they still do so ?

Well, well .... Servais are still going strongly, I fitted a 'Black Knight' big bore silencer back in 60's ... luverly sound .. sadly they are out of the car exhaust market now ... http://www.servais.co.uk/index2.html
8)