).Anyway as the systems are pretty much the same Jim started work on the exhaust to get it to me in-time for my run-in service. So back in May the headers, downpipe and version 1(I'll get to version 2) of the exhaust back box turned up at MMC for fitting:
Downpipe - oem (top) 2Bular (bottom)
Header - oem (bottom) 2Bular (top)
Header - oem (top) 2Bular (bottom)
2Bular Exhaust - 100mm tips (Version 1)
OEM Evora S Exhaust
Some details about the setup (If I remember correctly) - The exhaust can is 7x20, the dual tips are 100mm each and it didn't have an exhaust valve (I didn't want to have to put it in sport to make it loud).
So I turned up to MMC:
Me:
"so what's it like" Craig:,
"well it's not louder" Me:
"you're joking yeh?",Craig:
"no it's not, come have a listen"Car start-up, a few revs
Me:
So we went to compare and as Craig had said, it didn't seem to sound any louder than stock (might have even been a touch quieter) but it did sound nice - this was a big surprise to all of us (Jim most of all given the feedback he's had from Mike on the NA Version) given the headers had been de-catted as well. Craig had already fed back to Jim and I did so latter on that evening too. So although a little disappointed at this stage I always knew it was going to be a bit or trial and error before getting the system right and those of you that already know Jim will know he will do whatever it takes to make his customer happy.
A few pics on the car (Version 1):
After Jim saw these pictures he was of the opinion that the pipes sat just a little too low and needed to be raised by about an inch.
Back to the drawing board and Jim was of the opinion that we were going to have to go down the route of using an exhaust valve to make the system bearable on normal day to day use. All I replied back to Jim was, "You know better than me what needs to be done, my only criteria is LOUD!"
I should add though after having V1 of the exhaust on the car for a few weeks it did gradually seem to get louder but still not a distinctive difference over stock.
Wednesday 31st July
New exhaust setup delivered to MMC. I was so eager to hear what the new system was like that rather than do my usual of dropping it off and heading to work I actually stuck around and worked from the couch next to the coffee machine.
I'm working away, and all of a sudden I hear roars coming from the garage work area
and then I hear another few more only different and not as loud. At first I thought maybe Craig was comparing with a standard Evora S but when he came through to let me know it was fitted it was actually the difference with the valve being on and off.What Jim has actually done with the valve on the exhaust is he has set it so that the valve is closed when the sports button is on so the exhaust is actually quieter if going on track as I'd assume everyone would drive in sport on track. I actually don't drive the car in sport on the road very often at all so this has worked out great for me as I was happy to have no valve but now I have the best of both worlds.
The sound is truly awesome and the car has a lovely burble when just cruising along between 1500rpm and 2500 rpm. It also sounds most throaty and Lion like between this range when your foot is down. After about 3000rpm it starts to turn to more of a howl until it starts screaming at the top of the rev range. There is no drone that I could detect and Jim has set the exhaust up so that when you are just cruising at a constant speed on the motorway it quietens right done so no annoying buzzing to give you a headache (and that's with the valve open). The exhaust is most definitely loud (my neighbors may start hating me
) but it is exactly how I wanted it. It really does sound supercar now. I can only imagine what it would be like on the new Exige with the top off - truly epic! I haven't had much time to drive the car since Wednesday and I haven't spoken to Jim since getting it fitted so I'm going to go out ans test the system for a few more days so I can feedback to Jim and then I'll get the details on exactly what he has done from a design point of view, I believe the can on this exhaust is only 5x18, tips are still 100mm each but are now raised about an inch higher to sit better with the diffuser.
A few pics:
I will get video up as soon as I can get something half decent together, I only have my phone to do it with so it most definitely won't do it justice.
Also I just want finish off and say a very big thank you to Jim, you have been brilliant throughout this process and you are most definitely the man when it comes to exhausts. Also I can't say thanks enough to Craig, he truly is a genuinely great guy and he has helped me out so much in every Lotus respect since dealing with MMC - it truly is appreciated.
First Videos - More to come...
Videos are using an iPhone, so really doesn't do the system justice. If I can get a better camera setup I'll do better videos later
