Custom Built Vs of shelf ? ?

[andrewrobert87]

Hi guys,

I think my miltek has now had it the welds are breaking and ive already had them -re-welded once before. Ive taken it to the custom exhust place near me, and he ramped it up and showed me where the cracks are.
Hes welded it up again for me but it looks like it will crack again.

They then quoted me 399 for a cat back system - centre box, and two back boxes with slashed tail pipes.

Thats for a 2 1/4 bore though, not 2 1/2 that it is now - will this make any difference?

also, is it best to go for a K-tec / scorpion option?

whats swinging it for me though is the 'longlife' aspect where I could always go back if anything fails / cracks / falls off lol

Ive read that these custom places sometimes dont use the correct welding metal and techniquie - maybe i should confront them and ask how and what they use?

Thoughts would be appriciated

 

[Silent_Scone]

JP, Janspeed, powerflow, anything thats stainless steel will be better than Miltek for build quality. They're welded by blind Chinese kids in a well.

Custom built is obviously a mixed bag

 

[Dan519]

As you're south wales, go to Prospeed and See Charlie. The ONLY custom exhaust builder I can recommend. Otherwise there are plenty of off the shelf systems.

I recommend Piper for best of the best quality, and Janspeed for very good on a slightly smaller budget

 

[Chip-mk1]

Total lottery with the "custom" guys, and in most cases although they have a reasonable idea on how to make an exhaust fit well they wont know the first thing about how to size it for the gas speeds you want etc.

I'd generally avoid any of those places if you are looking for a performance exhaust, but if you want an exhaust that looks a particular way then they are ok.

 

[andrewrobert87]

Just seen this on the pro speed website -

The combination of T304 & T316 Stainless Steel and High Frequency Tig welding means we can give all our systems a lifetime guarantee. It also means no corrosion therefore your power and performance remains the same from the day it was designed and fitted, throughout the life of your vehicle

So at least they use the correct welding.

as for performance goes, Im not too fused on that, as long as it sounds nice, fits the resides in the bumper i dont mind. Plus I will have a place to go if it falls apart!

what size bore is best though? stick to 2.5 or go to 2 1/4?

 

[Chip-mk1]

If its a standad engine 2.25" will help the bottom end a little compared to the 2.5" and shouldnt sacrifice top end, if its on bodies or anything like that though, go 2.5

 

[andrewrobert87]

its all standard. bar a ktec pannel filter

 

[Don]

This is my exhaust from Charlie @ Pro-Speed

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...er-Thumbs-Up-for-Pro-speed&highlight=prospeed

Its my second one done by them...I had one on the 172Cup and when the standard exhaust went tits up on the 182...went to get this one. They also modify the cat exit (see post #3 on that thread). £485 and was built to the car...so it fits the car like a glove...rather than taken off the shelf and persuaded to fit.

You can choose the sound...so it sounds okay pootling along...but also sounds good when giving the beans. I asked for it to be not too intrusive when doing 70 on the Motorway.

 

[Dan519]

If its a standad engine 2.25" will help the bottom end a little compared to the 2.5" and shouldnt sacrifice top end, if its on bodies or anything like that though, go 2.5

or not

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?638005-exhaust-bore&highlight=exhaust+bore

 

[Silent_Scone]

I went from an early stealth 2.25 system to a 2.5" and gained a grand total of 1bhp. That was also on bodies and cams...and not on the same day so could probably be put down to ambient temps

 

[Chip-mk1]

Yeah 1bhp is less than the variance in different runs anyway so easily disregarded as just being the same tbh at that level.
People often assume bigger is always better but it's not that simple and on the standard engine you'll lose power not gain it.
So it's essentially a case of 2.25 better for standard engine, either 2.25 or 2.5 work well enough on mild mods and then the 2.5 becomes more useful as you progress to a high comp build etc so worth moving towards once you are on bodies so you know you won't be hindered when you take the next step.

 

[Martin_172]

i got a nice healthy 15bhp and 14lb/ft on a 172 going from standard (with a pannel filter) to matched inlets, 182 manifold, decat, k-tec stealth 2.5" torque was up throughout the full rev range, infact i beleive i was near enough 20lb/ft gained mid range. Would have been interesting to see the same car on 2.25"

2.5" isnt required but it certainly still works well

 

[Chip-mk1]

or not

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?638005-exhaust-bore&highlight=exhaust+bore

Yeah or not, 2.25 will still work too if you dont plan on ever progressing as if you stop at basic cams and bodies you're in that middle ground where either will work well.

 

[andrewrobert87]

This is my exhaust from Charlie @ Pro-Speed

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...er-Thumbs-Up-for-Pro-speed&highlight=prospeed

Its my second one done by them...I had one on the 172Cup and when the standard exhaust went tits up on the 182...went to get this one. They also modify the cat exit (see post #3 on that thread). £485 and was built to the car...so it fits the car like a glove...rather than taken off the shelf and persuaded to fit.

You can choose the sound...so it sounds okay pootling along...but also sounds good when giving the beans. I asked for it to be not too intrusive when doing 70 on the Motorway.

I think this has swung it for me! the finished product looks amazin. Will he always use a single backbox or was it up to you?

 

[Don]

I think this has swung it for me! the finished product looks amazin. Will he always use a single backbox or was it up to you?

They use single backbox...but I'm sure if you really want twin backboxes, then they can do that for you...but I dont think you will get any gains. It will cost more due to more metal in use...give Charlie a call and he will advise what is best. They've done a few 172s and 182s so will have learned stuff such as having the tailpipes slightly off centre so that when the exhaust is hot and expands, it wont melt the exhaust surrounds...and the tailpipe fits the surrounds a whole lot better. You are paying the money, you can ask for whatever you want.

Mention CS for a better price

 

[jd26]

And did you get this sorted? I might take my new 182 up to pro-speed for a catback soon to replace the quiet ktec jobbie on it...Maybe theyd offer some discount for the 2 at once haha.. Guess who by the way