Hi all,

Been driving the car a fair bit lately, and I've gotta say that while I'm still in love with the sound of the exhaust note, it's really starting to annoy me that it's only noticeable when the throttle is open.

My old Cinq used to purr even when just driving normally at a constant speed - and the Sei is bearly audiable when doing so.

I know full well that it has everything to do with the Cat on the Mpi being somewhat more muffly, so I'm trying to come up with a cheap way of sorting this.

Options:

1> Go decat - something I'm simply not prepared to do.
2> Spi Manifold and Cat? - anyone done this? - big job?
3> Louder tailpipe - not likely (I'm running a Sportex!)
4> ??? any other suggestions?


Am doing the rocker cover gasket, and an oil change in prep for MOT on Friday, so I'm game for a crack at other suggestions (if there are any) while I'm at it.

The SPI mani and cat isn't a job I've done and looks pretty straightforward with one proviso: you need another lambda boss welded on post cat, or the ECU will get very confused. This will mean lengthening the wiring to the 2nd lambda.

fingers99 said:

The SPI mani and cat isn't a job I've done and looks pretty straightforward with one proviso: you need another lambda boss welded on post cat, or the ECU will get very confused. This will mean lengthening the wiring to the 2nd lambda.

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Hmmm - well the 2nd lambda extension shouldn't be a huge problem...

So I'm guessing the SPI manifold lines up with the holes etc on the MPI block?

Wondering now how much a new spi cat would set me back - manifold I guess can come from a scrappies.

How much (if any) do you think this would affect the emissions test?

does your car have a centre box?? could look into having that removed??

fordcosworth said:

does your car have a centre box?? could look into having that removed??

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lol - that went when the exhaust was fitted pretty much.

Like I say, the sound is perfect - just that it sounds too dull at steady speeds.

It also concerns me that my CAT may be on it's way out (HG failed and killed both lambdas - can only assume that the CAT may have suffered - 7 yrs old now).
So it sorta makes sense to replace with the old style set up (from my perspective at least).

ronnieronson said:

lol - that went when the exhaust was fitted pretty much.

Like I say, the sound is perfect - just that it sounds too dull at steady speeds.

It also concerns me that my CAT may be on it's way out (HG failed and killed both lambdas - can only assume that the CAT may have suffered - 7 yrs old now).
So it sorta makes sense to replace with the old style set up (from my perspective at least).

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sounds like a good idea, what puts you off the decat idea?? you could have one made to fit a cat back in??

is an mpi exhaust stud pattern and port shape the same as spi?

If so, go for a 4-2-1 and get a cat under the car if you want to keep it.

Forget about the second lambda, just copy what i did with the one i sent you, and wrap it in tin foil

Cheers,

Kristian

fordcosworth said:

sounds like a good idea, what puts you off the decat idea?? you could have one made to fit a cat back in??

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Too much messing around for MOT time

kritip said:

is an mpi exhaust stud pattern and port shape the same as spi?

If so, go for a 4-2-1 and get a cat under the car if you want to keep it.

Forget about the second lambda, just copy what i did with the one i sent you, and wrap it in tin foil

Cheers,

Kristian

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Wanting to transplant a standard mani & cat - purely to save money... since I have none
Could do the lambda mod - but I think I'd prefer it to be set up correctly as per current status (will keep in mind what you told me about the lambdas though).

??? swapping a cat back takes no more than half an hour from jacking up to going on a test run

(providing nothing is seized etc)

had my new exhaust built with no opition off fitting a cat back to it dont no what ill do at MOT time haha!

fordcosworth said:

??? swapping a cat back takes no more than half an hour from jacking up to going on a test run

(providing nothing is seized etc)

had my new exhaust built with no opition off fitting a cat back to it dont no what ill do at MOT time haha!

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Not having a driveway or garage, makes life a little difficult for such jobs - plus I'd feel safer incase of being pulled over etc...

hmm... no point having your car louder ....

Ming

ycming said:

hmm... no point having your car louder ....

Ming

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what makes you say that?

I'm not particularly looking to make it louder (although I realise that changing the Cat will result in that as a side effect) - just audiable at cruising speeds rather than just when pressing the throttle...

go to powerflow, they'll be able to give it some volume.halfpint has my old backbox. loud, sometime abit to loud......car alarm setting off loud, and police round to house due to someone complaining

Brooky said:

go to powerflow, they'll be able to give it some volume.halfpint has my old backbox. loud, sometime abit to loud......car alarm setting off loud, and police round to house due to someone complaining

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Well you heard my exhaust before the mid baffle came out and prior to the induction kit - and the sound was sweet.
Well now, it's a little louder, and a little gruntier - but its just those occasions when I'm doodling along at 30 (or indeed any steady speed), where the noise party just stops and the car sounds standard again

Was originally going to get my system from powerflow in Hull, but I was really put off by their lack of customer service - and the fact that I've heard some bad things about their build quality...

Keep having naughty thoughts about a cherry bomb..

I'm doodling along at 30 (or indeed any steady speed), where the noise party just stops and the car sounds standard again

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strange. am i the only one who thinks something like that is good?

do 30 in 2nd gear

Emma's 1368cc sei has a cherry bomb setup....best to ask how loud it is

Kristian

craigb244 said:

strange. am i the only one who thinks something like that is good?

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I agree, mine is very low, but quiet at idle. It's only roaring at full chat...I like it this way, but not everyone is the same

i like mine loud at idle and constant speed, and very loud when the pedal is to metal:devil:

craigb244 said:

strange. am i the only one who thinks something like that is good?

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It did seem that way for a while... I guess it's just that the peco I had on my cinq was so damn loud - and I totally LOVED it! (apart from motorways when my ears started to bleed a little).

craigb244 said:

strange. am i the only one who thinks something like that is good?

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+1.

Also there's the benefit of not driving down the road looking like a complete muppet.

rather only have the noise and full pelt myself.... if your toodling along then why do you need to hear the exhaust? turn the turns up and nod your head or something?