Tuning Powerflow exhaust

[smithmr8]

After looking at my options, and deciding against opting for a cheaper backbox (sportex) for my MK2 Punto, think I'm going to go for a powerflow backbox.

Got quoted £220 for the backbox, and the exhaust tip of my choice. Including fitting. Which seems like a fair price to ensure it's done correctly.

http://www.powerflowexhausts.co.uk/products/tail-pipes/

Can choose any of the tips from that, and am leading towards the VQ, which I do love the look of. Although a dual exit might also look good.

 

[smithmr8]

Just came across this on eBay. Would something like this be easy to fit ?

Ideally would like to be able to replace the stock exhaust when I sell the car, so something I can do myself would be preferable. If not, a sportex might be my only choice. Need's to be something I can do myself, without any welding ect..

 

[DaveMcT]

Det a cat back system and try to avoid the can hanging so low its taken off by the first raised manhole cover you find. That one will hang low & really needs a dropped outlet pipe to clear the back bumper.

 

[smithmr8]

Alright, cheers.

Which of the following would you recommend ?

1) Getting a powerflow backbox fitted by specialists, @ £220

2) Buying something like this. Labour costs at my local garage is £45 p/hr, so guessing it'll be around £200~

OR something like this. Not sure what the difference is between this one and the one above..

 

[DaveMcT]

Ashley are in Walsall and they will fit systems so worth a call. The others? Who can say its a risk as the garage wont have any more experience of a particular system than you or me. It could go on easily and cost £50 or not and cost £150.

 

[smithmr8]

Bit too far away from me. 7 hour round trip.

The local people who I am probably going to go to are: http://www.mikestokes.net/

Powerflow backbox, with my choice of tip, fitted for £220.

Don't want to risk having to spend lots of money having a OTS system fitted.

Are powerflow any good ?

 

[DaveMcT]

Google found these
https://www.fiatforum.com/garages/64830-powerflow-stafford-thumbs-up.html
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/191674-100hp-powerflow-custom-back-box.html
https://www.fiatforum.com/members-motors/13767-my-afternoon-powerflow.html
https://www.fiatforum.com/cinquecento-seicento/1638-powerflow-anyone.html

 

[smithmr8]

Change my mind alot with these things. Decided to go for a Sportex. Partly due to cost, but also due to the fact I'm probably going to have the car for just over a year longer, so don't want any hassle when it comes to reverting back to the standard box.

Quick question though, what difference will replacing the standard (silenced) tube on my car with a race tube make ?

Assuming it'll make it louder. Not wanting it to be stupidly loud. Would it be best to:

1) Just to fit the back box (here)
Also, what difference would a 3" or 4" make ?

2) Get the backbox and the racetube (here)

 

[DaveMcT]

The pipe diameter after up to and including the cat has the biggest effect. Anything after is more about allowing gases to escape. However, it must have enough restriction/back pressure so a small engine can lose power as there is not enough gas to fill the system.

The outlet is down to taste. To be honest the Punto rear bumper already sits low so twin 2" with swan necks to keep the can high will look better than a single 3". 4" will just not look right. Having a hulking great can hanging down is not going to look very good.

This Sportex is an OK compromise

 

[smithmr8]

So would the racepipe not be worth getting? Heard people saying it can make them so
und quiet without one.

Cant find a smaller outlet. Will have another look tomorrow. If not will go for the 3" I think. Don't mind making a space in the bumper if it needs it.

 

[DaveMcT]

A race pipe probably too loud or not provide enough back pressure for the gas flow made by a standard engine. Just us a sports cat back system.

 

[smithmr8]

Oh right. Only asking because I've seen quite a few with the racepipe aswell as large bore backbox's. Also, on a lot of descriptions, it's stated that normally 8v's don't have a silenced center pipe and that a race pipe may not be required.

Standard silencer less center pipes are cheap anyway, so thinking I'll go with the 3" backbox, and see how that goes. 4" would be a bit big.

 

[DaveMcT]

Some have no centre box. Who knows if the back boxes are different.

 

[smithmr8]

Yeah. Mine has, thus why I was wondering whether getting a center-box less pipe would be worth it.

True. Gah, so confusing. :/.

Considering I can get a genuine fiat center pipe with no silencer for less than the additional cost of the "racepipe", I think I'll go for the standard backbox.

 

[smithmr8]

My 3" Sportex backbox is now on, and sounds good. Exactly the thing I was going for. Nice rumble when ticking over. Decent boom when you give it some. Very happy! .

 

[dave]

£220 for a poowerflow backbox is a rip off. you can get better full custom stainlees steel exhausts made from better quality stainlees for about 300

 

[xFaz]

My 3" Sportex backbox is now on, and sounds good. Exactly the thing I was going for. Nice rumble when ticking over. Decent boom when you give it some. Very happy! .

Video!!!!

 

[smithmr8]

Yeah, realised it was quite expensive. Paid £100 for the sportex, so much better value for money. Will get a video up soon. .

 

[SweetSugarHigh]

Rather than start a new thread i'll jump in and sneakly hijack this one.

Just been quoted £329 for a stainless steel custom exhaust for my mk2 punto, apparently a sports cat is "unavailable for my vehicle". So this would just be a replacement from the current cat to the back box and tailpipe.

Is it worth trying to get a sports cat or are the gains just too small to make it worthwhile?

 

[dave]

dont use them then sports cats fit any car