Exhaust Replacement options

[ethanfitz]

Hello again you lovely people, i have yet another question/query for you all.

I have to replace everything from the exhaust manifold to the back box due to the previous owners "shoddy work" (garages words). The 4-2-1 manifold is de-cat so wont pass MOT + it is Blowing/leaking so has to go! also the tube has been badly installed and is too close to the body and the back box has been welded on so everything has to go :-( .

My plan is to put an original manifold and Cat in (+ the 2 o2 sensors) courtesy of the brilliant Mr Ian G... next is where i am undecided about what to do so im looking for peoples opinions and experiences on the following options:

First option is: i go completely standard... this way there is no fitting issues... But i do want a bit of a sporty sound so im leaning toward the other options below:

Second option is: using a e-bay race tube like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350970063911?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
or this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Puma...rParts_SM&fits=Model:Puma&hash=item51a6e95a66

Anyone know the differences between them???

and a standard back box: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291025505217?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Third option is: a standard center section:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200736120282?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

with a sporty back box like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160943196293?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Forth option is: the race tube from option 2 and the back box from option 3 (although i think this maybe a bit to loud for what i want.


Firstly have i got the right parts? and secondly will there be any fitting/compatibility issues with any of the setups??

I'm not really interested in performance gains as long as it doesn't have a negative effect on anything.

As for noise im looking for a bit of a sporty sound but nothing to loud. The current set up is Sportex 4-2-1 + race tube + back box and it is a bit too loud especially on the motor way (not helped by the leak). So anything quieter is a bonus, a nice purr with a bit of grunt maybe?

What do you think any had and experiences with any similar setups?

PS sorry for the loooooong post.

 

[Dal]

As a comparison to your choices above, this was my old Puma with a standard exhaust manifold and cat but then with a Milltek cat back:
(bedded in after about 50,000 miles lol)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbe5qRotSb4[/youtube]

Expensive by comparison to what you're looking at on ebay but sounded nice. If you can find one on ebay 2nd hand it might be worth a punt.

(IMO a full Milltek with sports cat and 421 sounds to high pitched and not very nice but each to their own..)

 

[alexwilliams840]

I had a 4-2-1 and standard setup and it was perfect

 

[CherryVimto]

I've got a Hoffman race tube and an Ashley rear box.
Despite being able to see right through the rear box, it's surprisingly quiet until you start getting a bit heavy footed!

Don't bother getting a Sportex rear box... they drone like hell at speed. Deafening!
And remember, any back box which is not Puma specific will need extra work to fit as the rear boxes bend upwards to go over the rear beam....

 

[ethanfitz]

Don't bother getting a Sportex rear box... they drone like hell at speed. Deafening!

Tell me about it that is what is on there now and on the motor way the radio has to be UPPPPP!!!

And remember, any back box which is not Puma specific will need extra work to fit as the rear boxes bend upwards to go over the rear beam....

Does that mean for an easy and cheaper install i would be better getting the Hoffman race tube and a standard rear box? would this still give a bit of a sporty sound? i could away upgrade the rear box in the future but as i have to do it all at once i want to do is as cheap as i can for now but with minimal comprises...

Is anyone else running a race tube and standard back box?

 

[CherryVimto]

A Hoffmann race tube and standard rear box will be the most straight forward.
I don't know what sound it makes as I've never had that combo, but a few people on here have. I think they said it was still quiet but more noise when giving it some beans.
So, for ease of fitting and cost, that may be the better option.

 

[alexwilliams840]

If all you're looking for is noise then a "race tube" is the best choice.
If you actually want some gains then a 4-2-1 is what you want plus it sounds better

 

[ethanfitz]

If all you're looking for is noise then a "race tube" is the best choice.
If you actually want some gains then a 4-2-1 is what you want plus it sounds better

I have a 4-2-1 at the moment but that is the part that is blowing :-( ...

I dont mind to much about the gains (plus as its blowing i probably dont see any atm) and to get a new 4-2-1 with a sports cat (as mine is de-cat) plus the rest of the system is well out of my budget for now...

I have decided to go for this set up on the back of a standard manifold and cat:

The hoffman race tube:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350692661862?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

with a standard back box:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291025505217?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I am also looking getting these polyurethane hangers from pumabuild:
http://pumabuild.com/pumacat/product_info.php?products_id=194{1}71

they should fit right?

also Pumabuild state the standard exhaust clamp to be 54mm... this one:
http://pumabuild.com/pumacat/product_info.php?cPath=1_46&products_id=608

But the Hoffman race tube is 50mm so is this clamp the right one or do i need to look for a 50mm clamp to fit the race tube to the back box???

thanks for all the help so far :thumbs:

 

[CherryVimto]

I've got a joiner here which I've never used as I got the wrong size. It is the same size as the tube I'm using and it measures 50mm outside diameter.
But, if you're joining the back box to the tube, you'll probably need the 54mm. The back box should slide over the end of the tube, so will therefore be wider.

 

[ethanfitz]

if you're joining the back box to the tube, you'll probably need the 54mm. The back box should slide over the end of the tube, so will therefore be wider.

Ahh of course that makes sense Thanks Cherry k: are the exhaust hangers the right thing to use as well?

 

[CherryVimto]

They do come in different sizes, so as long as they aren't huge, either should be ok.

I've got different types and sizes on mine as I've got a different rear box.

 

[ethanfitz]

I believe i almost have all my parts sourced. however i do need some bolts and fittings so does anyone know what is use to attach:

1) The Manifold to the engine block
2) The Manifold to the Cat
3) The Manifold to the manifold heat shield

This is for a standard manifold and Cat

any links will be a great help k:

 

[CherryVimto]

It might be worth ringing Ford for those.

I've bought wishbone bolts & nuts plus bolts for the join between flexi joint and the centre section, and they worked out quite reasonable. And they were the right ones!

 

[ethanfitz]

Yer i plan on giving them a call just thought i'd see if anyone knew what they were lol

 

[ethanfitz]

All in and working great :thumbs:

I can now hear the radio without having it at deafening volume!

shame i couldn't keep any bits to sell from the old set up but the previous owner (supposedly an ex exhaust fitter BULLSHIT) had welded the back box onto the car and mid section instead of using hangers and clamps!!! plus the hole in the flexi bit of the 4-2-1 manifold was huge!!!!

Great work from the garage i took it to though, "Thetford Tyre and Exhaust" (would have tried it myself if i could have got the car high enough) they quoted me £50 as they thought it would take them an hour.... 3 hours later (grinding off the old one etc) it still cost me £50 no fuss!!!! brilliant well pleased. all the parts and the labor ended up costing me about £250 so less than replacing the 4-2-1 and it is now legal with a CAT :thumbs:

However .... in fitting the exhaust they found a pinched brake line that needs fixing... one thing off the list and another on....

 

[CherryVimto]

Glad you got it all sorted! :thumbs:

 

[grayfox]

Glad to hear it all got sorted inexpensively esp after the welding! and that you got the right sound you where after which can definitely take some experimenting! I had a powerflow catback fitted onto standard mani/cat and would drone stupidly loud cruising at 70mph that you actually had to speak louder for the passenget to hear you (and that was with a centre sliencer too). Turned out it all came down to the backbox as I'm now running a 4-2-1, the same powerflow centre section with small cenre silencer and a standard backbox and its just right imo, loud and firey pressing the GO pedal and no drone at all at motorway speeds.. looking for some pops now once the TAPE ecu goes in.

 

[ethanfitz]

Nice.... I would like it a little louder but that will be in the future i think... for now im happy k: thanks for all the help ...

now on the the next problems to sort :roll:

 

[oli8925]

Ah shame, I would have been interested in buying the mangled old stuff off you. Nothing is beyond a bit of work to put right, and I love a bargain

 

[paul-carter]

grayfox you mention a tape ecu what are the advantages of one of theses ???? thank you in advance