New Large Bore Exhaust by PECO for S1 Elans with no flat bit

[AndyH]

Hi,

Peco exhaust pitched up last week. I asked kwik-sh*t to fit it yesterday (they moaned because they are not allowed to fit customer supplied items - but the saturday boy did it for 30 quid cash in his 'lunch hour'... did a great job though - and it sits higher up than the original on my motor for those of you who are worried about clearance) . . anyway, I'll stop talking in brackets. The noise is just fantastic! It's a satisfying purr on tickover or cruise, and a grear roar on power application... juuuust under the noise level which would have people thinking a Vauxhall Nova with 59" wheels, tinted windows, and 10 grand of 'ice' was approaching - instead of one of Hethel's finest...

Performance is ever-so-slightly more impressive - notably on the motorway in 4th or 5th, but I can't quantify that so perhaps I'm imagining it. There is slight boost creep after the throttle has been down for a while - but it is managable enough, and possibly may be cured by one of ESM's finest everests which will be arriving in a few days.... Oh, and no screeching at 6k+ revs . . being rubbish with cars I don't know what that could be - but I have no probs.

In summary - get one!

[Virgin Dave]

Hi All

As usual I'm a little late in picking up on these group buys, and my rear box has just blown which is why I'm looking now!

A quick question for David at Peco: can you ship the exhaust down to a local dealer so that I can get it fitted locally, or is that asking too much?

Also, and please excuse the ignorance: what a stiffy? (That's left me open to all sorts of double entendres!)

Thanks for the info everyone; as usual a load od good info.

Dave

[GeoffSmith]

Dave,

Only a virgin would ask what a stiffy is.... more of which later.

Peco are reluctant to ship the exhaust to their distributors because the price is so keen, there's nothing left for them. Dave will ship to your home/work address for less than £15 and you should be able to find a local firm to fit it for you for £20-30.

You'd better check with Dave (0151 647 6041) that the £250 offer is still available as it's been some time since it started.

The stiffy replaces the cast downpipe with a stainless system and the thread is here. Be warned though, if you have an S2, you will loose the main cat when put the Peco on and you are reliant on the pre-cat in the downpipe. The stiffy does not (yet) have a cat so you will not meet emission test although there is some doubt as to whether the S2 is tested as a catted car - see here.

Good luck.

Geoff

[Virgin Dave]

Geoff

Thanks for that...fortunately I have a 91 SE with a no-cat exhaust so that shouldn't be a problem.

I'll give Dave a call later today and see what he says, but the seats are back today after re-upholstery so have plenty to be getting on with.

I'll check out the links you added and get back to you here if any further info is needed.

Thanks again

Dave

[Virgin Dave]

Geoff

The stiffy seems to have had a few problems, and is a 2.5in diameter pipe, whereas the Pico system is 2.25in diameter; does this cause fitting issues? It also required reboring part of the turbo which sounds like a major mod.

Having looked at other parts of the site, there is some discussion to removing the ceramic matrix in the pre-cat to improve airflow; is this legal or even a good idea?

Or would I be better off just replacing the system from the downpipe rearwards?


Thanks

Dave

[Virgin Dave]

Last question for the moment at least...gotta get away from the net!

Continuing my reading, I see that a lot a people here say that wastgate porting is a good idea and should be done anyway, stiffy or not. What's the general feeling about this?

As I do a lot of work on the car myself, I am happy to do it, but would need a solid reason for getting in this deep!

Thanks

Dave

[John_W]

Dave,
A few answers/comments:

The stiffy seems to have had a few problems, and is a 2.5in diameter pipe, whereas the Pico system is 2.25in diameter; does this cause fitting issues?

Stevo developed it to go with the 2.5" system some people have. I don't think there are any fitting issues with attaching a 2.25" system to it; I just don't see the point. Also, I remain to be convinced that a 2.5" system gives any advantage over a 2.25" one.

...there is some discussion to removing the ceramic matrix in the pre-cat to improve airflow; is this legal or even a good idea?

If you have a SE, then the pre-cat is already empty. It is only full of ceramic on S2s and for markets which required cats.

Or would I be better off just replacing the system from the downpipe rearwards?

I'd recommend fitting a full system from the 3-bolt triangular downpipe flange back.

... wastgate porting ... I am happy to do it, but would need a solid reason for getting in this deep!

Boost creep is the reason. Some people get it, some (like me) don't.

John

[Monty]

with John,

U don`t need the stiffy + the stiffy is only 2 1/4" and Stevo has stopped producing them anyway

Once u have the exhaust fitted maybe take off the down pipe and port the pre-cat opening for better flow

I`d only port the wastegate if u`r getting boost creep or u`r removing the turbo for some reason.

[GeoffSmith]

I agree with 99% of what John and Monty say. Note the Peco picks up from the 3 bolt downpipe flange back so is a complete replacement system. It is quite loud however and not to everybodys taste but Dave can provide an additional silencer for the women amongst us - eh Monty?

Personally, I've got reservations about the stiffy anyway - wastegate valve output straight into the exhaust flow is counter intuitive and against all advice I've found to date (but it is cheaper to manufacture). Go on then, call me a heretic and burn me at the stake - see if I care!

I agree to a point about porting the wastegate. I'm experiencing minor boost creep and fuel cutoff under extreme conditions after fitting the Peco with the stock chip. Although I haven't proved it beyond doubt (but I hope to be able to soon with my remote chip switcher ), running the Kili and Everest chips appear to overcome the problem and I'm hitting maximum revs before it gets a chance to creep. This appears to be a far more exciting way of curing boost creep than porting the wastegate! I wouldn't port it unless you have a boost creep problem - I think it could also be counter productive and reduce boost under normal conditions.

Treat yourself Dave and buy a Peco!

Geoff

[GeoffSmith]

I agree with 99% of what John and Monty say. Note the Peco picks up from the 3 bolt downpipe flange back so is a complete replacement system. It is quite loud however and not to everybodys taste but Dave can provide an additional silencer for the women amongst us - eh Monty?

Personally, I've got reservations about the stiffy anyway - wastegate valve output straight into the exhaust flow is counter intuitive and against all advice I've found to date (but it is cheaper to manufacture). Go on then, call me a heretic and burn me at the stake - see if I care!

I agree to a point about porting the wastegate. I'm experiencing minor boost creep and fuel cutoff under extreme conditions after fitting the Peco with the stock chip. Although I haven't proved it beyond doubt (but I hope to be able to soon with my remote chip switcher ), running the Kili and Everest chips appear to overcome the problem and I'm hitting maximum revs before it gets a chance to creep. This appears to be a far more exciting way of curing boost creep than porting the wastegate! I wouldn't port it unless you have a boost creep problem - I think it could also be counter productive and reduce boost under normal conditions.

Treat yourself Dave and buy a Peco!

Geoff

[Virgin Dave]

Oh stop, my shoulder hurts from all the arm twisting...

I spoke to Dave@Peco earlier and have already bitten the bullet and will now wait for the arrival of said Pico.

My thoughts are to fit the whole thing, run it in for about 2 to 3 weeks and see what effect it has things like the boost etc and then proceed accordingly...being a newbie here I know that anyone could lead me up the garden path... that being the case it'll be pistols at dawn ..lucky dawn, whoever she may be!

As far as the noise is concerned, see my signature..If it's too loud, you're too old! Nuff said!

On a serious note, thanks again for all the quick and ready responses to my questions; great to know there's brains to pick out there.

TVM

Dave

PS. Geoff, you really need to get that finger stutter sorted...I know a good Doc if you need one.

[JIMBO]

As far as the noise is concerned, see my signature..If it's too loud, you're too old! Nuff said!

Pardon, could you repeat that, I'm a little mutton geoff since fitting a new exhaust on my car.

[algirdas]

Dear Geoff:

When you get a minute, would you be so kind as to send me the dimensions of the silencer/muffler on the PECO system?

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[GeoffSmith]

Bl**dy h*ll Algirdas. You don't ask for much do you? You expect me to squeeze my delicate frame under the car? Oh, OK then.

[algirdas]

Dear Geoff:

You are right, that request was out of line. My sincerest apologies. A bottle of tequila with your name on it will be waiting for you at Stoneleigh.

I'll ask Dave at PECO for that information.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[GeoffSmith]

Dear Algirdas,

Too late. I've been stuck under the car for the last half an hour.

Just so I don't make it too easy for you, the dimensions are Metric: 39cm × 22cm × 12cm.

Oh all right then, since it's you, that's about 15½ × 8½ × 5 of your? Imperial inches.

Yours, very intrigued as to why you asked,

Geoff

[algirdas]

Dear Geoff:

I am so very sorry my previous post did not get to you in time. I feel so bad that I am going to have to drink that bottle of tequila myself.

As queer as this may sound, I may try to bring my system home with me on the plane coming back from Stoneleigh. Plus, I have a sneaking suspicion that a couple of the LEC-ers on this side of the pond are going to hit me up with the "if you have room, could you please. . . "

Just want to see how baggy my pants are going to have to be. . . Sorry ladies, no eye candy this trip.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[GeoffSmith]

Watch out for the worm!

Hope you manage to make it to Stoneleigh - I look forward to meeting you.

Geoff

[algirdas]

Dear Geoff:

The worm is the best part!

Sincerely,

Algirdas