IS MY EXHAUST CAT FREE!!!

[smudge]

I've got a standard 1992 se turbo, the exhaust needs replacing but there's just a box at the back & a pipe to the manifold is this standard for this model? Also I've seen new Stainless Steel CYBOX systems for sale on Ebay at £275 but that say the cat is in the silencer! Is this right for my car? do I need a cat?
Please help I don't want to buy the wrong system as with all of us cash is tight.

[dapinky]

First things first - on an SE you don't have a cat as standard, although there is nothing to say you can't have one - it just isn't necessary (and you wont have the correct ECU chip or O2 sensor to make any of it work anyway - unless they've been fitted by a previous owner!)

The Cybox exhaust on e-bay is the 'new' name for Peco (since they re-emerged from going bust) - this is a 2 1/4" stainless system as opposed to the standard 2" mild steel.
It was the 'upgrade' of choice for quite a while (even though others on here went various different routes - the Peco was an 'off-the-shelf' aftermarket part which gave/gives a useful performance boost at a good price).

Since that unit was made, there have been others come on the market - in particular, Piper did a lot of good work to develop a 'modular' system for us about a year or so ago.

Whilst the Peco had a single design of 2 1/4" diameter, single silencer, no cat, Piper made a set of pipes which can be had in 2 1/4" or 2 1/2", a single silencer is 'standard' but the front pipe can be replaced (on order, or as a later addition) with a second (small) silencer, or with a 'sportscat' for those who do need them (S2 models).

They also offer a Pre-Cat eliminator (gets rid of the big iron dustbin at the front of the exhaust pipe where it goes into the wastegate manifold) which can be fitted in isolation, or as part of a complete system. It is also fittable with either the Peco or standard pipes if you wish.

There was an issue (not really a problem, as such) with the early Pecos - some would screetch at high revs due to a design flaw allowing gas resonance at the back box/tail pipe. This has now been eliminated with the current offerings (and is a modification on the older ones).

Both companies offer a lifetime waranty.

They sound a little different, but any preference is purely personal.

There is also a company called 'Quicksilver' who do a 2" stainless system - but I'm not sure about the price or availlability of that one.

Personally, I have a Quicksilver on one car (already fitted when I got it), and a Piper 2 1/4" single silencer with PCE on the other.

The choice is down to you - as you say, the Peco (Cybox) is availlable on ebay at £275 + p&p, whilst the piper ones start at £287 ( see this website ) so they are comparable costs.

Garry at Piper is a gent to deal with, and I have nothing but praise for the work he and his company have put into the pipes (service is 100%!).

There are threads on here dedicated to the Piper development, and the Peco systems which pre-dated them - either is a good buy!

Also, there is currently one (Peco) advertised on LEC for £175 - only removed from the car to make way for a bigger Piper - as I said before, it has a lifetime guarantee, but it may be limited to the original purchaser - perhaps someone who owns one could confirm??????

Try this thread

And this one if you've got time to spare

[HJ2]

I have a new Cybox... The Screeching mother in law is also present on my example.. However, i learned to like her and wouldn't want to miss her anymore!
If you don't like her: circumsize the inner tube, or stick a bit thick alufoil on the inner edge on the outer tube, problem solved.

Oh, and the Cybox is loud.

[smudge]

thanks guys,
not looking for loud (surrounded by old folk)
so the piper might be the best bet for me, thats no cat, 2 1/4",
Appreciate the help guys,

[dapinky]

To clarify a bit - the Piper is still a bit louder than the standard one (as you'd expect) but not ridiculously so.

I've got the single silencer, and I compared it with Rip who has the second silencer - not much difference

Chris.t had a noise test done at a trackday, but i cant remember what the numbers were (not anywhere near the limit, though!).

It may be worth trying to get to listen to a couple to see what you think.

As an alternative (on a budget) - which bit of your standard one is duff?? - i've still got the one i took off mine, but i had to cut a piece of the pipe through as a joint was solid. It is a fairly clean cut (with an angle grinder), and could be repaired with a sleeve or a bit of welding.

[smudge]

Many thanks for the offer Dave but I was hoping to go stainless, the silencer is gone and the pipe looks iffy.
Maybe I might leave it a short while and listen to a couple of Elan's (hope this is legal )
Oh I might add that the exhaust on the car is definitely not original and is very loud

[Andy_J]

Don't forget the Double S Stainess Exhaust from SJ Sports cars. This one still has the squish in the front pipe where it goes through the chassis, Most people avoid this one as the squish can restrict airflow if you want to go the route of larger Turbo etc. I have it on my car and happy with it, it is one of the quiter ones and even with the squish it can still flow enough gases to cause boost creep

Andy