Custom Exhaust
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Herts and Newcastle
Well as some of you know i had the S booked in to have a custom exhaust built, which meant the oxford meet was missed. 
I used Hayward & Scott in Basildon to make the cat back system.
This was the first system they have made for the S as well and i have to say that i am very impressed with the system and quality of workmanship.
The system seems to improve the performance quite alot and the S seems alot more responsive even with the Airbox off.
With the box on there is definetley more power and would be interested on how much was gained, form the standard system and the cars rear seems alot lighter as well.
The system is made completely from stainless steel so will never rust inside or out and is easy to clean.
There are a range of rear tail pipes available, some are included in the system price and the others may increase the cost slightly. I went for the round pipes which are almost the same size as the originals.
As for the sound it has a lovely burble on start up and then quitens down as the system warms up, very much like a TVR exhaust system.
The high end is quite reasonable and not too loud, so should not grab too much unwanted attention and sound rather good in tunnels
There is some resonance at a certain rev range ( between 3-4000 rpm ) which makes the system rather loud inside and outside the car, this could be an issuse on long journeys. I will let the system coke up for a month as this is bare metal at the moment and may quiet down as the system beds in, i will keep you updated on this.
The price is reasonable as well and will beat the HKS for price, and durability as completely S/Steel.
The system can be fitted in an hour, so while you wait then.
The price will be
I used Hayward & Scott in Basildon to make the cat back system.
This was the first system they have made for the S as well and i have to say that i am very impressed with the system and quality of workmanship.
The system seems to improve the performance quite alot and the S seems alot more responsive even with the Airbox off.
With the box on there is definetley more power and would be interested on how much was gained, form the standard system and the cars rear seems alot lighter as well.
The system is made completely from stainless steel so will never rust inside or out and is easy to clean.
There are a range of rear tail pipes available, some are included in the system price and the others may increase the cost slightly. I went for the round pipes which are almost the same size as the originals.
As for the sound it has a lovely burble on start up and then quitens down as the system warms up, very much like a TVR exhaust system.
The high end is quite reasonable and not too loud, so should not grab too much unwanted attention and sound rather good in tunnels
There is some resonance at a certain rev range ( between 3-4000 rpm ) which makes the system rather loud inside and outside the car, this could be an issuse on long journeys. I will let the system coke up for a month as this is bare metal at the moment and may quiet down as the system beds in, i will keep you updated on this.
The price is reasonable as well and will beat the HKS for price, and durability as completely S/Steel.
The system can be fitted in an hour, so while you wait then.
The price will be
Look forward to seeing/hearing it at one of the future mini meets. 
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As for the sound it has a lovely burble on start up and then quitens down as the system warms up, very much like a TVR exhaust system.
How does the sound compare to the HKS in terms of volume?
Did you keep your old system?
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From: Herts and Newcastle
I did keep the old system which is now sitting in the garage.
It was one thing i insisted on, was the old system remained intact.
I would say that the system is noisier at low rpms than the HKS , but quieter at the high end.
Once the system has bedded in more, i will see about the resonance at the 3-4k band. This may suit some people, but my personnel choice would be a little quieter.
It was one thing i insisted on, was the old system remained intact.
I would say that the system is noisier at low rpms than the HKS , but quieter at the high end.
Once the system has bedded in more, i will see about the resonance at the 3-4k band. This may suit some people, but my personnel choice would be a little quieter.
