Ups and Downs of Esprit Ownership

[s4simon]

Decided to take the Esprit to the company Christmas Do on Friday Night in Syon Park, London. Drove up to the parking attendant and he says - 'Say that's a flash car - you can park right out the front Sir - next to the entrance.'

Don't mind if I do - Don't want the wife to have to walk through the carpark with all the other Rif-Raf.

Apart from the crazy minicab drivers at 1am in the morning, the evening was quite pleasant.

Put the car straight into dry dock for the weekend. Spent Saturday and Sunday trying to get the bloody exhaust off. Go* dam, bloody Lotus nuts. The bloody things are welded on. Took me one afternoon the get one off and the last one is now half off. Looks like it'll be in dry dock for a few weeks now. I'm also going to respray the underside to clean it all up. Just need to find a suitable heating source cos it's bloody cold in there.

I'll tell you one thing - the SJ Sports exhaust looks pretty dam good - can't wait to 'Get it On'.

[Guest devacom]

I'll tell you one thing - the SJ Sports exhaust looks pretty dam good - can't wait to 'Get it On'.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Simon,

Yeah, I've asked Steve about a new exhaust for my non-Turbo. My manifold is cracked and it would seem to be a logical replacement. Another job to add to the list!

DJ

[Guest Troy Halliday]

I'd heard mixed coments on SJ's exhaust, I had pretty much made up my mind to buy a complete system an manifold from them when I finaly get round to that part of the rebuild but was put of my comments by a couple of people I spoke to.

I'd be very interested in seeing a couple of pics and heering what you thought of it as in fit, and sound when you get round to it.

[s4simon]

There's a good write up by Peter on his SE exhaust choice (under technical).

It was either going ot be the PUK or the SJ version. SJ won in the end.

I'll take some photos and stick them on soon.

[The_Del]

I have the SJ stainless steel s300 replica back box on mine for about a year now and more than happy with it. Sounds good, not too loud for everyday use but people outside know when you go by.

Fitted with no issues and seems to be constructed to a high quality, good clean welds etc.

[Guest Troy Halliday]

Well it looks like I'll be adding it back on my shopping list then.

[Couger]

I have the SJ stainless steel s300 replica back box on mine for about a year now and more than happy with it. Sounds good, not too loud for everyday use but people outside know when you go by.

Fitted with no issues and seems to be constructed to a high quality, good clean welds etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Del

How much did this back box cost and would it fit onto my 90 turbo.

Cheers

Ian

[s4simon]

Just to keep you guys enthused over Christmas. Here's a snap of the old degraded system (still in-situ) cos the bloody things welded in place.

Plus a photo of the new SJ exhaust - well the end bit. Which looks pretty good. I'm pretty happy with just the looks of it so far. Should be even happer when it's finally on (next bloody year at the rate I'm going !).

[Guest Troy Halliday]

ooh you tease.

Looking forward to seeing some pics of the rest of it. Any chance you can record what it sounds like now and again after. Just a thought don't stress about it was just curious.

[s4simon]

Well after two weeks of effort I finally got it on today. Really it only took a couple of days once I figured out the best plan of attack for getting the old piece of *hit off. Goddam thing almost crushed me when she finally released herself from the rear of the car. Dam heavy piece of rusting back box.

To get the last nut off I had to use some serious finess and very gentle persuasion utilsing only the lightest of hand tools - err - that be the ANGLE GRINDER then.

Here's the new SJ exhaust layed out in all its glory - that was the easy bit. Little did I know that the hardest bit was to follow.

I mounted the exhaust no problems - the two nuts holding the back box to the frame went on like - U know what - these measurements were spot on. I was thinking at this stage that this was beginning to be fun - bad move there.

Moved to the other end, where it all connects up, and thought - What the F*ck. That's not going to connect back up in a million years. It seemed to be about 20 degrees out of wack. Screwed two of the bolts back in loosely to the Cat and figured that the third just was'nt going to happen - oh crap - now what ! Went to bed and dreamt about how to reslove the issue. Woke up this morning (just before noon) with a couple of game plans.

Took the exhaust back of and placed it on axle stands. Got the angle as good as possible and tightened up the three bolts - seemed to work. Next step was to connect the exhaust back onto the rubber mounts. The one nearest the tail pipe was easy, but the other was a mile off. Decided to very carefully jack up the exhaust just enough so as I could get the last remaining nut on - bingo.

Tightened everthing up and it all seemed to finish up staight and level - amazingly.

Okay time for the big test.

Hit the start button and there is instant gratification. Wow that's good. That's how it should have sounded coming out of the showroom. Soooo much better. Took it for a quick run, and now not only do you get the acceleration and flutter but also the added bonus of a rich exhaust note to go with it all.

This is a must have item.

Installation 5/10

Price 9/10

Smileometer rating 10/10

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

SUPERB!

The struggle to get the damned thing on is always a pita but it makes it all the more satisfying when you win

Nice one

[Paul C]

Looks great simon

It's probably going to be an SJ one for me too. Although am going to get Steve to whack it on when he changes the manifold because i'm getting the de-cat pipe too so he may as well change the whole lot in one job.

Am suprised you kept the Cat and EBPV though. I Know you just got your manifold done so that section (bar the turbo) is the only old part left in system (and the Cat +EBPV are very heavy compared to the straight pipe).

Do you need the Cat down under then?

[s4simon]

I believe it has to pass one stringent test on arrival. This is done at a testing facility close to where I'll be living. This is where I'll need the 'kmph only' speedo + notification that all nasty aircon gas has been professionally removed prior to import. I'm sure the Cat has to be in place for this test. Once it passes this test it will not have to undergo another test EVER. There is no annual MOT in this particular state, so I'll probably install the bypass pipe then.