4-2-1 exhaust for Excel

[jep]

Just dropped my Excel SE to LotusBits for the 4-2-1 exhaust. Engine out job to fit, so they will I am sure find other things to do once that is on the bench. It seems wise to do the clutch, perhaps lightened flywheel. I am hoping the engine will breath better (it had a cheap exhaust purchased by the previous owner) and that the car will sound more menacing. I will know within 1 mile whether I have made the right choice for me. An exhaust is either right for a car or not. I have learnt that lesson before.

 

The LotusBits set up seemed very impressive. Clean and enthusiastic.

 

Justin

[mikeeech]

I need to get over the in the next few weeks to have a look around. I have a long list of parts to get...

[DaKa]

Interested to know how you get on here.

I had a place near me - 'Pipe Craft' new Basildon, Essex (who I highly recommend) cut some new bits into my custom Excel's exhaust.

 

I'm due back in the spring for them to replace the mid section silencer with a custom box, but I've seen on SJS performance upgrade that they do a straight pipe replacement - I guess that the price is noise in the cabin?

 

Does anyone have any lessons learnt to share on silencer vs straight pipe for performance?

[Don.Hasi]

Some of them who Channel the middlebox say, they dont notice a thing, others state the noise is up a bit but not too loud.

I would guess, it is a personal taste.

[miJ]

I have a stainless exhaust . It is a a simple 4 into 1 . It has one center box , but no back boxes. I have nothing to compare it with , but I think it makes a fantastic growl , not too loud , and the car goes very well

[Don.Hasi]

So you have a different manifold as well ? The stock layout is 4-2-1.

[miJ]

Yes the manifold is tubular stainless , quite a simple design , not like those spaghetti ones .I will get some photos tomorrow .

[miJ]

Some photos of my exhaust manifold .Not the easiest thing to get to .

 

 

 

[Don.Hasi]

Interesting looks custom made... Would also be interesting to see it on a rolling road.

Oh and a similar cut in the body as seen on my Lady

[jep]

On top of the exhaust, I have been persuaded to fit a lightened flywheel (a reproduction of the Works Sunbeam Lotus flywheel) and new cams. This should all make the engine rev better. Cannot wait to get Zoom back.

[jep]

Collected the Excel from LotusBits today. The engine breathes and pulls significantly better, a vast improvement. The exhaust note is not what I would call sexy but purposeful. I would like a bit more over-run pop and cackle, apparently that can be achieved by modifying the jets but generally satisfactory. I have achieved my main aim, in that the engine for the first time feels like it is letting out the horses as it really should. As the car was set up professionally before (not by LotusBits) and I was told it was running very well, I am content that the spend on exhaust, flywheel and cam have made the difference.

[jep]

I see it is nearly 5 years since I took the plunge and fitted a LotusBits exhaust to the Excel. Nearly 13,000 miles on and it is as good as ever, in fact better than when installed. It pops on the over-run and cackles like spitting coals on a hot fire. The engine revs easily, I am sure the lightened flywheel helps as much as the exhaust. If you like a racy exhaust and want your engine to breath and can spare £3.5K, it really is worth it. I was very apprehensive about spending the dosh on something the car did not need (the old exhaust was in fine condition but the engine felt tight) but I can easily report that this is one of the best upgrades I have ever bought for a car. Well done LotusBits!

[black eclat]

Did they have to modify the inner wings to fit the exhaust?

Car looks fab btw.

[jep]

19 hours ago, black eclat said:

Did they have to modify the inner wings to fit the exhaust?

99% sure no modification needed but the inner wing is quite scorched...…..LotusBits would confirm the technical details. They fitted mine as I don't do dirt under the fingernails though I did unblock the front bulkhead drainage tube today...…..