I have the factory installed JCW exhaust and recently replaced the resonator with a straight pipe to try and improve the sound. Under acceleration it's OK (not great) but most of the time it pops and crackles so much that it sounds like the car's running on baked beans.

I'm therefore faced with a dilemma. Replace the resonator and ho back to where I started or replace the exhaust. If I replace the exhaust should I get a cat back system or replace everything including the header? Finally, which exhaust should I go for?

I've heard favourable reports of the Larini. Any comments? Has anyone replaced their JCW exhaust, and if so, what with and how did it work out?

Thanks.

 

I don't know how much you're popping, but I noticed a significant increase in popping with my cat-back. It pops whenever you let off the throttle basically. It's low though so it's not too bad. I don't think getting another cat-back will change the popping too much. As for a header- not too sure. Just trying to help...

 

I know that all aftermarket exhausts pop, some more than others, but I think they give more of a bass sounding pop rather than a tinny pop like I now have from my JCW without the resonator. A friend of mine has the Invidia cat back on his MCS and it too has its fair share of pops and crackles, but in a more masculine way, if you know what I mean!

 

I have a 2006 GP that came with the JCW exhaust. It was too quiet so I removed the resonator. It was then too snap, crackle, and pop. I installed a Borla Sport exhaust which in general sounded great but droned too much when cruising on the highway (partly because the GP has little insulation). I then installed a Milltek cat-back. It is just about right for me. It is louder than the JCW, quieter than the Borla Sport. It has a nice pop sound.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll take a closer look at the Milltek.

 

Milltek!

 

I love my Milltek, it burbles really deep, not a tinny popping. I'll try to get you a video clip of mine if I can.

 

If you like the way the JCW looks, I'd suggest getting a header. Even with the resonator back in place it'll be louder than now, only without as much snapping and popping.

IMHO even the Milltek (which is fairly mellow without a header) is just way too loud with some headers (including the Milltek one), so it may be a good idea to keep future mods in mind.

 

As I said above, my TC exhaust pops a lot more, but also in a good way! Nice and deep. The tips kinda look JCWish, but the 3'' tips obviously look bigger. The exhaust thread stickied on the top of the thread page is a good guide. As you'll see, it really comes down to sound, and looks of the tips I guess. Most say Milltek is one of the quieter ones.

 

Thanks. A video clip would be great. Are you using the stock header?

 

You're right. Those two items are important as well as the quality of the system. I've heard the Invidia and it sounds great, but I don't particularly care for the blue tips.

 

I love my Invidia so very much! The sound, the burble, the tips, the fitment.
( except for the part of the Y pipe not fitting on a convertible and having to get it bent & welded )

 

There's a thread on fixing the brace for aftermarket exhausts for the cabrio in the cabrio section! I had to do it. I have heard lots of positive things about Invidia.

 

Ya, I looked at it. I decided I would rather pay a little money out and bend and weld the exhaust to fit around the brace.
Sounded better to me than comprimising the integrity of the brace. Putting washers and bolts on the brace to lower it will give that brace more flex than it should have.

The bend an weld job I had done was really minor right before the brace. The pipe now follows the stock bend and works perfectly

 

Milltek fits right outa the box..

 

So does the Magnaflow.

 

I know that Magnaflow does, but I thought Milltek charged a $100 premium for a cabrio exhaust...?

 

I think that either way works great- its all personal pref really. I did happen to notice that there was a bow in the x-brace when I went to put in the steel spacers (not washers or bolts- not good enough). Spacing the brace actually got rid of the bow and made the bars connected to the brace more straight, thus more rigid. ScottRiqui has autocrossed with this done- no loss in rigidity. Sorry to hijack the thread!

 

Think they are both the same price now...same exhaust too. I couldn't be happier with mine! But there is alot of good cat-backs out there.

 

I absolutely love my resonatorless JCW. A bit raspy when cold, but fantastic once warmed up. I got huge raves from bystanders at my last track day. It HOWLS at wot!! Sounds fully proper to me. I have an early JCW without the cabrio crimp your factory-installed unit has and with a removable front resonator section. I use the MyMini stainless front section. Perfect fit.

My guess is that the cabrio crimp has a negative impact on sound and may add a significant amount of back pressure.

 

I also replaced my JCW exhaust with a Milltek cat-back a couple months ago. I like it. Not very loud, but definitely a noticeable difference from the JCW. It pops and burbles a lot when you let off the gas, but it's not "crackly", and I like the sound.