GR86 Exhausts
- Thread starter Swizzle
- Start date
I’m looking at an exhaust for mine. I’m looking at the resonated Cobra or going all out for the HKS Hi Spec L2.
What’s everyone’s thoughts? I’m pretty sure the HKS is going to be a work of art and totally worth the money over the Cobra?
What’s everyone’s thoughts? I’m pretty sure the HKS is going to be a work of art and totally worth the money over the Cobra?
I think this one has to be down to you. I'm awaiting delivery of the Cobra. I wanted more noise than the standard but nothing too loud. So this suits me. The HKS sounds and looks great but too loud for me. But if that's your remit then HKS is amazing.
I’ve seen vids of the HKS. Doesn’t seem too loud. Even the people in the videos say it isn’t.
I suppose everyone is different.
Hi, I’ve got the HKS Spec L2 . Absolutely brilliant bit of kit, very well made and, from inside the car, around the same ‘loudness’ as standard exhaust and the noise generator plugged in. A little louder on cold start and a bit deeper and meatier on tick over. In my mind nothing obnoxious and I would not worry that I’m annoying neighbours if I was doing a pre -dawn start for a drive out.
I would class it as OEM + and saving nearly 5kg in weight
I have the Spec L2. It's beautifully made, and gives a significant weight saving...but it is definitely on the quieter side. Even the cold start is still relatively civilised. It's louder than stock, and sounds nicer, but I do concede that it's a lot of money for not a huge increase in sound. That suits me, but you might want to hear one in person before deciding.
Edit: what 'e said above.
Alistair31
Totally Hooked
I don’t suppose anyone in Scotland has a Cobra resonated system fitted? (And would let me hear it).
GRistopher
Totally Hooked
- Oct 23, 2023
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Just playing a bit of devil's advocate here. As someone who's never been a fan of owning "loud" exhausts. The cat and especially the GPF do make even fairly loud systems (if you're watching videos of US spec cars) quite a bit quieter.
I got a "loud" exhaust in the form of the AWE touring and I really wouldnt want anything quieter. It is noisy on the cold start, which I know would annoy some people, but after that initial 20 seconds it's really not that loud.
If you're worried about daily driving, finding something that doesn't drone should be your main concern.
Im not trying to talk you out of the HKS, but I know there's people on here that have bought one of the quieter exhausts and wished they had gone for something a bit louder.
I got a "loud" exhaust in the form of the AWE touring and I really wouldnt want anything quieter. It is noisy on the cold start, which I know would annoy some people, but after that initial 20 seconds it's really not that loud.
If you're worried about daily driving, finding something that doesn't drone should be your main concern.
Im not trying to talk you out of the HKS, but I know there's people on here that have bought one of the quieter exhausts and wished they had gone for something a bit louder.
I should add...the HKS doesn't drone at all, that I can hear. Has a Helmholtz resonator built into the centre section.
chopper602
Totally Hooked
TorqueOfTheDevil
Obsessed member
I have the HKS Spec L - if anything it's too quiet. Very nicely made though, good fit. I've even learnt to to love the "Halfords" burnt blue tips.
Alistair31
Totally Hooked
Hi Matt as I understand it the original spec L was made for the GT86 and has a slightly smaller dia. This can be fitted on a GR86 I believe and is for some reason louder then the spec L 11 that is specifically for the GR 86. The original is a few hundred pounds cheaper as well
There's versions of the Spec L1 and L2 for both GT86 and the GR86, with individual part numbers (see below post), so I don't think it's just different models for different generations...
www.gr-zoo.com
I think the L2 is just a slightly quieter version. If I recall @Bathroom_Security has the Spec L1, but said it had quite a lot of boom.
GR86 - Exhausts
@James-UK on the way to work: 😛 Hmmm... don't be hating! No pain, no gain! haha Serious note: I cannot wait this car is just too quiet... feels like I'm driving a Tesla!
www.gr-zoo.com
I think the L2 is just a slightly quieter version. If I recall @Bathroom_Security has the Spec L1, but said it had quite a lot of boom.
Wow that Kona N exhaust was awful! The non res Cobra sounds good and good to hear that it doesn't drone either. How is the cold start?I went for the non resonated variant just for that extra bit of sportiness at the top end of the rev range. At idle there's barely any difference between the two variants (6.3dB vs 6.9dB), whereas at 4Krpm static the quoted difference is more notable (83.6dB versus 88dB). Around town and normal day-to-day driving I reckon you'd be hard pressed to tell which version it had fitted but, open it up on a country road, climb the rev range and the non-resonated one sings beautifully. As for drone, I have pushed the car into the limiter and spent hours on the motorway. For example, in this clip, I did a roll-on overtake in the GR86 from about 3K rpm to around 6K rpm and at no time does the Dashcam pick up the air filling buzz of drone - compare that to the unadulterated drone in my modified KonaN here as I accelerated to join the motorway and you'll see what I mean ... that noise used to make me feel sick as the whole cabin used to 'fizz' on a positive throttle. Same camera, different car... Use headphones to get the best effect.
Yes, you can hear the exhaust in the GR86 of course but, it's a great sound and you might find yourself dropping a cog just to get it to growl at passers-by. I'd say the loudest sound in the cabin comes from tyre/road noise which is quite significant on a motorway.
Cold start is a bit obnoxious, but it’s the same for every exhaust. Before 8am I tend to reverse off the driveway immediately and get going, after 8am and I’ll just wait until the initial noise dies down then head off when I’m ready. Mrs Sonic says she doesn’t notice it as much as she did the KonaN.
byebyeMX5
Totally Hooked
I had an IL Motorsport back box on my NC MX5 with the rest of the system stock and it had a lovely tone, it wasn't obnoxious in any way at all, no drone whatsoever at any revs or load.
Having been to Japfest again this year and listened to many different exhausts popping and banging on a totured rev limiter I decided after a year of ownership that it was time to get another exhaust for the 86 and after reading this thread a few times and listening to numerous videos on YouTube Ive opted for the HKS Legamax Premium which seems as close to my old IL of any Ive listened to.
Getting it fitted at Fensport Friday so time will tell if its the right choice!!
Having been to Japfest again this year and listened to many different exhausts popping and banging on a totured rev limiter I decided after a year of ownership that it was time to get another exhaust for the 86 and after reading this thread a few times and listening to numerous videos on YouTube Ive opted for the HKS Legamax Premium which seems as close to my old IL of any Ive listened to.
Getting it fitted at Fensport Friday so time will tell if its the right choice!!
