The bit I'm most impressed about is that it appears to have introduced a bit of the Subaru burble. That's not something I've heard in any other system without UEL manifolds.
GR86 Exhausts
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GRistopher
Totally Hooked
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My lunch time web browsing at work consisted - as it does very often - of me trawling various forums and web shops looking for a front pipe solution which will allow a GR86 to pass an emissions test when a catless manifold is installed. I'm aware of the GPF being a thing, but if we presume the car would pass visual inspection providing there is a visible emissions device in the front pipe, the emissions test is the only hurdle.
I've ended up reading quite a lot of posts on old GT86 forums, where there appears to be a lot of familiar user names. Many of you had some useful things to say. The general consensus is that most aftermarket front pipes will not be sufficient for the car to pass an MOT emissions test. Some sources say that the Berk unit is sufficient, other say it isn't.
The Berk and HKS front pipes both have a 200 Cell cat, although I know not all Cats are created equal in terms of quality. The AVO front pipes, which have a large 5 inch cat which would be great for flow seam to use 160 Cell cats, which I'm fairly certain will never be enough to pass an emission test on their own. There was mention of units made by Rogue motorsport, but they seem to be a custom motorsport outfit and they don't have any front pipes in their web shop. Maybe it would be worth giving them a call.
I also don't want my car to be insanely loud and raspy (It's already quite loud), so ideally there would also be a resonator in the front pipe. To further complicate things, I'm still keen on getting a turbo kit fitted (probably early next year) so it would be ideal if it was a 2.5 inch or 3 inch pipe.
The more I Look, the more I seem convinced that the best solution to this conundrum (without putting the standard manifold back on) is to either get a Gen 1 OEM front pipe for testing time, or see if I can get a custom front pipe made up. If any of you, especially if you had a turbo Gen 1 car, can offer any advice I'd really appreciate it, and it would stop me wasting endless hours looking at every shop in the world that sells front pipes.
I've ended up reading quite a lot of posts on old GT86 forums, where there appears to be a lot of familiar user names. Many of you had some useful things to say. The general consensus is that most aftermarket front pipes will not be sufficient for the car to pass an MOT emissions test. Some sources say that the Berk unit is sufficient, other say it isn't.
The Berk and HKS front pipes both have a 200 Cell cat, although I know not all Cats are created equal in terms of quality. The AVO front pipes, which have a large 5 inch cat which would be great for flow seam to use 160 Cell cats, which I'm fairly certain will never be enough to pass an emission test on their own. There was mention of units made by Rogue motorsport, but they seem to be a custom motorsport outfit and they don't have any front pipes in their web shop. Maybe it would be worth giving them a call.
I also don't want my car to be insanely loud and raspy (It's already quite loud), so ideally there would also be a resonator in the front pipe. To further complicate things, I'm still keen on getting a turbo kit fitted (probably early next year) so it would be ideal if it was a 2.5 inch or 3 inch pipe.
The more I Look, the more I seem convinced that the best solution to this conundrum (without putting the standard manifold back on) is to either get a Gen 1 OEM front pipe for testing time, or see if I can get a custom front pipe made up. If any of you, especially if you had a turbo Gen 1 car, can offer any advice I'd really appreciate it, and it would stop me wasting endless hours looking at every shop in the world that sells front pipes.
Howdy all - first post here (I think!).
I've had a Remark axle-back on my 86 for 12 months and whilst it was fun to begin with I quickly began to hate it - moving to a tight terraced street did not help. It wasn't even that it was loud (which it was), it just sounded bad to me and droney as hell.
Anyways I took the remark off at the weekend and driving without the noise was honestly bliss, aside from not being able to hear my revs at all.
It's making me question what I want to do next. I've had my heart set on a Spec L2 for a while as I love how it looks and want something on the tamer side, but I'm struggling to justify the cost relative to other options and I'm now thinking Cobra.
I was also going to get catless UEL headers and a remap done but I'm really not sure this car needs it now, whereas my old GT86 definitely did. If I was going that route I would definietly go resonated, but now I'm not sure. I want to hear something!
I've recently move to Macclesfield (glad to see some of the good reviews for RRG here) - I was wondering if there is anyone within a reasonable distance with a Cobra res or non-res installed that might be willing to meet up so I can try to make a decision.
Also - if anyone has a Cobra or HKS/similar that may be up for sale soon let me know!
I've had a Remark axle-back on my 86 for 12 months and whilst it was fun to begin with I quickly began to hate it - moving to a tight terraced street did not help. It wasn't even that it was loud (which it was), it just sounded bad to me and droney as hell.
Anyways I took the remark off at the weekend and driving without the noise was honestly bliss, aside from not being able to hear my revs at all.
It's making me question what I want to do next. I've had my heart set on a Spec L2 for a while as I love how it looks and want something on the tamer side, but I'm struggling to justify the cost relative to other options and I'm now thinking Cobra.
I was also going to get catless UEL headers and a remap done but I'm really not sure this car needs it now, whereas my old GT86 definitely did. If I was going that route I would definietly go resonated, but now I'm not sure. I want to hear something!
I've recently move to Macclesfield (glad to see some of the good reviews for RRG here) - I was wondering if there is anyone within a reasonable distance with a Cobra res or non-res installed that might be willing to meet up so I can try to make a decision.
Also - if anyone has a Cobra or HKS/similar that may be up for sale soon let me know!
GRistopher
Totally Hooked
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Alburrito, Manchester area. You're not the roll it up, decorate it, salt-flake it and bake it guy are you?
Either way, Welcome! @Conscript is your HKS exhaust guy.
I went for an AWE touring, then i got UEL manifolds and a tune, which took it from loud(ish) on throttle to loud on anything but a very light throttle, to NASCAR on full beans, sounds amazing though and still no droning. With that in mind, you're right to buy a quieter system if you want manifolds without it being too loud.
If youre curious about the gains of the manifold and remap (stock mid pipe) then i put my dyno chart in the remap thread.
After living with the PCW modded exhaust for a while now I’m still really happy with it.
It’s massively increased the enjoyment of driving the car for me. I find myself changing gear for the sake of it to hear the engine, blip the throttle on downshifts to hear it rumble/pop. Equally I can just drive it normally and it sounds decent with a subtle exhaust note.
It’s not loud when driving on the motorway/normally. The video I created has a lot of throttle but on part throttle it makes a nice sound without too much volume. The only downside, as with all modded exhausts on this car, is the cold start.
Be really interested to hear how you find it especially after the remark.
BTW I tried swapping the resonator (front box) with a stock one to see if it kept the exhaust tone but helped with cold start and it was too quiet for me. So I put the PCW modded box back on immediately. Will add a video if helpful…
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GRistopher
Totally Hooked
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Its definitely a buzz killer. You can't have a nice moderately entertaining exhaust without your neighbours thinking you're a complete tw@t. I dont think it's a worthwhile trade off at all (for my neighbours) if you consider the pitiful emissions gain.
GS6R4
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- Apr 9, 2022
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I went to C-TEC Performance yesterday to have the exhaust fitted so took a few photos in case anyone else is thinking of getting one.
While I know nothing about fabrication, it looks like a quality product and Nigel went through some of the design features which helps justify the price premium over other exhausts.
The fitting took around 90 minutes but a fair chunk of this was checking that everything was spot on and that it looked just right. Coffee was provided and biscuits were offered, there were some nice other cars to look at as well!
In terms of sound it's obviously early days and Nigel mentioned other customers have said it takes around 500 miles to bed in but it's already an improvement over the standard exhaust. Start-up is quite noisy but it settles into a nice idle after a few seconds, reminiscent I thought of an Impreza. My drive home backed-up what others have said about the noise not being hugely different to standard at motorway cruising speed, but sporty when you want it do be. Once I've done some more miles I'll attempt to get some representative audio clips.
While I know nothing about fabrication, it looks like a quality product and Nigel went through some of the design features which helps justify the price premium over other exhausts.
The fitting took around 90 minutes but a fair chunk of this was checking that everything was spot on and that it looked just right. Coffee was provided and biscuits were offered, there were some nice other cars to look at as well!
In terms of sound it's obviously early days and Nigel mentioned other customers have said it takes around 500 miles to bed in but it's already an improvement over the standard exhaust. Start-up is quite noisy but it settles into a nice idle after a few seconds, reminiscent I thought of an Impreza. My drive home backed-up what others have said about the noise not being hugely different to standard at motorway cruising speed, but sporty when you want it do be. Once I've done some more miles I'll attempt to get some representative audio clips.
GRistopher
Totally Hooked
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KobayashiMaru86
Totally Hooked
It is a stunning piece of engineering. Done probably 2k in mine now and it's well bedded in and sounds like it always should have stock.
Seems we are both searching for a front pipe solution then.
Im thinking HKS 33004-BT003 with the res/cat in it (not actually sure which...) with a map to get past the lack of pressure sensor pipes, and swap in the OEM front pipe come MOT time. Only other option is the Supersprint front pipe (with cat and the pressure sensor pipes, but the cost of it is insane.
Definately not for me of course, for a friend.
I had a “not for road use” Supersprint system on a car many moons ago. The quality was fantastic but it was massively antisocial on the volume front and definitely not something I’d tolerate now 20+ years older
Is your “friend” aiming to go with the HKS front pipe to sack off the EU OPF and go with a catless header or effectively stacking high flow cats in the header and front pipe ?
High flow cat in the headers and high flow in the mid pipe (or a res) without the OPF, he feels it would be too loud and antisocial with anything less than 2 cats.I had a “not for road use” Supersprint system on a car many moons ago. The quality was fantastic but it was massively antisocial on the volume front and definitely not something I’d tolerate now 20+ years older
Is your “friend” aiming to go with the HKS front pipe to sack off the EU OPF and go with a catless header or effectively stacking high flow cats in the header and front pipe ?
Makes sense! I’m definitely not in my 20’s anymore and don’t just have designs on kicking the cars head in round local back lanes and around town with zero cares about how lairy it is. These days I want a decent tone with a bit more volume but I’d like to enjoy longer runs out and potentially a few alps trips I don’t want to listen to an obnoxious db level or incessant droning.
ctecperformance
Devoted member
- Nov 1, 2023
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Thanks Martyn, great to hear the C-TEC system is ticking all of the boxes for you
I met up with @ZN8 today, partly to pick up a part he'd generously ordered as a group buy, but also because I wanted to hear his C-TEC in person and decide if I'd be interested in changing to one myself.
Just thought I'd say, if you're in the market for an exhaust, then the C-TEC should be first on your list. It sounds brilliant without being overbearing. There was not a hint of drone in the cabin. And it looks great. Sounded great when I was following him too.
I currently have a HKS Hi-Power Spec L2 and I'd been musing over whether I wanted a bit more volume, which is why I wanted to hear the C-TEC in person. Now that I have, I can say that I think the C-TEC is a tad louder, and sounds a bit better - but it's not such a huge improvement that I would now consider changing to it. But if I was buying a new exhaust today to replace the stock system, I would probably choose the C-TEC.
If anyone reads this and is on the fence, buy with confidence. Great exhaust.
Just thought I'd say, if you're in the market for an exhaust, then the C-TEC should be first on your list. It sounds brilliant without being overbearing. There was not a hint of drone in the cabin. And it looks great. Sounded great when I was following him too.
I currently have a HKS Hi-Power Spec L2 and I'd been musing over whether I wanted a bit more volume, which is why I wanted to hear the C-TEC in person. Now that I have, I can say that I think the C-TEC is a tad louder, and sounds a bit better - but it's not such a huge improvement that I would now consider changing to it. But if I was buying a new exhaust today to replace the stock system, I would probably choose the C-TEC.
If anyone reads this and is on the fence, buy with confidence. Great exhaust.
Renzokuken86
Dedicated member
This video went out today, lots of time, effort and dedication has gone into it by the looks of it. 2 hours!
A shame the dual-exhaust Hi Power Spec-L II isn't there as I've been looking at it for a long time.
A shame the dual-exhaust Hi Power Spec-L II isn't there as I've been looking at it for a long time.
And it seems they left the ASC enabled for the interior footage 
Gari
Totally Hooked
Just wanted to share that the GR with the Remark axleback got through the MOT just fine, even as loud as it is 
Mine is due tomorrow, this gives me hope!Just wanted to share that the GR with the Remark axleback got through the MOT just fine, even as loud as it is
