GR86 Exhausts

biggie said:
Hi all, new member here :)

I already have a cat less UEL header installed on my GR86 and I'm looking for a cat back that's just a bit louder than stock but with 0 drone!!

Not sure there's such a thing (other than the stock one) as all that I've tested or heard so far had some level of drone/boom/raspiness.
Invidia Q300 (on my ex-GT86) was the closest to my requirements I could find, but the joy lasted until the first track day, after which it developed some "issues" (not really drone but a noticeable shift in tone/volume) around 2.5k rpm mark.
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Welcome Biggie.
Exhaust noise is going to be a very personal thing. I have just had fitted a Cobra resonated exhaust. I've not experienced any drone and the sound on cold start up is quite loud but settles down quickly. You know you have a sports exhaust fitted at all times, but it's not too loud. This suits me but many want more. I looked at the videos before making my choice but video sounds is not like the real thing. Going to a meet is definitely the best way to hear the difference between makes.
 
I am still very tempted with the HKS spec L 11. Seems to be none in stock and expensive unless you go the import route via black hawk. Has any one got any useful info on sourcing.
In addition has any one got one fitted that I could meet up for a coffee and ride out in. I am near Southampton wouldn’t mind traveling a reasonable distance.
I did ask Abbey Motorsport for a price for the exhaust and Geo sadly after initial reply that they would get back to me that went silent. Can’t be bothered to chase people to hand over my hard earned money to.
 
biggie said:
Hi all, new member here :)

I already have a cat less UEL header installed on my GR86 and I'm looking for a cat back that's just a bit louder than stock but with 0 drone!!

Not sure there's such a thing (other than the stock one) as all that I've tested or heard so far had some level of drone/boom/raspiness.
Invidia Q300 (on my ex-GT86) was the closest to my requirements I could find, but the joy lasted until the first track day, after which it developed some "issues" (not really drone but a noticeable shift in tone/volume) around 2.5k rpm mark.
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Hi Biggie and welcome
I went for the HKS Legamax Premium as its only marginally louder than stock, and definitely no drone, post on previous page.
As others have said now you have the catless headers on any exhaust will probably be loud.
From experience on my previous NC MX5 I put an IL Motorsport Back Box on which wasn't loud and no drone at all, my friend had gone for the BBR catless header (and ecutek remap) and also had the IL Back Box and it was far to loud, didnt sound good at all and he went back to a stock back box.
 
Conscript said:
Welcome aboard. I can vouch for the HKS Spec-L 2 as having no drone that I can hear, and it's also not much louder than stock; however, that's with an otherwise standard exhaust. I guess an aftermarket header with no cat will make it louder.

I think you are the first owner I've heard of who's changed the header (assuming you're in the UK) - did you have to get the car remapped? Going by experience with the old car, a remap was essential when removing the main cat, or the car would throw a check engine light, but I didn't think there were many tuning options like Ecutek available yet.
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I'm not from UK but I must say I'm happy I wasn't betrayed by my poor English skills :))
What I forget to mention is that I also have a Fujitsubo A-R cat back, installed before the header.

Yes, the car instantly throwed a CEL, but not because of the missing CAT, but because I essentially deleted the EGT sensor, as the new header had only 2 holes (for lambdas) and the GR header has 3. To my surprise, after changing the header and with the stock tune, the car had some mild/lovely burble/pops&bangs on downshifts or when blipping the throttle, but no issues whatsoever (other than the CEL).

I tuned the car (Ecutek) few days later and the performance difference is quite significant. You don't get much in absolute numbers (15-20HP max) but numbers don't tell the whole story. Best mod you can do to these cars, period.

Regarding my question, well, aftermarket headers (especially cat less) makes a HUGE difference in sound levels, including distortions (raspiness/drone/etc). There are many "silent" cat backs out there when paired with the stock headers, but most are "transforming" after you change the headers.
My current setup sounds AMAZING (and that is an understatement) under 2.5k rpm (subbie rumble on steroids) and after 5k, but at cruising speeds on the highway there's some annoying drone, especially around 3k. From the outside sounds amazing the entire range :))
 
biggie said:
I'm not from UK but I must say I'm happy I wasn't betrayed by my poor English skills :))
What I forget to mention is that I also have a Fujitsubo A-R cat back, installed before the header.

Yes, the car instantly throwed a CEL, but not because of the missing CAT, but because I essentially deleted the EGT sensor, as the new header had only 2 holes (for lambdas) and the GR header has 3. To my surprise, after changing the header and with the stock tune, the car had some mild/lovely burble/pops&bangs on downshifts or when blipping the throttle, but no issues whatsoever (other than the CEL).

I tuned the car (Ecutek) few days later and the performance difference is quite significant. You don't get much in absolute numbers (15-20HP max) but numbers don't tell the whole story. Best mod you can do to these cars, period.

Regarding my question, well, aftermarket headers (especially cat less) makes a HUGE difference in sound levels, including distortions (raspiness/drone/etc). There are many "silent" cat backs out there when paired with the stock headers, but most are "transforming" after you change the headers.
My current setup sounds AMAZING (and that is an understatement) under 2.5k rpm (subbie rumble on steroids) and after 5k, but at cruising speeds on the highway there's some annoying drone, especially around 3k. From the outside sounds amazing the entire range :))
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Sounds awesome! I don't think we've got much in the way of tuning options for these in the UK yet (n/a tuning at least), did you get a dyno read out at all?

Curious about the 3 holes for sensors in the stock GR header, it used to be 2 on the gt86 I thought!

P. S would love a sound clip of your car! I do love the scooby sound
 
biggie said:
Yes, the car instantly throwed a CEL, but not because of the missing CAT, but because I essentially deleted the EGT sensor, as the new header had only 2 holes (for lambdas) and the GR header has 3. To my surprise, after changing the header and with the stock tune, the car had some mild/lovely burble/pops&bangs on downshifts or when blipping the throttle, but no issues whatsoever (other than the CEL).

I tuned the car (Ecutek) few days later and the performance difference is quite significant. You don't get much in absolute numbers (15-20HP max) but numbers don't tell the whole story. Best mod you can do to these cars, period.
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Interesting. I've watched countless reviews / install videos on headers trying to find which one I'd want to go for and I have never known anyone mention the EGT sensor. Just the two O2 sensors.

Are you in Europe / does your car have a GPF?
I dont know of anyone else that has headers on a GPF equipped car yet.
 
Beans said:
Sounds awesome! I don't think we've got much in the way of tuning options for these in the UK yet (n/a tuning at least), did you get a dyno read out at all?

Curious about the 3 holes for sensors in the stock GR header, it used to be 2 on the gt86 I thought!

P. S would love a sound clip of your car! I do love the scooby sound
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Indeed, not even my tuner said anything about GR header having 3 holes, despite the fact I asked him if I should buy that specific header or not (Tomei UEL).

No dyno yet, however, I've done 3 for my old GT86 (at various tuning stages) and the area under the curve along with the torque dip was much improved. I don't think it's any different with the GR, considering that my butt dyno said it's quite a big difference :))

L.E. the tune was done remotely by someone in US, it takes a few days/weeks of flashing/logging but it's a straightforward process and I've got rid of the CEL after the very first tune.
 
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GRistopher said:
Interesting. I've watched countless reviews / install videos on headers trying to find which one I'd want to go for and I have never known anyone mention the EGT sensor. Just the two O2 sensors.

Are you in Europe / does your car have a GPF?
I dont know of anyone else that has headers on a GPF equipped car yet.
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Yes and yes.
Front pipe is the only OEM element left, I replaced the headers, over pipe and cat back.
GPF is inside the FP, so can't really remove it without replacing the FP altogether.
 
ctecperformance said:
As we've been developing a front pipe back system for the GR86, I've been paying close attention to the list of requirements most frequently mentioned when considering an aftermarket exhaust system for the GR86. It appears the general consensus is a system that gives an increase in exhaust volume and note to justify the spend. Idle to have a noticeable increase in volume with nice bass note but nothing to upset neighbours, even on a cold start. General low speed, town type use to still have character, a nice sporty exhaust note. You're aware you have a sports exhaust, but it's totally in keeping with the overall quality presence of the GR86. A system that you could happily live with for a daily driver, no drone especially at Motorway speeds. All of this plus a system that really engages. The ability to provide that grin factor when you're into the higher rpm range, when you want an exhaust to really sing and make all of those sports system sounds on gear shift blips and over run.

All of the above plus a well designed system, high fabrication quality standards, ease of install and perfect fit.

The C-TEC Performance GR86 V band stainless front pipe back system will be announced here very soon.

View attachment 27581View attachment 27582
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Looks beautiful! Will it be EC approved?

biggie said:
Hi all, new member here :)

I already have a cat less UEL header installed on my GR86 and I'm looking for a cat back that's just a bit louder than stock but with 0 drone!!

Not sure there's such a thing (other than the stock one) as all that I've tested or heard so far had some level of drone/boom/raspiness.
Invidia Q300 (on my ex-GT86) was the closest to my requirements I could find, but the joy lasted until the first track day, after which it developed some "issues" (not really drone but a noticeable shift in tone/volume) around 2.5k rpm mark.
Click to expand...
My bet would be on the HKS Legamax Premium if you want no drone. I'm waiting on getting mine, and would like to pair it with a catted UEL header at some point down the line.
It is only slight louder than stock, but it should sound great with a header!
 
Tried recording video but the saved sound is crap. That'll need some more thought then I'll share.

In the meantime some photos. Fensport were as always awesome. Those guys are great 🙏💯

My initial feedbacks on the exhaust is:

Nice bass sound. No drone. Louder than I expected. Actually sounds decent on the idle now and when revving. I can sit in traffic and be a child if I want 🤪

I think the sound suits the car. It's definitely far from ASBO but sounds completely different to stock. It sounds (and maybe this is weird but I know what I mean) more 'grown up'.

I need to live with and drive it more obviously but for me it adds the third essential ingredient for a sports car:

Looks
Feel
Sound

In conclusion for starters I am happy. More to follow when I've lived with it for a while....

Hopes this helps anyone else looking to change their exhaust.

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sbc_uk said:
My Milltek goes on at FENSPORT tomorrow...
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You must have rolled out just before I arrived and rolled in this afternoon for the guys to carry out my first service along with a gearbox and diff oil change (blame my borderline mechanical OCD for adding those).
 
Hachi-roku said:
You must have rolled out just before I arrived and rolled in this afternoon for the guys to carry out my first service along with a gearbox and diff oil change (blame my borderline mechanical OCD for adding those).
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Arh shame. Next time 😁
 
One of those things, at some point I’ll actually make it to an event or meet. To add insult to injury I made a slight detour and stopped to grab food at caffeine and machine on the way back across the country hopeful I might see some interesting metal only to find it was “Volvo night” 😅
 
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Beans said:
Sounds awesome! I don't think we've got much in the way of tuning options for these in the UK yet (n/a tuning at least), did you get a dyno read out at all?

Curious about the 3 holes for sensors in the stock GR header, it used to be 2 on the gt86 I thought!

P. S would love a sound clip of your car! I do love the scooby sound
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Here's the sound clip :)
 
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