Opinion on custom made exhaust ?

  1. L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Swindon/Wootton Bassett Posts: 69 Black Saxo Furio 1.4
    #1
    Im considering getting a custom made stainless steel powerflow exhaust it will have a lifetime warranty and be professionally fitted just wanted some second opinions and where better to ask than here
  2. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #2
    powerflow have a VERY bad rep, an generally make flow worse

    id would quite happily say that i would NEVER have a powerflow exhaust near my car, as would the majority on here, to an extent id be contradicting myself as i have a powerflow centre on my car ATM, but its only a temporary item....and because in this case i know the lad at my local powerflow is a REALLY good welder and fabricator...cant say that about most tbh
  3. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card
    #3
    For the price you can get a reputable exhaust with proven gains its not worth getting a cheap custom one.

    Most exhausts will outlast the saxo unless theyre an ebay special or an Ashley.
  4. L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Swindon/Wootton Bassett Posts: 69 Black Saxo Furio 1.4
    #4
    So what would you guys recommend i cant afford to have a bodge job one so this one seemed a good idea
  5. Established Member Joined: Sep 2010 loughborough Posts: 2229 1988 ford fiesta mk2 1.4- 2001 black saxo furio (d
    #5
    i had a look a MIJ exhausts in birmingham, seem to have good reviews, and is custom made but better quality and £184 fitted if you buy off ebay, made out of stainless and is totally custom to your needs, will be going down myself after m.o.t time, oh and lifetime warrenty. be worth just a trip down to see their work imo.
  6. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Redditch/Swansea Posts: 152 Mk2 TwoTone Saxo VTR
    #6
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by f13sta View Post
    i had a look a MIJ exhausts in birmingham, seem to have good reviews, and is custom made but better quality and £184 fitted if you buy off ebay, made out of stainless and is totally custom to your needs, will be going down myself after m.o.t time, oh and lifetime warrenty. be worth just a trip down to see their work imo.
    I heard loads of bad reviews about these when I was looking for my exhaust. I was impressed when I first found them but then heard reviews. They also seemed really uninterested on the phone and they didn't phone me back. First impressions and all that

    I went to John Ashley instead. Well pleased with it
  7. L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Swindon/Wootton Bassett Posts: 69 Black Saxo Furio 1.4
    #7
    I was going to get one from bells exhausts in swindon they are highly reputable but now im not sure on the powerflow idea as ive heard 3 bad things now. Birminghams a little far for me as i need a new exhaust quickly Haaa
  8. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Redditch/Swansea Posts: 152 Mk2 TwoTone Saxo VTR
    #8
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ovens282 View Post
    I was going to get one from bells exhausts in swindon they are highly reputable but now im not sure on the powerflow idea as ive heard 3 bad things now. Birminghams a little far for me as i need a new exhaust quickly Haaa
    I would avoid Powerflow tbh..... I had one on the Punto HGT and it was crap. Build quality was awful in my opinion
  9. L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Swindon/Wootton Bassett Posts: 69 Black Saxo Furio 1.4
    #9
    What can you recommend then i want one thats stainless and not too big and obviously going to last a while
  10. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Redditch/Swansea Posts: 152 Mk2 TwoTone Saxo VTR
    #10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ovens282 View Post
    What can you recommend then i want one thats stainless and not too big and obviously going to last a while
    A lot of people on here rate the ones that Kam Racing sell, such as supersprint or Kam's own. Can't say though as I haven't got one. Saxsport are good too but you pay for them
  11. Super Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Tonbridge United Kingdom (England) Posts: 38236 Vtr, 172, throttle bodied track slut
    #11
    Personally I'd never have a poor flow anywhere near a car of mine.
  12. Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Birmingham Posts: 2073 Current - 56 1.9 astra Sri Owned - 54 C2 GT. Ow
    #12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by f13sta View Post
    i had a look a MIJ exhausts in birmingham, seem to have good reviews, and is custom made but better quality and £184 fitted if you buy off ebay, made out of stainless and is totally custom to your needs, will be going down myself after m.o.t time, oh and lifetime warrenty. be worth just a trip down to see their work imo.
    I got a custom made exhaust on mine, had mine done at RJ performance is down by the Birmingham city ground, noticed a difference from the standard system had on there to start with, but I didn't one of there boxes put on I had a 3" piper box put on is all bolted together so can take the mid section apart and that so can put my cat back on have had it on 2 years now still nice and shiny only scratched in one place where caught it on a speed bump not bad priced aswell....
  13. Established Member Joined: Mar 2011 Torbay Posts: 1285 Mauritius Vts, 206 Gti 180
    #13
    Dont bother unless the branch near you has a good reputation regarding, welds, bends, fit etc . I'm lucky because the one nearest me is pretty damn good! But there are plenty of crappy places that do powerflows!
  14. Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Birmingham Posts: 2073 Current - 56 1.9 astra Sri Owned - 54 C2 GT. Ow
    #14
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DanTvts View Post
    Dont bother unless the branch near you has a good reputation regarding, welds, bends, fit etc . I'm lucky because the one nearest me is pretty damn good! But there are plenty of crappy places that do powerflows!
    there is a few round by me just like this, had mates use couple of them in the past, most of them wasn't using full stainless and other just couldn't weld for shit! yet people still use them
  15. L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Swindon/Wootton Bassett Posts: 69 Black Saxo Furio 1.4
    #15
    The company im going with have a super reputation they use to weld for racecars so im probably going to go to them havent heard a negative thing about them so ill give them a try as i urgently need a new one
  16. Established Member Joined: Mar 2011 Torbay Posts: 1285 Mauritius Vts, 206 Gti 180
    #16
    Fair enough, when i had my exhaust made he talked to me about what i wanted, size of tubing, how much noise, style of backbox/tailpipe etc and after he'd done it he put it up on the ramp for me to have a look at it. I was more than happy with it and still am. Hopefully it will be the same for you !
  17. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Nov 2007 Leeds Posts: 2865 172 Cup, Mk2 VTR
    #17
    ha powerflow on mine when i bought it, was gash, bad welds, awful bends, didnt sit properly. avoid.
  18. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #18
    this is my poorflow centre, by no means the best exhaust in the world, but for poorflow isnt too bad

    however, as said, this is temp, and the lad who does them at newcastle branch actaully knows whats hes doing, and knows how to weld

  19. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Nov 2007 Leeds Posts: 2865 172 Cup, Mk2 VTR
    #19
    ^ thats beautiful compared to mine. ill go find some pics

    http://www.saxperience.com/forum/sho...9&postcount=10 bosh.
  20. L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Swindon/Wootton Bassett Posts: 69 Black Saxo Furio 1.4
    #20
    Thank you lads just wanted some tips and advice ill still continue to look into it maybe even start a progress thread properly
  21. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.
    #21
    I have a powerflow straight through on mine weilds are good and not had any problems with it, i didnt buy it though came with car. They dont seem to get rated though.
  22. Newbie Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 10
    #22
    idk about the performance gains but on my mates furio it sounded sweet
  23. L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Swindon/Wootton Bassett Posts: 69 Black Saxo Furio 1.4
    #23
    Cheers guys i think the powerflow systems are underated im still going to go ahead with the exhaust Thank you for Everyones opinions and advice ill set up a progress thread soon.
  24. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #24
    powerflow are utter SHIT. I've had several (having not known any better) and now I have something decent it's like night and day. The metal is the cheapest "stainless" money can buy, the boxes aren't completely stainless (some are actually completely mild) and the systems are generally put together by a cross between Stevie Wonder and a torrettes sufferer.

    Do yourself a huge favour and avoid. If you're looking for a good system, stick to the known setups like the Kam Racing or pugsport etc.

    MIJ are good in my experience - very helpful (Spoke to Jay at MIJ only two days ago actually) and if I was having another system made, I'd certainly consider it. Their off-the-shelf systems are cheap because they're bent like powerflows with a normal pipe bender, whilst their custom setups are mandrel bent and really worked on well. Don't discount them if you're looking for something a little unique
  25. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #25
    every powerflow ive ever seen have used a mandrel press tbh ross, just the majority off the ppl making them dont know how to use it correctly

    but other then that i totally aggree, not heard much abot MIJ, too far away for me
  26. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #26
    Really blackie?? I've seen em with my own eyes (at top gear in St Albans) use normal pipe benders. Mind you, I've not been there for a good 8 years I suppose. The powerflow in the pic above for example is not mandrel - I'm not sure it makes much of a difference tbh (power wise) though - don't know enough to comment. I just don't like the "idea"!
  27. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Feb 2006 northumberland Posts: 7693 pulsar gtir, mk4 astra sxi
    #27
    blackie, the powerflow local to use doesnt use a mandrel press, ive seen loads by them and all are crush bent. i cant get a top quality mandrel bent exhaust made cheaper than powerflow aswell. £485 for my full 3" system all the way from the turbo.
  28. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #28
    Good price that

    OT (sorry OP) - but what boxes do you use on your 3" system? Any reason you went 3"? I'm at 2.5" and the noise is bad enough that tomorrow I'm having a 4" x 22" middle box fitted - I've had this for a year like this and I've finally given in
  29. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Feb 2006 northumberland Posts: 7693 pulsar gtir, mk4 astra sxi
    #29
    mines a 2ltr not 1.6, ive just got 1 box in the centre, no back box. box is 6" x 18".

    3" seems to be best size for 400ish hp from what i can gather.
  30. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #30
    just had my middle box/resonator fitted - omg what a transformation. I'm over the moon with the sound - MUCH quieter, especially at idle (the neighbours won't try and attack me in the mornings now). Sorted!
  31. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Feb 2006 northumberland Posts: 7693 pulsar gtir, mk4 astra sxi
    #31
    i had to fit a baffle into the tailpipe on mine, quietened it down a little. not an everyday car though so doesnt matter too much,
  32. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #32
    have you been to the powerflow on scotsy recentley mate? as ive seen loads done by powerflow....and al have been squashed and in such case have left creases or "ripples" in the pipe....but i watched mine being made, was across the way but im sure it was a mandrel press, it took him nearly 4 hours to make it (was on getting took off for quotes all the time aswell)

    could well have been a pneumate press....but didnt look like one..
  33. Established Member Joined: Sep 2007 Swadlincote Posts: 1185 2003 Black VTR
    #33
    The Saxsport is like 235 quid for the best system on the market and people are up for paying £185+ for a poor flow?
  34. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Feb 2006 northumberland Posts: 7693 pulsar gtir, mk4 astra sxi
    #34
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by blackie_2k5 View Post
    have you been to the powerflow on scotsy recentley mate? as ive seen loads done by powerflow....and al have been squashed and in such case have left creases or "ripples" in the pipe....but i watched mine being made, was across the way but im sure it was a mandrel press, it took him nearly 4 hours to make it (was on getting took off for quotes all the time aswell)

    could well have been a pneumate press....but didnt look like one..
    not for years. just all i have seen have been squashed.
  35. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #35
    same here tbh. But mine wasnt. My mate had a centre done recentley and his wasnt either
  36. Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)
    #36
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by blackie_2k5 View Post
    every powerflow ive ever seen have used a mandrel press tbh ross, just the majority off the ppl making them dont know how to use it correctly

    but other then that i totally aggree, not heard much abot MIJ, too far away for me
    Your picture on your own car looks like its done with a normal pipe bender? You got a better picture of the rear? It looks like at the 90degree bend the pipe is thinner. Not all have the ripple effect. I personally dont even know how they do that one, though its no advantage to have it..
  37. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #37
    quite the opposite of an advantage to have it....got no more pics tbh mate, that was the only one i took, the ripple is cuased be either a very primitive or poor bender...or being bent very quickly usually
  38. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #38
    mandrel bends give 3-5% more hp than regular pipe bends.
    (apparently)
  39. Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)
    #39
    lol
    Surely its regular type bends might loose you bhp.
  40. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #40
    isn't that what I said?

    Just joshing It's all in how you sell it

    Here's something I was reading a few weeks ago about this actually: http://www.bobsmuffler.com/muffler_myths.htm
  41. Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)
    #41
    Well I think i'll change KAM Racing to Kev's Mufflers
  42. Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.
    #42
    LOL it's got a certain ring to it eh?
  43. Established Member Joined: May 2010 Posts: 1434
    #43
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by blackie_2k5 View Post
    this is my poorflow centre, by no means the best exhaust in the world, but for poorflow isnt too bad

    however, as said, this is temp, and the lad who does them at newcastle branch actaully knows whats hes doing, and knows how to weld

    That looksof decent quality, how have you found it with the exhaust spring bolts removed at that flange?