Exhaust differences between 4 & 6 pots...

Aaron MacQ

Aaron MacQ

Zorg Guru (I)
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Points
95
Location
Bangor, NI
Model of Z
2.8 Z3
Hi all,
So, I've recently acquired a '98 2.8 and want to change the exhaust for something more interesting.
The cars a cruiser so outright performance isn't our primary concern. Just looking something that looks right and sounds nice, without breaking the bank.

The twin pea-shooters just aren't that exciting.
DSC_1553.webp
The seem to be very little choice these days without going custom, or cutting the bumper which I don't want to do but I have spotted a few listed for the 1.9 engine that would probably do the job.

Anyone know if they are a straight fit between models?
 
I always think the rear of a 2.8 always looks disappointing when you see the exhaust, as you say it looks like a couple of pea shooters more akin to a Lambretta, the I think the face lift 2.0l is the same and is somewhat beefier
 
Depends on what you want to spend really a few have had custom systems made.
You may find the exhaust is one piece front to back as the genuine 2.8 has no joints at all.
I opted for cat back on mine but with a two box system a nice sports sound without the boom and drone.
All in i paid £290 fitted which i thought to be reasonable.
I liked the sound of the gen.exhaust but the the downwards pointing tiny pipes never suited the cut out and look of the car.
20160316_173937.webp

Fills the cut out better
tmp_15364-20170123_222222-1358014986.webp

Runs a staggered tip to follow the bumper line.
 
Antm72 said:
View attachment 48640
Click to expand...

See, that looks so much better.
I know a guy locally who I'm sure could knock something nice up for me, but I usually prefer an off-the-shelf solutions as they tend to have a greater element of 'design'.
In saying that, just from your pics you can tell it's well fitted and aligned and the staggered tips are a nice job. What size are your tips?

I also like the single pipe look. Cobra Sport do a 3" x 5" tip which fills the gap nicely tho it's listed for the 1.9 (prob because of the 2.25" bore). All the 2.8 stuff seems to be 2.5" bore.
 
I got rid of the OEM muffler and replaced it with a nice free flowing unit about 8 or so inches round and 12 or so inches long.
My car goes varrom real nicely and is not too loud (I kept the catalytic for smog reasons).
My only mistake was the shop did a single exhaust tube, a pair would have been better and I still contemplate going back and having that done.
 
I have twin 3" staggered on my back box, fills the bumper cut out a lot better. The exhaust is one piece from pretty much the front to back so you will have to cut and join to the original pipes if you are going with any aftermarket back box. Pre-facelift 2.8's also have slightly smaller tips than the facelift 2.8 which fill the cut out better, but not as much as they should.
 
Take a look at Venom Motorsport, they have a myriad af different tip sizes and designs.
 
you have to tred carefully here, i have noticed that some on ebay state they are for both the 1.9 AND 2.8, not sure if that is correct.
 
Mine is a 2.8 and isn't to much like a pea shooter.
Screenshot_20170124-073420.webp
 
IMG_20160128_123445.webp
IMG_20160128_123502.webp

I know I have posted these before but getting the exhaust pipe made can be just as good if not better than off the shelf as you get extras like the ability to take it back if you are not happy with the sound or change you mind about the tailpipes ect, also like me you can spec twin pipes and sport cats and they do what I want :) and they deffo knew what they were doing...... its the sort of sound that can make men wet :o
 
Antm72 said:
Depends on what you want to spend really a few have had custom systems made.
You may find the exhaust is one piece front to back as the genuine 2.8 has no joints at all.
I opted for cat back on mine but with a two box system a nice sports sound without the boom and drone.
All in i paid £290 fitted which i thought to be reasonable.
I liked the sound of the gen.exhaust but the the downwards pointing tiny pipes never suited the cut out and look of the car.
View attachment 48638
Fills the cut out better
View attachment 48640
Runs a staggered tip to follow the bumper line.
Click to expand...
Who's is the VM van @Antm72
 
Aaron MacQ said:
Hi all,
So, I've recently acquired a '98 2.8 and want to change the exhaust for something more interesting.
The cars a cruiser so outright performance isn't our primary concern. Just looking something that looks right and sounds nice, without breaking the bank.

The twin pea-shooters just aren't that exciting.
View attachment 48637
The seem to be very little choice these days without going custom, or cutting the bumper which I don't want to do but I have spotted a few listed for the 1.9 engine that would probably do the job.

Anyone know if they are a straight fit between models?
Click to expand...
Hi looking to do the same thing mines a2000 2.8 exhaust is a one complete system not sure to cut and just fix a stainless back box will be interested what people say
 
@ Dickymint those pics are fantastic!! What a beautiful system they've put together!! Now just needs removal for a complete polish and if you were closer I'd gladly do it for you because I love polishing stainless! Can you imagine the look on people's faces when they looked under and found this Beautiful shiny exhaust?? JIM
 
oldcarman said:
@ Dickymint those pics are fantastic!! What a beautiful system they've put together!! Now just needs removal for a complete polish and if you were closer I'd gladly do it for you because I love polishing stainless! Can you imagine the look on people's faces when they looked under and found this Beautiful shiny exhaust?? JIM
Click to expand...

You'd like my M3. Underside spotless, Exhaust Polished, subframe and suspension components powdercoated in Yellow and Orange. Cant See any of it until up on ramps. Quite the talking point each year at the MOT.

Anyway, back to this Z. I'm leaning more and more towards giving my local custom exhaust place a shot at it. I'm not looking anything spectacular, but I do like the idea of staggered tips, and keeping it twin round (as that's sympathetic to the original design). I've already remapped and think we've turned off the cat sensors and fault codes (will double check) so may as well get rid of those whilst down there. Only prob is I wont have the car available for the guy to size it up for a few weeks, as the wheels are off for a refurb and I'm waiting on some suspension to arrive, and it's not taxed since we're not fussed about getting it on the road until March.

In the mean time, i'll call down and have a chat with them and keep my eyes open for options.
 
Now you know we'll want pics of the M3 don't you?? Sounds pretty nice but you'd be surprised at how many undercarriages I've got down and looked at over the years, JIM
 
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