V8-GT Exhaust

My mate Paul Dawson has a silver, 1999 V8-GT. Like my GT3 before it, the exhaust on these Esprits really don't give the impression of a "super-car".

After much conversation on the ukturboesprit list on yahoogroups, Paul decided upon the Lotus factory V8 sports exhaust.

Click on any of the pictures to enlarge them.

What it Looks Like

We drove to Christopher Neil's in my car and picked up the new exhaust. The first question that we asked was...

"Are you sure this is a Sports Exhaust?"

If you look at the comparison of the standard and sport silencer, they look identical. I wonder if the rust is an optional extra?

Removing the Old Exhaust

Fitting is easy. Spray the threads on the clamps to the catalyst with penetrating fluid and let it soak for a minute or two.

Using a 13mm socket, gently unscrew the bolts for a couple of turns, then drench them again in penetrating fluid. Now tighten the bolts back up again, this procedure loosens the rust and dirt as well as forces lubricant into the bolt threads themselves.

Now, remove the clamps from both catalysts. This will free the exhaust onto its hangers. Use a 17mm ratchet spanner and remove the nuts from the top of the silencer. If you've got the car jacked up, use your knees to support the silencer for the last few threads remaining.

The exhaust is quite heavy.

Fitting the New Exhaust

Clean the exits of the catalysts. First the left-hand cat:

Then the right-hand cat:

Fit the exhaust on its hangers first.

Once the exhaust is supported, coat the ends of the catalysts in exhaust assembly paste as well as a light smear on the insides of the bell going to the exhaust. Marry the two pipes together and fit the clips:

Don't forget to smear the threads of the bolts with a little bit of copper grease.

If you jack up the car, getting under it can be a little tight!

Safety tip: Although you can't see them, the car is supported by axle stands. Never rely on a hydraulic jack alone.

V-Roooooom!

This is what it looks like fitted:

Erm, exactly like the standard exhaust!

However, once you start the car... it sounds gorgeous! I think the sports exhaust is the standard exhaust without the perforations in the internal tubing. It has one big advantage from the small, Quick-Silver pipes in that the exhaust tubing is sufficiently long enough to allow the gases to resonate, producing a deeper, flat-crank sound.

The disadvantage is that it is no lighter than the standard unit (which is very heavy). However, no change in installed weight means that the suspension doesn't need to be adjusted.

Other jobs

When you tackle something like this, have a look inside your engine compartment.

Paul's V8 was very low on rad water. 

The throttle linkage was very dry and sticky. And the throttle was only opening 90-95% open. Adjusting is straight forward although a bit fiddly.