Exhaust is getting louder

melbzetec · 03-08-2006, 10:27 AM

Do exhausts get louder over time?

I have a Herrod Motorsport 2 1/4" stainless catback on my LR Focus.

It is about 2 years old.

It is still quiet when running along, but when I put the power down, the exhaust note seems much louder. Is that normal (buildup in the exhaust?) or is something deteriorating??

Uni · 03-08-2006, 12:08 PM

is it rattling? your muffler might be shagged...

Uni/.

melbzetec · 03-08-2006, 12:37 PM

No, no rattling. And there is nothing wrong with the sound. Quite a throaty burble under load. The tone is much the same as it has always been. It's just louder

I am still playing around with the idea of adding a shorty header, hi flow cat and flexpipe. What's holding me back is the thought that the car will get louder with these bolt ons. But it seems to be getting louder without them!!!

FOCUSonTHIS · 03-08-2006, 04:31 PM

Steve my exhaust got louder and I thought cool but ended up being a blown out cat. so you might have to check that out

melbzetec · 03-08-2006, 05:28 PM

Thanks for that Adam. If that's the case I may end up getting a a new hi flo cat sooner than I think!!

FOCUSonTHIS · 03-08-2006, 07:13 PM

Im not 100% sure but just get it checked out

melbzetec · 07-08-2006, 12:59 PM

Got worse over the weekend, and now bugga all power from about 3000 revs.

Sounds like a good excuse to do the upgrade I was planning anyway.

Have ordered a Ford Racing shorty header from the US.

Hi Tech (who made my original Herrod Catback) reckon they can supply a hi flow cat and a 2.25" flexpipe for the Focus, with Herrod Motorsport fitting it.

The header is costing about A$560 including freight.

Don't know cost on other components yet from Hi Tech.

Flex pipe from Central Florida Motorsport is US$129 plus freight if Hi Tech is too expensive here.

RT Technology cat is about US$340, but I am not sure about the placement of the O2 sensor so would rather go custom.

But given Ford want $1357 for a cat (supply only) I reckon I am ahead already.

I'll keep you posted

Blue_ST170 · 07-08-2006, 01:16 PM

I got everything from the headers to the cat replaced by Hi-tech after my cat went.

It all cost about $1200 and from memory the cat was about $400 plus install but i needed a new flex joint as well.

got me my power back and it sounds a bit deeper....didnt end up getting the cat back done cause i ran out of money ):

melbzetec · 09-08-2006, 09:06 AM

mmmm. The mind keeps ticking over.

The Random Technology cat gets huge raves in the states (and from Orsest170)
And I know the Ford Racing shorty header gives very little gain on its own, but good with a hi flow cat.

I am wondering if I go with Hi Tech, whether I'll keep wondering if the RT Super Hi Flow cat is better?

Am asking some questions from Central Florida Motorsports.

I am worried about potentail noise with the RT Cat( I don't want a loud screeching ricer car). I am more stealth type guy, but figure it is easier to dampen the sound with a resonator if need be.

Any thoughts or suggestions guys?

FOCUSonTHIS · 09-08-2006, 05:18 PM

Make it a ricer burner and get the wish list down the side too Steve

Uni · 09-08-2006, 11:51 PM

RT cat. you only live once ;) and money exists to be spent

:

Uni/.

melbzetec · 10-08-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOCUSonTHIS

Make it a ricer burner and get the wish list down the side too Steve

You are a very cheeky bugger Adam

FOCUSonTHIS · 10-08-2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbzetec

You are a very cheeky bugger Adam

Think I'm taking after Matt a little bit more everyday I hang out with him lol

b2tf · 10-08-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOCUSonTHIS

Think I'm taking after Matt a little bit more everyday I hang out with him lol

now there is a scary thought......2 of them....... (shudders)

zetec · 13-08-2006, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

now there is a scary thought......2 of them....... (shudders)

Oi.

As for you ladies, my car has now earnt itself an Alloy and leather Gearknob and Handbrake set, AND ST170 doorhadles, along with ST170 springs and shocks. So I've been quiet.... quietly spending my money!! (Will start a new thread with pics soon enough)

Stephen, hate to tell you mate, but youre cat converter sounds like it has died. Mine died, adam's died and I know of an ST170 with one that died too. Not good enough if you ask me that so many can fail in under 3-4 years. Probably due to the bloody thing being in the engine bay and getting so hot in summer that it just dies a quick death. Might be OK in -15 degree temperatures in Europe...

b2tf · 13-08-2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetec

Oi.

As for you ladies, my car has now earnt itself an Alloy and leather Gearknob and Handbrake set, AND ST170 doorhadles, along with ST170 springs and shocks. So I've been quiet.... quietly spending my money!! (Will start a new thread with pics soon enough)

Stirring mate - post up some pics soon, it sounds like the car is looking great.

melbzetec · 14-08-2006, 09:04 AM

Matt, definitely dead. Got the rattles now and the engine check light.

Will be replacing with something a bit better.

Am now toying with the Ford Racing SVT long header (adapted for Zetec) with underbody RT cat. Am speaking to Central Florida Motorsports tonight.
I just want to make sure I down lose low end torque.

Interested in your opinion

zetec · 14-08-2006, 07:10 PM

Yep them's classic cat converter death symptoms.

I'd recommend any Ford Racing part if it's in the US Ford Racing range at www.fordracingparts.com, I know what lengths they go to to ensure it's more than just a Ford sticker on the part. Ford doesn't throw it's name on anything for a quick buck.

My 2c anyway.

melbzetec · 14-08-2006, 07:21 PM

Thanks Matt. I regard your opinion highly.

Yes it's a genuine Ford Racing part. They've adapted the stainless steel long tube header from the SVT for the Zetec engine. The cat then sits under the engine not in front. It will be an aftermarket hi flow cat (Random Technology) made specifically to fit the header

I'll keep you posted

FOCUSonTHIS · 14-08-2006, 10:46 PM

Steve tell me where you live too. After you have it all in, I might do the same modifications and you will be back to the standard :P

Sorry couldn't help myself

photn · 15-08-2006, 09:35 AM

any one a site for ford racing parts for a fez????lol

zetec · 15-08-2006, 07:44 PM

No based in the USA, since they don't have Fiesta there. Maybe something in the UK? You'd have to try and search through Fiesta owners clubs etc.

FRA · 17-08-2006, 09:09 PM

Are you going to put the header on yourself or will you get someone to do it for you?

melbzetec · 18-08-2006, 10:01 AM

Either Herrod Motorsport, or Bay Rd Exhaust will be installing. Probably Herrod.

Have now placed order with Central Florida Motorsport.

Ford Racing Zetec long tube header kit. Stainless Steel, ceramic coated.
Random Technology 2.25 inch Hi Flow cat
Central Florida Motorsport 2.25" stainless flexpipe.

A two week special order with Ford Racing, plus freight time.

simonr · 18-08-2006, 10:48 AM

how much were they??
man we coulda gone for a group buy!!

melbzetec · 18-08-2006, 11:10 AM

But do we all want the same car?

And frankly this is a bit of an experiment, so I wouldn't recommend everyone rush into it(Maybe I can charge you all research fees if it's a sucess! LOL).

I have a feeling that with the hi flow cat, my exhaust may end up too loud and may need some mods to quieten it. Plus we are yet to see if there are any issues about how well this setup (US) wil fit a German built Focus.

But if it all goes well, who knows? If I get it fitted through Herrods, Rob may get interested in Focus again. I can see a situation where he brings in the Ford Racing long tube header and has Hi Tech build a custom hiflow cat and flexpipe to match his previous 2.25" catback (all speculation mind you)

Prices?

US$450 for the header with ceramic coat (US$279 without)
US$325 for the Random Techology cat
US$129 for the stainless flexpipe

Frieght is being worked out now, but about US$150

All up, US$1054. AU$1385 by my calculations. (Plus GST)

Now given the local Ford Dealer quoted me AU $1357 just to supply the cat (part only) that falls apart after 3 years, I reckon I am miles ahead!

But we'll see. A bit of an experiment really.

A lot of water to flow under the bridge yet, but my plan is to dyno test again after fitment. I have two previous reads. 1. With Herrod 2.25 catback, 2. With Pipercross Viper intake system. So I have a baseline to measure against. (Just never got a base read on my stock setup...damn).

melbzetec · 18-08-2006, 12:41 PM

[QUOTE=zetec] ..along with ST170 springs and shocks. [QUOTE]

I missed that one previously Matt. Nice score! How is it looking and how does it feel?

FRA · 18-08-2006, 10:40 PM

The air intake system makes our car abit louder, so I dare say the header will make your Focus louder.
The header will be abit hard to get off, I've had a look because I took off the header cover.
On a personal note, I don't like the Ford racing long tube header I prefer the Steeda one. Because for me it just is much more Rice, Crackle and Pop for your money. lol

zetec · 18-08-2006, 10:58 PM

[QUOTE=melbzetec][QUOTE=zetec] ..along with ST170 springs and shocks.

Quote:

I missed that one previously Matt. Nice score! How is it looking and how does it feel?

A mate just lowered his ST170 onto Whiteline springs and swaybars, had the stocko springs lying around. By chance I caught up with him (he's not a club person or anything, an ex-salesman mate of mine) and I was at the time looking to replace just my shock absorbers since I left the stock Zetec shocks in when I chucked in the KW springs 3 years ago. Anyway, he said he wanted to go lower than the Whitelines, I wanted to go higher and more comfortable again, so the ST170 springs were a free swap for my KW's! I bought new ST170 shocks from Ford for half the price of a set of KW racing shocks to match my springs ($1,000 quote from some places before labour!!! For shocks!!!!) And now I have ST170 shocks and springs, installed, for about $700. Bargain.

Handles like a dream, just letting it settle. Still getting used to the body roll again lol. My KW's cornered flatter than a dead man's heartbeat and i just LOVED the look of them, but I am over living with it and I need the height back for things like snow chain use, for driving more mates around and just every day living.

Exhaust is back to stock again, K&N filter has been taken out. I'm all for driveability now, I'm over the mods. Just want a nice, comfortable, fun cruiser that'll still handle like it's on rails when pushed, rather than one that bounces like a basketball when it goes over rails!

I have also recently installed an LED interior light, ads more crisp clear white light into the interior at night, very clinical but not rice. I have also added ST170 door handles, and a Leather/Alloy Gear Knob and Handbrake cover set. Taking photos this week (I'm on 2 weeks annual leave from Monday!!! Well deserved too!) so I'll show everyone the new mods.

melbzetec · 18-08-2006, 11:00 PM

That would be the Steeda "Race Use Only" header? Thanks no thanks.

Which of your cars did you have the Ford Racing long tube header on?

It is more likely any extra noise will come because of the hi flow cat not the header. The stock cat provides a fair degree of muffling. The header shouldn't make a great deal of difference to dB levels

I'm not into snap crackle or pop