Exhaust Upgrades

Gundun

Zorg Legend
Belgian Zeds
Joined
Sep 8, 2016
Points
67
Location
West Flanders
Model of Z
2.2i Sport Line Individual
If you had a Z4 then any sound would be better than no sound that even the 3.0 have. I missed the little drone and burble of our old 3.0 Z3 that i had a scorpion exhaust fitted. Now our Z4 sounds just like our Z3 did
Doesn't it have that resonator/sound amplifier system from the intake through the cabin...? For some reasons I just assumed the Z4 sounded better than the Z3. (only recently the exhaust note studies have seriously developed)
 

Dino D

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 28, 2014
Points
176
Location
Kent
Model of Z
2.8 Manual
The problem with fitting an aftermarket exhaust to our 6 cylinders IMO is that it takes really little to make it sound like..."cheap" (I am not sure this is the right word, but it's the one that gets closer to how I perceive it)
A V6 or a V8 can better benefit from a richer sound and still sound like "big" engines...whereas with the wrong pipe the L6 can get very close to a 4 cylinder...

Here is a 2.0 with stock muffler

Here the same engine with an aftermarket
You must have some weird exhausts makers Belgium that can make a BMW 6 sound like a 4!
Even with a straight pipe there's no mistaking them. If you thinking about a system but not sure get to a meet and hear some actual cars, video makes it hard to capture and of course it sounds different when you inside which is what's most important.
 

Dino D

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 28, 2014
Points
176
Location
Kent
Model of Z
2.8 Manual
For info, this is a pic of the tips of the magnaflow. Hopefully I get time to fit it soon, I really hope it sounds as good as it looks! Just out the box and initially very impressed with build quality.
View attachment 54634
That back box is tiny, will be loud for sure but after a straight pipe it's all relative I guess!
Nice tips
 

Antm72

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 4, 2015
Points
246
Location
South Yorkshire
Model of Z
2.8
The stock 2.8 exhaust has a nice sound to it what frustrated me was asthetics in that the tail pipes where so lost in the cut out and pointed down .
I ended up with a 2 box system as wasn't looking for loud i wanted it to look right.
Any aftermarket exhaust / sports system is going to be louder but i achieved a nice balance and love it :thumbsup:
 

Ianmc

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 12, 2014
Points
165
Location
New Forest
Model of Z
Z3 (M44)
Worth remembering that a given exhaust is carefully designed to work with a given engine. It's very easy to, say, get more noise and lose performance. Look at the "dustbin exhaust boys" - my wile calls them "little willy men" which is likely quite rude!:)
 

duckhunt

Zorg Addict
Joined
Mar 14, 2017
Points
60
Location
London
Model of Z
2.8
The problem with fitting an aftermarket exhaust to our 6 cylinders IMO is that it takes really little to make it sound like..."cheap" (I am not sure this is the right word, but it's the one that gets closer to how I perceive it)
A V6 or a V8 can better benefit from a richer sound and still sound like "big" engines...whereas with the wrong pipe the L6 can get very close to a 4 cylinder...
I do understand what you are saying, and I have never had a custom exhaust before partly for this reason.
But as I bought the car with straight pipes, as the PO thought it wasn't very 'punchy' stock.
I really does depend on each individual opinion, but I feel a beefier exhaust really adds to the character of what I want my z3 to be.
It makes the car feel more exciting for me, and a different league to fartboxes
 

billz

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 4, 2011
Points
226
Location
Langley Mill
Model of Z
Z4 3.0si Individual Ruby Black Last one produced in this colour combo
Doesn't it have that resonator/sound amplifier system from the intake through the cabin...? For some reasons I just assumed the Z4 sounded better than the Z3. (only recently the exhaust note studies have seriously developed)
If it does it does not work =))
 

Wilko58

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 4, 2016
Points
77
Model of Z
2.8 Individual Fiji Green
Ps if your car is going to be down in Kent for work then speak with @Tim beard (In Bexley) - he's had an awesome dual outlet system made for his Cobra Z3. Sounds very different, much more muscle car than others I've heard.
Actually it's likely going down to Martyn Scott's in Dartford shortly so will drop him a line.
 

Wilko58

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 4, 2016
Points
77
Model of Z
2.8 Individual Fiji Green
My 99 2.8 has had a full cat back system .i paid £290 with custom pipes in Doncaster.
Having added a full Simota induction kit too i had a stage 1 remap and have been very happy with it.
Its certainly changed the car.
How much! Was that like donkey years ago :eek:)
 

Wilko58

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 4, 2016
Points
77
Model of Z
2.8 Individual Fiji Green
I'm selling straight pipes for a 2.8, in the for sale section, there's links to videos of me driving with it.
It's very loud so I've got a magnaflow to replace it, but I am 5050 as I don't want it too quiet, it really does sound great and poppy on down revs
Think I'm a bit too old for very loud lol!
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
It wasn't that long a go just over 12 months now was a good price that was quoted and have been very happy with it :thumbsup:
I can vouch for the sound from fetching it the other week Ant.

Tony.
 

Jimmy Weston

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 13, 2016
Points
77
Location
Midlands
Model of Z
2.8 induvidual
Custom chrome Nuneaton are brilliant they will design and hand make ,your system specify to what u want, they made mine last year which a lot people say it's sounds amazing, I've got a lazy cat on mine , and I'm planning to get them to fit sport cats on it which they make, and it's sure to be a bit more free flowing hopefully.
 

Wilko58

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 4, 2016
Points
77
Model of Z
2.8 Individual Fiji Green
Well that's given me food for thought! I might be doing you a message @Antm72
 
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Wilko58

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 4, 2016
Points
77
Model of Z
2.8 Individual Fiji Green
For info, this is a pic of the tips of the magnaflow. Hopefully I get time to fit it soon, I really hope it sounds as good as it looks! Just out the box and initially very impressed with build quality.
View attachment 54634
How does the Magnaflow sound then? What Month/Year is your 2.8 - I saw the Magnaflow on eBay but think it was for the pre-TU engine.
 

Faheem

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Points
145
Location
Leicester
Model of Z
1.9 M44
MIJ performance in Birmingham fitted a cat back exhaust to my Z3 for £295 a couple of months ago.

They also do a quad setup including cutting the bumper for £360 if I remember correctly.
IMG-20170317-WA0004.jpg

IMG_20170317_105234.jpg

IMG_20170325_172905.jpg


Looks and sounds awesome. Also comes with a lifetime warranty so long as you own the car.

Here's what it sounds like
View: https://youtu.be/fGHaGrI9IgI
 
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Simon Lancaster

Regular Member
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 16, 2020
Points
12
Location
Ilminster Somerset
Model of Z
1.9
Hi all
I have recently bought a 1.9 2002 Z3. I need to change the back box which is blowing. Can anyone recommend a back box that can improve the sound to something a little more performance wise. Or should I have bought a 3 litrethanks. Simon
 
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