Need advice about loud exhaust

[houlty]

Helloooo, i don't often visit this section but i'm in need of some (expert) advice.

Basically i just bought a 1.6 Zetec Ford Focus for dirt cheap, but a previous owner in its life replaced the standard exhaust with a louder one, along with a fatter tailpipe. I'm not a huge fan of this.

Therefore, knowing nothing about cars and their workings, i'm just wondering if i would have to replace the whole exhaust system to reduce the noise to a normal (factory) level?

Secondly, whatever has to be done, how much would it cost? Roughly.

I just thought i'd ask here before i take it in to a garage, as i don't want to get ripped off through my own naivety.

Thanks,

houlty.

[bdsams Veteran]

you will need a new muffler at minimum to reduce the noise, im not sure what you mean by fatter tail pipe, it may jsut be a cover thats attached in that case its a simple muffler replacing and shouldnt cost you more than $200 US tops..

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

He may have just taken the baffles out of it.

[revvo]

fartcans, ricers first taste at car modding :rolleyes:

[rathefeare]

What do you mean when you say fatter tailpipe? Is just the tailpipe fat or is the entire exhaust pipe fat?

[redeemed]

What do you mean when you say fatter tailpipe? Is just the tailpipe fat or is the entire exhaust pipe fat?

I would say the tailpipe is this bit (for lack of a better pic):

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

I would imagine that, as it's a newish car, you'll just need to replace the backbox. Most modders on a budget won't replace the full exhaust system.

I'd suggest just going to a tyre / exhaust centre - they should happily jack it up and have a look for you and tell you what has been replaced and what is original - and then in theory just a trip to Ford for a new backbox (~?100?) should put the noise back to normal!

Then get the old backbox on eBay - someone will probably buy it for half of what your new quiet exhaust cost you...

[houlty]

thanks for the replies, especially chicanes as that seems to explain it best. guess i'll nip it to a local garage pretty soon then.

like you say, hopefully it is just the backbox thats been replaced.

[Sensayshun]

Even if it isn't the whole backbox, you can just replace that bit and it'll probably still be fairly quiet.

If you still want to replace the whole system even that should only be ~?200.

Bloody chavs wanted to make their cars fart.

[Orange]

Always get an induction kit, more cooler air and gives the car a nice deep sound :D works on mine

[shockz]

I know someone with a similar experience... the entire exhaust was replaced on his.. however since he was on a budget he just got a new muffler and it reduced the noise to a much better level. Still more "raspy" than stock... but not too bad. It actually sounds pretty cool.

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

Always get an induction kit, more cooler air and gives the car a nice deep sound :D works on mine

Not necessarily. Depends on the type of induction kit. If you don't have an enclosed induction kit with a cold air feed, you'll end up pulling in warmer air from the engine bay and ultimately reducing performance a bit - but the simple sound improvement makes the car 'feel' quicker :)

The stock car airbox is optimized for the car so the best solution is a replacement K&N or similar filter in the standard airbox - you get a bit of a noise improvement whilst still retaining the existing air intake system.

[rathefeare]

Not necessarily. Depends on the type of induction kit. If you don't have an enclosed induction kit with a cold air feed, you'll end up pulling in warmer air from the engine bay and ultimately reducing performance a bit - but the simple sound improvement makes the car 'feel' quicker :)

The stock car airbox is optimized for the car so the best solution is a replacement K&N or similar filter in the standard airbox - you get a bit of a noise improvement whilst still retaining the existing air intake system.

Agreed on everything with the following added caveat. K&N and similar filters work by flowing more air, often by filtering less. There is a trade off to be made often times.

To the OP's problem I was thinking that he could just have an exhaust tip with a "resonator". Not likely, but just throwing that out there.

I have to ask, what is a backbox? I have not heard that term as it relates to exhaust. Is it like "cat-back" or "header-back" that we use over here?

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

We use the reference "cat back" here for exhausts referring to the exhaust system from the catalytic convertor back. What you guys call headers I think we call the exhaust manifold. A backbox is what you guys would call the muffler I think - just the last segment of the exhaust system with the remaining silencers and the exhaust tip..?

[rathefeare]

Thanks, I try to stay up on mechanical lingo from your side of the pond. I work as a marine mechanic and used to get to Holy Lock every so often, but I haven't been there in years.

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

Well - similar for me. I post on a few US based VW forums so need to keep up to date on what you guys refer to certain parts as. Keeps it interesting :)

Sorry for the off topic, houlty.

[houlty]

no problem, everydays a schoolday...

[rathefeare]

no problem, everydays a schoolday...

If Houlty doesn't mind then I have a follow up question. I have a MGB and I try to use British terms for it. Now a boot there is our trunk. A boot here is the fabric piece normally vinyl that covers just the convertible top when it is down. I understand that you guys call that a tonneau. Over here a tonneau is the fabric piece that covers the entire cockpit at car shoulder level. Do I have all of that correct and what do you guys call that final piece?

Houlty, how is your exhaust problem working out? Any updates?

[houlty]

yeah, its going into a local garage on tuesday, as the VSS needs changing anyway. he'll give me a quote for removing it... it's all dependent on cost really.

[S7un7]

Depending on who made the exhaust, you might be able to get a silencer. Some aftermarket exhausts come with silencers that screw into the exhaust tip and suppress most of the sound. It should be easy to find one if there are 3-4 holes drilled around the tip of the exhaust. It would be harder to put one on though if the exhaust is not made for it. This can affect performance though. Less exhaust is escaping from the engine therefore it might hurt gas mileage and or horsepower.

If this person removed the catalytic converter that would make the exhaust louder too. Depending on where you live, you could fail emissions.

*I would look into a silencer then look around for some Ford Focus forums. I'm on a Subaru forum and there are people everyday trying to trade stock exhausts for aftermarket exhausts and vise-versa. If it's in good condition and sought after you could even make a few bucks on the trade. If you go that route, look for someone local, exhaust systems can be costly to ship.

[houlty]

S7un7, that sounds like good advice. unfortunately a bit too late as it went into the garage today and got a standard exhaust put back on. all for ?80.

i now have the old exhaust sitting inmy> garage. i'll just have to advertise it in the local paper / admag / ebay. also like you suggested i'll see if there's any focus forums i can advertise it on too.

i'll look into it a bit more tomorrow, to see if there's any make on the exhaust (it's a bit too dark now). also the mechanic said it should be worth quite a bit as it's a full stainless steel system (?), oh, and it ended up being the mid and rear section.

[S7un7]

If you find the right person, a stainless steel exhaust should get you some cash. They last longer because they don't rust. I have one on my WRX that I got used for $350, it's twice that new. Good luck selling it!

[MR_Candyman]

If you find the right person, a stainless steel exhaust should get you some cash. They last longer because they don't rust. I have one on my WRX that I got used for $350, it's twice that new. Good luck selling it!

Almost all new cars come with stainless steel exhaust. And sorry to tell you but they do still rust, it just takes longer. Aluminum wouldn't rust, but it's expensive and it's melting point is too low to deal with those kinds of temperatures.

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

If it's a stainless system, then I reckon you should be able to sell it for enough to cover your costs quite easily. I'd get it up on eBay or look for a Ford Focus forum to advertise it on :)

[rathefeare]

http://www.focusfanatics.com/

My friend has a focus and their forum and community is pretty robust with a large international presence.