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Exhaust help

989 views 15 replies 4 participants last post by  Unclejam 
#1 ·
Hi. I'm looking for some advice regarding the replacement of my back box. The original rear box on GT 1.8 TS gave up the ghost recently and I replaced it with a stainless steel Novitec one. I went for this as over the standard one as the 1.8 GT is really, really quiet and I was looking for a better sound. It seems to be much quiter than my old 156 with the same engine? Anyway the Novitec sounds nice and not too loud at low revs but on the motorway at anything over 3500 revs the droning is unbearable. I've used the search function and got some ideas for a replacement but was just wondering if anybody had some first hand experience with the alternatives like CSC or Supersprint? I'm just looking for a slightly sportier sound with twin round pipes without the awful droning of the Novitec?
 
#3 ·
This thread might help you a little. Is yours car's exhaust fully standard apart from the Novitec box? Hasn't been decatted or anything like that which can make it sound that bit more boomy.

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-andamp-gt/1077921-rear-silencer-on-156-a.html

A video will never give you a completely accurate example of the sound but it will give you some idea of what to expect. I'm afraid I've only had a derv and the 3.2 which I've kept standard but Pud up at Autolusso runs a non-standard exhaust on his 156 2.0TS which sounds good. Have a listen anyhow and see what you think.

:thumbs:
 
#4 ·
Hmm. How did I miss that post?? Other than the Novitec back box my exhaust is completely standard. That's what is so surprising. It's fine at low revs. Just a little deeper but anything over 3500 rpm or when overtaking the boom is terrible. It's awful on motorways etc. I was just hoping it would sound a little better over the whole rev band. At present it's just a pain in the arse ?. My old 156 sounded fine as standard but the GT seems to be too subdued. That CSC or the Regazzon box sound in those clips sound quite nice but I guess I'm just wary now of spending hundreds on another exhaust only to end up in the same boat again.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Ive got a Supersprint back box but its on a 156 V6. Single oval exit and it sounds very nice, albeit quite "toppy" when accelerating (raspy, tinny) but nice burbling when ticking over. Its not loud but lets the character of the engine be heard and does NOT drone on the motorway.
Rest of the exhaust is standard.
 
#7 ·
:classic:

Different car but the general wisdom on getting a nice fruity tone without drone or excessive volume seems to be to keep the middle silencer and go for an unsilenced tail section.
It seems that if you do it the other way round (straight through centre, silenced tail) then you get motorway drone.
Problem with exhaust setups is that to get a combination you really like takes lots of time, experimentation and cash!
 
#8 ·
That's the thing though. I've kept the whole system completely standard. The standard system is intact. The only change I've made is to the rear box. I can't understand why anybody would want what I have now. Did they not perform any testing when they designed it?
 
#9 ·
They probably had a test group of 19 - year olds with Vauxhall Corsas! (Sounds great to them.)
Jealous of your 'Sud by the way - I had a 1981 green cloverleaf in 1990 but it was scrapped due to a very long welding requirement list and me having no money.
I've felt guilty for 25 years! :depressed:
 
#10 ·
Thanks! The Sud is a long term project. Welding and paint have been done. I may need to get more done in the future...Mechanicals are mostly done. I need to set up the brakes. It also seems to be lacking most of it's electricity, but as I've been working away on it for 6 years now I may as well keep going ?
 
#11 ·
I doubt many aftermarket exhaust manufacturers do any on car testing. Just copy the bends of the original with a cheap (louder) silencer and some sort of chrome tip. Easy money.

Keep up with the sud - they're lovely things to drive. I have an 82 sprint, also green. Let me know if you need any tips doing the brakes.
 
#13 ·
Yep stainless steel bumpers.

Sud brakes kind of feel a bit dead anyway compared to modern cars, because the pedal effort is somewhat higher. I assume you checked the calipers and all the pistons are moving freely? Have you checked the rear bias valve? They usually seize but just lie under the back of the car and watch it while someone presses the brake pedal. If the little piston moves out (down) and back when the brakes are operated then it's working.

Send me a pm if you want more info, 156 lounge is probably not the best place to discuss suds.
 
#14 ·
Dammit - jealous of BOTH of you now.....I always wanted a Sprint.
My cousin lives in Sydney and he can get hold of Sprints for very little money. They are fetching big bucks here in UK now though - we are considering importing one!
Keep up the good work chaps.
 
#16 ·
Sorry - you're not putting me off! (I'm restoring a 156 V6 at the moment, that's not without it's issues!)
Still jealous.
 
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