Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: hotel21 on 04 March 2011, 21:06:32

Title: Oh Bum....
Post by: hotel21 on 04 March 2011, 21:06:32
Discovered the 'hairy backbox' thing yesterday, similar to: http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1298884104

I was reasonably sure that the car was fitted with a full cat back system.

Thanks to Marks promting, looked out my receipts and discovered that I fitted two new centre sections to the car (Gen VX) soon after 2nd June 2009 and that the parts have a 2 year warranty.  Happy days, thinks I.... 

Kept searching for further receipts for the back box and, fek me, turns out that the car was fitted with a new rear box mid December 2009, just prior to my purchase....

Booger!   ;D

Looks like VX backboxes do have a bare 2 year life once fitted after all!!   >:(   8-)

Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Entwood on 04 March 2011, 21:12:44
Quote
Discovered the 'hairy backbox' thing yesterday, similar to: http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1298884104

I was reasonably sure that the car was fitted with a full cat back system.

Thanks to Marks promting, looked out my receipts and discovered that I fitted two new centre sections to the car (Gen VX) soon after 2nd June 2009 and that the parts have a 2 year warranty.  Happy days, thinks I.... 

Kept searching for further receipts for the back box and, blank me, turns out that the car was fitted with a new rear box mid December 2009, just prior to my purchase....

Booger!   ;D

Looks like VX backboxes do have a bare 2 year life once fitted after all!!   >:(   8-)


Pardon my stupidity .. but Dec 2009 + 2 years = Dec 2011 .. and its only Mar 2011 now .....

or do you actually mean Dec 2008 ???  :)

 ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Jimbob on 04 March 2011, 21:14:01
unlucky...

cat back system is on my list too  :'(

be interested to hear what you go for.....stainless is tempting (for longevity and quietness)
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: hotel21 on 04 March 2011, 21:15:51
Sorry Nige, got eh years wrong.  2009 for my purchase of the mid sections, december 2008 for car purchase with back box fitted days prior.  Backbox is 'just' 2 years old....  8-)
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Andy B on 04 March 2011, 21:16:32
Quote
.......stainless is tempting (for longevity and quietness)

Stainless & quietness don't really go together. My stainless system has been on for years, but it could be quieter.  ;)
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Jimbob on 04 March 2011, 21:18:08
I thought you specified the volume with stainless and they build to suit, but may be wrong, not looked into em
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Andy B on 04 March 2011, 21:19:21
Quote
I thought you specified the volume with stainless and they build to suit, but may be wrong, not looked into em

mine's an off the peg Jetex  :y :y :y
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: hotel21 on 04 March 2011, 21:19:55
So, the question is, spend £80 or so on a backbox from VX or invest that plus some more in a stainless system? 

Any known pointers on stainless sellers?
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Andy B on 04 March 2011, 21:22:02
Quote
So, the question is, spend £80 or so on a backbox from VX or invest that plus some more in a stainless system? 

Any known pointers on stainless sellers?

my Jetex was around £450, but that was over 5 yrs ago ......... and I was never really happy with the exits - a bit Max Power for my liking.
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: hotel21 on 04 March 2011, 21:22:51
A very quick google for jetex returns circa £550 or so....
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Andy B on 04 March 2011, 21:27:41
Quote
A very quick google for jetex returns circa £550 or so....

up 20% in 5 yrs  :(
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Jimbob on 04 March 2011, 21:32:18
Ive heard good things about a powerflow place just down the road from here....That will be my first point of call.....Then will order from eternal if I faint at the price ;D
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: hoofing it on 04 March 2011, 21:45:31
Theres a place in Falkirk that makes stainless stacks to order called stainless creations.
I'll look for a number tommorrow :y
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: hotel21 on 04 March 2011, 21:50:53
Quote
Theres a place in Falkirk that makes stainless stacks to order called stainless creations.
I'll look for a number tommorrow :y
Thanks for that.  :y  Got the Falkland Performance Centre on my doorstep as well, so will give them a looksee tomorrow...   ;)
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Kevin Wood on 04 March 2011, 21:50:53
I haven't heard a quiet stainless system yet.*

I would say the choice is stainless or Eternal. My eternal exhaust went on at the same time as the LPG kit, so 2 1/2 years now.

I thought its' number was up recently but an inspection at the cam belt do showed it to be in good condition. Just a leaking cat flange. Not 100% sure that accounts for all the current noise. The point being, for £120 for the whole system, I reckon it is as good as current "genuine" and for value can't be beaten.

Kevin

*= Comparable to OEM
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: hotel21 on 04 March 2011, 21:51:52
Quote
I haven't heard a quiet stainless system yet.*

I would say the choice is stainless or Eternal. My eternal exhaust went on at the same time as the LPG kit, so 2 1/2 years now.

I thought its' number was up recently but an inspection at the cam belt do showed it to be in good condition. Just a leaking cat flange. Not 100% sure that accounts for all the current noise. The point being, for £120 for the whole system, I reckon it is as good as current "genuine" and for value can't be beaten.

Kevin

*= Comparable to OEM

Yup, also got that in mind.  Just balancing the options, as it were...  :y
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: robbo299 on 04 March 2011, 22:59:03
I asked for a quote from Longlife Exhausts for my 2.5 Elite and originally was quoted £380 for a custom made cats back system where i could choose sound and tailpipe configuration. They posted videos on their website so you could listen to the various options. They were based in Surrey but since then i have received e-mails from a Longlife centre in St.Albans offering "special deals". I think they have opened up other outlets throughout the country. May be worth checking if you opt for a stainless system.
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Kevin Wood on 04 March 2011, 23:25:24
Quote
I asked for a quote from Longlife Exhausts for my 2.5 Elite and originally was quoted £380 for a custom made cats back system where i could choose sound and tailpipe configuration. They posted videos on their website so you could listen to the various options. They were based in Surrey but since then i have received e-mails from a Longlife centre in St.Albans offering "special deals". I think they have opened up other outlets throughout the country. May be worth checking if you opt for a stainless system.

Yep, longlife have franchises all over the place.

Their work seems to be pretty good and prices not bad given that systems are built on the vehicle. Franchises may vary, of course.

Kevin
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: feeutfo on 05 March 2011, 00:41:07
Suspect the new crop of Gm's are a little restrictive, even before hair. No evidence though.  :-/
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Plomien on 05 March 2011, 09:13:49
Longlife have some good systems I have one on my miggy at the moment and very happy with it :y

http://www.longlife.co.uk/dealer-locator/
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/3666042104_b77d7e118c.jpg)
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: TheBoy on 05 March 2011, 09:34:46
I'd probably be inclined to stick a £35 eternal backbox on (if centres are fine), then consider options when next lot fail.

£450 is 3 lots of complete eternal is the way my brain is working....


...but then I'm not a fan of Stainless due to noise (they are all noisy, even the quiet ones)
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Jimbob on 05 March 2011, 10:06:50
interesting feedback on the stainless....think my options are heading eternalwards then.
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: mrgreen on 05 March 2011, 20:50:33
Quote
I'd probably be inclined to stick a £35 eternal backbox on (if centres are fine), then consider options when next lot fail.

£450 is 3 lots of complete eternal is the way my brain is working....


...but then I'm not a fan of Stainless due to noise (they are all noisy, even the quiet ones)


that's a shed load of money for an exhaust, let'S be honest it's only an exhaust! :o :o :o :o :o
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: kcl on 05 March 2011, 20:56:23
Quote
I'd probably be inclined to stick a £35 eternal backbox on (if centres are fine), then consider options when next lot fail.

£450 is 3 lots of complete eternal is the way my brain is working....


...but then I'm not a fan of Stainless due to noise (they are all noisy, even the quiet ones)

They're that cheap in the UK? I just called through a few supppliers and the prices were between 80-120 euros for the back box.... It seems it's time to change my job, I'll start to import exhausts from the UK...  >:(
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Lazydocker on 05 March 2011, 21:37:53
Quote
Quote
I'd probably be inclined to stick a £35 eternal backbox on (if centres are fine), then consider options when next lot fail.

£450 is 3 lots of complete eternal is the way my brain is working....


...but then I'm not a fan of Stainless due to noise (they are all noisy, even the quiet ones)

They're that cheap in the UK? I just called through a few supppliers and the prices were between 80-120 euros for the back box.... It seems it's time to change my job, I'll start to import exhausts from the UK...  >:(

I think they actually come from Germany? Certainly somewhere in mainland Europe ;)
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: tidla on 05 March 2011, 21:54:04
put a walker back box on mine. (3 year warranty). bought it locally as i wanted to see/measure the quality before purchase. cost more than the eternal which comes with a 2 year and comparing it with other two year products the metal (.5mm) was thicker and the welds made by someone who wasnt one of mr magoos relatives.

sound wise along with cheaper 2 year centre sections, spot on.
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: TheBoy on 06 March 2011, 09:28:33
Quote
put a walker back box on mine. (3 year warranty). bought it locally as i wanted to see/measure the quality before purchase. cost more than the eternal which comes with a 2 year and comparing it with other two year products the metal (.5mm) was thicker and the welds made by someone who wasnt one of mr magoos relatives.

sound wise along with cheaper 2 year centre sections, spot on.
Thats the thing, the eternal ones seem to be noticibly better quality that the cheap versions of Bosal etc.
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Jimbob on 06 March 2011, 09:38:44
eternal shop seems a pain, and no actual pics of what you get - are the backboxes twin exit?
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: TheBoy on 06 March 2011, 09:51:45
Quote
eternal shop seems a pain, and no actual pics of what you get - are the backboxes twin exit?
In my experience, the 3.0/3.2 ones are for the saloon. Not fitted estate one
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Phil on 09 March 2011, 12:00:29
I had a cat back powerflow stainless system on my old MV6 and iirc it was around £400 fitted back in 2004.

MIJ in Walsall did the one on my Signum, about 9 months ago, the OEM one is single pipe from the 'Y' piece at the down pipes, through the 3rd cat and centre box to around the back seat area, then it splits to two pipes and boxes at the back Most places wanted £450 upwards, they did it for £350.
Told them wanted it to sound OEM and it did, if anything it was too quiet so since then i've had the mid box and 3rd cat taken out  ;D

So yes you can get a stainless system thats as quiet as OEM and no it doesn't cost an arm and a leg  :y
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: dbug on 09 March 2011, 17:33:21
Quote
Quote
eternal shop seems a pain, and no actual pics of what you get - are the backboxes twin exit?
In my experience, the 3.0/3.2 ones are for the saloon. Not fitted estate one

Just put an Eternal cat back system on the 2.5 Estate - £110 incl all fittings delivered.  They didn't have a 2.5 Lit back box in stock so got a 3 Lit twin exit pipe Estate one with no guarantee from them that it would fit.
 Just needed a slight tweak on the front hanger and it fitted spot on.  Looked to be all good quality and is quiet - well pleased.  :y

Agree that shop pics etc not very clear but found their comms excellent with the right advice re which parts required.  Also good bulk delivery discounts.
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Brikhead on 11 March 2011, 18:13:24
Most stainless exhaust systems are loud, if brought 'off  the shelf'...

A friends father in law was after an exhaust for his '99 Lancer estate, quite a rare beast so even the local motor factors wanted around £100 for a cheapie system, the sort that may last eighteen months to two years if your lucky but sound louder than the old exhaust!
In the end a local place, up in Stafford, custom made a cat back stainless system for £200. You can choose how many silencer boxes you have in the system and they can be tuned for volume or tone.
The chap who's car it is is no 'Boy Racer' so he chose to go for a quiet system that looks standard, he says it sounds quieter than ever and he reckons it's more responsive too.
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: pirate on 11 March 2011, 20:57:14
as my rear steinmetz box has been replaced by a standard one im going to have the back removed completly with just twin pipes out back, dam things to quite enyway like a good growl enyway, place just up the road makes up on car in mild or stainless. ;D
Title: Re: Oh Bum....
Post by: Jimbob on 14 March 2011, 13:57:01
Just rang demon tweeks, who are local to me and do all things exhaust....

quoted £441 +vat for jetex, and he wouldnt recommend powerflow over that, and would be more expensive.

eternal dont seem to do omega estate stuff at the mo, anyone tried the other ebay offerings?