Top Gear Exhaust?

[millimeep]

We've got an '88 944S, and currently the exhaust is held on with string as the end of the tailpipe has rusted off...

We've got a very good quote for stainless from Top Gear in Queenstown Road, Battersea, but I think they are a national chain.

Just wondering if anyone else has used them and has any comments?

Thanks!

Iain

 

[A.Wang]

My current track toy - a Toyota Supra Mk3 - came with an exhaust system that was fitted by Top Gear (another branch, not Battersea). I was seriously unimpressed, not least because it failed noise tests at all the circuits I visited.

Here's what I found when I decided to have the system replaced: the rear box was, by all accounts, empty of any meaningful packing, and the stainless steel pipes were already rusting after 12 months. Also, rather than bending the pipes to suit the chassis, it'd appear that the fitters decided to chop and weld several bits together. I have no problem with that, but at least one joint was not properly sealed, so the year-old system was actually blowing.

Your "reasonable quote" is most probably down to the material/workmanship they offer there...like most things, you get what you pay for!

If you want someone to do a proper job for a sensible price, I'd highly recommend getting a custom Magnaflow system from Profusion Customs - www.profusioncustoms.com - they are near Heathrow, just off the M25. You might even get a discount if you tell them "Andy with the track-prep'd Supra" sent you. []

 

[zcacogp]

Iain,

Can't help directly, but you are in the vicinity of Tower Porsche, who are pretty good.

Drop them a line on 7 357 0911 - if they can't help directly then they will be able to recommend somewhere that can.


Oli.

 

[Peter Empson]

If I was after a good standard exhaust I think I'd speak to Bert first. For a performance one I'd look to a specialist, like the one Andy mentions above or Janspeed or Hayward and Scott etc.
Personally I wouldn't let any tyre/exhaust chain anywhere near my cars []

 

[millimeep]

Already called Tower Porsche, their quote wasn't too much more, and as Suzie said, we'd be happier going to someone who knows about Porsches....

Also got a similar quote from Autofarm in Oxfordshire for a Dansk system

I'll give Profusion a call too, see how they work out...

Thanks for the help!

 

[944Turbo]

http://www.longlife.co.uk/street/about.default.aspx are another option, A few years back (5 or so) a turbo owner used them and was impressed - they even changed his tailpipe after a couple of weeks when he changed his mind about it. No recent experience though. What happened to Pete Crossthwaite anyone seen him on a trackday recently?
Tony

PS still very happy with my essential styling one (what is simon's new company called?) it was designed and tested to produce more power and be trackday legal

pps not sure he does one for the S

 

[Peter Empson]

ORIGINAL: 944Turbo

PS still very happy with my essential styling one (what is simon's new company called?) it was designed and tested to produce more power and be trackday legal

pps not sure he does one for the S

Simons new company is S.A.R Classics.
I've not really thought about the exhaust on an S till now, but I suspect it may be the same as the one on a Lux?

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: 944Turbo

What happened to Pete Crossthwaite anyone seen him on a trackday recently?

The last day I did with him about 3 or 4 years ago he was in the throes of selling up and moving to France and was undecided whether to keep the Turbo or sell it .

Millimeep, if Bert Gear at www.partsforporsche.co.uk can get a Dansk stainless box for the S then I would seriously recommend it. I have one on my S2 and Turbo and they are very well made and excellent value

 

[nick3814]

I can confirm this also [] I picked up a Dansk rear box for my S2 on Saturday, not fitted it yet but the quality is excellent for the money (under £200)

and I've just bought a decat pipe from Simon on his ebay shop this morning [][][]

 

[Fen]

I'm not a fan of the "custom" exhaust idea at all. Fair enough if it is designed through dyno testing for added performance, but when all it really means is "shaped not to hit bits of the bottom of the car" then I'd be inclined to think a standard one that doubtless had a six-figure sum thrown at developing it would be a better option.

 

[berg944]

Paul,

Any chance of a photo of the Dansk stainless box fitted to the turbo.

I purchased one for my Lux that looked like the one pictured (for S2). I got it off Ebay for £130.
Half the wieght, Polished, not too loud but nice growl.

The reason I ask is the same Ebay seller does Turbo silencers but in there picture it looks like there is a visible seam!

Mike[:'(]

 

[millimeep]

Thanks for all the advice, it's now booked in for a Dansk stainless at Tower Porsche.

I'm feeling old now, 'cos in days gone by I would've crawled underneath and fitted it myself, however now I'm sure the hour's labour is well worth me not having to crawl around on the ground wrestling an exhaust []

ORIGINAL: Fen

I'm not a fan of the "custom" exhaust idea at all. Fair enough if it is designed through dyno testing for added performance, but when all it really means is "shaped not to hit bits of the bottom of the car" then I'd be inclined to think a standard one that doubtless had a six-figure sum thrown at developing it would be a better option.

Chatting to John at Tower Porsche, he said that Dansk are OEM suppliers to Porsche, so it's a stainless version of the OEM mild steel one...

 

[zcacogp]

Iain,

Jon at Tower is good - his workmanship is as good as any indie, I think - but he doesn't know the meaning of 'quick'. Jobs will take a LOT longer than expected. He won't charge more in terms of hours billed, but the car won't be ready when you expect it to be.

If you watch him working, you will understand why - he is distracted by anything and everything.

However, I'd still recommend him. He is also very friendly and helpful. Give him my regards - Oli with the Baltic Blue S2. Although he may not remember me!


Oli.

 

[944 man]

The decorative oval tailpipe trims becoming detached on my Dansk exhaust...

 

[millimeep]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

The decorative oval tailpipe trims becoming detached on my Dansk exhaust...

Yes I did see your other thread - can you take it back to whoever fitted it?

Having looked at various forums, Dansk seemed to be the main name coming up when exhausts were mentioned, I'm hoping yours isn't typical!

Having finally got round to deciding what to do (the string has been on for ages [:-]), I thought I'd take my chances with Dansk anyway, otherwise it'd never get done!

 

[944 man]

I bought it wholesale and had it fitted at an indy, so the onus will be on me to make it good.

 

[nick3814]

Now the Dansk system I've just bought is all one solid section from the tail pipe to where it is welded to the big back box so it couldn't work loose!! They must have changed the way they manufacture them.

Fen, I wouldn't say this is "customising" the exhaust system! It will look nicer and perhaps sound a little nicer, I'm not into some loud boy racer spec system, I like it to look original but a little special and I think the one thing that lets down all original 944's is their sound, the exhaust note is a little bland don't you think?

 

[944 man]

Look at your picture Nick: its clearly not all one piece. The oval tailpipe is a cosmetic trim piece thats fastened to the round inner...

 

[nick3814]

Yes but at the rear of that section it is welded all round the back and finished off and polished to a mirror finish so it cant come loose!! The stainless system I have on at the minute has the tail pipe as a sleeve that slides on but this one is far better []

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: berg944

Paul,

Any chance of a photo of the Dansk stainless box fitted to the turbo.[:'(]

Here's a couple that I took when I installed it: (Aug 2004 according to the date of picture). I can't see any seam that you might be referring to, let me know if you need a different angle