LR exhaust.

[LRsedan]

I have been reading alot about exhaust systems for the LR focus.

Hitech / herrod have had a fair mention.

At the moment Im only looking at a catback, Im not looking into it for the sound but rather the performance upgrade end.

Does Installing a Catback system make a noticable difference to the power output of the 1.8 16V zetec?

The only reason Im a little stand-offish about the headers, hi-flow cat is the problems with sensors, tuning and things I've read of. I have the money to install a full system, but if any of these problems arise I wouldnt have the cash to rectify them straight away.

Im trying to look for all the "bang for you buck" upgrades. At the moment the $53 2.0ltr auto air deflector has been the best purchase, according to the seat of my pants

Any feedback would be great thanks.

[melbzetec]

If it's sound you're after, then the original system Zetec had is probably the go. He does describe the setup somewhere here on the Forum, which basically any decent zorst shop could fabricate for you.

(Found it.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...hlight=exhaust


I have the Herrod/Hi tech system, and I like it, but it is reasonably quiet.

It has two resonators. I think if you have one you get a good throaty sound

[zetec]

All you need is a 2 inch or 2 1/2 inch with a single muffler. Dual muffler setups are too restrictive and aren't very loud at all (as per the Hi Tech system) whereas the single muffler works best to cut restriction and let it flow freely.

DON'T get a hot dog resonator. They sound terrible and belond on Excels and Mirages. Any good local exhaust shop can fabricate a $250-$300 mild steel exhaust in 2 1/4 inch, with a single mid-flow or good-flow (not high-flow) muffler to give you solide midrange and top end, with a bit of sound. It will be road legal and fun at the same time.

[LRsedan]

I would rather it be quiter, than louder... So the hitech system is right up my alley.

I know what size pipes, types of mufflers I need etc. What Im trying to find out is, does a catback system make a noticeable performance gain? I know its not going to be great, but can you notice / measure a gain?

Every car I have changed, I have done a full system with headers etc. So Im not up on the catback advantages. I assume its very minimal gains.

I dont want an exhaust for sound. I couldnt care less if it stayed stock. But Im trying to find out where I should spend my money first to get some extra fun

I normally dont mind spending money on doing up cars, I enjoy it. But this is my daily driver, I have another project which is getting more attention, so I need to choose wisely where my money goes on this one.

Thanks for any help.

[photn]

the Hitech system will be what you are alooking for. tuned to your needs supposedly.

[FOCUSonTHIS]

Well I will post these. Shouldn't really but I will. Tell me what you think of my Hi-tech exhaust

OUTSIDE


INSIDE

[LRsedan]

From what I could tell thats pretty damn close to what I would want in sound, not over the top.

Did you get much performance gain from the catback system?

Thanks very much

[FOCUSonTHIS]

So long ago now. I can't remember.

[Tj-zetec]

i got a complete system through hitech and i love it. Can't vouch for the gains from a cat back tho, i dont think it would be much.

If you're in sydney you're best off talking to the dude from hitech and see what he can put together.

[LRsedan]

TJ, did you have any troubles with the check engine lights or the ecu running the car rich?

[melbzetec]

From memory, the HiTech catback should be worth about 5kw, and take away a flat spot that is sometimes found at around 2000 odd rpm on the stock system.

I dynoed most of my mods, but the catbcak was the first mod and I didn't do a stock dyno read.

5kw doesn't seem much, but few mods on the Focus give much more by themselves. It is only in combination that they start to build up

[LRsedan]

Yeah well I havent really done anything to the performance already. Just a k&n panel filter (didnt seem to do anything even with ECU reset), and the air deflector off the auto (Gave better throttle response).

I'll be sure to contact Hitech and see what they offer. The stainless no doubt would probably be a little expensive for me, with no added performance benefits for the extra cash...

[photn]

if you want a bit of power and better responsiveness i would suggest a cat back, the SVT snorkel which you can pick up from ebay.com USA fairlyy cheap, and a CFM 65m Throttle Body. car should go pretty good then.. as in .. really god.

[amlohac]

my old focus had a 2.25 cat and pipe all the way to the back end, mid mount straight through muffler, it was very loud for such a small car, wish i had done some sound clips before i sold it, not a great deal of performance with just the cat back (had a cat back only for 2 years before i replaces the cat) really not noticeable at all, maybe a bit more responsiveness. I had no problems with check engine lights or the ecu when i changed the cat. I would suggest a k&n panel filter big snorkel and a cat back if you want something with a slightly noticeable gain.

[Tj-zetec]

I've never had an engine light come on since the exhaust was installed. hitech re installed all the sensors from the old system into the new so i wouldn't have any issues and so the car behaves the way it should.

[LRsedan]

Thanks guys.

It might have to wait a little while now.

I just picked up some xr4 wheels for a steal, going to put tyres on them today So I dont have the cash for the exhaust now...

I'll throw some pics up when they are on the car, should look a lot better that hub caps

[photn]

Ahh so thats who matt sold his Rims too...

Hope you like em mate.

Should look good and very different to what every1 else has.

[LRsedan]

Yep, I picked them up from Matt a few days ago.

Pics are in a new thread if your interested...

[Zetec_170]

Just a quick note, unless you are putting out big power a change of exhaust is not going to give a noticable power gain.

[photn]

Trueish. A full exhaust with a tune will give you a noticable power gain. but then again thats with a tune.

Im just going to replace the stock muffler with something better flowing jsut for sound. The turbo/SC will take care of the rest and yes i understand that the Stock Exhaust system will effect the amount of flow and power. but 7psi = 130FWKW on a stock exhaust is more than enough.

[Fast Eddie]

A guy at the Motorshow mentioned something about a company called MILLTEK having compatable exhausts for the LR Focus. Any thoughts about them???

[melbzetec]

A very popular UK brand.
The Herrod catback exhaust I have reputedly showed a 5kW improvement on the Herrod dyno.when tested. I can't verify as it was my first mod and I didn't take a base dyno figure on my car.

Headers back will give a good improvement in power and torque