The Pitfalls:

I ordered the full stainless steel system on the 30th August 2005 and then left the UK to go on holiday for two weeks.  Before I left, I'd discovered that Rimmer Bros sent me incorrect fitting instructions. Not a good start.  However, after several follow up calls, I eventually had the correct documents faxed to me.  The car was delivered to my garage on the 27th September 2005 and then collected by me the next day.

The system requires fettling and is not a straight forward bolt-on job.  The manifolds do not align exactly to the cylinder head ports and heat was also required to straighten out the bottom area of the manifolds.  There is very little clearance at the tops of the manifolds and bolts have to be tightened up flat by flat.  The pipe that has the silencers is too long and required cutting.  We finally realised, when running the engine, that oversized manifold gaskets had been supplied and inadvertently fitted...  The system also smokes a great deal and smells appalling on initial start up as all the rubbish is burnt out and the heat wraps get used to retaining the heat.

The Gains:

You gain the biggest smile on your face you've ever had.  You learn to drive with the windows open in the freezing cold.  Boy racers in their mum's 1 litre Corsa envy you...!   You learn to accept that flooring the throttle on a V8 engine (even one running on LPG) is somewhat expensive if done regularly.

The system is quite boomy in the cabin between 55-65mph (approx 2500-2800rpm) in top gear (3 speed auto). However, from inside, the system is otherwise no noisier than a standard system and you don't even have to turn the radio up (should you tire of hearing the engine ROAR...!)

Home Again Please

 

Sale Price on a Full Stainless Steel Sports Exhaust from engine block to tailpipe, inc. all fittings, manifold kit, heat wrap, VAT and postage:  £589.01

Quote Parts RO1122, EF1001, 8x AJM692, RX1383 and 2x RX1382

Fitting costs at local garage, inc. careful removal of old system and fault resolution along the way:  £242.05

TOTAL PRICE FOR A V8 RUMBLE:  £831.06