colesl4w

I'm sure the price of maintenance would probably negate any price increase even 10 years down the line!

I have thought about the Milltek but people on this forum have said it's quieter than the stock exhaust unless it's coupled with HFC which I don't intend on doing ! I had the Milltek with stock cats - it only lasted one month until I replaced it, as it was SO quiet. Made the car sound like an electric car IMO!! Sold it to a member on here who paired it with HFCs or decats, and I think that has really brought them to life with a fantastic sound. Stop your search now and get the Ark Grip - you wont be disappointed. Growly at WOT, silent when cruising.

Yep same popping even with bungs in. It really does not seem to be a loudness issue. More than comfortable with the loudness. Going to experiment packing some insulation etc tomorrow. Sure I can sort this. Lol. No joke I am wearing ear plugs all the time I drive it so I don't get the popping. Besides it's a daily and if I have to wear plugs trust me the exhaust is coming off. How are things going with this now?

I feel your pain. In 1 year of ownership I've needed: - New clutch cable - New exhaust system - New banana arms - New windscreen - New tyres - New W brace - New suspension I also have a flashing airbag light which after a few hundred quid has still not been fixed. Just trying to ignore it for now and hope it passes the next MOT. Also have a clunk when I turn the wheel at slow speeds. I suspect droplinks therefore also need replaced. Bleugh.

I'd put it down to heat expansion! You'll probably hear it going ping,pop,bang when you switch the engine off from it all cooling down

I've had a nightmare with this! Make sure you get a spiral cable and not a steering angle sensor. I replaced my spiral cable as I was getting the same problem, didn't fix it though!! Been living with a flashing airbag light for quite a while now. Thankfully the reset lasted just long enough to get through the MOT.

I'm sorry that it wasn't so straightforward. Do you still have this problem with the bungs in?

Sure!

Congrats!

That's brilliant that you've found a cause of it! Should be a quick adjustment and then you'll be back to enjoying it the way you should!

What do you have fitted at the moment? For me the Ark is right on the threshold of acceptable for daily driving. Its perfect for me - wouldn't want it any louder. I drove past my workplace, and one of my mates heard me while on the other side of the building! Also, my gf always knows when ive arrived to collect her from anywhere as she hears the exhaust every time - if that gives you any indication!

Glad you're enjoying the new exhaust! Unfortunately ringing ears isn't down to getting used to specific sound frequencies. Its a symptom of temporary ear damage due to excessive decibel exposure - just the same as when you go to gigs. In the short term you won't do any permanent damage. In the long term you'll get some permanent hearing damage and possibly tinitus (a permanent ringing in the ears). The actual volume dictates how much exposure you'd need for that (I.e. whether you're talking months or years).

Hi all, I got my windscreen replaced about 3 months ago. Had about a 100 mile trip yesterday and could hear a loud whistling noise when I was going fast - like air rushing. Then, today, I noticed the rubber surrounding the windscreen is about to come right off. Is this safe to drive on the motorway for a long trip? Should I worry about heavy rain? Here's a pic: Thanks!

Also have you checked the videos of it on YouTube? Not comparison to real life of course though! If you happen to be in Ireland you can hear mine lol.

Its a stunning exhaust. The first thing randomers and people I know compliment in terms of both looks and sound. Its a real head turner with a very expensive sound to it. Much louder than stock but not too loud.

I absolutely love Gen7 Celicas. Best of luck with the sale, looks stunning.

That doesn't sound stupid at all. I'm sure many people here, myself included, feel a similar way.

Does it sound like when your ABS comes on? Like a spring unwinding/grinding? If so, this is competently normal. Your ABS will occasionally self test on startup.

Dave, I had the Milltek before switching to the Ark Grip. Just beware that it really, really is very quiet. I found it quieter than the OEM. Personally it took the magic of the car away for me while it was fitted. I'd highly recommend the Ark Grip as it doesn't drone and has a brilliant sound. People who have the Milltek and HFCs are very happy though. Quite expensive to do that though?

Can't really see where that is on the car, but is it at the diff? I had to have the diff shield removed to fit an Ark Grip.

Sorry to hear of that happening to you. It's something I do dread happening. Someone keyed my Celica at work once. Where did it happen to you? Hopefully not at home - much more preferable if it was just some randomer who happened across it on a random street.

That will be LOUD! Do post a before / after video! Hope you love the new sound.

My Ark Grip certainly got much quieter over the first 600 miles. Went from 'oh Jesus this is loud' to just perfect. Surprised to see you find the Gemini so quiet! Was your stock exhauat perbaps already blowing and therefore quite loud?HFCs are probably what you need to bring it back up.

Another vote for the Ark Grip. When you first fit it it may be louder than you're looking for but after a few hundred miles it beds in and quietens down.

Kids in particular are so vocal about the car. Just yesterday while looking for a particular apartment, I first had to drive through a crap part of town. A chav decided to show off in front of his mates and give me the finger - aww, jealousy. Then when I got to a nicer residential area I had one group of kids shout 'wow!' And another 'nice car!' Dunno how the attention makes me feel tbh. Grand when you're in the car, but a bit worrying when parking it places.