Strudul

If I do go ahead with it, and it melts something, or I have serious performance issues, or I get CO poisoning, then I will happily come back, detail the problems, and let you all know that you were right. But similarly, if it sounds louder without any noticeable downsides, then as far as I'm concerned it will have been a success and I'll be accepting your full written apologies

Might just be me but that's all I read from this thread. Also I await the "it's not like that at all... but here's why I'm ignoring the advice and doing it anyway" retort. Well I can't disappoint then can I Honestly, I'm just curious and would like some proper answers and conclusive evidence. The question has only really been asked on notoriously "flamey" forums, so I thought there might be a better chance of getting a decent answer here, but apparently not It's still only a potential, I'm not set on doing it, and I welcome anyone to convince me not to, but calling it stupid without explaining why isn't gonna achieve that. It's just a load of ignorance and speculation...

Kinda, but it's not telling me anything I didn't already know I'd rather a roasting if it's constructive, but so far it's just "it's stupid because I said so" and some potential problems that I already know about but with nothing to back up whether they actually will occur.

Which I explicitly stated I knew in the OP Most people report that it sounds much better, except for being able to hear the leak itself. Haven't really decided at all, Sure, I think I'd enjoy it most of the time, but if it's gonna be unbearable on long motorway journeys then it isn't worth it and I don't want it... Unless someone can provide some substantial reason not to, I'm gonna do it just to prove you all wrong, because I'm failing to see how it's any more "retarded" than a BGW or any cosmetic mod that matter - No actual benefits, just a load of extra weight, drag and money. It'd be a nice experiment to get some factual results rather than just making crap up and calling it stupid.

Is there a way to tell?

Honestly, yes. I want someone to explain why it's bad because nobody seems to actually be able to provide that information. I understand why it could be (as per the OP), but under the conditions as far as I can tell it wouldn't actually cause any problems. As I mentioned in the OP, due to the location of the leak the exhaust gases escaping are not that hot. People have reported being able to leave their hand nearby without it being uncomfortable. Also, as again previously mentioned, most of the exhaust will still flow through and exit out the back. Once again, as I said in the OP, it won't replicate the tone of a proper system, but a leak will undeniably make it louder, which is enough for the purpose of the test. I know it's not big or clever, I clearly stated that I am well aware it's an exhaust leak and am aware of the alleged problems... And another thing I mentioned in the OP, listening to an exhaust for a short period of time is not the same as having to live with it on a daily basis. Did you even read the OP or just the title?

And there are plenty of people / forums that flame people for buying reps rather than the proper thing....

Well aware of that, but it will only take 5 minutes to revert to stock, plus the MOT isn't until September, and I'm only planning to test it for few days / weeks. I think I already have a stainless steel system, but I'm not sure. The guy who owned it previously mentioned something and a lifetime warranty.

http://my350z.com/forum/body-interior-exterior-and-lighting-diy/467030-painted-door-handles-removal-and-installation.html Better?

It's a question of whether it can actually enter the cabin through normal driving though. Most of it will disperse into the air anyway and (from watching a few vids) most of the exhaust still comes out the back.

Thanks for the advice Louvre - I'd like to think this isn't ghetto. Invested a hell of a lot of time in designing and making it to ensure it's done properly and blows away any existing product. Tyre Lettering - Again, planning to do this properly like the pros do rather than cheaping out and doing it ghetto with a tyre pen. Plasti Dip - Arguably ghetto, but again this was for testing purposes to see what looked good more than anything. I can photoshop stuff, but its different when you see it in the flesh. Personally I think it's turned out rather well and will probably get bits painted / wrapped properly in the future. The only part that went wrong was the front bumper, but that was a problem with the bumper itself and I believe a pro job would have caused th same issue. Steering Wheel cover - Still in the planning stages as I can't really start it easily without taking my wheel off or getting another, but as with the other mods, I'm wanting to do this properly and invest the time and money to achieve a good result. Always preferred DIY / ghetto mods though. If you can achieve a similar result for a fraction of the cost, I don't see why you wouldn't at least attempt something. Not to mention it allows you to develop your own skills and feels pretty good when you pull it off. Problem is I have lots of free time to think about mods I'd like to do Want to explain how having a better sounding exhaust isn't a pro? Or maybe give some evidence to prove that any of the cons are actually noticeable and not just theoretical BS? So you are saying I should waste £1k on an aftermarket exhaust just to find that I can't stand it and have to either live with it or remove it? When instead I could spend 5 minutes installing a washer or 2 and have a pretty good idea of what it would be like?

Aye, looks like we've potentially got a good turn out, maybe 10 of us?

Not sure yet, will have to see when i get there. Probably somewhere at the back where it should be nice and empty. Maybe this pink area?

You mean like a blackbox

If it looks like a seat, but doesn't function as a seat, is it really a seat...

We should have a system like YBF where you can send in video clips of bad drivers (from your dashcam etc). They will be adjudicated and if disciplinary action is taken against the driver you get £250 in the post

"Not seats" I'd be impressed if they could even be used as seats by anyone with legs...

Isn't that just an expensive exhaust leak?

Surely it's only illegal if you declare them as being seats and / or someone uses them as such. Other wise it's just a seat-shaped shelf...

Can we include people who brake for no reason in that...

AKA an exhaust leak Before I get shouted at, I'm not planning on this being a permanent thing, it's for testing purposes only, but I'd like some expert opinions on the potential downsides. I keep thinking I'd like a little more from my exhaust, but as it's my daily, i'm don't know whether the extra noise would get on my nerves eventually. They sound good in real life and on videos, but that's not the same as having to listen to a loud drone for 2 hours. Now, I know it will never sound as good as a proper exhaust system, but it seems like a pretty good way to trial a louder exhaust for nothing and get some idea of what to expect. For those who don't know, it involves unbolting the mid-pipe and putting spacer washers between the flanges like so: This mod gets a lot of hate and everyone that brings it up on forums seems to get flamed, but you guys are pretty civil, so I thought we might get some better results here. So, the pros are you get a louder and (in some people's opinion) better sounding exhaust. As for the supposed cons... - Reduced back pressure - Disrupted flow - Power loss - Lower MPG - Fumes entering the cabin - Extra heat under the car affecting anything nearby However, I can't seem to find any supporting evidence for any of these. Just a load of people shouting at each other and throwing insults about. From what I can gather though: - The reduced back pressure and disrupted flow wouldn't make any difference - The power and mpg loss would be minimal if not negligible - The exhaust still goes through the cats and is far enough back to not cause a problem with fumes - The exhaust gases are cool enough at this point to not damage anything Can anyone weigh in with some solid advice? Cheers

Plasterers can't open bank accounts??

Same reason as for house prices and haircuts.

Plus it'd be faster than some £90k cars, so really you are saving like £80k...

That'll be fine, don't worry about trying to be on time Louvre sounds exciting, brace yourself for an onslaught of questions Mine's still in bits waiting to be painted, which I might be able to sort next weekend.