Exhaust: Which Would You Do?

[Tweetdriver63]

I've made the appointment at my independent garage. The car goes in Oct 31st. They can take as much time as they need.

List of things to be done:

--Install new manifolds/cats, both sides.
--Install Circuit Werks Resonated test pipes, both sides.
--Inspect O2 sensors and replace as needed.
--Install new AOS.
--Install new spark plug/coil Oil Tubes.
--Inspect plugs and replace as needed.
--Install new Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor.
--Install new Fuel Filler door locking unit.

I have all the parts on hand. (It's nice when your garage lets you provide the parts.)


And finally, track down the short that is causing the C3 fuse (Windows/Remote Locking/Interior Lights) to blow out as soon as the fuse legs make contact in the fuse box.

Time to get this car up to speed.

After this is done, I'll be getting the seats recovered. Local shop quoted $750 for 2-tone leather, and he does very good work.

[Tweetdriver63]

Update: Circuit Werks sent the wrong pipes. What they sent was for a VW Jetta TDI. I couldn’t get hold of them quickly, so I re-ordered the pipes and had them shipped directly to the shop. Later they contacted me via email and I arranged the return of the wrong pipes.

Next issue is that one of the Davico manifolds/cats from Rockauto apparently doesn’t have a good flat joint meetup, either with the engine or the second pipe—I don’t know which—and will have to be modified. Rather than return and replace from another source, the shop will modify it. That could take 20 minutes or two hours work.

[Tweetdriver63]

Update 2:

The manifolds/cats from Davico (purchased from Rockauto) have a problem. According to the shop, they're not manufactured well and so won't seat flush with the heads. They're not an exhaust specialist shop, but very experienced with Porsches in particular, and exotics of all types. I take my Lotus to them. They have other Lotus they maintain, as well as a bunch of Ferraris, Lambos, Jags, Alfas, and a bunch of exotic classics too.

Anyway, my options are to return the Davico parts and spend a lot of money on OEM or highend aftermarket manifolds/cats, or take the car and the Davico ones to a specialist exhaust shop and see if they can work some magic to make the seal properly. I could also look for some used ones on eBay or at a recycler, but that's always iffy.

For the moment, I'm having the originals put back on so the car will be drivable. All of the other work is going to be completed as planned.

Anybody have any input? I'm not leaning toward spending the big bucks on a car that isn't worth a lot as a whole. I'll spend money (I am), but can't justify spending anything like 3 grand just on the exhaust.