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Pug106 Engine Tuning (Exhausts)
The standard exhaust in a car is likely to be quite a restriction on the gas flow out of the engine. This is because of the small bore exhausts that manufacturers use to keep noise levels to a minimum. The smaller bore exhausts also give a little 'back pressure' which means less power but more torque. However fitting performance exhausts are one of the first things to do when you are after more power. Sports Silencers A sports back box wont give much power increase, if any. They are available so that you can make your car look and sound as if it's more powerful than standard. There is a massive selection of back box's to choose from, all with different looks, sounds and price tags. Some may give a slight performance gain as the sports box will be less restrictive than the original, by using a larger diameter of pipe. This is what gives the distinctive sports sound, along with the actual type of baffle used, and the type of metal it's made from.Full Systems A full performance exhaust system takes the large bore theory further by cutting out more restriction from the exhaust. The full system will connect to the original exhaust either at the base of the manifold or the cat back. This should give a little more power higher up the revs, while retaining a little back pressure for some low end torque which is required for road use. It should also complement any other engine modifications that you may make. Cat Replacements
Modern Catalytic Converters do not restrict power in a big way, but they do effect the throttle response. By removing the cat, and replacing it with a new bypass tube, the car will feel more responsive and might gain a little performance. However, a Catalytic Converter is a legal requirement on cars produced after 1st August 1992 (K reg), but the cat is only a legal requirement from the factory and as soon as you own the car, you are free to remove it as long as your car can still pass an emissions test without it. A solution to the cat legal problems is to fit a performance cat instead of a bypass tube. Similar results will be had, while keeping everything 100% legal. However, there is the high price of a new cat which can put people off this option. Cat replacements alone are not available for all models. On some later models, such as the 2001 130 bhp 106 GTI, which now has the cat built into the manifold, means that to remove the cat, you'll have to replace your manifold as well. Performance Manifolds
The manifold is the main area where back pressure is produced, and therefore power is lost. By replacing it with a new multi branch 4-1 manifold, good power gains can be made at the expense of low end torque. This is a modification for fast-road or competition use but is not recommended if you spend a lot of time in traffic etc.. A compromise is available in the form of a 4-2-1 manifold that will give optimum power increase with the minimum of low end loss. Click here to go back |
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