Mongoose, Magnex, Jetex, Scorpion or Custom?

Sat Jul 21, 2012 12:51 pm

Hi all, I want to change my exhaust for a new system, preferably stainless. I ideally I'd like to have a 6-branch too, but haven't found one for an affordable price yet (apart from the cheap ones on ebay). Having a search around the internet has thrown up the following three off-the-shelf 2-box complete systems from manifold back:

1. Jetex Alu-Steel £350
2. Mongoose T306 SS £414
3. Magnex T304 SS £431
4. Scorpion T304 SS £569
5. Custom-made SS from Top-Gear in Bridport £450 fitted

I don't want anything too loud (I'm an old git!), but I don't want the engine to be muted either, so a good compromise in the middle would be good. Something quiet around town and in traffic, but would roar when you put your foot down.

Suggestions/comments/recommendations please?

Sat Jul 21, 2012 4:31 pm

I would go custom made, i had a scorpion system given to me and found it to be way to loud, i got rid of the scorpion back box as it was the offending item and replaced it with a custom made one, the box is narrow when compared to the oem or the scorpion but i think that it helped to eliminate the booming racket.
hth

Sat Jul 21, 2012 4:37 pm

jetex are not loud and good. Custom are totally dependent on the quality of fabricator most are shite. mongoose and scorpion too loud.

Sun Jul 22, 2012 4:04 pm

I have ran Jetex systems on my Golfs for years and they are excellent.

I've heard similar comments as stated above on the Scorpion and Mongoose.
99% of people who I have spoken to with Powerflow systems have complained that they are boomy and too loud....so might be down to the place they had theirs made? not sure.....but they can't all be wrong?

Sun Jul 22, 2012 4:18 pm

I've got a custom system on my 325i that I made up myself with parts from jetex & mated it to a magnex 6 branch with a X-pipe aswell.

only got the back box on there (scorpion) & it doesn't seem to loud but has a nice raspy sound when you put your foot down.

Sun Jul 22, 2012 4:24 pm

steve_k wrote:
only got the back box on there (scorpion) & it doesn't seem to loud but has a nice raspy sound when you put your foot down.

same as me, my system is a standard 325i with a scorpion back box, its not too loud and like you say..i love the sound when you put your foot down and give it some

Sun Jul 22, 2012 4:26 pm

I have a scorpion and find it relatively quiet when cruising but has a nice howl when you boot it

Sun Jul 22, 2012 8:38 pm

Full ss 6 branch & Scorpion (DTM) system and subtle isn't a word I'd use to descibe the sound. I like the throaty burble and resonating howl, but lots don't. Standard Bosal system takes a lot of beating also. Considered it at all?

Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:26 pm

suchy wrote:Full ss 6 branch & Scorpion (DTM) system and subtle isn't a word I'd use to descibe the sound. I like the throaty burble and resonating howl, but lots don't. Standard Bosal system takes a lot of beating also. Considered it at all?

Where can you get Bosal systems from? Directly? Or outlets?

Sun Jul 22, 2012 10:13 pm

suchy wrote:Full ss 6 branch & Scorpion (DTM) system and subtle isn't a word I'd use to descibe the sound. I like the throaty burble and resonating howl, but lots don't. Standard Bosal system takes a lot of beating also. Considered it at all?

I had a Scorpion mid-section on my Tourer which howled, then I took it off and later put on a Scorpion rear box, which was loud too as I remember. As you say - some like all that, but for me I'd rather have something more tame, but that will remind me of that engine when I plant my right foot.

Ironically, I had a Bosal rear box fitted to my current Cab, but I hated the tail pipes - the ones that go diagonally out to the left.

Sun Jul 22, 2012 10:22 pm

I found that when I replaced my split open scorpion centre box with straight through pipes & the X-pipe it seemed to make the car sound like a V8 with the rumble & burble on idle & a V8 type growl when you pulled off but the howl is still there when you floor it.

so to me it's a win win situation lol

Sun Jul 22, 2012 10:27 pm

i had my scorpion boxes opened and re-packed with kevlar

Mon Jul 23, 2012 8:20 am

330-singh wrote:
suchy wrote:Full ss 6 branch & Scorpion (DTM) system and subtle isn't a word I'd use to descibe the sound. I like the throaty burble and resonating howl, but lots don't. Standard Bosal system takes a lot of beating also. Considered it at all?
Where can you get Bosal systems from? Directly? Or outlets?

No idea I'm afraid, I'm sure someone will though...

Mon Jul 23, 2012 8:22 am

steve_k wrote:I found that when I replaced my split open scorpion centre box with straight through pipes & the X-pipe it seemed to make the car sound like a V8 with the rumble & burble on idle & a V8 type growl when you pulled off but the howl is still there when you floor it.

so to me it's a win win situation lol

I like the sound of that

Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:36 am

@suchy, you can't beat it being sat at the traffic lights next to a chaved up corsa/nova/saxo etc & they sit there looking totally confused as they try & work out if you have got a V8 under the bonnet or not lol.

only problem is the noise is addictive when you floor it

Mon Jul 23, 2012 12:48 pm

330-singh wrote:
suchy wrote:Full ss 6 branch & Scorpion (DTM) system and subtle isn't a word I'd use to descibe the sound. I like the throaty burble and resonating howl, but lots don't. Standard Bosal system takes a lot of beating also. Considered it at all?
Where can you get Bosal systems from? Directly? Or outlets?

I got mine from these folks:

http://www.leisureshack.co.uk/exhausts.aspx

Mon Jul 23, 2012 2:26 pm

Imo Scorpions arnt that loud when new.

Mon Jul 23, 2012 5:31 pm

leeparkes wrote:Imo Scorpions arnt that loud when new.

until they blow the centre box open or blow the baffles out lol.

Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:21 pm

steve_k wrote:
leeparkes wrote:Imo Scorpions arnt that loud when new.
until they blow the centre box open or blow the baffles out lol.

I think that's what had happened to the two Scorpion boxes I bought second hand.

This is all pointing me at the custom-made ss exhaust for £450 fitted, with a life-time guarantee. They use the perforated straight through pipes in their boxes, which are packed with steel wool, plus I get a choice of tail-pipe from a vast range.

Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:43 pm

Problem with custom exhaust centres is the bends are not mandrel bent they are pressure bent, which means parts of the pipe is squashed making it restrictive, you will find the car running out of breath high in the rev range.

Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:48 pm

Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:50 pm

Interesting. I'll ask them about this. I know they said they would try to take the most direct route across the bottom of the car to minimise any bends. Thanks for the advice.

Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:57 pm

I bought a 325i with a custom set up and the guy paid £500 for it, quickly sold on ebay and fitted an OEM system the difference in power was very noticable.

An old skool way to get mandrel bends is to pack the pipe with sand then bend with some heat.

Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:30 pm

Hmmm - so OEM gave a better power output than a custom SS system? Hadn't considered going back to OEM. Where would I get a complete OEM system these days?

Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:35 pm

steve_k wrote:@suchy, you can't beat it being sat at the traffic lights next to a chaved up corsa/nova/saxo etc & they sit there looking totally confused as they try & work out if you have got a V8 under the bonnet or not lol.

only problem is the noise is addictive when you floor it

The howl is addictive enough as it is!!!

Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:40 pm

One of the nicest sounding M20's i heard was Felix's Alpina with scorpion centre section with OEM rear box.

Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:43 pm

@suchy if I'm ever down Portsmouth way I'll let you know & you can hear it for yourself lol.

@lee Parkes, all the bends in my "home made" custom system are mandrel bent with no crimps in them to aid gas flow through them.