Which exhaust should I fit to my Mk1?

by Nick Challoner

The table below is a comparison of some of the various exhaust systems available in the UK for the Mk1 Toyota MR2. Most of the entries are not absolute, most figures are approximate due to variations in pricing and performance measurement, and the more subjective items are just that: subjective. Please mail any comments, corrections and suggestions to nick@challoner.com. Thanks to Alan Head, Ben Dodson, Christopher Moore, Jamie Ayres, Peter Wedge and all on the imoc-uk list for the input to date.

Toyota OEM Mild Steel Janspeed Mild Steel Janspeed Stainless Steel Magnex Stainless Steel Mongoose Stainless Steel
Cost (£approx) 350.00   350.00 325.00 335.00
Warranty 3 years? 1 year? Lifetime? Lifetime Lifetime
Build quality Average   Excellent Excellent  
Flexipipe Yes   None Yes, shorter than OEM Yes, length please?
Fitting Bolts straight on   May require slight rolling of exhaust notch in the rear valance, and slight trimming of offside rear exhaust mount (clearance for the thick triangular tailpipe support/mount is tight) May require slight adjustment of clamp which hold exhaust hanger nearest to the flexipipe section to make sure it is hanging freely without touching anything.  
Remove heat-shield under rear boot? No   No Sometimes, although adjustment of clamp holding exhaust hanger nearest to the flexipipe section should make sure exhaust is clear of the heat-shield.  
Approx power gain over OEM 0   5% Small Small
Sound - tone Not particularly sporty   Metallic and raspy at low revs, deep and resonant at high revs Deeper note than OEM Deeper note than OEM
Sound - loudness in the cruise Not particularly loud   Somewhat louder than OEM Slightly louder than OEM Slightly louder than OEM
Sound - loudness at full throttle Not particularly loud   Very loud indeed! Louder than OEM, but not deafening Similar to OEM
Trackday noise tests     102dB, so illegal for Bedford, Bruntingthorpe, Castle Coombe, Goodwood and Thruxton.    
Notes Tend to corrode away shortly after 3 year warranty has expired! Tend to corrode away shortly after 1 year warranty has expired!