Update on my GHL Catback Exhaust installation: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
05-19-2003, 10:15 AM
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Update on my GHL Catback Exhaust installation: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
<b>The Good:</b>
Power/Torque! Very noticeable. Good "GO" in lower-mid RPM's. My "But" dyno gauge estimates about 10-15 HP & somewhere the same for torque. Has a nice pull now, more responsive. But you can tell it is quickly exhausted (pun intended) for this stock turbo, as it gets up there. I definitely need a turbo kit upgrade now.
<b>The Bad & The Ugly:</b>
<u>Regarding Downpipe</u>;
1a) The hole in the tranny connection bracket was not big enough for the OEM bolt/holder piece.
b) The tranny bracket also did not fit correctly to the mounting point; it had to be bent to the side for the bolt. But it was still not perfectly lined up after that.
c) No downpipe gasket supplied. (Not sure if this is such an issue, but it was noted that when the new OEM gasket was fitted to the end of the downpipe; the inner edge of the downpipe connection (--> cat) had a slight radius to it and the gaskets inner edge was not flush with this. Could create turbulence).
<u>Regarding Tips</u>;
2a) Tips could not be centered in opening moving side to side. There is no way to space them apart from each other. They move together side to side, so either they sit tight to the inside (as in my case) or would sit further to the outside edge.
b) The finish in the tips is very messy and looks bad. Even though it will get black inside. It still looks bad. I have all SS tips on another car and it looks fine when wiped down (no finish on it).
c) Tips are uneven as to how far they stick out; the right tip is out further then the left one by about 1/2".
3) Tech noted that the finish on the center resonator looked a little rushed. But overall, a good finish. Some imperfections on the rear of the muffler.
In conclusion; the outside sound was a little bit of a letdown- it was pretty quiet. Not that I wanted a loud exhaust. But the sound [tonality] of it was,.. how do I word it.... weak and high pitched. It didn't have that low, throaty growl I was used to with another exhaust system. It's sort of more "Honda-ish" IMO. It sounds ok when you open it up full throtle, but it is a little "whiny". Also, the tips seemed so "huge" at first. But I have grown to like them now. They suit the opening of the Oettinger rear skirt.
So now I am left with the choice to return it for a full refund (already spent the $$ on labor to install it) and pick another one to have installed at the time I remove it to ship back (since my OEM is gone and I do not want to pay twice more for labor). Or perhaps wait and have them ship me another one- guaranteed that it will be perfect. Does this **** ever end? This car has been the biggest disappointment for me with regards to aftermarket mods. What a let down.
And now onto the pictures. "Bandwidth Friendly". Just click on the thumbnails to view a larger image.
<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1732.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1732.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1731.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1731.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1733.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1733.t.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1734.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1734.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1729.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1729.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1730.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1730.t.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1736.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1736.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1737.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1737.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1739.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1739.t.jpg"></a>
Power/Torque! Very noticeable. Good "GO" in lower-mid RPM's. My "But" dyno gauge estimates about 10-15 HP & somewhere the same for torque. Has a nice pull now, more responsive. But you can tell it is quickly exhausted (pun intended) for this stock turbo, as it gets up there. I definitely need a turbo kit upgrade now.
<b>The Bad & The Ugly:</b>
<u>Regarding Downpipe</u>;
1a) The hole in the tranny connection bracket was not big enough for the OEM bolt/holder piece.
b) The tranny bracket also did not fit correctly to the mounting point; it had to be bent to the side for the bolt. But it was still not perfectly lined up after that.
c) No downpipe gasket supplied. (Not sure if this is such an issue, but it was noted that when the new OEM gasket was fitted to the end of the downpipe; the inner edge of the downpipe connection (--> cat) had a slight radius to it and the gaskets inner edge was not flush with this. Could create turbulence).
<u>Regarding Tips</u>;
2a) Tips could not be centered in opening moving side to side. There is no way to space them apart from each other. They move together side to side, so either they sit tight to the inside (as in my case) or would sit further to the outside edge.
b) The finish in the tips is very messy and looks bad. Even though it will get black inside. It still looks bad. I have all SS tips on another car and it looks fine when wiped down (no finish on it).
c) Tips are uneven as to how far they stick out; the right tip is out further then the left one by about 1/2".
3) Tech noted that the finish on the center resonator looked a little rushed. But overall, a good finish. Some imperfections on the rear of the muffler.
In conclusion; the outside sound was a little bit of a letdown- it was pretty quiet. Not that I wanted a loud exhaust. But the sound [tonality] of it was,.. how do I word it.... weak and high pitched. It didn't have that low, throaty growl I was used to with another exhaust system. It's sort of more "Honda-ish" IMO. It sounds ok when you open it up full throtle, but it is a little "whiny". Also, the tips seemed so "huge" at first. But I have grown to like them now. They suit the opening of the Oettinger rear skirt.
So now I am left with the choice to return it for a full refund (already spent the $$ on labor to install it) and pick another one to have installed at the time I remove it to ship back (since my OEM is gone and I do not want to pay twice more for labor). Or perhaps wait and have them ship me another one- guaranteed that it will be perfect. Does this **** ever end? This car has been the biggest disappointment for me with regards to aftermarket mods. What a let down.
And now onto the pictures. "Bandwidth Friendly". Just click on the thumbnails to view a larger image.
<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1732.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1732.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1731.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1731.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1733.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1733.t.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1734.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1734.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1729.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1729.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1730.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1730.t.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1736.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1736.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1737.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1737.t.jpg"></a> <a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1739.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/117_1739.t.jpg"></a>
05-19-2003, 10:25 AM
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The AMS exhaust (mufflers) are looking better everytime, esp after seeing/hearing it in person twice
Too bad its so damn expensive for just 2 mufflers rather than a full cat-back system.
05-19-2003, 10:31 AM
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Yes, it should be a "catback" system for that price...
BTW, how much is it?
I have also heard some negative things about ABT exhaust; something about relabeled tips from another manufacturer,...? Not sure. But I saw the rear section at AMS and it looked pretty nice. Nothing out of the ordinary. But clean nonetheless. My top two choices are APR and Neuspeed. This is a tough choice. I can't find one that has everything I want.
I have also heard some negative things about ABT exhaust; something about relabeled tips from another manufacturer,...? Not sure. But I saw the rear section at AMS and it looked pretty nice. Nothing out of the ordinary. But clean nonetheless. My top two choices are APR and Neuspeed. This is a tough choice. I can't find one that has everything I want.
05-19-2003, 10:49 AM
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From your description Darryl, I'd send it back.
Ever consider the Oettinger system? I know the rear sections fit immaculate on a 3.0 and sound perfect... The 1.8T system has a center option as well.
If the tips on the GHL look like *** and it bothers you, try something else.
If the tips on the GHL look like *** and it bothers you, try something else.
05-19-2003, 11:41 AM
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I agree... it's just such a 'pita'. Now I have to get another one right away.. out of pocket $$
The Oettinger is expensive though.... and not sure if it was a catback system.... I called CEC and supposedly it has a downpipe too. Around $1800 complete from them. OUCH! Plus, it was a bit "plain" looking with the tips. I am just having a hard time finding something I like. Thinking APR or Neuspeed right now.
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05-19-2003, 11:44 AM
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No. Right now, it is a return for a full refund....
Mine was the first production run for that GB. They are waiting to hear back from other customers as well. I could ask for a replacement, but not sure I want to.
I do not have a sound recorder.
I do not have a sound recorder.
05-19-2003, 11:45 AM
#9
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thanks for the update.... (more)
have you talked with darin45 yet, did he run into the same issues as you had? i don't recall him posting any negative feedback about the exhaust, is it possible that you may have got one that was manufactured too quickly, hence the imperfections? mine gets installed friday, i haven't had a chance to see it yet but i am going to look for the things you described above before i even put it on. have you called GHL yet and voiced your concerns?? if so what was their response?
