All, I just picked up a used 2.5" X-cellerator exhaust (100 cell cats, single round tips) for a pretty good deal from a great 6-speed member, and wanted to post my impressions.

By way of background, my "exhuast" journey started with the stock unit, which I had for only about 5 months or so, at which point I went with a new 60 mm "quiet" speedtech twin can exhaust (200 cell cats). I found stock very un-inspiring, and was very happy with the sound and performance gains with the twin can speedtech. It had very, very, little drone, and only when I found myself driving outside the "ideal" rpm range for the selected gear. The note was great, and my only real complaint was that at WOT it was really loud, so loud that I often found myself hesitating to really get on it if there was much traffic around. All in all, however, I was really happy with this unit and was not really looking to upgrade until I read all the reviews on the x-cellerator (cross-flow) and came upon a used one that I couldn't pass up. For reference, I have not heard many other exhausts on these cars, but a buddy does have the latest generation fabspeed (which I like alot too).

Installation: Actually pretty easy because of the modular design. I re-used my old straps, and the hardest part was shaping the stock straps to fit the countours of the muffler. Everything went on and lined up as it should, the v-bands aligned everything perfectly, and I have no exhaust leaks of any kind that I can detect. If you follow the tightening order for all the sections, you are in good shape. I love the shape of the tips, they really fill out the bumper cut-outs well, and the tips are extremely easy to position and let you position them as high or low as you want. On my units, the tips were perfectly centered and it did not take any time at all to adjust.

Build Quality: I'm no expert, but the welds all seemed great. THe unit is light. I did not weigh it, but it seems much lighter even over the twin can exhaust I removed.

Support: What can I say. I did not buy directly from John, but he was still super helpful, emailing me a pdf of the instructions, and even sending some longer bolts! We exchanged many pm's, and he was super courteous, helpful, and responsive.

Sound: One word: Awesome. Cold start-up features a really cool "burble." There is no burble at idle when warmed up, but it is there in first gear, coming off throttle, for example. Cruising around at temp, the sound is very race-like, and actually very non-turbo like, as it sounds to me more like a NA exhaust (like a gt3). The note/pitch is not low, but not high pitched. It is actually very nice and smooth, and very exotic sounding. I can clearly hear the turbo spooling now, especially when driving with the windows down next to medians or walls. The best part is that at WOT, the sound is just plain awesome. It does not have that typical "someone just took an ax to a pressurized air tank" sound that so many turbo exhausts seem to have at WOT, where the engine note is dominated by the wail of rushing air. I love it. The "no drone" rpm range seems to be slightly (and I mean slightly) narrower than with my old speedtech, but it does not bother me at all. If I'm in the right gear, there is virtually no drone.

Performance: I was not expecting much of a difference in this category as I already had a performance exhaust, but I was wrong. The throttle response is clearly better, and the turbos seem to spool quicker. Seat of the pants, the car just seems to pull a bit harder now.

I am very happy. There seem to be many great exhaust options out there now (particularly, based on video's I've viewed, Markski's units, Switzer's exhausts, etc...) but I just wanted to share my impression of the speedtech x-cellerator. I plan to take a video this week and will post it up soon. Thanks John for a great product.

 

great review bro! now some videos!!!

 

I just recently ordered the 3" version. Glad to hear you like your exhaust so far.

 

Hi Scott,

I thought and hoped you would feel that way, I know I consider it a huge upgrade from our original 200 cell, twin cannister system you previously used.

The improved throttle response and spool is due to our Hi-Flow 100 cell cats - it's also the reason you hear the turbo whistle near medians.

Excellent review and very thorough - I think you touched on all the factors that combine to make this a great system to enjoy - from the ease of installation to the performance and sound attributes. I think you covered it all very well! The Ax/airtank analogy was perfect! :-)

Anyhow, I am very pleased to hear the good news. I think you will find yourself looking for more reasons to drive the car now, I know I did once this system was installed...

Thanks for the great review! and yes, it is lighter than the previous system you had...about 29 Lbs. with everything...

 

I have a custom cross-flow for sale, that sounds very similar(but louder) if anyone is interested.
No back pressure and instant turbo response even with bigger turbos !

 

It was 44 this morning in phoenix and I was driving in to work with the windows down and no music (and I just downloaded some new stuff). Did I mention I like the sound? Meeting up with a fellow 6-speeder on Friday so he can hear it too!

 

Scott,

Thanks for setting up the demo - I appreciate it.

 

I had speedtech x on my last gt2 and it was the first thing I added to my new one. Love the sound.

 

Scott was nice enough to meet with me today and take me out for a ride in his car and I must say it was one sweet-sounding exhaust note.

We first drove his car on a several mile loop and immediately jumped into mine and ran the same loop so that we could compare a few different items:

Scott: Speedtech x-cellerator, EPL Flash, 997 shifter, GT2 slave conversion, Stg 3 clutch
Ed: Stock exhaust, factory flash, stock shifter, GT2 slave conversion, stock clutch

The Speedtech exhaust sounded just great - very nice at start-up and whenever you blipped the throttle; some drone in the 2500 to 3000 RPM range with the windows up but I don't think I would have noticed it if it wasn't for the side-by-side comparison. Beautiful sound at WOT, not obnoxious at all, maybe could go for a little bit louder.

I immediately felt the improved throttle response of the EPL flash. No lag whatsover and pulls very hard starting in the low 2000 rpm range.

The shorter throws of the 997 shifter felt very natural. No noticeable increase in shifting effort.

Funny thing about the clutch feel - I felt his was lighter and he felt mine was lighter. Engagement points were noticeably different, with mine near the middle and Scott's closer to the floor.

Lots of upgrade options out there, and I like all of Scott's. The Speedtech X-cellerator makes the car sound the way it is supposed to and will be on my short-list of exhaust options.

Thanks Scott.

Ed

 

I have a speedtech 3" loud and it sounds awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWJlk...layer_embedded
2nd video is car idling with windows open
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdHUa...eature=related

 

Hey Scott,

What is it going to take to get you to come to the track for a day Waaay Tooo much fun? I'm at PIR now for the weekend...come on out for at least ride.

Tim

 

Ed...great meeting you today and talking cars! Tim, I will be out to a track day this season for sure! The pss9's are in the garage waiting to get installed...once they are on I'm there! I'll probably get them on within the next few weeks.

 

Scott,

I was going to mention to you that all you need now is a suspension and your car will be set up perfectly. I guess you already knew that :-)

Thanks again for setting up the demo.

 

That does sound pretty awesome!