I go to a lot of trouble to ensure my exhaust products fit first time and indeed, are fit for purpose. The UK Sale of Goods Act is a very comprehensive piece of legislation. Google it. It might help some of you in your fight with other exhaust manufacturers. In the past four years, I’ve had five exhaust breakages reported to me – all on the Toyota 2zz-ge motor cars. Two were my own stupid fault and were replaced free of charge.  The others? Read on …

Lotus has fitted very soft engine/transmission mounts to these cars. Combined with their usual rigid exhaust mounts, this means an 8Kg exhaust has to resist 200Kg trying to push it out of the rear of the car. Check out this video.

Lotus Elise Exige S R 211 Engine Damper Comparison Video

Owners who like to track their car are strongly advised to fit stiffer engine/transmission mounts because although these breakages have only happened three times, that’s three times too many for me (and the owners, I’m sure).

For some time now, I’ve offered to repair any exhaust of mine which has been damaged in a trackday “off”. Usually, it’s torn brackets, squashed tips etc. However, I sometimes see this damage. This is what can happen to your exhaust innards when you have an “off” on a trackday in a 2zz-ge car.

The huge engine/transmission deflection exerts a twisting/bending motion to the Cat end of the exhaust, tearing the perforated inner core pipe away from the silencer end-plates. In some cases the Cat itself is fractured too. Look in the rear-view mirror. Is your 2zz-ge engine flapping around? Extreme engine movement, especially on tuned installs, can also damage your exhaust. I make exceedingly robust exhausts but I can’t/won’t cover you for this – please be aware of that.