Exige Stage 2 and 3 exhaust

[albert]

Hello forumers... Does a stage 3 or stage 2 sound nicer??? I mean does Stage 3 exhaust creates the burbles and pops sound too? Coz i know that Stage 2 exhaust creates burbles and pops sound... I don wanna waste my money on buying stage 2 and then stage 3 Can anyone help me? DOes anyone has a sound clip of stage 3 exhaust? Thanks

[HKFEVER]

Originally Posted by albert

Hello forumers... Does a stage 3 or stage 2 sound nicer??? I mean does Stage 3 exhaust creates the burbles and pops sound too? Coz i know that Stage 2 exhaust creates burbles and pops sound... I don wanna waste my money on buying stage 2 and then stage 3 Can anyone help me? DOes anyone has a sound clip of stage 3 exhaust? Thanks

No idea about the burbles and pops, but dealer told me that Stage 3 is very very loud.

[albert]

Does anyone has a stage 3 on their exige? PLS help...

[Vishus_1]

I have what is sometimes called the Stage 3 (in the Lotus Sport catalog) on my 260. I have had both on supercharged Exiges.

The stage 2 - originally developed for N/A cars and used on CUP cars - is much louder than the stage 3. It has a physically smaller muffler and exits into 2 tips. It certainly had more pops and burbles than the stage 3 which is a bit larger muffler.

The stage 3 is quieter - it still pops and burbles but noticably a bit less.

It all comes down to what you like. I sold my stage 2 to another forum member and he didn't like how loud it was - and instead got a stage 3 and likes it a little quieter.

[albert]

Originally Posted by Vishus_1

I have what is sometimes called the Stage 3 (in the Lotus Sport catalog) on my 260. I have had both on supercharged Exiges.

The stage 2 - originally developed for N/A cars and used on CUP cars - is much louder than the stage 3. It has a physically smaller muffler and exits into 2 tips. It certainly had more pops and burbles than the stage 3 which is a bit larger muffler.

The stage 3 is quieter - it still pops and burbles but noticably a bit less.

It all comes down to what you like. I sold my stage 2 to another forum member and he didn't like how loud it was - and instead got a stage 3 and likes it a little quieter.

But my Lotus dealer told me the higher the stage, the louder it gets... Argh!!! so stage 2 sounds nicer and louder than stage 3? Does stage 3 have a lower and heavier tone? I want an exhaust with pop sound and sharp high thin note... So which one do u recommend?

[albert]

Those that sound like an F1 and get heads turning hahaha

[Vishus_1]

At idle - both sound pretty close if not the same.

As you accellerate - the stage 2 is going to get louder quicker than the stage 3. This also results in a different level at highway and cruising speeds - apples to apples, the stage 2 will sound louder at the same RPM than stage 3. At full throttle, both are loud - this isn't a Larini or Arguay. But I still have to give the tip to the stage 2.

The pops and burbles typically occur letting off the throttle after revving or staying at a certain RPM. I assume you know this is the result of unspent fuel. Either way, since the muffler is smaller on the stage 2 - it seems to happen more frequently and stronger than the stage 3.

The downside - the stage 2 creates more resonance and can really cause thing to rattle - even more than the stage 3 already does. Also, the diameter of the pipe is different exiting the muffler itself. Some claim this can have a negative effect on the performance but I tend to disagree - the CUP cars used this long before there was ever a stage 3 and until last year offered it as a no-cost option. I don't think any of those cars suffer from a performance decline (and that is counter intuitive to what the cars are designed to do). I do think the smaller diameter after the muffler may cause a different backpressure that is more concentrated in the smaller muffle which, as a result, creates more and stronger pops and burbles than the stage 3 does.

I have compared the 2 back to back on the same car, same type etc. There are A LOT of misconceptions about these 2 exhaust. Truth is, both are fine for a supercharged car, both have their pluses and minuses - depending on what you subjectively like.

The stage 3 though is not louder than the stage 2.

[Vishus_1]

Definately not true about the higher the stage the louder it is. These weren't even called stage 3 until more commonly used by Lotus Sport recently. The name has nothing to do with it.

The stage 2 and 3, IMO, have the lowest tone at idle I have heard on the FI and NA 4 cylinder. This gets progressively louder as the RPM's increase.

If you want a high pitch the Arguay and Larini do that better. They have a bit more tinny/japanese import sound to them at full throttle. They kinda WAAAAAA in high RPM's. The best quality exhaust out there, again in my opinion, is the 2bular. There are a some custom options out there which can fine tune/taylor it to your taste. Smaller and louder muffler to larger and quieter versions. Then you can put it out the diffuser or out the back. 2bulars though don't have the reverberation and resonance the stage 2 and 3 have and are quieter through certain RPM's. But a well built muffler.

[albert]

Thanks vishus appriciate your tips... just one last question hehe... stage 2 or stage 3 produce louder sound when u start your engine? Coz i heard stage 2 before when i first went to purchase my exige and i was shock and i jumped and turned my head!!! hehe But i just wanna know if stage 3 is actually louder when u start it up

[Vishus_1]

Yeah - at start up they are both pretty much the same. It is more distinguishable than the stock exhaust - but I think any after market exhaust will likely project a different tone than stock at start up and then settle in to idle. That is just normal due to being free flowing.

[albert]

Thanks my fren... after what u told me... i am going to get the stage 2!!! wish me loving it hahaha

[LordZ]

Originally Posted by albert

Those that sound like an F1 and get heads turning hahaha

stage2 was too quiet for me. plus the bottom exit exhausts seem to drone in the cabin on those long drives. If you like the look of a rear panel delete then I'd suggest getting one of the above exit exhausts. It's louder outside the car and quieter inside.

If you want F1 sounds then get a de-cat and 2bular 4.5". 108db reving in the parking lot 0 load.

[lotusforsale]

Originally Posted by Vishus_1

I have what is sometimes called the Stage 3 (in the Lotus Sport catalog) on my 260. I have had both on supercharged Exiges.

The stage 2 - originally developed for N/A cars and used on CUP cars - is much louder than the stage 3. It has a physically smaller muffler and exits into 2 tips. It certainly had more pops and burbles than the stage 3 which is a bit larger muffler.

The stage 3 is quieter - it still pops and burbles but noticably a bit less.

It all comes down to what you like. I sold my stage 2 to another forum member and he didn't like how loud it was - and instead got a stage 3 and likes it a little quieter.

There must be some manufacturing variances in these, because your experience is not at all mine.

bull30 on here has the stage III on his S240, I have stage II on my S220. Been in his company many times, cars idling next to each other, one in front of the other on the highway, etc.

His stage III is way, way louder than my stage II. To the point that I was wondering if he'd be black flagged on a track day for exceeding decibel limits.

Also, my stage II exits into one oval tip. When I had the dealer install, he asked if I wanted one with the two tips or one.

[Vishus_1]

Originally Posted by lotusforsale

There must be some manufacturing variances in these, because your experience is not at all mine.

bull30 on here has the stage III on his S240, I have stage II on my S220. Been in his company many times, cars idling next to each other, one in front of the other on the highway, etc.

His stage III is way, way louder than my stage II. To the point that I was wondering if he'd be black flagged on a track day for exceeding decibel limits.

Also, my stage II exits into one oval tip. When I had the dealer install, he asked if I wanted one with the two tips or one.

There is so much misinformation out there about this that it is not even funny.

To clarify - what you have is what is also referred to as the stage 3. Lotus has not produced another exhaust specifically for the supercharged car except one that has a single tip.

When it was released it was called the stage 2 also - which has done nothing but confuse people. The part #'s are the same (stage 2 with single tip and what is also called stage 3). They are made by Janspeed - who happened to make the 2nd version of the NA stage 2 (which has 2 tips) - this NA stage 2 is a very different muffler than the supercharged stage 2/3. The NA stage 2 has a smaller muffler, is lighter, and has a smaller diameter pipe exiting the muffler into two tips that sit flush with the diffuser.

This NA stage 2 muffler can be fitted to a supercharged car - it technically fits - and is what the older CUP cars used to run. This is what I am referring to above as a stage 2 - the NA version with 2 tips.

I can only explain the difference you have noticed being between the different 240 and 220 tunes. It would be better to do apples to apples - meaning compare a stage 2 or stage 3 on a 220 with another on a 220. There are also other variables that affect the sound - like intake, snorkel, air filter, GOTHAM, etc.

Again - I assure you if you have a single tip then you have what Lotus Sport now calls a stage 3 in their catalog - the part #'s are the same.

[lotusforsale]

Originally Posted by Vishus_1

There is so much misinformation out there about this that it is not even funny.

To clarify - what you have is what is also referred to as the stage 3. Lotus has not produced another exhaust specifically for the supercharged car except one that has a single tip.

When it was released it was called the stage 2 also - which has done nothing but confuse people. The part #'s are the same (stage 2 with single tip and what is also called stage 3). They are made by Janspeed - who happened to make the 2nd version of the NA stage 2 (which has 2 tips) - this NA stage 2 is a very different muffler than the supercharged stage 2/3. The NA stage 2 has a smaller muffler, is lighter, and has a smaller diameter pipe exiting the muffler into two tips that sit flush with the diffuser.

I can only explain the difference you have noticed being between the different 240 and 220 tunes. It would be better to do apples to apples - meaning compare a stage 2 or stage 3 on a 220 with another on a 220. There are also other variables that affect the sound - like intake, snorkel, air filter, GOTHAM, etc.

Again - I assure you if you have a single tip then you have what Lotus Sport now calls a stage 3 in their catalog - the part #'s are the same.

Indeed. A great deal of confusion. bull30 goes to Lotus dealer, orders Stage 3, and gets what he gets. I go to Lotus dealer, order stage 2, and got what I got. Are you saying that because they are both single tip, they are actually the same exhaust? Because they are not.

[Vishus_1]

Originally Posted by lotusforsale

Indeed. A great deal of confusion. bull30 goes to Lotus dealer, orders Stage 3, and gets what he gets. I go to Lotus dealer, order stage 2, and got what I got. Are you saying that because they are both single tip, they are actually the same exhaust? Because they are not.

Yes - they are if they are both single tipped Lotus exhausts (unless one of you have the stock supercharged exhaust still in place) - the part # for the single tipped Lotus exhaust is LOTAC05450 - again the naming of it is called stage 2 and stage 3 - there is no other single tipped exhaust Lotus offers except for the stock exhaust.

The part # is actually etched into the muffler if there is any question.

The 2 tipped stage 2 is LOTAC05335. The only other exhaust option out there is called the stage 1 - and it is huge and almost as quiet as the stock exhaust (for NA cars)

[albert]

Guys... i am confuse again... so mine is a s240, so should i get 2 tips or single tip for the stage 2 to have a louder sound? because as i know stage 3 is single tip.

[albert]

Also... why does lotus made an exhaust specially for SC Exige??? What is the differences? Does stage 3 exhaust sound differently on a SC compared to a N/A??? I am confuse now

[albert]

Also... i read in some forum and they called it stage 3 for Lotus exhaust but stage 2 for Exige S. i am more confuse now... i need help

[Vishus_1]

I will do my best to clarify...

Stage 1 - two tips that protrude strait out the back. Very big - almost like stock in appearance and sound to standard NA exhaust. part # LOTAC05334

This is only for NA cars and has a mild sound enhancement

Here is where things get complicated...

Stage 2 - has 2 tips that sit level with the diffuser. Smallest and lightest exhaust Lotus offers at this time. Also the loudest. part # LOTAC05335

This exhaust was originally developed for the normally aspirated engine but was also used on supercharged Exige Cup cars up till 2009 - even the Cup 255 offered this very exhaust as a no cost option (without cat though). Original stage 2 exhausts suffered from weld issues that caused cracks at certain points but Lotus changed manufacturers and current versions are now built by Janspeed. The Janspeed versions do not suffer from the same weld problems and are generally trouble free.

Stage 3 - has 1 tip that sit level with the diffuser. Also built by Janspeed and slightly larger muffler than stage 2 and slightly quieter. part # LOTAC05450

Lotus designed this specifically for the supercharged cars - primarily to tone down the resonance and loud sound db's of the NA Stage 2. When this exhaust came out in early 2007 - the Exige S was already for sale in the US for a few months before - and this exhaust was called the Supercharged stage 2. The diameter of the pipe connecting to the cat is the same as the NA stage 2 (and stage 1 for that matter - it really has to be to be able to fit). What is different (other than the size of the muffler and sound baffling) is the diameter of the pipe exiting the muffler to the tip is the same (2.5 in) diameter as the inlet. Some argue this is important for a supercharged car to breathe. Some argue there is no difference at this point in the exhaust system - especially with the bend needed to get through the diffuser anyway.

Ever since 2005 there had been rumors of a stage 3 kit in the planning stages that also included some kind of intake and filter enhancement - even pictures were circulated at one point of this system - but it never was distributed by Lotus. So to add another layer to all this confusion - some people who were involved with Lotus then think of this when they hear stage 3. It really hasn't been until recently that this single tipped exhaust was called stage 3. The first reference to it as a stage 3 was in the Lotus Sport accessory catalog. It seems now that a new one just came out and they are continuing with calling it a stage 3 that it is sticking. So no matter what, at this point if you have a single tip, non standard, Lotus exhaust - you have the stage 3.

Albert, to answer your question about

why does lotus make an exhaust specially for SC Exige??? What is the differences? Does stage 3 exhaust sound differently on a SC compared to a N/A??? I am confuse now

--

They made it to tone down the resonance and sound for a supercharged car rather than what the NA stage 2 produced. Lotus took the opportunity to ensure the larger diameter pipe exited the muffler as well.

And yes, fitting a stage 3 to a NA car will cause it to produce a slightly different sound but it shouldn't be radically different. The normally aspirated engine's 2nd cam (when standard) kicks in differently than a supercharged car (who's 2nd cam variably kicks in throughout the RPM's instead of all at once). The FI in the intake and breathability differences between a NA and supercharged car also affect the sound.

Bottom line -

• Fitting a NA stage 2 (with dual tips) to a supercharged car can be done (as I said it was fitted to the CUP cars up till 2008) but it is going to be LOUD and produce a great deal of in cabin resonance. So Lotusforsale, if you want the loudest Lotus exhaust you want the stage 2 # LOTAC05335
• Fitting a stage 1, 2, or 3 exhaust (or any exhaust for that matter) will not enhance HP. Even if it did help - the ECU would compensate for that enhancement and adjust out the improvement.
• Stage 3 has a single tip - if you have a single tip exhaust by Lotus that isn't the stock exhaust then you have a stage 3. When it was released this was also known as the stage 2 exhaust but now Lotus Sport seems to be continuing with calling it a stage 3.
• Having a custom ECU tune, LSD, intake, filter and snorkle modifications will change the loudness of the exhaust. You can't easily compare cars that have differences in these areas.

Sorry it is so long but I hope this helps clear up some confusion