Replacement for Stage II - LotusTalk

jimmyhoffa · 04-19-2009, 02:30 PM

I'm looking for a replacement for my Stage II. I like the sound but the drone is making my ears bleed on long drives. I'm looking for something that still has a deeper sound but hopefully less drone. Any recommendations? I have heard great things about 2bular and am also considering a Larini 6" since it's supposed to be a little quieter.

VisualEchos · 04-19-2009, 02:36 PM

Larini SE.

Phil S · 04-19-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyhoffa

I'm looking for a replacement for my Stage II. I like the sound but the drone is making my ears bleed on long drives. I'm looking for something that still has a deeper sound but hopefully less drone. Any recommendations? I have heard great things about 2bular and am also considering a Larini 6" since it's supposed to be a little quieter.

I agree. The stage two is too loud. I also would like something more agressive than stock but, not as noisey as the stage II. Looking for a more mature sound.

Cheers..........Phil

jimmyhoffa · 04-20-2009, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VisualEchos

Larini SE.

Does the Larini SE drone at highway speeds (4k-5k RPM) or does it settle down when light on the gas? I do like the fact that it's a direct bolt on as I prefer through the diffuser exit. However I don't see a sound clip on sector's site. I also didn't see one on Youtube except cars that have decat. Anyone have one?

When you say SE do you mean:

or this:

The_Bishop · 04-20-2009, 08:04 PM

Ross:

The SE is the one I'm currently running - shown in your second photo above.

I had the VonHep on my car last year and the SE drones much less than that - almost to a civilized state, on the highway. I would say that the VonHep would be similar to the StageII, drone-factor wise, but I was runing it cat-less. Also, with my PPE, I have a nice tone-type resonance at just under 4K rpm with the Larini SE - it's not intrusive, just nice. It goes away above and below that speed which equates to about 80mph. I think the Larini(s) have a great sound, personally.

If you want to try out the VonHep, you are welcome to borrow mine for a while. You'd just have to take the country jaunt up to PA and in about 3hrs on a Sat, I could have your stageII of and the VH on in time for a nice drive around my area. You would just need to get a VH or similar rear panel eliminator for the interim. I know you said you didn't want the rear panel delete look, but for the sake of trying out the exhaust, you could always sell it when you were through. - just some thoughts.

- Allen.

jimmyhoffa · 04-21-2009, 04:10 AM

Thanks Allen. If I went with the side exit, I would probably just cut the hole through (or get the hole cut). I haven't read much about VonHep but will think about it.

Conan · 04-21-2009, 04:22 AM

I recently installed the Larini 8" can muffler. Notice I put on a decat pipe, too. If you keep the cat, I can guarantee it will be quieter than the stage II.

jimmyhoffa · 04-21-2009, 09:07 AM

Do you have any sound clips Conan?

Mr. Know · 04-21-2009, 09:15 AM

Did you have the Stage II installed yourself or was it on the car when you purchased it? If you purchased the car used, there is a good chance it was decatted (or recatted), which would lead to greater volume and drone with the Stage II. Might be something to investigate, unless you know for certain it has a stock cat on it.

MattG · 04-21-2009, 10:39 AM

It's been years since I've ridden in a car with a Stage 2, but from what I remember, the drone is a lot worse in that than with my Von Hep. I DID have a very bad around-town drone at low rpms when first installed, more of an intake drone though and putting the stock intake in (desnorkeled) fixed that (had a ForcedFed intake before).

jimmyhoffa · 04-21-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Know

Did you have the Stage II installed yourself or was it on the car when you purchased it? If you purchased the car used, there is a good chance it was decatted (or recatted), which would lead to greater volume and drone with the Stage II. Might be something to investigate, unless you know for certain it has a stock cat on it.

I bought the car used so that's a good question. I never thought of checking. I did have the Stage II replaced under warranty but they never mentioned anything about a decat or sport cat.

Conan · 04-21-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyhoffa

Do you have any sound clips Conan?

Not yet. I'll try to get some. It's tough in my current situation (extended stay hotel, don't have all my gadgets).

04-19-2009, 02:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
jimmyhoffa Noble #104 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sykesville, MD Posts: 295	Replacement for Stage II I'm looking for a replacement for my Stage II. I like the sound but the drone is making my ears bleed on long drives. I'm looking for something that still has a deeper sound but hopefully less drone. Any recommendations? I have heard great things about 2bular and am also considering a Larini 6" since it's supposed to be a little quieter. __________________ 2006 Noble M400 2006 Arctic Silver Elise (Sold)

04-19-2009, 02:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
VisualEchos Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,015 Images: 3	Larini SE. __________________ My Car

04-20-2009, 08:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
The_Bishop POWR2W8 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 468 Images: 1	Ross: The SE is the one I'm currently running - shown in your second photo above. I had the VonHep on my car last year and the SE drones much less than that - almost to a civilized state, on the highway. I would say that the VonHep would be similar to the StageII, drone-factor wise, but I was runing it cat-less. Also, with my PPE, I have a nice tone-type resonance at just under 4K rpm with the Larini SE - it's not intrusive, just nice. It goes away above and below that speed which equates to about 80mph. I think the Larini(s) have a great sound, personally. If you want to try out the VonHep, you are welcome to borrow mine for a while. You'd just have to take the country jaunt up to PA and in about 3hrs on a Sat, I could have your stageII of and the VH on in time for a nice drive around my area. You would just need to get a VH or similar rear panel eliminator for the interim. I know you said you didn't want the rear panel delete look, but for the sake of trying out the exhaust, you could always sell it when you were through. - just some thoughts. - Allen. __________________ S/N:34090 Mag. Blue/Biscuit, Touring, HT, 5000K HIDs, PPE/Larini SE.

04-21-2009, 04:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
jimmyhoffa Noble #104 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sykesville, MD Posts: 295	Thanks Allen. If I went with the side exit, I would probably just cut the hole through (or get the hole cut). I haven't read much about VonHep but will think about it. __________________ 2006 Noble M400 2006 Arctic Silver Elise (Sold)

04-21-2009, 04:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
Conan with future lotus driver Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,073 Images: 24	I recently installed the Larini 8" can muffler. Notice I put on a decat pipe, too. If you keep the cat, I can guarantee it will be quieter than the stage II. __________________ Yes, it IS my real name. No, I don't look like him. I'm Polish. Polish barbarians are skinny nerds. 2006 BRG Lotus Elise (broken), 2009 Honda Fit (gas miser), 2007 Honda Odyssey (the wife's)

04-21-2009, 09:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
jimmyhoffa Noble #104 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sykesville, MD Posts: 295	Do you have any sound clips Conan? __________________ 2006 Noble M400 2006 Arctic Silver Elise (Sold)

04-21-2009, 09:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 3,350 Images: 6	Did you have the Stage II installed yourself or was it on the car when you purchased it? If you purchased the car used, there is a good chance it was decatted (or recatted), which would lead to greater volume and drone with the Stage II. Might be something to investigate, unless you know for certain it has a stock cat on it. __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S Join the Blue Lotus Team on Facebook.

04-21-2009, 10:39 AM	#10 (permalink)
MattG insert clever title here Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Living above the clouds in Colorado Posts: 7,676 Images: 11	It's been years since I've ridden in a car with a Stage 2, but from what I remember, the drone is a lot worse in that than with my Von Hep. I DID have a very bad around-town drone at low rpms when first installed, more of an intake drone though and putting the stock intake in (desnorkeled) fixed that (had a ForcedFed intake before). __________________ '05 Elise, Magnetic Blue / Biscuit / Hardtop / http://eliseinfo.com Radar detector mounting brackets for sale here

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