Spider21

I'm relatively new to cars, but like to think I do a reasonable amount of research before proceeding with anything.
My exhaust was the final modification I had planned for my RC F.
I'm in Australia and couldn't find any options locally, so after seeing all the promising reviews on the Borla, a looked into it more seriously.
I'd previously had my stock resonators removed and the exhaust place which did it seemed very knowledgeable, mature guys, did a good job at a good price.
So prior to ordering the Borla from the US which cost me close to $3,000 AUD in hand all up, I went to see the exhaust guy and showed him the specs of the Borla on my phone and asked if he saw any reasons it would not be legal here in AUS.
At the time, he didn't seem to have any issues with it, just mentioned some guys putting 3" exhausts on their Mustangs were too loud because Borla is 2 1/2", should not be too bad.
Anyway, it was all due to be installed this morning and he rings me back after I dropped it off telling me he can't install it because there are no cats.
He will get huge fines and so will I will if caught.
I was devastated, as I went to him prior to make sure it would be ok as he is the expert, and I'd blacked out the tips ready for install.
He tried to claim that he thought the resonators may have been the cats.
I'm not experienced in this so was not sure what to check for prior, but trusted he would guide me as I told him I have to order it in from the US.

Now I have an exhaust system I can't use and don't know who I can sell it too.
I asked about modifying it, but he says the car has to have the same amount of cats from factory, which is 2 sets.
He could install the back half of the exhaust but said it would sound rubbish as the mufflers were hollow with no fibreglass.

I don't know what to do now.
He said that my car is already at the sound decibel limit with the resonator delete.
I could get a custom set up from the cats back, which would be a deeper sound, but not much louder.
I can't believe it's at the upper legal sound limit with just a resonator delete.
I'm willing to go louder as long as the components are borderline legal.

I really don't know what to do now.
Can anybody offer any suggestions please?
Can I add cats to the Borla exhaust?

Should I go to another exhaust place for a 2nd opinion?
The guy told me I could go somewhere else and they would probably install the Borla for me, but I don't want to get a heavy fine, which is said to be $25,000 for every cat removed which would be 4.

Any Aussies here with any advice based on the local laws?
Any other help or advice would be highly appreciated too.


Thanks

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

You can fit high flow cats to any third party exhaust system. See picts attached.

Lou

Spider21

Thanks Lou.

Can I fit 2 sets of cats in, as my exhaust guy says same amount of cats have to replace what was supplied to the original exhaust system.
I don't know how accurate or strict this ruling is.

LXSDO

Those are secondary cats. The primary is the main one for emissions. Those sit further up closer to the engine. Tell them it comes with 4 cats already. If it messed with emissions the car would through a check engine code. Find another shop.

Meraki Autoworks

iTrader: (8)

I've sold numerous systems to Australia, possibly find a different installer? They live in NSW.

-Josh

Spider21

Does that mean the Borla exhaust will bolt on behind the existing cats?
i.e. Will the existing cats remain and not be removed when installing the Borla system?

Hi Josh,

I'm in NSW too, Sydney.
Looks like I will have t find a different installer, but still want to understand this cats situation.
He showed me the exhaust system up on the hoist and how it would go.
It was all a bit confusing to me even though I'm quite a technical guy, this stuff with the cats is new to me.

Thanks

LXSDO

The system you bought should hook up to the primary cats and yes removing the secondary cats.

Spider21

Thank you for the confirmation.
I need to check if this is legal or not in Australia.
If not, for the pics Lou posted earlier, I can have secondary cats installed ?

I feel better now, thanks guys.

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

^^^^Yes!

Lou

Spider21

Just ran around to another exhaust place near me.
He said it would be absolutely no issue fitting the Borla.
He knew the primary cats would still be there and said I won't have to put on secondary cats.
The first exhaust guy seemed to think the cats would be completely deleted.

I asked the 2nd guy if I get pulled over and checked, will i get in trouble.
He confirmed no, because the primary cats are there and nobody would know about secondary cats if not there.

2 very different results.
And I genuinely thought the first guy was extremely professional and experienced, but just don't get his view on this particular case.
He simply said he won't touch it.

isfvss

To many do gooders in the world (which isn't getting better) just get it fitted all the VE VF commodore's with after market exhausts are in the same boat and they are more efficient with a tune go figure??

Spider21

On another note, the first exhaust guy was telling me the Borla will sound terrible and was tapping on the mufflers to show me the hollow sound they make.
He said there's no fibreglass in them.
He then showed me another muffler and it was heavy AF, which was packed with fibreglass.

Should the mufflers be packed with fibreglass to create a deep sound note?

LXSDO

Don't F with it. Leave them the way they were designed.

If that dude didn't know about emission laws and secondary cats, you trust him about fiberglass?

Spider21

The dude seems very honest and wasn't trying to sell me at all.
I think he might just not be up to date with how things are even though he presents as a very knowledgeable person.
Anyway, the Borla will be installed tomorrow morning and whatever happens after that will happen.

Will Lexus say anything about these type of exhausts at service time?

asinow

After all this, I can't wait to hear it !! Send pictures and videos please

Good luck, I hope it turns out great