However, while most 2+2s like BMW’s 3 Series and Ford’s Mustang are built for lightning-fast acceleration and stump-pulling torque, GR86s are built for handling. That means in order for a GR86 aftermarket exhaust system to be effective, it has to be tuned to do its best breathing when it’s time to shove out of a curve. Sydney’s XForce knows precisely where the sweet spot in the GR86’s torque range is located, and it’s no surprise that their exhaust systems excel at allowing these coupes to do what they do best even better.

XForce Builds Exhausts Made For Top Notch GR86 Handling

For more than twenty years, XForce has been at the forefront of manufacturing high flow exhaust systems for some of the highest performance vehicles sold in Australia. They’re especially proud of their lineup of premium Toyota 86 aftermarket exhaust systems though, as they’re proof that when it comes to rear-wheel drive cars that are built for handling, top notch exhaust tuning is more about suitability than it is about size.

XForce systems are designed to fit all First and Second Generation GR86/BRZ models from 2012 – 2026, and for use with all of their 4U-GSE/FA20 2.0 litre, and FA24 2.4 litre powerplants. High performance boxer motors like these are synonymous with superior balance and exceptionally smooth operation, making them ideal candidates for low restriction exhaust systems based on attributes that include:

• Superior exhaust scavenging. Scavenging is the process where the vacuum created by spent gases, travelling from high pressure to low pressure inside the system, are helping to draw the next charges of fuel and fresh air into the motor.
• Increased exhaust velocity. As a result of the Venturi Effect, the velocity of spent gases naturally increases as they’re forced through differing diameter pipes in the system. This increase in exhaust velocity inherently increases the rate of scavenging.
• Reduced exhaust backpressure. Backpressure, either as the result of an internal obstruction or poor system construction, is the chief cause of poor exhaust performance. Reducing backpressure aides performance while also improving fuel efficiency.

XForce is an industry leader in exhaust design because they understand premium performance means delivering the best scavenging and exhaust velocities with the least amount of backpressure. That’s why their GR86 exhaust systems are dynotuned specifically to match the ultra-quick ramp-ups in low-end torque these sport coupes need to hit apex edges late and hard, but still have plenty of power to spare on the exit. 

Keeping the power in the sweet spot is what XForce exhausts do better than anyone else – and the more aggressively a GR86 or BRZ driver lays into the throttle in the curves, the more power they can expect an XForce system to deliver.

GR86 Exhaust Configurations Made For Versatility and Flexibility 

Make no mistake: while the superior flow dynamics of XForce’s Toyota 86 aftermarket exhaust products are proof of their ability to perform, their workmanship is arguably their best quality. Durable, mandrel-bent 304 stainless steel tubing is the lightweight starting point for all of their GR86 systems, with TIG-welded joints and flanges providing the solid sealing capacity needed to maintain superior exhaust velocity while eliminating the risk of leaks due to weakened or stressed joints.

XForce’s GR86/BRZ collection also doesn’t sacrifice versatility or flexibility. Their headerback and catback systems are available for any naturally aspirated, or turbo or supercharged First or Second Generation GR86 setup, and come in a selection of fully ADR (Australian Design Rule) compliant configurations with the following options:

• A choice of either 2.5” or 3.0” brushed system tubing.
• Availability with or without drone canister or centre hot dog resonator.
• A 200-cell high-flow catalytic converter with mesh-style connector flange.
• A choice of high flow centre, dual rear resonator, or one of XForce’s own electronically adjustable mufflers.
• A choice of 4.5” single or dual outlet polished stainless steel, matte black or blue burnt coated exhaust tips.

The straightforward exhaust routing of RWD cars, together with the Toyota’s and the Subaru’s excellent underside clearance, also lend themselves well to installing XForce systems. They have no impact on whether an owner is using equal or unequal length headers, and are able to make full use of factory mounting points with no problems, including mounting provisions suitable for XForce’s industry-leading tunable muffler, the Varex.

Varex Mufflers Let GR86 Owners Fine Tune Their Backpressure

While valve-actuated, automatically controlled and electronically regulated exhaust mufflers have been on the market for decades, true driver-activated mufflers that didn’t include long steel cables or unpredictable ECU management have been difficult to engineer. Pure performance mufflers like XForce’s Varex family have set a new standard for driver controllable mufflers, including a multi-modal version for sport coupes like the GR86 that are perfect for reducing unwanted backpressure when carving through the twists and turns.

The Varex’s SmartBox controller connects directly to the muffler’s butterfly valve control and is powered through the GR86’s OBD2. This simple setup allows drivers to remotely control the opening and closing of the valve via smartphone, and can be adjusted according to any of the following settings:

• Any default FULL CLOSE, 25%, 50%, 75%, or FULL OPEN valve position;
• Any custom position based on engine RPM, throttle position or speed reading;
• Any custom position based on desired exhaust noise level; or,
• Any custom geographic location based on track, street or highway location.

With a Varex muffler, GR86 owners can fine tune their exhaust’s backpressure, as well as its sound to match their driving conditions. They’re the perfect choice for a family of sports cars that deliver their best performance where restrictions are least desirable. 

The Final Word

At the end of the day, what GR86s and BRZs lack in brute strength and acceleration they make up for in handling savvy. They’re engineered to handle curves and corners with surgical precision, and the best aftermarket exhausts for them need to be engineered to deliver power when and and where in the power curve it’s likely to be needed the most.

XForce’s premium lineup of 86 aftermarket exhaust systems are the key to maximising their potential on winding roads. They provide the added breathing room these boxer-motored coupes need to deliver their best performance. 

The post Discover XForce’s Toyota 86 Aftermarket Exhaust: An Investment Worth Making appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Why Consider an Aftermarket LandCruiser Exhaust?

The 300 series has a huge selection of interior and exterior OE accessories straight from the dealer, but exhausts aren’t one of them. That’s a shame because you don’t get to fully enjoy all the 300-plus horses in the new V6 diesel. Or the added torque over the outgoing model despite the reduction in cylinder count. Most of that gets lost in the narrow labyrinth that slithers under the car, causing restrictions in exhaust flow, increased engine stress with higher pressures and temperatures, and the inability of the diesel powerplant to take its next breath. This is also evident in older turbocharged engines, especially the 4.5-litre V8 diesel in the 200 and the 4.2-litre V6 in the 100 series.

Going with an aftermarket Landcruiser exhaust brings a heap of benefits, regardless of badge, series or fuel type:

• Increased power – wider and straighter piping means more efficient combustion and the ability to produce more horsepower. Conservative estimates average between 5 and 10 per cent over stock numbers, or for the 300 series, an additional 30hp.
• Wider power band – peak power is spread across a wider range, with increased torque and higher redlines too. This is more tangible from earlier on, and well into higher revs.
• Lower fuel use – the diesels can get thirsty (15L/100km combined isn’t uncommon), but with improved combustion and exhaust flow that aftermarket exhausts provide, you’ll be saving at the bowser, and doing your part in emissions reductions too.
• Longevity – aftermarket and performance systems are better made, include stronger materials and should last in more demanding driving. Coatings and metal treatment allow for higher temperatures, more strength on impact and rust resistance when driving through water or mud.
• Less weight – the improved materials are not only stronger, they’re lighter too. For a big car like the LandCruiser, you’ll be seeing weight savings of 20 kilos or more. And with less weight comes better performance and agility, especially when off-road.
• Better sound – muffler and resonator setups can fine-tune the exhaust note as you like. ‘Quiet’, ‘normal’ and ‘loud’ systems are available.
• Customisation – buyers can choose from several ‘complete’ configurations, or parts that improve exhaust flow, durability and style in different sections within the piping.

Choosing What’s Right for Your LandCruiser

There’s a dizzying selection of options when it comes to aftermarket systems made to fit the LandCruiser. To get the results you expect, consider the following:

Engine Compatibility

This one’s straightforward, but pair the right system with the right engine. This means choosing between exhausts for diesel and petrol engines, and whether they’re aspirated or turbocharged. Manifolds also must match the cylinder count.

Pipe Sizes

Pipes come in 2.5, 3 and 3.5-inch diameters, depending on the engine and power output in stock form and expected performance gains. 3-inch variants are a good balance between combustion efficiency, optimal exhaust velocity, and power gains. Going wider slightly reduces the effect of exhaust scavenging. However, you do get more top-end power and a linear power curve, at the expense of low-end torque.

Materials and Build

Much of the price differences are determined by the choice of metals and how the exhaust is built and assembled. Choose full stainless steel tubing if you’re after strength, corrosion resistance and durability. There are cost savings when going with aluminised steel (used primarily in the mufflers), but this won’t last long if you’re pushing the LandCrusier through water, gravel, or mud. Tips can be optioned in a range of materials and finishes, from chrome to carbon fibre, and often in larger diameters than the rest of the tubing for a subtle visual effect.

If cash isn’t an issue, then go with high-end brands that swap steel for titanium or Inconel. Titanium shaves off a lot of weight, is tougher than steel and holds up better to corrosion. For even more performance, an Inconel LandCruiser exhaust system handles much higher pressure and temperatures than steel and offers the best weight savings, but can also cost upwards of 5 figures.

Systems and parts are produced either by hand, with meticulous workmanship going into every detail, or using advanced production methods centring around casting, welding and CNC machining to deliver tight tolerances in each component. The majority of systems are of the modular type, meaning parts can be mixed and matched to meet specific performance and efficiency goals.

The Sound You’re After

Quiet LandCruiser exhausts have mufflers and resonators that drone out more of the sound waves using specially designed perforated baffles and more insulative materials. Buyers can also opt for a louder and full-bodied sound by going with straight pipes, high-flow cats, and wider tubing throughout. Valving is also an option.

Brands and Prices

Dozens of brands make complete exhaust systems and parts for new and older LandCruiser models. Avoid cheaper imports, despite the lower prices. They often miss out on warranties and have frequently proven to be unreliable. Local brands with a wide selection of Toyota off-roading accessories promise better performance and more durability for a few dollars more. But the best option for both performance and value is local exhaust specialists. And here too there are quite a few respected names to choose from.

The post Reasons to Get a Performance Exhaust for Your LandCruiser and How to Choose appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Although a DPF was first used in a 1985 300D Mercedes, the requirement for every diesel vehicle to have one as a mandatory component didn’t come until 2009. This made it illegal for manufacturers to make diesel vehicles such as the Hilux without a DPF but it also made people venture more into making the most out of this new part. A DPF, much like an ashtray needs to be emptied – the ash being the soot that accumulates over time causing all sorts of issues if it blocks the filter.

Source: Motor.onehowto

How Do I Know If My DPF Filter Is Bad?

When a DPF is going bad or getting clogged you will hear the engine note change and cooling fans start to run more aggressively. Your Hilux will have a slightly increased idle speed and fuel consumption too while a hot acrid smell will be coming from the exhaust. This isn’t a bad thing though, it just means that your DPF Hilux is going through a process known as active regeneration.

Source: Pmmonline

Active Regeneration

This process happens when your Hilux’s ECU (engine control unit) detects that the DPF is getting full of soot and thus starts injecting extra fuel into the engine so that it raises the temperature. By raising the temperature inside the engine, active regeneration is triggered which takes about 15 minutes – usually enough time to burn the soot off the filter. If this process were to be interrupted your vehicle would encounter certain issues, otherwise the process itself shouldn’t affect the operation of the vehicle since its designed to take place whilst you’re using it.

Active regeneration usually happens when you’re vehicle has passed anywhere between 320 km and 480 km. The speed of the moving vehicle usually needs to be above 60 km/h for this process to take place and you should be on the motorway so it’s continuous too. Your DPF Hilux will alert you when this process is about to happen with an orange warning light. If you were to ignore the warning light on your dashboard the vehicle would usually continue into what is known as “limp” mode. Sometimes this mode can be activated by other factors too but you’ll know when its because of an incomplete regeneration process since your vehicle will be super active during it. There’s also another type of process called passive regeneration that is far more convenient.

Passive Regeneration

By convenience I mean less work on your side and more on the vehicle itself. Whilst passive regeneration also needs to take place on the motorway, it isn’t as demanding as active regeneration. If you are someone who is frequently driving your Hilux in the city it is wise to take it for a solid 30 to 50 minute spin on an A-road when you can. This will help clear the filter off any soot and it rids you from having to do an active regeneration whenever your vehicle needs it.

Passive regeneration happens on your own accord which in a way is better since it rids your filter too, from the soot that will otherwise stay inside it for longer. Active regeneration can significantly dilute the engine oil during what are known as the post-injection cycles which is why passive regeneration is preferred. Whilst this can vary from one make and model to another it is best to avoid it as much as you can.

Source: Particulatefiltercleaning

DPF Cleaning

If a blocked DPF is not getting unclogged by active nor passive regeneration DPF cleaning needs to happen. This is the most effective way to clean your Hilux DPF filter and it’s done with the help of a process called flash cleaning. Not only does flash cleaning remove built-up soot and exhaust residue but it also helps increase economy and performance. Flash cleaning is capable of completely removing PM10 residue trapped in the filter as well as cerium and oil. To maintain the safety of the filter the best route is to go with a flash cleaning. There is one more method used for DPF cleaning, called ultrasonic.

The ultrasonic method is deeply effective as it is a treatment that can clean even the filter cells. While it’s super effective, the ultrasonic method is known to damage the filter since it causes a lot of vibrations and if your Hilux has a big filter, the process won’t be as effective as flash cleaning. Some suggest that adding chemicals can help clean off the filter but these chemicals are more often ineffective and are known to leave more residue than there is thus blocking your filter furthermore.

The post Discovering the True Power Of Your Hilux’s DPF appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

You’re in luck as well because there’s no shortage on jeep exhausts to choose from, and great news is you can even find services made to order so you customise your exhaust, but you may be wondering why replace your factory exhaust system with a new one? As you’d find out, there are many reasons to convince you on the power of taking this step for your 4×4.

For one, you’d be able to replace a system that takes up a large space with something smaller, and something that’s made to last for years to come thanks to its design and the use of rust-resistant material with certain features, such as aluminised mild steel tubing. On the plus side as well, the mandrel bent piping of these jeep exhausts is meant to provide easy and smooth flow of the fumes.

Along with this, bear in mind you’d be able to boost your jeep’s horsepower, including the torque. In other words, you get superior performance! Thanks to the ingenious design of the mandrel bent tubing, your exhaust would cut down on the pressure, which would in turn ensure the longevity of your 4×4’s engine by making it run without straining much. Now that’s efficiency!

This is how it helps cut down the engine restriction, and you get more power that was already there but you didn’t get to use it thanks to the inefficient exhaust. When it comes to the torque, the improvement makes the 4×4 even more ideal for off-road driving (through the toughest terrains too!) considering it makes the vehicle run through the paths smoothly with more power – yes, even when climbing!

Perhaps what would convince you even more is the fuel economy. A powerful engine that spares on the fuel, now that’s something to think about. You can also expect an improvement sound wise (deeper, gruntier result), as your upgraded exhaust would make some noise upon acceleration but don’t worry, nothing too annoying thanks to high quality perforated mufflers with ultraflow, so you’d just get praises as you go.

All things considered, it’s a worthy investment to make, with plenty of benefits along the way, something you and your 4×4 deserve.

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The post Discover the Power of Upgrading Jeep Exhausts appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

As a general rule, cast iron stock exhaust manifolds are big, heavy and restrictive. I personally replaced mine with one of the pacemaker exhaust systems, which is made from bent stainless steel with a gold finish that adds to the aesthetic appeal. Pacemaker exhaust systems can take a lot of abuse, as they’re build to last with performance being kept in mind.

Some exhausts don’t come with a catalytic converter, or cat – in short. I highly recommend that the exhaust you go with has a cat included, as this is required by law. Moreover, it’s what reduces the harmful emissions that the engine produces, and you’re basically doing nobody any good by not having one. This is especially important for you and the people you drive around frequently with, since you’ll be the ones feeling the exhaust gases first before they go off in the atmosphere. Having a catalytic converter on your exhaust doesn’t reduce performance nor increase it, so there’s basically no reason not to have it.

Factory mufflers are plain terrible, so you want a less restrictive one. Getting rid of the huge muffler and replacing it with a smaller, chambered muffler will unleash more power from your vehicle. Even if you get just a tad bit more horsepower, the throatier sound your muffler will produce is one-hundred-percent worth it.

And lastly, you need to pick the right pipes for your exhaust. Large diameter mufflers and big headers don’t mean anything if you have small pipes. What you can do is get a kit with straight and curved pipe pieces so you can save yourself some time on cutting and bending.

If you opt for a dual exhaust, you have to join them together properly with an H-pipe or X-pipe kit which ensures a smoother powerband and a drastically better sound. You basically want to add an entirely new exhaust system from the tip to the engine. Pacemaker exhaust systems come as a whole, which will give you the optimum performance and money efficiency.

The post Discover the Benefits of Upgrading Your Factory Exhaust appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.