Breatheless Performance Exhaust Received

tigerwong58 · 06-11-2008, 06:52 PM

I just got my Breathless Performance Exhaust today, looks great, nicely done. I removed and cut my lower valance tonight. I tried to remove the rear bumper to access the heat shield and exhaust bolts, not easy.

I had my Smart Tech change the exhaust and it took about 2 hours. I can see this being a 1 hour job, but being the first time he wanted to be a bit more careful.

I drove it during my lunch time and alot of smoke came out initially, scared the crap out of me, I thought I was melting the plastic. It was just the typical oil residue burning off in the muffler coming out of the tips. It all cleared out after 20+ miles of driving.

The noise level is louder, but sounds cool. You can hear the shift points better. I enjoyed paddle shifting and listening to the exhaust tones. I live in a quiet subdivision and leave for work at 5:30am every morning, I had to feather the throttle to keep the noise down.

I have been averaging 37 mpg before the exhaust change.

As for power, I can definitely feel the car squating upon acceleration a bit more.

....270 miles later, my first tank of gas after the exhaust upgrade, I got 1 more mile per gallon. 38mpg. I probably could have got more, but I drove it a bit harder, I love hearing that exhaust.

2nd tank of gas I got 36mpg, the 3rd tank now dropped to 34mpg. I also noticed a clicking sound upon initial acceleration. The 2 exhaust bolts worked themselves a little loose, easily tightened, noise gone.

The mileage drop is probably due to the need to down shift for more power, there is a significant power loss in 5th gear. You really need to have the rpm's at 3,000+ to maintain the power. May be due to lack of backpressure.

Any thoughts?? 3rd tank of gas the mpg went up to 37 again.

soareyes · 06-11-2008, 07:14 PM

I got mine today too (nice welds), and will install this weekend. What did you use to cut the valance? I'm more worried about messing that up than any other part of the install!

Stan

Lgaruti · 06-11-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerwong58

I just got my Breatheless Performance Exhaust today, looks great, nicely done. I removed and cut my lower valance tonight. I tried to remove the rear bumper to access the heat shield and exhaust bolts, not easy. I am going to have my tech at the dealer sneak the bolts out. More to follow....

Go into the engine compartment from the top. There you will see 2 heat shield bolts. The third you get at from under the car. it's located at the top of the muffler flex pipe. Once the shield is loose the muffler bolts will be easier to get at......... It's tight but heck I did it!

tigerwong58 · 06-12-2008, 05:20 AM

I traced the template, but they said measure 19 1/8" from hole to hole on the rear valance. Mine was more like 19". I used a utility knife, very slowly, after 3-4 strokes it cut through, then sanded it down smooth.

kwagar · 06-12-2008, 06:20 AM

I marked the cut using the template and then cut it out with a jigsaw using a blade made for plastic. Sanded it down lightly afterwards. Cut very easy--no problems.

Old smart · 06-12-2008, 09:37 AM

Didn't get an exhaust today, but I did get my BP goodie package. Everything looks first rate including the one-off De Dion tube caps. Thanks Ernie.

tigerwong58 · 06-12-2008, 09:59 AM

Well, we got it done, it took 2 hrs, on a lift, by a Certified Smart Technician. Looks great, sounds great for a 3 banger. I'll post pictures in the Gallery soon.

kwagar · 06-12-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerwong58

Well, we got it done, it took 2 hrs, on a lift, by a Certified Smart Technician. Looks great, sounds great for a 3 banger. I'll post pictures in the Gallery soon.

It's an interesting world. My smart technician agreed to helo me with the install then he mentioned it to smart USa and they forbade him from working on it on the clock or at the smart dealership as it was aftermarket, non-authorized and may void the emissions warrenty.

Such remarkable bull***t

SylenThunder · 06-12-2008, 01:37 PM

I would be very intrested on how that affects the overall performance and gas mileage of your car.

Smartbillet · 06-12-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerwong58

Well, we got it done, it took 2 hrs, on a lift, by a Certified Smart Technician. Looks great, sounds great for a 3 banger. I'll post pictures in the Gallery soon.

I can't understand why it took a Certified Smart Technician 2 hrs on a lift, and it only took me an hour laying on my back in the driveway. What did they charge?