I've started a new Topic here with regard to the quest for an absorption type silencer design for our beloved tricycles, so as to make this easier to find later on.
As we have discussed at some length in the past, I think it's pretty clear that a better flowing exhaust is what the engine in our cars need, as evidenced by the glowing headers and inherent pinking (det) in the engine at higher revs on a large throttle. Whilst some are affected more than others, the fundamental cause remains the same. Quite simply the gases can't get out fast enough.
The OEM pipes are very well styled in my view and whilse we all probably have a friendly local exhaust fabricator who may be able to help design and fit a more efficient pipe, getting this sorted means offering a donor car, much discussion and then there's the to-and-fro getting the design fettled and working correctly. But we know the effort would undoubtedly be worthwhile, as evidenced by the odd brave soul running on true open pipes and feeling the additional power produced. There was a thread about this a while back where open piped cars were showing much more power on the dyno (in France I recall), so I am sure a decent pipe - properly designed - could produce good power, improved torque and be little or no more noisy that the stock systems. We've heard rumours of course that the factory may be releasing a Stage-1 kit at some point, but we've no idea when this may be or how much it will cost. All we know is that it would be a very good idea!
Anyway, the point of this ramble is that I have been speaking with a firm for a few months whom have been working on just such a design. The organisation is looking to market bespoke components for the M3W under the guise of "Garage56" and from my sneak preview of some of the kit over recent weeks, it looks very good stuff indeed. The guys behind Garage56 come from the very professional and specialist world of top-end motorsport, so know what they're doing and have the pedigree to make work properly. I'm not connected in any way shape or form, but I am very enthused by what I've seen so far and make no secret of my desire to have my car 'optimised' in terms of engine setup. Personally I'm not after a big 2.3l big-bore engine or such expense, I just want to make my engine work as it was designed.
Garage56 are just about to launch their wares and first off the design process will be what I would call a Stage-1 kit, which will include new silencer pipes and an airfilter kit. Here's a couple of pictures of the pipes fitted to a car and I love the fact that they look pretty much stock (they will be available with black heat shields too I am told), but as they're an absorption silencer design, they flow much much better than stock. I've not heard them yet, but they say that they are little different in noise to the stock items, but just work properly instead.
Whilst I don't know the full details, it sounds as though these make a really good increase in power and torque throughout the range, remove the high rev detonation and still work within the Closed-Loop parameters in terms of fuel and timing trims within the ECU to allow the car to adjust for the new setup, ie: it's still safe for the engine. To say I'm excited at the prospect is an understatement!
There's a new website where folk can sign up to be kept informed as to progress and I've put my name down on there already. I really hope this works out for them as I like the sound of their thinking and admire their decision to specialise in the 3-Wheeler in the marketplace.
Here's the website;
Garage56 
What do you all think?
