[jomson13]

A wine red Alto LX was our first car. We got it in 2007, used it for 10 years / 53,000 kms and sold it to a fellow BHPian in 2017.
Now that the car is completing 15 years, I plan to buy it back from him (dad wants his first car back)

The car has done close to 85,000 kms and is in good condition. I'm told that the only work it needs is a suspension overhaul.

I'll be getting the RC renewed in a couple of months. Once that is done, I am considering getting a free flow air filter and exhaust system fitted on the car.

A few questions:

1. Does it make sense to do this on a 15 year old car?
2. Can I expect a decent bump in performance?
3. What kind of cost am I looking at?

[Indian2003]

Originally Posted by jomson13

I am considering getting a free flow air filter and exhaust system fitted on the car.

A few questions:

1. Does it make sense to do this on a 15 year old car?
2. Can I expect a decent bump in performance?
3. What kind of cost am I looking at?

Waste of money. Not on a 15 year old car but on an Alto. What kind og performance do you expect with a 800 cc engine? Your gains if any will not be noticable. With wind in the back your car will be faster than with the mods you mention.
You might be better off removing the rear silencer and put on a few racing stripes. Your gains will still be zero.

[GTO]

I'd go for the freeflow exhaust as it will make driving the car a lot more fun. Having owned a free-flow City Vtec & Civic, I don't think I'll ever be able to own a Petrol MT car without a freeflow. Forget the marginal performance gains, that aural pleasure alone will make it worth it.

Am all for giving makeovers & improvements to existing cars, just to keep the spice alive.

Avoid the air filter though. Nothing there for an Alto.

I love the team over @ AutoMech. Used them for both my freeflow exhausts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bio2cr4K7WE

[jomson13]

Originally Posted by GTO

I love the team over @ AutoMech. Used them for both my freeflow exhausts.
https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=Bio2cr4K7WE

Thanks. Have dropped them an enquiry via their website.

[mayankk]

Get it done. There is nothing to lose here.

Moreover, the MHP gains will be way more than any actual BHP gains, but its so much fun to hear the exhaust on a tiny engine revving away at 3k plus!! But get the whole shebang, headers downward.
The filter will not add much either, but the intake noise will also be worth it in gold, at least when you will be able to hear at the beginning, before the exhaust drown it out. Does the the intake of the alto end inside the engine bay, just pointing to the front, or is there an actual inlet on the grill? Either way, you can get a conical filter housing fashioned.

I can sort of guarantee that you wont get anything noticeable in terms of power advantage out of the whole setup, but it will so much fun doing this on an analog car.

I had header down on my Zipdrive ages ago, and it was my daily driver. So much fun ripping it inside the city. Not so much on the highways when it used to become tiringly droning on the ears! The filter I had on my fiesta, and that was the best noise ever!! Again, no gains as such, but the intake growl became so much more pronounced!

[Mr.Boss]

Originally Posted by jomson13

dad wants his first car back
...
I am considering getting a free flow air filter and exhaust system fitted on the car.

Perfect person to judge will be your Dad. If he has any sentimental attachments towards this particular car, he may love to keep it stock.

Originally Posted by jomson13

1. Does it make sense to do this on a 15 year old car?
2. Can I expect a decent bump in performance?
3. What kind of cost am I looking at?

1. Yes, if the car is mechanically fit enough perform rather than making only noise
2. Definition of 'decent' varies with individuals. I found a little fun to drive the puny M800 with FFE & performance filters
3. Depends on the brand, quality and workmanship. Take anything between 20-35k

[sumeethaldankar]

Originally Posted by jomson13

A wine red Alto LX was our first car. We got it in 2007, used it for 10 years / 53,000 kms and sold it to a fellow BHPian in 2017.
Now that the car is completing 15 years, I plan to buy it back from him (dad wants his first car back)

The car has done close to 85,000 kms and is in good condition. I'm told that the only work it needs is a suspension overhaul.

I'll be getting the RC renewed in a couple of months. Once that is done, I am considering getting a free flow air filter and exhaust system fitted on the car.

A few questions:

1. Does it make sense to do this on a 15 year old car?
2. Can I expect a decent bump in performance?
3. What kind of cost am I looking at?

I had free flow exhaust on my 800. I used it for several years till a cop noticed me and tried to challan me for it. It did impact the car in the sense it would foul up the plugs etc. I would suggest if you have sentimental values for the car and want it to last long then keep her stock condition. Use the car way it was made rather than tinker and make modifications which really do not help much. Yes it may bump a few characteristics of the car like torque etc. If you decide to go for the free flow try not to have the fancy end can as it will become a cop magnet. Keep the factory tail extension or have something subtle. You could also get a cat back system which will leave the catalytic converter intact. Also the air filter in is pretty much usless and will only add to the sound.

[jomson13]

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

I had free flow exhaust on my 800. I used it for several years till a cop noticed me and tried to challan me for it. It did impact the car in the sense it would foul up the plugs etc. I would suggest if you have sentimental values for the car and want it to last long then keep her stock condition. Use the car way it was made rather than tinker and make modifications which really do not help much. Yes it may bump a few characteristics of the car like torque etc. If you decide to go for the free flow try not to have the fancy end can as it will become a cop magnet. Keep the factory tail extension or have something subtle. You could also get a cat back system which will leave the catalytic converter intact. Also the air filter in is pretty much usless and will only add to the sound.

Did you have the complete system? Headers, cat con etc.?

Originally Posted by Mr.Boss

Perfect person to judge will be your Dad. If he has any sentimental attachments towards this particular car, he may love to keep it stock.


1. Yes, if the car is mechanically fit enough perform rather than making only noise
2. Definition of 'decent' varies with individuals. I found a little fun to drive the puny M800 with FFE & performance filters
3. Depends on the brand, quality and workmanship. Take anything between 20-35k

I'm pretty sure my father will say no to this .
Will see how it pans out.

Originally Posted by mayankk

Get it done. There is nothing to lose here.

Moreover, the MHP gains will be way more than any actual BHP gains, but its so much fun to hear the exhaust on a tiny engine revving away at 3k plus!! But get the whole shebang, headers downward.
The filter will not add much either, but the intake noise will also be worth it in gold, at least when you will be able to hear at the beginning, before the exhaust drown it out. Does the the intake of the alto end inside the engine bay, just pointing to the front, or is there an actual inlet on the grill? Either way, you can get a conical filter housing fashioned.

I can sort of guarantee that you wont get anything noticeable in terms of power advantage out of the whole setup, but it will so much fun doing this on an analog car.

The aural pleasure is what I am looking for, I do not expect too much performance gain anyway.
The minor gain would anyway be offset due to the wear and tear of other mechanicals like clutch, drivetrain, wheel bearings etc.

I'm sure the air intake ends at the air filter cover, it does not come upto the grill.

[sumeethaldankar]

Originally Posted by jomson13

Did you have the complete system? Headers, cat con etc.?
I'm pretty sure my father will say no to this .
Will see how it pans out.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-...ml#post1467217 ('97 Maruti 800 EDIT : Now Sold!)

Yes I had the entire set right from the headers to the end can. It was made by Automech Exhaust and in those days I had it for 5.5k for the entire set. I must admit it was the most fun time I had with the little car till the cops came and spoiled it. It was all about the sound and yes it sounded goood!!.

The downside was I found the spark plugs fouled etc and the car needed tuning every 3 months (it was a carb). I had the conical K&N filter too. It was pretty much useless and apart from a growl did little to the performance. If you change the headers make sure you keep the original manifold with you so later if you need to sell the car you can remove the headers and install the manifold again.

Good luck.

[mak556]

Originally Posted by GTO

I'd go for the freeflow exhaust as it will make driving the car a lot more fun. Having owned a free-flow City Vtec & Civic, I don't think I'll ever be able to own a Petrol MT car without a freeflow. Forget the marginal performance gains, that aural pleasure alone will make it worth it.

Am all for giving makeovers & improvements to existing cars, just to keep the spice alive.

Avoid the air filter though. Nothing there for an Alto.

I love the team over @ AutoMech. Used them for both my freeflow exhausts.
https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=Bio2cr4K7WE

Thanks GTO. I also believe it will slightly improve the efficiency, do correct me if I am wrong.

I am planning to get FFE on my 2013 Swift Vxi from Automech in Parel. Will share experience and post installation experience.

[deathwalkr]

Sigh, This thread makes me miss my 1.3L Swift Petrol.

Automech headers, expansion chamber with a remus endcan (changed to magnaflow later on)

After moving to magnaflow, changed the expansion chamber and put in a magnaflow pre muffler as well I think.

Brisk silver plugs and BMC Cold air intake. It was a joy to drive that car. It revved to 6k rpms oh so easily.

Used to add STP Octane Boosters as well now and then

Though I drive a wolf remapped tjet now, I still miss the growl of my old swift.

But I guess, cops here are pretty strict these days when it comes to aftermarket mods like these.

[jomson13]

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-...ml#post1467217 ('97 Maruti 800 EDIT : Now Sold!)

Yes I had the entire set right from the headers to the end can. It was made by Automech Exhaust and in those days I had it for 5.5k for the entire set. I must admit it was the most fun time I had with the little car till the cops came and spoiled it. It was all about the sound and yes it sounded goood!!.

Originally Posted by mak556

Thanks GTO. I also believe it will slightly improve the efficiency, do correct me if I am wrong.

I am planning to get FFE on my 2013 Swift Vxi from Automech in Parel. Will share experience and post installation experience.

I could not find a contact number for Automech so I sent them an enquiry via their website.
Its been 3 days and I haven't heard back.

@mak556 if you are visiting them please get me a contact number.

[sumeethaldankar]

Originally Posted by jomson13

I could not find a contact number for Automech so I sent them an enquiry via their website.
Its been 3 days and I haven't heard back.

@mak556 if you are visiting them please get me a contact number.

automecexhaust@rediffmail.com
022 24926819.

Try these. Ask for Mr Vivek.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/mumba...el-mumbai.html (Exhausts - Automech Engineers (Parel, Mumbai))

[deathwalkr]

@jomson: could also try contacting the N1Racing folks over at Mumbai. I got my magnaflow products from them years back.

http://www.n1-racing.com/

[bharanidharang]

Sorry for the thread hijack. Do we have a city based list on freeflow exhausts dealers/garage's. i would love to put one on the ford freestyle.