Removing centre silencer, yes/no

[clarkey1984]

Hi all, as the title suggests really, although i dont wish to sound like one of those chavved upped saxos with an enormous exhaust that "proppa rattles shopz windoes yeh m9" i would like a little more of a vocal drive than i currently have, the car as it is has an unknown brand of rear silencer fitted, it came off ebay quite cheaply and in a used condition and sounds pretty much identical to the standard item, maybe very slightly deeper note wise at lower revs but pretty much the same, the only redeeming feature is the chrome tail pipe.

I am aware that decatting, as well as being illegal in terms of emissions, would also throw up engine management issues, i vaguely remember something about a 200 cell highflow cat being the best you can do catalyst wise on these, and as the standard cat is still in tip top condition i thought well why even touch it, which is when i had the centre box removal idea.


Luckily i have access to an abundance of various pipe and welding equipment at work, so all i planned to do was chop the box out and weld flanges on the existing ends and make a straight pipe also with flanges so i can just bolt it in, and id also recut and add flanges to the box so i could remove the straight and refit the box if i felt like it.

Im lead to believe that there is not actually an upper limit for the loudness of an exhaust as part of the MoT, so on that score id be OK, but im just wondering, if its obvious theres a silencer box missing could i be failed on it, because if so then ill just leave it alone.

Many thanks in advance

[kieran40]

I had a straight through just a rear silencer on my xr31 nice deep tone, not too loud, I don't know about mot regs because it was back when they didn't care I'm sure they just check for leaks and damage. You can get a mid section cherry bomb silencer also and they are quite cheap.

[skyship007]

Umm, if you drive around town in a family car like a V40 making more noise than usual, most folks will think you can't afford a new exhaust or are some special type of Volvo plonker!

It might be cheaper to leave the windows down and drive around whilst playing a recording of an F1 race at max volume.

[foeism]

I have read on here that some have removed the center box, with no real difference in sound, but unsure how it would work with a sports cat?

[Alex121]

This is my T4 with a 3" JT system, single silencer, center removed and 200 cell Ferrita race CAT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk6kMgGHBiI

It's DEFINITELY louder but it's not the standard system so I don't know how much louder a standard one would be - It will be louder though!

I do get the odd look, but it's kind of got the power to back it up, so I don't look a complete plonk.

Having said that. I'm getting my JT tuning mid section put back in tomorrow by Volvo, it sounds great but it's a bit much for me.

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by foeism

I have read on here that some have removed the center box, with no real difference in sound, but unsure how it would work with a sports cat?

If you remove the mid section box it alters the pitch to a rumble, it's the back box that reduces the volume.
Of course removing either of them means the car is no longer defined as a standard V40, so you will need to ask your insurance company for a letter or company e-mail saying it's OK. They might do that, but could easily decide not to renew your policy or increase the premium. They will designate the owner with an insurance red flag for sure!

[foeism]

As it happens, my middle box is rusted right through!

Need to find an exhaust place to remove and replace with a pipe.

[foeism]

As it happens, my middle box is rusted right through!

Need to find an exhaust place to remove and replace with a pipe.clarkey where shouts are you?

[kieran40]

You get a nice deep rumble foesim my escort sounded like a rs turbo on tickover lol which I was happy about.

[bimmer49]

I beat the hell out of my centre box a year ago just before a journey to the UK. I couldn't buy any straight pipe at short notice so I had a mooch about at home. Er Indoors had ejected an old vacuum cleaner but I kept the chrome metal pipe. A bit small in diameter but fitted the bill perfectly with a load of puggy. Made the trip to the UK and back without issues. No real sound level elevation.
I bought some stainless and 51mm pipe joints and made good at home. Now my exhaust don't get battered on my track and the car sounds just like an MGB when pushed hard. Nice but not naughty!!