Well it's been just over a week since the new exhaust arrived and so, without further ado, here is another 'living with' review.
Never say Never.
The latest exhaust to be tested is the
Trevor Taylor TT Mk4.
The smaller pipe below the exhaust is an adaptor pipe needed when fitting an exhaust designed for the TF to an earlier F.
Please excuse the quality of a couple of these photos, they were taken with my phone (which had dirt on the lens
)
Here is a better photo of a production run TT Mk4
The TT Mk4 I purchased was a prototype Mk4 which has different hangers to the standard Mk4 but is otherwise the same.
To see the difference in size you can compare this photo to the previous reviews on page 1 and 2.
TT Mk4 compared to Toyosport
The TT is a straight through design with 57mm outlet pipes. It weighs considerably less than the Toyosport, Daytona or the Magnex. The small physical size and low weight make fitting the TT a breeze.
The prototype I had has hangers welded to stainless steel bands which slide up and down the box and you then clamp in place. This made positioning of the exhaust very easy and the exhaust was soon on and aligned.
So what does it sound like.
The TT comes with a reputation for being louder than almost any other exhaust for the F/TF. This is true, the TT is louder than any of the exhausts tested to date.
When you start the engine the TT lets you know that it is ready for business. At tick over the exhaust emits a low, deep tone. As you set off the TT sounds superb. The rich deep tone is mixed in with a glorious burble. Just pottering around at low speeds sounds like an event. The car sounds like it is ready to race but a these low speeds and with the revs below or up to 2000 rpm the exhaust is not 'loud' but people are aware of your presence.
Get out on the main roads and give the throttle a squeeze and the car feels like it is responding willingly to your request for more speed. The exhaust becomes louder and louder the more you put your foot down, but in a purposeful way, this is no loud boy racer exhaust. The TT is the first exhaust I've fitted to the F which announces exactly what the engine is doing, you know exactly the time to change gear, the feedback is unparalleled. Push it hard and the TT roars out an almighty song, a pure exhaust /engine noise - there is nothing artificial about the sound produced.
When driving 'spiritedly' the TT is loud, if you don't like people looking at you don't buy a TT, this is not the exhaust for the shy retiring type. If you want an exhaust for showboating with then the TT is definitely for you.
The range of tones produced on overrun is something you will never tire hearing. The sound produced during motorway cruising is loud, there is no getting away from that, it is louder than any of the others and if you like quiet cruising then again this is not for you. If your driving is predominantly long motorway journeys I would suggest that this is not the exhaust for you.
I did find myself altering my driving style. At low speeds I drove more gently, taking every opportunity to enjoy the burble and occasional pops from the TT. When out on the country roads or the dual carriageways I used far more of the rev range pushing the engine harder than I would normally because the feedback from the TT tells you it is not time to change up yet.
Tunnels. Tunnels are fun in a car and the stainless steel systems fitted to date all provide a huge grin when putting your foot down. The TT is even better, the sound is of an engine in harmony with the exhaust, it is a pure, raw experience.
If you want your F/ TF to be a bit louder than stock get a stainless steel exhaust but not a TT. This is not for the faint hearted or the quiet Sunday driver. I can now see why the TT is so loved by many and 'hated' by others.
You must choose an exhaust to match your driving and personality, this being even more important if considering a TT.
The Looks.
The TT looks good, very good. The Mk4 came with the option of finishers although many people prefer to use it without them.
Without finishers it has, unkindly, been compared to having two scaffolding poles sticking out of the back of the car. However having no fixed finishers you can fit whatever takes your fancy and personalise the look easily.
Sometimes, as they say, less is more and the polished steel pipes and uncluttered look of the rear end I quite like.
Decided to cut back the heat shield by a few inches to display the exhaust
This is a TT fitted with TT finishers on a TF
Cost
The TT exhausts have always been priced around the mid range and due to people buying a TT without properly considering the pros and cons they do come up for sale second hand more regularly than most others (the Miltek is in a similar position to the TT ). and are excellent value for money, providing you are sure it's right for you.
So in conclusion
The TT is going to stay on for a while now, however...
The Best Exhaust for the MGF / TF is ……. still yet to be manufactured.
Unless you had an active exhaust with various setting you can never produce the 'best exhaust for the F/TF
There are some nice stainless steel systems out there. Choose the one to suit your pocket, personality and enhance the driving experience of your F / TF.
Like me, if you want to it is easy to sell the stainless steel exhaust you have and a buy another.
There are no good, bad or best exhausts for the F / TF only different ones.