Exhaust Noise

[RonA]

Hi all
My 2.2 has a slight popping noise from the exhaust on the overrun, it's quite pleasant, not too intrusive.
My previous car was a 2.8 which didn't do it at all, is this normal or has a previous owner been modifying it, the exhaust looks standard.
Cheers
Ron

 

[1955Davidr]

Yes my 2.2 does it and as far as I am aware is the standard exhaust, glorious sound and I do like it.

 

[AntStark]

2.2 is probably the best sounding zed…my 3.0 is more of a lazy burble

 

[Mint]

Yep my 2.2 does it too, love it

 

[Jam03]

Yes, 2.2 manual can be made to produce some very pleasing noises. Gentle throttle application on overrun does it. I discovered by accident that a steep ramp leaving a supermarket car park in first gear caused a very pleasant burble and crackle at very low speed. Generally very pleasant engine notes above 4000rpm through the gears too.

 

[ExMX5owner]

If its like mine there is a little vac actuated flapper on one of the tail pipes, that introduces back pressure to exhaust on vac, causing the burble. I unplugged it just to see what it did, it did nothing to anything apart from remove the pleasant gurgle burble on rapid deceleration. Thats my take on it anyway...I was chasing down a vac leak at the time...

 

[DrWong]

My 3.0 makes the pops on overrun, particularly when lifting off at low speed, and has the flappy valve in one of the tailpipes. Mine lives in a car port at the back of the house. Sometimes I'll start it but need to nip back inside so leave the engine running and I can hear the exhaust rumbling throughout the entire house. Makes me smile.

 

[bombur]

mine burbles and slightly pops a bit on overun....but is a measly M43 but with a nice SS custom exhaust. Amazing what can be done!

 

[TriumphZ3]

I've just replaced the rear half of my 1.9 exhaust, the exhaust note is totally different now... quite a burble and very audible when I start up in the mornings. Sadly it didn't cure the loud rattle on acceleration... I'd buy a replacement front half if I could work out which one to get, have been scared off by type-approval posts and too-cheap cats that may fail MOT.

 

[dinghyracer]

Yes my 2.2 does it too! Excellent noise around

 

[Pingu]

If its like mine there is a little vac actuated flapper on one of the tail pipes, that introduces back pressure to exhaust on vac, causing the burble. I unplugged it just to see what it did, it did nothing to anything apart from remove the pleasant gurgle burble on rapid deceleration. Thats my take on it anyway...I was chasing down a vac leak at the time...

It does actually have a performance purpose.

An engine benefits from back pressure when you first try to accelerate hard from a steady speed. The valve provides back pressure which means the engine picks up speed faster. The valve then opens to allow the exhaust out faster as the engine speeds up.

They are also good for the environment, as they raise the temperature of the exhaust gas (which is also good for performance), reduce NOx, and make the car quieter.