i4 exhaust success from generic Alibaba

[Ryan_929]

I swapped the stock exhaust today and it turned out pretty nice. I’m too cheap to spend thousands on stuff I can get for hundreds. So I ordered an exhaust from the AliExpress app. It was $650ish and just under $1000 shipped. It took a little over two weeks to arrive from China to California It’s a valved stainless steel system and I was able to install it fairly easily. I used the OEM valve as the aftermarket valve plug harness didn’t match the stock setup. The valve position was not in the same spot as stock, but the only thing I had to do was cut a zip tie to get an extra inch of wiggle room to plug the stock harness back in. Everything lined up well and went back together with no issues.

The sound is louder than stock and the pops/bangs are much more distinct. So far I haven’t gotten a CEL after about 50 miles. Overall I’m happy with the results. That being said, if I spent 2k on a name brand setup I wouldn’t be satisfied for the money spent vs the change in sound. Anyway, if anyone is considering upgrading their exhaust I’d definitely recommend it. (Hopefully my Alibaba setup doesn’t catch the car on fire)

2024 i4 w/JB4, 200cell downpipe (alibaba), SS valved exhaust (Alibaba)

I tried to add a video, but it says it’s too large.

 

[dbjames]

I guess your Alibaba 200cell downpipe didn't trigger any warning lights either? Can you please share which one you went for - prior to the exhaust did you notice much change in sound or power with the downpipe alone?

 

[Ryan_929]

I guess your Alibaba 200cell downpipe didn't trigger any warning lights either? Can you please share which one you went for - prior to the exhaust did you notice much change in sound or power with the downpipe alone?

The downpipe did throw a code initially. It took a few tries to get it right. I got CEL with no spacer so I put on one similar to the fabspeed minicat. That threw a new CEL so I swapped for a $10 spacer from Amazon. That worked and no more codes. I didn’t think the downpipe made much of a difference at first, but after driving it around a little more and a few more cold starts I changed my mind. It’s not as big of a difference as I found in my previous V8 cars, but there is a decent change. If you order from Alibaba for the downpipe make sure you specify if you have US or European model.

200cell downpipe

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www.alibaba.com

Valvetronic exhaust

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKNlNQH

 

[hoho]

How was the tariffs / import fees? I thought this would make it basically double the price?

 

[Nova]

Hmmm, I don't know... Maybe the I4 will be different, but in other exhausts of this design, the relocated valve controller is both closer to the outlet pipe and no longer cooled by the little air vent/scoop on the rear diffuser tray. This leads to valve flap controller failure due to excessive heat. If this happens, there is no permanent solution except to replace the exhaust with a different design.

 

[bman6074]

I swapped the stock exhaust today and it turned out pretty nice. I’m too cheap to spend thousands on stuff I can get for hundreds. So I ordered an exhaust from the AliExpress app. It was $650ish and just under $1000 shipped. It took a little over two weeks to arrive from China to California It’s a valved stainless steel system and I was able to install it fairly easily. I used the OEM valve as the aftermarket valve plug harness didn’t match the stock setup. The valve position was not in the same spot as stock, but the only thing I had to do was cut a zip tie to get an extra inch of wiggle room to plug the stock harness back in. Everything lined up well and went back together with no issues.

The sound is louder than stock and the pops/bangs are much more distinct. So far I haven’t gotten a CEL after about 50 miles. Overall I’m happy with the results. That being said, if I spent 2k on a name brand setup I wouldn’t be satisfied for the money spent vs the change in sound. Anyway, if anyone is considering upgrading their exhaust I’d definitely recommend it. (Hopefully my Alibaba setup doesn’t catch the car on fire)

2024 i4 w/JB4, 200cell downpipe (alibaba), SS valved exhaust (Alibaba)

I tried to add a video, but it says it’s too large.

Could you post the video to YouTube and link that video here? Curious to hear a before and after.

 

[Ryan_929]

Could you post the video to YouTube and link that video here? Curious to hear a before and after.

Yep for sure not a problem. I hope these help. The first video is completely stock. Verse downpipe and aftermarket exhaust. second video was a poorly made install video, but maybe it’ll offer a few pointers to people.

 

[bman6074]

Yep for sure not a problem. I hope these help. The first video is completely stock. Verse downpipe and aftermarket exhaust. second video was a poorly made install video, but maybe it’ll offer a few pointers to people.

Thank you. You can hear a difference. Not a crazy difference, but it's there. A bit more raspy for the aftermarket.

 

[Ryan_929]

How was the tariffs / import fees? I thought this would make it basically double the price?

It was just under $1000 for everything. I think the exhaust was around 700 and 300 for shipping.

 

[Ryan_929]

Thank you. You can hear a difference. Not a crazy difference, but it's there. A bit more raspy for the aftermarket.

Yeah, it’s a lot raspier tone and the pops/bangs are much more distinct.

 

[Milk242]

Any idea how to get to this bolt so I can unclamp the pipe to the downpipe? I feel like I need like a high tooth count ratchet wrench

 

[F1 SML8R]

The world famous V clamp that has given me soooooooo much grief! The easiest way to get to it is to remove the lower engine cover that's forward of the diffuser. It's just a bunch of bolts to get that cover off, but super simple. Once that is off, you have clean access to this pain in the ass V clamp from below.

 

[Milk242]

lol thanks

The world famous V clamp that has given me soooooooo much grief! The easiest way to get to it is to remove the lower engine cover that's forward of the diffuser. It's just a bunch of bolts to get that cover off, but super simple. Once that is off, you have clean access to this pain in the ass V clamp from below.

 

[Ryan_929]

The world famous V clamp that has given me soooooooo much grief! The easiest way to get to it is to remove the lower engine cover that's forward of the diffuser. It's just a bunch of bolts to get that cover off, but super simple. Once that is off, you have clean access to this pain in the ass V clamp from below.

Ditto

 

[Milk242]

Any pointers on getting the downpipe out?

 

[TurboTambo]

Any pointers on getting the downpipe out?

It was a nightmare. I split the turbo and took it out that way. But apparently you can take the corner trim/heat shielding?!!?! (i think) out and it gives you just enough room. It's a thread on here somewhere. Someone will be able to direct you to it or show you a picture of what exactly needs to be removed.

 

[Milk242]

Alright I was able to get it out. I took the right rear tire and wheel liner out and took the gray brace bar out along with the corner heat shield and basically destroyed my boot carpet liner trying to get that stupid thing out so I had enough room to finagle the downpipe out the boot access port. Putting in the new downpipe wasn’t too hard after I had all the stuff removed. I had to first position the top of the downpipe through the access port towards the newly created space by removing that gray brace from the wheel well and the bottom of the downpipe slid down in place

 

[TurboTambo]

Alright I was able to get it out. I took the right rear tire and wheel liner out and took the gray brace bar out along with the corner heat shield and basically destroyed my boot carpet liner trying to get that stupid thing out so I had enough room to finagle the downpipe out the boot access port. Putting in the new downpipe wasn’t too hard after I had all the stuff removed. I had to first position the top of the downpipe through the access port towards the newly created space by removing that gray brace from the wheel well and the bottom of the downpipe slid down in place

I can't work out how they got the boot liner in. Lotus must have built the car around it!! haha. I didn't take mine out as it was starting to break apart. I just moved it out of the way enough for access.

 

[Milk242]

I can't work out how they got the boot liner in. Lotus must have built the car around it!! haha. I didn't take mine out as it was starting to break apart. I just moved it out of the way enough for access.

lol yes. I was sitting there cursing how the f did they even get this fitted in

 

[F1 SML8R]

Alright I was able to get it out. I took the right rear tire and wheel liner out and took the gray brace bar out along with the corner heat shield and basically destroyed my boot carpet liner trying to get that stupid thing out so I had enough room to finagle the downpipe out the boot access port. Putting in the new downpipe wasn’t too hard after I had all the stuff removed. I had to first position the top of the downpipe through the access port towards the newly created space by removing that gray brace from the wheel well and the bottom of the downpipe slid down in place

Appreciate the insight on this. I only did the exhaust and that's how I knew about the V clamp on the bottom. However, I know a few people have struggled with the DIY for the hi-flow downpipes that are available. So this should help a lot of folks.

Now your next mission, let us know if or how you solve for any CELs. Size spacer, mini cat attachment, etc?