BTB GIVES HOWLING HONDA OWNERS SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT.
BTB Exhausts has tackled one of its toughest challenges: beating one of the world's most renowned engine builders, Honda, at its own game.
The Daventry-based designer and manufacturer has produced an exhaust manifold and system for the legendary Honda Civic Type-R (EP3 model).
"The first car to which we fitted a system - a car which had been supercharged - power output increased from 270 to 320bhp at the wheels. That was a real eye-opener, even for us," said Joe Ellis, Managing Director of BTB Exhausts.
"Honda's capability as a performance engine designer is well documented:their engines are amongst the most powerful on the F1 grid, and in just about every other race class in which they compete their engines have similar top-of-the-tree status.
"The Civic Type-R VTEC engine is amongst the finest in existence. It is massively efficient, very complex, extremely high revving and very powerful - but we have designed and developed a manifold and exhaust that finds even more power and torque, but not at the expense of extra noise.
"The Civic Type R looks set to become a modern classic amongst the current crop of hot hatches popular with today's generation of tuners - and we plan to be talking to more of those specialist distributors and tuners to explore even more potential.
"Exhaust development for this car has centred on ultra-lightweight-race style systems with minimal silencing elements. BTB has had considerable experience making successful endurance race systems for the EP3 Civic and similarly powered DC5 Integra, but decided on a more practical solution for the road cars.
"The problem with race exhausts on lightly soundproofed road cars is the noise inside the car when driving on the road, and when the VTEC is used at high revs on track days, the exhaust volume can upset the noise marshals".
BTB's answer is a 57mm mandrel bent stainless steel system with two silencers and a stylish single tailpipe. The systems has the capacity to deal with up to 350bhp of supercharged engine upgrades whilst still providing a civilised yet pleasing exhaust note on the road and track.
The system can be specified with a high flow stainless catalyst as part of a unique 2 into 1 downpipe design that maintains low rpm torque without compromising top end power.
"The extra power and torque is available across virtually the entire rev range, and the car needs no other modifications - a simple solution to providing more grunt, and also available in either mild or stainless steel.
"Our systems are high quality - and in the case of the Type-R, stainless steel only - and therefore slightly premium in price at £990 plus VAT. This does include free fitting at BTB for a limited introductory period."
The system will be available through BTB Exhausts product retailers and tuners, with further details available at www.btbexhausts.co.uk. built by Racecar
BTB develops and manufacturers exhaust manifolds and systems in a variety of materials for a number of markets.
As well as OE development for car manufacturers, BTB manufacturers exhaust systems for a number of motor racing teams at various levels in the sport, plus limited production runs for specialist aftermarket distributors and bespoke systems to address one-off requirements.
