Cobalt Exhaust from Moss - Review

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
2

The Cobalt exhaust arrived as promised today, and with the sun shining (and despite the cold wind) there was only one thing to do!

The old exhaust came off without too many dramas, as ever the rubber hangers proved resistant, but I worked out that if I clamped mole grips onto the exhaust hanger, I could then use a spanner to lever against them to force the rubber over the end ball (WD40 helps of course)

So here are a number of pictures of the cobalt which I hope help convey what I think is an excellent quality product:

Fitting was straighforward and it fitted the mk3.75 wider flange without problems, no need to jack the car up, just the inevitable battle getting the last hanger on.

Fitted very well here is the car just on completion:

And a side view, fills the rear bumper much better than the puny standard ones!

Looks a whole lot better but more to the point, what is the sound like? At first I was a bit disappointed as it wasn’t that much louder, the note is deeper and it does appear to get a bit noisier when it gets hot, not sure whether that was just me?

Certainly it can be driven without drawing attention to yourself, but get some throttle and revs on board and it comes to life. It doesnt pop and bang on the over run but it does burble. At lower revs it is perhaps slightly boomy but not enough to be obvious and the way I use the car of no consequence. (the boot floor needing sound proofing perhaps as noted on the other thread) I had a single outlet Cobalt on my mk2, and I would say overall this is very similar.

Having given some thought I realised I had driven the car rather more spiritedly than I would normally, so I think the best description I can give to the sound is it encourages you to use more revs and gears - ie drive the car as it’s meant to be driven - Which I think is quite a compliment, and just what I was looking for.

This exhaust is just ÂŁ214 delivered, and is excellent quality and enhances the car without making it too loud when you need to be discrete. The car was driven top down, I rarely have the top on so sorry will be some time before I can comment on the noise with the top on!

What’s not to like?

 

 

 

 

 

1 Like
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Looks good, pricing is very good too 

4

That looks great, like the convex end pipes, really suits the car.

Like you, I’ve been really impressed with Cobalt exhausts, in my case on a Mk1.

Decent price, excellent build quality and fit, nice tone but not excessively loud. Basically, everything you want from an exhaust.

At idle and at lower revs it sounds like a standard exhaust with a slightly deeper tone, but comes to life at a bit over 3,000 rpm.

I also noticed it got slightly louder when hot, a bit like a baritone singer after they’ve cleared their throat.

It’s done about 4,500 miles since I fitted it last year and I’m extremely happy with it. Especially as when I bought it Moss had it on offer and with gaskets and fittings it came to about £165 iirc.

Only thing I didn’t like was the end pipe, but that’s down to personal preference rather than a fault. I fitted a stainless rolled end tail pipe as I liked that better.

5

That looks awesome! Thinking of getting 1 for my MK1 - BB can i ask…
Is yours the full system or just the back box??

Cheers!

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Catalytic converter back.

7

Yep very nice! Good price for cat back too!

Was the original tail pipe like the one above??

8

Hey,

How OP how does the exhaust sound now that you have had it on for a while?

Andrew

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Hey Bannedbiker,  Couldnt have put it better myself, exactly the same thoughts on these great zorsts. Done 22,000 miles over 4 years and its still like new on my MK1. Fantastic quality and finish.

Can you post where you got your replacement tailpipe from, wouldnt mind doing that to mine as the large flared pipe can knock on the bumper aperture during spirited cornering, sounds like a damper knocking. Not a problem as I know what it is but fancy a change in any case.

Cheers

BG 

 

10

Thanks for your advice òn this dave, this is a nice bit of kit.

11

Thanks to Dave P’s photos and review I decided to buy my wife an early birthday present; A Cobalt back box for our mx5.

The Cobalt back box arrived this morning and was fitted shortly afterwards. Fitting was straightforward, I got away with a small flat screwdriver to unhook the mounting rubbers unhooking the very rear ones first and refitting them last. This way the tail pipes pointed down and not up during removal and refitting. I found it best to attach the rubbers to the new box before offering it up to the car.

Having driven to Southampton and back (the long way) top down today I echo Dave Ps review about the noise level.

My wife likes the sound but I have yet to tell her about the birthday prezzy bit! 

Richard.

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Sorry BG, didn’t realise I’d been asked a question.

I got it from a seller on ebay, 2.5" diameter stainless pipe with a rolled end. This isn’t where I got mine as they are no longer on ebay but is similar.

I just cut the original Cobalt end off at the weld and used a couple of M5 rivnuts to hold the new tail pipe on.

Hope this helps.

Martin.

 

 

13

{Looks a whole lot better but more to the point, what is the sound like? At first I was a bit disappointed as it wasn’t that much louder, the note is deeper and it does appear to get a bit noisier when it gets hot, not sure whether that was just me?

Certainly it can be driven without drawing attention to yourself, but get some throttle and revs on board and it comes to life. It doesnt pop and bang on the over run but it does burble. At lower revs it is perhaps slightly boomy but not enough to be obvious and the way I use the car of no consequence. (the boot floor needing sound proofing perhaps as noted on the other thread) I had a single outlet Cobalt on my mk2, and I would say overall this is very sim}

well fitted mine yesterday, december bargain at ÂŁ177 delivered and included gasket and 2 bolts.

Must say I am disappointed at how quiet it is. yes marginally deeper but marginal. Fine in traffic as sounds stock if thats what you want, I wanted more. I find the throttle response slightly sharper when pulling away from lights, imagination? I also have a Pipercross panel filter fitted. Obviously louder at 5000 revs when cam has kicked in, will go a fast blast later and see if it gets more baritone as mentioned above. Might blow out some excess wool.

1 Like
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Exactly the same as my RB BB - was disappointed at how quiet it was initially.  However, as others have said, it got better after a few days and now gives a nice note without being intrusive. 

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And if you are thinking of getting one, don’t delay, look at the sale price.

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/silencer-exhaust-cobalt-dual-exit-stainless-steel-909-695.html

 

16

Really wish moss did a version of “cobalt” system for cars with 475mm cat.

Found only one stainless steel motorsport system available from mx5 parts, bit too pricy to shell out £250 quid to find its also too loud for general use on motorways etc. 

1 Like
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can’t imagine ever seeing a stainless silencer cheaper, thought I had got a Christmas bargain at ÂŁ177, bah humbug 

 

 

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Cheers for the heads up arrives tomorrow , :slight_smile:

19

Still not managed many miles but beginning to get louder. There is now a deeper throatier growl when accelerating between 3-4000 then gets less bassy as the revs rise. Think i need a 4/1 manifold for some Lemmy style bass.

20

Fitted the Moss Cobault single pipe box to my Mk 2.5 last spring. Replaced centre section at the same time with standard steel box from Euro Car Parts. Sounds great with a good burble but not intrusive.