From digest.v4.n835 Fri Jul 12 14:48:04 1996
From: Your Name <jpdarwak_at_ix.netcom.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Jul 96 16:31:58 -0400
Subject: Re:Supertrapps (last I promise)

Thanks Bob and Richard,
>snip

>     The overall construction of the stainless steel Supertrapp shell is

>     robust, but the steel nut plate and steel hardware make repeated
>     "tuning" of the 'Trapp tough, if not impossible (corrosion, seizing).

My friend hasn't reported this problem after 8 months of winter/summer use, but perhaps he uses a loctite type compound?

>snip

>     Loud ? Yes !! The problem is, unless you want the screwy-looking disc

>     section hanging out beyond your bumper, the 'Trapp emits all exhaust
>     notes RADIALLY, right into the body of the car. Again, on a bike, no
>     biggie.

I don't mind the way they look, so hanging it out under the bumper is ok with me.

>

>     The Supertrapp is tunable in small increments, but can offer only a

>     *narrow* powerband regardless of where the powerband is located.  I
>     found I liked 4 disks for the road (Jetta 16V) because any more KILLED
>     what little low-end I had. Conversely, if I wanted the car to go more
>     than 100mph, I needed about 7 disks. 12 discs and my car was a slug bel
>     ow 5000 !! But, it would go to 130 without too much drama. You get the
>     picture.

This I knew about and it is why I wanted to see your comments. On a low torque vehicle (such as a Jetta 16v or an e30 M3) this could be a problem. However, torque is not a problem with a 325e (and e30 325i's as well, really) and it needs to breathe better up high - exactly what the 'trapps will do.

>
>Bottom line is, get a well-tuned system (like stock on newer BMW's), put a

>     nice Borla (great sound) on it, and have an all-around nice running

>     machine. Or do the Supersprint . . .

Bob, I agree that Supertrapps are not for everyone and it sure would be nice to just bolt up a Borla or similar type stainless exhaust...but at $600+ they are a bit pricey (especially for those of us with older machines). This is one of my beefs about the replacement exhaust market - I couldn't find a proven all stainless bolt-up exhaust for a reasonable price. The oem Ansa replacement sucks (and don't even think about their "sport" exhausts - run it thru a puddle and they rust out). Also, you can't say you are paying for quality. I've seen several Digesters note how poor fitting some applications are (B&B for example). For under $150 (stainless) and a little fabrication I think 'Trapps offer an acceptable alternative.

John Darwak
'85 325e (155k mi.Bilstein Sportkit.ST bars.JC chip.Leaky cylinder head)

From digest.v4.n834 Fri Jul 12 11:15:10 1996
From: "Richard G. Ried" <riedr_at_osuergo.eng.ohio-state.edu>
Date: Fri, 12 Jul 1996 13:17:00 -0400
Subject: <RE> No Supertrapp on Street?

This is the e-mail Bob T sent me regarding his experiences with Supertrapps on street cars.

Bob: Thanks for sharing the info!

Rick;

A bit choppy, but bear with me :

     The overall construction of the stainless steel Supertrapp shell is
     robust, but the steel nut plate and steel hardware make repeated
     "tuning" of the 'Trapp tough, if not impossible (corrosion, seizing).

     The retuning is necessary if you want to change the powerband. On a
     bike it is not as important, high-end is a must for their relatively
     small displacement. I had a Yosh Comp. on my GSX-R750, but that is a
     different story . . .

     Loud ? Yes !! The problem is, unless you want the screwy-looking disc
     section hanging out beyond your bumper, the 'Trapp emits all exhaust
     notes RADIALLY, right into the body of the car. Again, on a bike, no
     biggie.

     The Supertrapp is tunable in small increments, but can offer only a
     *narrow* powerband regardless of where the powerband is located.  I
     found I liked 4 disks for the road (Jetta 16V) because any more KILLED
     what little low-end I had. Conversely, if I wanted the car to go more
     than 100mph, I needed about 7 disks. 12 discs and my car was a slug bel
     ow 5000 !! But, it would go to 130 without too much drama. You get the
     picture.

Bottom

      line is, get a well-tuned system (like stock on newer BMW's), put a
     nice Borla (great sound) on it, and have an all-around nice running
     machine. Or do the Supersprint . . .

     Good luck,

     Bob T.
     '90 M3