UPDATE: New Custom Atom Exhaust System

**Kim** · November 2, 2011, 10:24 AM

In addition to the new front wing/canard set-up my brother has created, he has also modified the exhaust system for my Atom (which is described in more detail below). Instead of a dual exhaust tip he has gone with a five-inch stainless pipe. It has definitely enhanced the sound of the car - less 'tinny' and four-cylinder-sounding - being now more powerful, bass, and small V8-sounding. Very cool, and I think it looks great. Take a look for yourself (though I'm not convinced that the exhaust pipe shouldn't be larger in diameter).

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Below is my previous post:

The stock Atom exhaust system is known to be fairly restrictive and quiet, having been designed to satisfy a host of noise ordinances, especially in the UK. Owners have also found that the stock internals have tended to deteriorate quickly.

Wanting something that provided more flow, created cheap additional power, weighed less, would last longer, looked better, and sound more robust, I asked my brother Alan (who builds and sells racecars) to take a whack at the Atom. Here's what he came up with:

The system is all stainless steel using dual 2" pipes doubling the exhaust flow of the original from 2" to 4". (Interestingly, Mark Swain with TMI explained to me that the Honda K20R engine has been tuned by Ariel such that it needs virtually no back pressure from the exhaust system to run perfectly - so there are only benefits to enhancing the exhaust flow.)

Have you noticed how several of the TransAm and NASCAR race cars are sounding more like IndyCars these days? That’s because they are using a synchronizing crossover exhaust system. Alan also incorporated a really neat synchronizing crossover pipe (aka an X pipe) like that found in Indy cars. These systems provide a 1% to 5% gain in both torque and horsepower at all engine speeds over standard systems, and they make four-cylinder engines sound like they have six or eight cylinders. Here's a photo of the X-pipe Alan is using:

In addition to increased power - whatever that might be - the new exhaust sounds great and looks fantastic IMO. If any of you may be interested in having Alan build one for your Atom, feel free to give him a call at: (321) 544-2320 or you can email him at: Alan@GT40Racing.com.

**Kim** · November 2, 2011, 01:05 PM

Sorry, I forgot the pricing information.

1. X-pipe to two 2" up-pipes to muffler with twin curved tips. Its sound is reminiscent of my old Ferrari 308 GTS.
Cost: $790 - excluding shipping.

2. X-pipe to two 2" up-pipes to muffler with single 5" curved tip. Sounds much throatier and aggressive.
Cost: $860 - excluding shipping.

Bear in mind that these are truly custom, hand-crafted, racing-grade exhaust systems made of stainless steel and inclusive of all you need from header to exhaust tip:

For more information, call Alan at: (321) 544-2320 or email: Alan@GT40Racing.com.

**Gage** · November 2, 2011, 05:22 PM

Thanks Kim.

**Gage** · November 2, 2011, 05:55 PM

I think this thread would benefit from a few sound clips.

**Steve** · November 11, 2011, 08:09 AM

I'm interested, but would love to hear it first. Can you make a recording with your cell phone or vid cam and put it on YouTube?

**Alan** · November 12, 2011, 11:10 AM

Steve, I have Kim's Ariel in my garage at this time. The shop is making a few adjustments to the new front and rear wing (one more reason to put more miles on his car) as we get the Ariel and the GT40 ready for the Reptile Round Up track event in Gainesville next week. (I sure hope the Cobra and Ford guys have a sense of humor when Kim shows up with the Ariel) Anyway, the Ariel does my a fixed on-board camera but the battery is down. Kim will have the Ariel back on Monday and I will ask him to post a sound video before we leave next Thursday. Having spent most of my years working on V8's, making this exhaust was a bit of a challenge. I didn't want the car to have the standard 4 cylinder sound, albeit loud. I'm really pleased the end results. To me the X pipe with the 2x2" equal length pipes give the Ariel a big displacement sound, almost like that of a 6 cylinder. Once Kim posts the video I will let you guys be the judge.

**Norm** · November 12, 2011, 11:21 AM

Ummm, ... Kim's car is a 3 therefore a Honda, Steve's car is an Eco. Not that i wouldn't like a good Eco option!!!

**Alan** · November 12, 2011, 12:07 PM

My full exhaust system most likely will not work with the Eco engine without some modification. The muffler would be the one component that I believe could be easily adapted. The mufflers that I use are custom made by a good friend of mine who just happens to be the same gentleman that makes all the Ferrari and Mercedes exhaust systems for Wayne Carini, who has the show on the Discovery channel "Chasing Classic Cars". His stainless steel exhaust work is just beautiful !