Why you SHOULDN'T straight-pipe your Smart Roadster...

I make a custom straight-through exhaust for my 2003 Smart Roadster. It cost around £65 all in including a lambda extension, collar, 60 degree bend, and motorbike (bobber style) tailpipe. Much better than the £600 off the shelf items!
However - things don't quite go to plan...
SUBSCRIBE to my channel to be sure you don't miss the upcoming Ford Capri turbo content! Hope to see you in the comments soon ☺️
Dave
Rusted Pistons

[@aixamsdj]

I also drive the Smart Roadster every day. I have placed on the original exhaust in the bend between catalytic converter and Turbo and electric valve so that you can be loud or quiet with a simple push of a button. I made a KZbin video of it. 😎👍

[@RustedPistons]

Sounds great - I'll be watching that!

[@zackfair5756]

7:20 put on the subtitles until the end if you want to laugh 😂

[@RustedPistons]

[applause] [Oh] [Uh] 😂😂😂

[@dinodenardis2232]

love the vids, keep em coming

[@RustedPistons]

Thank you! Means a lot 👍 Next video should be ready to drop next weekend, hopefully 😊

[@johnnysurr]

It actually sounds pretty good 😊

[@RustedPistons]

Cheers, man! Yeah I did like the sound of it but it was bloody loud for a daily!!

[@pyrocrewnh5285]

I have my smart 450 from 1999 straight-piped and its sounds pretty dang loud, around two months now almost every day and i dont get bored of it. When I give a bit gas to 2000 rpm and let go of the gas you can hear some loud bangs haha

[@RustedPistons]

Yeah it sounded great but I got a bit tired of it after a week! Going to make a modification to the current exhaust so I can have the best of both worlds

[@phillofthouse7538]

Dave I have been looking for racelites like on your Capri but just cannot find these wheels. Can you please tell me exactly what these are in the exact size/offset. Also if you could let me know what arches and where to get them I’d be very grateful. Don’t worry I won’t be stealing your thunder I’m way up in Scotland hahaha! Blinding job on the Capri mate. Keep it up!

[@RustedPistons]

Hi Phil - I know the supplier I got them from stopped importing them. They're 15x8 and 15x10. I can't remember the offset off the top of my head but I'll try and find out and get back to you. The arches are mk2 Escort rally arches 👍

[@phillofthouse7538]

@@RustedPistons Thanks Dave. I’d appreciate that. I know it was raceways but maybe someone else could import them for me

[@syedemranhoque604]

Hi Dave, Just come across your page. Amazing work. Respect and amazed by people who make modification themselves. I am en route in purchasing a smart roadster, May I ask where I can purchase the spoiler you have and you offer mods for others?

[@RustedPistons]

Thanks, Syed 😁 the front and the rear spoilers are from eBay 👍 what are your plans with your new Roadster? You won't regret your purchase - fantastic little cars

[@syedemranhoque604]

I just want to buy it as a run around, but also want to modify by adding a spoiler, front lip, side skirt extension etc

[@RustedPistons]

I can send you a link to these specific spoilers if you'd like? Keep an eye out for my next video as I've just made an interesting free modification that makes me smile a lot!

[@syedemranhoque604]

@@RustedPistons that would be amazing! Any advise on how I can make the front look a bit sporty and mean?

[@RustedPistons]

I'd say the spacers and lowering springs were the best mod in terms of looking mean. Debadging front and back helped too. I've also tinted the back lights. The front spoiler made it look lower and meaner. Here's the link www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284831656534?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=zvo3ICTKSoK&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=uyQQ-u6oS1C&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY I used these to help secure it and make it look meaner, too www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125192893275?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fyewbq0os4s&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=uyQQ-u6oS1C&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY And this is the rear spoiler: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255402509082?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=u3I-X-X9RjS&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=uyQQ-u6oS1C&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@ricardojorgepacheco1717]

have made one with only 1 ressonator and its cool

[@RustedPistons]

I'd like to hear what that sounds like, Ricardo!

[@ToolsnTrack]

I've always suspected these would sound pretty decent with a system on it. That assumes it doesn't deafen you first.

[@RustedPistons]

Yeah it sounds great - the 3 cylinder thrum sounded great with the standard exhaust on to be fair. It did get a bit much and I have modified it yet again, though. Update coming soon 👍

[@ferrumignis]

6:00 Known as horsepower killers. Those baffles are the last thing you want on a turbocharged engine, too much back pressure.

[@RustedPistons]

I know - had to put one in for a track day in a different car once and it hurt the power. This one is a lot more free flowing than that and didn't seem to affect the power noticeably

[@ianfrost3529]

Triple do sound good with straight or open pipes. Haven’t got experience on the smart with a turbo. But do have on triumph motorcycles and a Peugeot 107.

[@RustedPistons]

Yeah - it almost has a V6-style thrum to it which is odd seeing as it's missing half the cylinders!

[@ianfrost3529]

@@RustedPistons the 107 that my mates 18 year old son has. They did a classic mini style cat back straight pipe. But with the 107 engine having VVT at high rpm’s you get ignition change and sounds similar to a Honda Vtec.

[@ER00Rek]

🔥

[@RustedPistons]

Thanks, Nathaniel 😁🤙

[@jespervedelrieper1992]

We need more smart videos!😅

[@RustedPistons]

More videos coming!

[@SparkyRih]

I don't think you should straight pipe a Roadster, it does not have enough power to make up for the sound, it's just stupid. Mine has an S-Mann exhaust, perfect sound to power ratio :) And a Mercedes SLK230 Kompressor, which does have a very loud exhaust on it, but that car can actually make up for it :)

[@RustedPistons]

I would love an S Mann exhaust but they're upwards of 600 quid. If you watch the rest of the video you'll see that I decided against it as it was too loud. It did help with turbo pickup though.

[@aketza7395]

Do you have a gearbox remap?

[@RustedPistons]

No gearbox remap at the moment - only engine mods are a RAMAIR filter and the decat exhaust. I am looking at an engine remap soon, though

[@BigPerformance]

You cannot remap JUST the gearbox. The MEG1.1 that these have have all the ecu settings in one

[@RustedPistons]

Interesting - so when you get these engines remapped the gearbox is also remapped? Or do you have to specify that at the time?

[@BigPerformance]

@@RustedPistons We map the gearbox as part of the complete remap.

[@RustedPistons]

@@BigPerformance what actually improves when you map the box? I find the speed of change actually not that bad now I'm used to it

[@ericmcb2157]

I remove mine and don't need to remove the shell

[@RustedPistons]

Were your bolts in good condition? Mine needed cutting off and I couldn't get my angle grinder in there