Intro - 2008 Auris 1.6 Rs

[AshW]

Hi guys, my name is Ash and I'm from Durban, South Africa. I purchased a 2008 Toyota Auris 1.6 RS a couple months ago and this seems to be the best forum for Auris owners. Unfortunately in SA we do not get the sporty versions like the SR180 etc. and we have to look at ways at modding a car that most auto shops do not cater for as the Auris is not a very popular choice for car enthusiasts. Even finding wheels for the Auris is so difficult here as 5/114 pcd is not very common.

Minor mods/accessories done already include OEM sports roof spoiler, OEM windshields and a bonnet guard (painted black). I have also installed a Sony 4 channel amplifier to enhance the standard Speakers and added a 12inch Kenwood subwoofer in a bandpass enclosure and it all sounds pretty decent.

My ultimate dream is to add 18inch wheels, lower the car and fit a Webasto sunroof but these are all quite expensive so it will be long term.

For now I will be doing a lighting upgrade by fiiting 6000k HID kits on the headlights and fogs, LED interior and license plate lights together with laminx headlight film on all the exterior lights. I was also thinking about either a decat and backbox change or going for a full performance exhaust. My main aim is to get a nice sounding tone and not so much power gains hence I think the decat and backbox may be a bettter/cheaper option for me. Any advice on this? Also if I do decide to go for the full exhaust what specs do you guys recommend? I was thinking a 2 box exhaust with 50mm diameter piping may be good for a 1600?

Attached is a picture of my car.

Thanks in advance

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello Ash - welcome to Toyota Owners Club

[Speed_Chaser]

Hey and welcome on TOC Ash!

It's all been done and tested before so here's couple of tips for you. Lamin-X is quite thick so might be difficult to apply. If everyone will say Auris lights are too curved I would suggest using thinner Oracal 8300 series 073 or 074 colour.

Regarding the exhust. You will not gain performance no matter which system you'll get. Petrol engine without turbo is just not capable. Also if you will remove the resonator torpedo sound will be very very loud. Especially with custom back box if it will be straight through. For sound I would suggest changing only the backbox. Look for the straight models without silencer chambers.

[AshW]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Hey and welcome on TOC Ash!

It's all been done and tested before so here's couple of tips for you. Lamin-X is quite thick so might be difficult to apply. If everyone will say Auris lights are too curved I would suggest using thinner Oracal 8300 series 073 or 074 colour.

Regarding the exhust. You will not gain performance no matter which system you'll get. Petrol engine without turbo is just not capable. Also if you will remove the resonator torpedo sound will be very very loud. Especially with custom back box if it will be straight through. For sound I would suggest changing only the backbox. Look for the straight models without silencer chambers.

Thanks Speed Chaser. Really appreciate the advice.

[Uncle Buck]

Welcome Ash :)

Personally I think your best option exhaust-wise is a custom made cat-back with the 2" or 50mm diameter piping. If not, then try taking out any central box (if fitted) & then choosing your own back box. I've tried both options in the past & the cat-back turned out best. Plus it gave another 3 - 6 bhp throughout the whole rev range, verified on a dyno. That was with a non-turbo 1.8, so a decent filter upgrade & cat-back could give you about 5 bhp more plus the sound you're looking for.

Hope that helps !

[AshW]

Welcome Ash :)

Personally I think your best option exhaust-wise is a custom made cat-back with the 2" or 50mm diameter piping. If not, then try taking out any central box (if fitted) & then choosing your own back box. I've tried both options in the past & the cat-back turned out best. Plus it gave another 3 - 6 bhp throughout the whole rev range, verified on a dyno. That was with a non-turbo 1.8, so a decent filter upgrade & cat-back could give you about 5 bhp more plus the sound you're looking for.

Hope that helps !

Hi Uncle Buck,

Thanks for that - it does help. Just to clarify cat-back is the part of the exhaust after the catalytic convertor ie. i should not remove the cat?

Thanks again

[Uncle Buck]

That's exactly it - the manifold & cat stay in place, but everything behind is changed/upgraded

Prices for a cat-back vary from place to place, but a decent one will cost approx £250-300 for a 4 pot non-turbo engine.

[Speed_Chaser]

Won't it become way too loud? At least when installing such system it is necessary to pay attention on the components. If the silencer is upgraded to a sporty one then the rear muffler should be silenced, not a straight one. Otherwise the sound will blow your teeth of if you're not 18 year old boy racer... That's what I've heard...

[Uncle Buck]

Won't it become way too loud? At least when installing such system it is necessary to pay attention on the components. If the silencer is upgraded to a sporty one then the rear muffler should be silenced, not a straight one. Otherwise the sound will blow your teeth of if you're not 18 year old boy racer... That's what I've heard...

Not really, mine was absolutely fine. A sporty burble at idle, a muted growl through the mid-range then a more serious tone at higher revs. It didn't have that nasty 'booming' resonance that big bore pipes usually display & it didn't bother the sensitive neighbours at all. But I will admit that all cars are different when it comes to the amount of noise made when you start modifying from standard.

[Uncle Buck]

To get the level of sound/noise that you want. it's important to be completely upfront with the person making your exhaust. No point saying you want it sounding like a NASCAR & then winge that it's too loud. If you want it modest, then ask for that .....

[Speed_Chaser]

Ok I see, it's just guys who were looking at my car told me it's impossible to do. Maybe just because I allready had straight through muffler from Remus and not willing to let them choose the rear muffler themselves...

[AshW]

Thanks for all the insight guys. Much appreciated.

Also is an aftermarket air filter like K&N or BMC good idea? Any noticable differences

[Uncle Buck]

You rarely notice much difference when you buy & use just a filter, but combined with an exhaust upgrade then you really start to make worthwhile gains. I know this from experience & genuine dyno runs, not just hearsay :)

[Speed_Chaser]

I would suggest Apexi filter as it's practically maintenance-free. No oiling (which also means there's no risk of over-oiling it). Just cleaning from time to time of course.