VE Senator Advice

[DevilMayCare]

Hi all,

I've come across a VE Senator complete exhaust system (headers, cats, pipes, mufflers,etc) which was taken off after 2,000km for $500 and thought it might be a good cheap upgrade for my Calais instead of spending $2,500 - $3,000 for an aftermarket setup. I'm just about to get my car back from a respray too so trying to source other upgrade options on the cheap for now.

I've had trouble finding info on the Senator system so would like to know if anyone can help me by telling me what the specs were? I'd like to know if it is a HM system like I've heard, if it's stainless steel, 2.5", extractor type (eg. 4-1 or tri-y etc)?

I know some of the questions are probably stupid but I don't pretend to know my shit, hence I'm asking you guys for advice.

One thing I do know about the Senator exhaust is they have the Bi-modal system so I'm guessing I would have to change the mufflers or use my stock ones? Advice on any better sounding aftermarket mufflers to suit would be appreciated also? Or if there's any other modifications I would have to worry about when fitting?

I'd also like to know if my Calais would respond well to an OTR and tune with this system, the same way as if I was to put an aftermarket setup on?

I know a lot of people advise that aftermarket is best but like I said, I'm looking for a cheap upgrade, and as it's a daily driver, I'm after minor power gains and a nicer note once combined with a tune. I have no intention of camming it down the track or racing.

Anyway, I hope none of my questions sound too stupid and appreciate any advice in advance.

[jaykay]

If you just want a bit more of a note I would just get a 2.5" catback..seen X Force mild steel on eBay for $600.....then when you get some more funds whack on an OTR and get a tune done then...

[team illucid]

I am just about to take mine off - 2009 VE Senator.

HM try-y headers, not sure if the HSV cats are HM as well (I have heard some people say they are Outlaw branded - not sure though) - pipe looks to be 2.25" mild steel not stainless, into mufflers and quad 2" tips.

The Senator does not have bi-modal (not even sure it was an option for the E1).

I have picked up a catback (minus rear muffler) Xforce system in mild steel and have purchased 2 x 3" hooker aero chamber mufflers to mate to the xforce. Keeping the existing cats for now, but will replace them when I do the tune. Keeping the HSV headers as 3-4Kw for 1200 is not noticeable.

I have already put an OTR on, and that has deepened the stock exhaust noticeably, with a great underbonnet roar in the process. With the exhaust on, the induction sound will not be as noticeable.

I spent over 3K on my exhaust package on our Clubsport, but am doing the Senator as an experiment to see if I can get similar power under 1K.

[DevilMayCare]

Thanks for the info so far guys.

I should have specified that the system I'm looking at is an E3 system, hence I thought it was the bi-modal, but given my lack of knowledge I happily stand corrected.

Can anyone elaborate on team illucid's comments and clarify the things he, and I, am not 100% sure on?

[Wonky]

In E3 I think the bimodal was only an option for the Senator, as for the Clubby. Also, I believe that unlike the GTS system the optional bimodal system had the more restrictive front pipes.

I also thought, perhaps incorrectly, that to make the HSV bimodal system work you needed the HSV EDI system, otherwise it would either be fully open (nice note but illegally loud if that's a concern) or closed which would be SFA gain in power or sound.

I'd also suggest before you consider purchasing an XForce system to ensure you listen to one as they are typically a unique, raspy/barky sound that some people don't like. I have been in one VE with full XForce that sounded very nice, but IMO most don't. Just check!

[DevilMayCare]

So Wonky, you saying if I was to go the second hand cheaper option, it would be best to source a GTS system rather than the Senator system?

My bro-inlaw has an SS and got a 3" X-force cat back with 1 7/8" extractors for $2500 fitted. He said the guy had another system the same for me if I wanted it, but while his car definitely doesn't sound terrible, I'm still not 100% convinced by the sound. But then again, I'm a bit of a fussy pr%#k. He has since added an OTR and tune so yet to hear it since then, so may sound better now. If so, it is an option, but add OTR and tune and still looking at $3,000+.

The whole exhaust issue is starting to do my head in to be honest. So many different opinions etc to consider.

[team illucid]

So Wonky, you saying if I was to go the second hand cheaper option, it would be best to source a GTS system rather than the Senator system?

My bro-inlaw has an SS and got a 3" X-force cat back with 1 7/8" extractors for $2500 fitted. He said the guy had another system the same for me if I wanted it, but while his car definitely doesn't sound terrible, I'm still not 100% convinced by the sound. But then again, I'm a bit of a fussy pr%#k. He has since added an OTR and tune so yet to hear it since then, so may sound better now. If so, it is an option, but add OTR and tune and still looking at $3,000+.

The whole exhaust issue is starting to do my head in to be honest. So many different opinions etc to consider.

Apparently you can put an H pipe into the Xforce to get a nicer sound ... Also their rear mufflers aren't the best, so maybe change them (hence why I went the Hooker Aero mufflers).

[Wonky]

So Wonky, you saying if I was to go the second hand cheaper option, it would be best to source a GTS system rather than the Senator system?

My bro-inlaw has an SS and got a 3" X-force cat back with 1 7/8" extractors for $2500 fitted. He said the guy had another system the same for me if I wanted it, but while his car definitely doesn't sound terrible, I'm still not 100% convinced by the sound. But then again, I'm a bit of a fussy pr%#k. He has since added an OTR and tune so yet to hear it since then, so may sound better now. If so, it is an option, but add OTR and tune and still looking at $3,000+.

The whole exhaust issue is starting to do my head in to be honest. So many different opinions etc to consider.

My understanding is that the optional bimodal system is only basically the rear mufflers and that therefore the GTS is the only one with the bigger front pipes. That was certainly the case originally though now I look I see there are now 325kw Senators so I suspect they may have the bigger pipes at the front too as that was (part of?) the reason why the GTS was originally 325kw and the others only 317kw. Therefore if it's off a 325kw Senator you should probably be OK - research further or maybe someone on here knows 100% for sure.

You are right that the whole exhaust thing can be a right PITA but the best advice is to listen to a similar (preferably identical) car with the system you are considering, both from inside (drone/sound) and outside to see if it's the sound you really want. Sound is an individual thing so while many people may love or hate a particular exhaust note others may disagree. Only you can decide what suits you. If you're never going to cam your car it's pointless listening to a cammed car, even if the exhaust you want is identical. Similarly, for people who only want to go catback it is misleading to listen to systems with extractors and cats as they also change the sound.

If the $500 is HSV extractors and a full bimodal catback then it sounds good value, though as I inferred in my original reply, I'm sure you'll have to jerry rig something to be able to utilise the bimodal as the E3 bimodals work off the EDI I think.