Has anyone used a ABARTH exhaust system on their 140?

Yep.

Cameron
Portland

What is your opinion of it
How does it compare to the SIMONS Sport exhaust?
Are you Cam from Swedish Relics?

Thank you!

I had an Abarth exhaust system on my 142 back in the '70s and I currently have a Simons sport version of their exhaust system on my 142. The late '70s Abarth exhaust system appeared to have been constructed from recycled soup cans and was pretty much rust dust in less that 3 years of regular driving. My Simons system was installed in 2015 and is doing just fine, although the car is not a daily driver and does not get used in the winter.

The Simons system is heavy gauge steel (and relatively heavy) - definitely no soup can construction. It uses flow through absorption mufflers so no real place for moisture to accumulate which should reduce rust issues. It is slightly louder than the original Volvo exhaust system and does not have a resonator so it has a bit of drone at certain RPMs (which you normally can't hear on the highway because of the B20E racket). I have been thinking about trying to fit a resonator for around town driving.

The Abarth had a really nice exhaust tip. The Simons is just a pipe sticking out the back of the car - if that matters to you. The Simons comes as a complete kit which includes a replacement down pipe which you may or may not need.

Thanks for the sound advice. Thinking of coating the SIMONS kit with something from Eastwood, or a JetHot type coating, to extend its' life. No soupy-can ABARTH!

My personal experience has been that exhaust systems typically rust out from the inside as a result of the slightly acidic condensation from the exhaust forming on the cold steel. On the Abarth and on one of those 'Midas type' systems I had installed on a 745 (bad choice made in a hurry) by the time the hole poked through to the exterior the inside was a goner. As such, I personally wouldn't bother with exterior protective coatings on the exhaust system.

If you drive in winter conditions in an area where they apply a lot of salt on the road then surface protection might be useful; but, under those conditions you have to worry about the exhaust system outlasting the body on a 140.

If you purchase the Simons system, be aware that they use the original Volvo style double doughnut hanger on the tailpipe. Those particular rubber doughnuts are not what they used to be in terms of durability. The original on mine snapped after about 5 months resulting in a lot of banging of the mount. Two replacements snapped in quick order resulting in me replacing the complete hanger assembly with a flexible strap type hanger. The much larger rubber doughnuts that suspend the two mufflers have not been a problem

You are correct! Will not bother with coatings, as I do nor drive the 142 in Winters' salty conditions here in the Adirondacks. VP Autoparts has the Simons Sport system for $350.00, including mounting hardware. Just have to keep an eye on the rubber doughnuts, or find a better way to secure the tailpipe.

In terms of performance, I wouldn't think it's notably better nor worse than the Simons. I'm told, but can't confirm, that the Abarth systems were prone to rusting.

Performance gains from either will be directly related to what other modifications the engine has.

The Simons I've seen start with the headpipe and include a complete system; the Abarth connects to the stock pipe that's under the passenger side floor and includes replacement pieces only from there aft.

I'm the Swedish Relics Cam.

Cheers --

Cameron
Portland