Nice initial review. I contacted Ballade Sports - even though their website showed Out Of Stock - about this exhaust and they said they had one last unit that a customer decided they didn't want. I jumped on the opportunity and it arrived completely intact; no dings nor bent flange for the slip-fit. I consider myself lucky because I thought it would likely be damaged on its trip to me in Illinois from Cali. Anyway, I got it on my Berlina Black 2004 S2000 and it fit well. Just like you, @jonyrho, I can't wait for the snow/salt to be gone to get her out on the road for a good rip!
Nice pick up! Glad it arrived safely for you! Same year and colour as mine! From what I've seen, there's only fitment issues on the later year AP2s. Can't wait for winter to be over!
Nice video. I had a feeling you were going with this exhaust. I was close to getting this one but ended up going with the EVS single exit exhaust myself for pretty much the same reasons you described in the video.
@@jonyrho I only have one day of seat time with it since I just got it installed but so far I love it. I was thinking it would be louder but I think it's just right. I can still cruise top down and talk to wifey or listen to music. That was one of my goals. ☑
Did you look at the Renegade Motorsport exhausts? I'm looking for OEM+. After several years with a J's racing, I went back to stock because I couldn't handle the drone anymore.
I did check out the Renegade Motorsports one but ultimately wanted one with a Helmholtz resonator. Any aftermarket system that claims minimal drone has one in addition to a regular inline resonator.
@@jonyrho gotcha thought I was the only one lol. Tried getting new hangers that wasn't the issue. My oem bar is pretty beat up thought that might be it. I just installed yesterday though may try washers to space it idk. Lmk if you find a solution thanks 👍
@@FATmenDRIVEtrucks I'm actually used the ASM lower bar with the bracket for my Voltex diffuser. Not sure how it compares with the OEM bar but spacing it out with washers would probably be a good idea. Although I love the sound the fitment issues are really bugging me
I have the same exhaust from Ballade and got pretty much identical damage as yours. I made it work but I should've complained to Ballade like many others did lol
When I talked to them they made it sound like no one else ran into the same issue but it seemed a few others were complaining too. Kind of disappointing for my first experience with them
I had the exhaust shipped to a shipping depot in the states and brought over into Canada by a company called DYK Post. Usually ends up working out a decent amount cheaper than shipping it directly to Canada
Nice initial review. I contacted Ballade Sports - even though their website showed Out Of Stock - about this exhaust and they said they had one last unit that a customer decided they didn't want. I jumped on the opportunity and it arrived completely intact; no dings nor bent flange for the slip-fit. I consider myself lucky because I thought it would likely be damaged on its trip to me in Illinois from Cali. Anyway, I got it on my Berlina Black 2004 S2000 and it fit well. Just like you, @jonyrho, I can't wait for the snow/salt to be gone to get her out on the road for a good rip!
Nice pick up! Glad it arrived safely for you! Same year and colour as mine! From what I've seen, there's only fitment issues on the later year AP2s. Can't wait for winter to be over!
I just ordered mine and they told me essentially the same thing ..
Did you have to remove the rear subframe bar to fit the exhaust? I can't seem to see it. Thanks
You might be able to snake things through with it on but I removed mine to make it easier
@@jonyrho but you were able to put it back right?
Yes it reinstalls
Nice video. I had a feeling you were going with this exhaust. I was close to getting this one but ended up going with the EVS single exit exhaust myself for pretty much the same reasons you described in the video.
The EVS one was an exhaust I was considering too but I thought it might be a bit too loud. How have you been liking it?
@@jonyrho I only have one day of seat time with it since I just got it installed but so far I love it. I was thinking it would be louder but I think it's just right. I can still cruise top down and talk to wifey or listen to music. That was one of my goals. ☑
Did you look at the Renegade Motorsport exhausts? I'm looking for OEM+. After several years with a J's racing, I went back to stock because I couldn't handle the drone anymore.
I did check out the Renegade Motorsports one but ultimately wanted one with a Helmholtz resonator. Any aftermarket system that claims minimal drone has one in addition to a regular inline resonator.
Did you ever put your rear tunnel bar back on? Did you have clearance issues with it?
I did and I do have clearance issues. It's been the entire summer of playing with different solutions to prevent the exhaust moving too much
@@jonyrho gotcha thought I was the only one lol. Tried getting new hangers that wasn't the issue. My oem bar is pretty beat up thought that might be it. I just installed yesterday though may try washers to space it idk. Lmk if you find a solution thanks 👍
@@FATmenDRIVEtrucks I'm actually used the ASM lower bar with the bracket for my Voltex diffuser. Not sure how it compares with the OEM bar but spacing it out with washers would probably be a good idea. Although I love the sound the fitment issues are really bugging me
I have the same exhaust from Ballade and got pretty much identical damage as yours. I made it work but I should've complained to Ballade like many others did lol
When I talked to them they made it sound like no one else ran into the same issue but it seemed a few others were complaining too. Kind of disappointing for my first experience with them
Hi, which company do you use for shipping?
I had the exhaust shipped to a shipping depot in the states and brought over into Canada by a company called DYK Post. Usually ends up working out a decent amount cheaper than shipping it directly to Canada
It's not a 3" it's 2.75" (70mm)
You're right! I thought it was a 3 inch and then I realized afterwards