Chimaera 450 exhaust

[steviegtr]

I have a 2001 MK3 Chimaera 450, which I love. What's the best exhaust system. The pre cats have been removed but the main cat remains. Cannot really remove this unless i have 2 systems to swap. MOT . So leaving the cat in place what would be the best route to take. I have seen guys remove the main silencer & strip out the gut & straight pipe, then welsd back together. I do have a Tig welder & am a good welder with many years experience. Or I have seen cherry bomb route. Which again I can buy the bombs quite cheaply & fabricate myself for not a lot a money. But is there anything better out there. Loud is proud.

[Belle427]

The Act cherry bomb system is the nicest sounding but if you want loud then sleeving the silencer is the way to go.
Most change the main cat to a Clive y piece which is a lovely thing but expensive, depends if you want to keep changing it over come mot time.
Act do lovely manifolds etc too but we are talking lots of money then.

[Sardonicus]

I would go the ACT cherry Bomb system as sleeved sounds well ......... st

[citizen smith]

Hi Steve,

Although a more roarty exhaust is a well liked sound in the TVR communtiy, I think that it could easily got on the drivers nerves on a long journey. But, each to their own.

[indigochim]

IMO removing the main cat makes them sound horrible I think the large void it leaves behind gives an agricultural sounding noise. As others have said if you want rid of this you ideally want an alternative y piece. I've tried a set of manifolds that are a similar design as the ACT ones and it sounds glorious on a blast but it can be a bit much on a long motorway run.

What I'd do is get along to some kind of meet and listen to what other people have and what you like.

I'd love to have the gear and skills to fabricate my own exhaust I think I'd try one with the bypass pipes to have the best of both worlds.

Edited by indigochim on Friday 26th April 14:08

[Belle427]

Personally im with you on leaving the main cat in place, i didnt like the sound on mine with the Clive Y in place on a standard exhaust.

[macdeb]

Sardonicus said:

I would go the ACT cherry Bomb system as sleeved sounds well ......... st

^^^^ I'm with him. Sleeved sounds like a tractor at standstill and main cat removed is awful. Cherry bombs are best and you can get them in different lengths.

[steviegtr]

Thanks guys & gals. Yes i think it best to leave the main cat in. The precats were removed by previous owner.
I have a list saved of all the different length Cheery bombs. Not expensive either. Ideal as said above would be a system like my Ftype R I had. Switchable. I did rough sketch a plan but to get 2 valves & 4 pipes down the tunnel looked unworkable.
Will just drive it for now. As not had it that long & being doing the Brembo brake upgrade not really been anywhere.
Steve.