Possible exhaust rattle
Discussion
Has anyone had problems with a rattle from the oval section of their exhaust? When I've been driving my car above 60mph then slow down I can hear a rattle that sounds like an exhaust rattle, but I can't be sure above all the other noise (tyre, wind, traffic, engine etc). The noise then clears after a 5-15 seconds but takes longer to clear the harder I've been driving. Unfortunately it doesn't do it long enough to stop and lift the bonnet to check that it isn't coming from the engine.
I know it isn't the square box section because I've had that open when I repacked it and the baffle plate is welded in place. I don't want to cut the oval section open unless I have to but I suspect this may happen. Then again it could be the engine, but it does sound like a thin metal plate rattling.
Any ideas?
cheers
Jed
I know it isn't the square box section because I've had that open when I repacked it and the baffle plate is welded in place. I don't want to cut the oval section open unless I have to but I suspect this may happen. Then again it could be the engine, but it does sound like a thin metal plate rattling.
Any ideas?
cheers
Jed
As this thread has drifted I need to clarify something. For anyone thinking about setting the ignition timing of their S3/S3C to 15 degrees BTDC please note that you must use 97RON fuel and you must have the newer ECU that is mapped for 95RON
Other ECU and fuel/car combinations will use different settings.
Disclaimer: Use these settings at your own risk.
Other ECU and fuel/car combinations will use different settings.
Disclaimer: Use these settings at your own risk.
Result 
Cut open the oval section of the exhaust and the perforated inner looked fine so I welded it shut making sure I welded the perforated section as well - thinking that might stop it rattling. Took it for a blast and the horrendous rattle had gone... only to be replaced by a constant lower volume vibration that sounded like a moped. Not quite how a TVR should sound.....
Cut it open again and after a lot of cursing, grinding and clouting with a cold chisel I got the perforated section out. Checking the remains showed it was split along half its length.
Welded the box back together, sealed the joints with silicone and exhaust wrap and went for a blast.
Finally the car is running nicely and can be driven hard without any dodgy or embarrasing noises. Just need to sort out the wheels and it might even be presentable then.
Cut open the oval section of the exhaust and the perforated inner looked fine so I welded it shut making sure I welded the perforated section as well - thinking that might stop it rattling. Took it for a blast and the horrendous rattle had gone... only to be replaced by a constant lower volume vibration that sounded like a moped. Not quite how a TVR should sound.....Cut it open again and after a lot of cursing, grinding and clouting with a cold chisel I got the perforated section out. Checking the remains showed it was split along half its length.
Welded the box back together, sealed the joints with silicone and exhaust wrap and went for a blast.
Finally the car is running nicely and can be driven hard without any dodgy or embarrasing noises. Just need to sort out the wheels and it might even be presentable then.
Hi Dern,
The oval section I was referring to is the bit in front of the rectangular box that is resting on the crate. It is now empty and when you hit 3000rpm the thing starts to howl. Below that it is fine so reasonably discrete around town but it is going to drive me mad on the dual carriageway. Might cause a problem on trackdays as well when I get around to doing one in it.
If you ever want the speakers back they're sitting on my desk....
Here's a pic of the interior with new seats and carpet...
Once the wheels are tidied up it will be a presentable car again - although it'll always be covered in mud. I've been looking at the spreadsheet of the costs and ignoring my time, the car still has cost less than £5k thanks to ebay so is still cheaper than one of the Westfields that it replaced.
Jed
The oval section I was referring to is the bit in front of the rectangular box that is resting on the crate. It is now empty and when you hit 3000rpm the thing starts to howl. Below that it is fine so reasonably discrete around town but it is going to drive me mad on the dual carriageway. Might cause a problem on trackdays as well when I get around to doing one in it.
If you ever want the speakers back they're sitting on my desk....
Here's a pic of the interior with new seats and carpet...
Once the wheels are tidied up it will be a presentable car again - although it'll always be covered in mud. I've been looking at the spreadsheet of the costs and ignoring my time, the car still has cost less than £5k thanks to ebay so is still cheaper than one of the Westfields that it replaced.
Jed
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