Custom Exhaust Fabricator required for top secret project!
Discussion
Hi, I’m working on a “top secret” project that needs a proto-type exhaust making, which will lead into volume production.
I know there are plenty of exhaust fabricators out there that will build you an exhaust, but the problem is that you have to bring the car to them, which is fine it it’s actually a fully working and road legal car, not so if it’s a pre-production proto-type which doesn’t run.
So does anyone out there know of a company or person, in the Leicester area, that will make a “home” visit, take measurements and then fabricate an exhaust for me?
Any clues, hints or tips as to where to look would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
I know there are plenty of exhaust fabricators out there that will build you an exhaust, but the problem is that you have to bring the car to them, which is fine it it’s actually a fully working and road legal car, not so if it’s a pre-production proto-type which doesn’t run.
So does anyone out there know of a company or person, in the Leicester area, that will make a “home” visit, take measurements and then fabricate an exhaust for me?
Any clues, hints or tips as to where to look would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
How vital is it that the exhaust is "production quality" and top power making from the get go?
I only ask as I'm making an exhaust up at the moment too, but I'm doing it myself, it really isn't that hard at this stage, of course once you start chasing the last few HP then it needs to be someone who really knows their stuff but again most of the drive in and they make it places won't be chasing that power either. I'd just cobble something together short term and then get a better job done once the project is a go.
I only ask as I'm making an exhaust up at the moment too, but I'm doing it myself, it really isn't that hard at this stage, of course once you start chasing the last few HP then it needs to be someone who really knows their stuff but again most of the drive in and they make it places won't be chasing that power either. I'd just cobble something together short term and then get a better job done once the project is a go.
Hi, thanks for replying. Performance isn’t the first priority at this point; to be honest I don’t have the budget to spend on tuning the exhaust to give optimum power. What I’m looking for is something similar to Powerflow or Jetex. I’m looking for a pair of “off the shelf” silencers, and some down pipes/tailpipes bent into shape. But what ever is made has to be easily copied.
If you have no budget (and I assume you have headers) just use flexi pipe.
I did on a a V8 I ran when I was 18*. Got some decent headers, then lengths of 3" (IIRC) flexi pipe, a couple of cherry bombs and a couple of chrome tails. Then just bolted everything together.
*Exhaust regulations may have changed somewhat since I was 18!
I did on a a V8 I ran when I was 18*. Got some decent headers, then lengths of 3" (IIRC) flexi pipe, a couple of cherry bombs and a couple of chrome tails. Then just bolted everything together.
*Exhaust regulations may have changed somewhat since I was 18!
Thanks to all replies; I have a little more budget than flexi pipes and cherry bombs.. Thanks though. Yeah I know I could trailer the car, but I don’t have one, nor is “the project” weather proof, and even if I hired a trailer I’m not fitting a tow bar to either my BMW or TVR, and a tow truck is going to cost to much. Hence I need the fabricator to visit me. I know there are people out there that do this type of work; I’ve seen it on TV! ALTiSS looks promising, do they do home visits? Oh yeah, this is real!
I’m privately funding this project and have a very close eye on the budget. Every area of the car is budgeted, chassis, brakes, secondary mechanicals, body construction etc. Having the car transported is going to cost in the reign of £250, this can be better spent in other areas. I agree that £250 doesn’t sound a lot, but if you multiplied this several times, if I allowed the budget to exceed the limit, it would put the overall cost into the thousands, resulting in the end product being overpriced for the consumer.
Secondly, why unnecessarily spend £250 plus the cost of construction, when I know there are companies out there who will make a site visit and only charge construction.
Again, multiply this approach over each individual area of the project and you will see how important it is to keep within budget.
It’s not a question of affording it; it’s a question of budget! Ask yourself why the new Noble is so expensive? It doesn’t need to be, but they have development costs to recoup.
Secondly, why unnecessarily spend £250 plus the cost of construction, when I know there are companies out there who will make a site visit and only charge construction.
Again, multiply this approach over each individual area of the project and you will see how important it is to keep within budget.
It’s not a question of affording it; it’s a question of budget! Ask yourself why the new Noble is so expensive? It doesn’t need to be, but they have development costs to recoup.
Muncher said:
Give Chris Tullett a call, he does lots of one offs like that, based in Aylesbury though.
Thanks, but I think you’re right Aylesbury is about 160 mile round trip, so I don’t think it’ll be cost effective for him to make two trips. One to measure up the job and a second to deliver the exhaust to trial fit. Cheers though, I appreciate all and any genuine tips.Could try Turbo Thomas: http://www.turbothomas.com/contact about 50/60 miles.
And have you considered the fact that anyone visting you will charge a premium for their time?
There will be other things that need doing that will require taking the car to someone, so you may as well bite the bullet now.
Only other constructive thing i can say is to bodge one up from mild steel, ensuring that the critical points are in the right place and then send that off to a specialist as a template.
I know that stevieturbo (on this board) did that as he lives in ireland - look him up and ask him.
There will be other things that need doing that will require taking the car to someone, so you may as well bite the bullet now.
Only other constructive thing i can say is to bodge one up from mild steel, ensuring that the critical points are in the right place and then send that off to a specialist as a template.
I know that stevieturbo (on this board) did that as he lives in ireland - look him up and ask him.
XG332 said:
doogz said:
Schools out today?
Half termNot everyone who comes onto PH is a half-termer having a laugh. Christ this place has become anal recently.
As for the OP - i don't know of anyone in the area you're in, so sorry no info from me.
But good luck with the project, and don't forget to keep PH updated with it when it surfaces.
Edited by Beefmeister on Tuesday 1st June 12:59
eliot said:
Only other constructive thing i can say is to bodge one up from mild steel, ensuring that the critical points are in the right place and then send that off to a specialist as a template.
I know that stevieturbo (on this board) did that as he lives in ireland - look him up and ask him.
do this I know that stevieturbo (on this board) did that as he lives in ireland - look him up and ask him.
We did something similar about 5 years ago, but with a 10mm alloy plate for the flange and small'ish bore corrugated heating duct for the pipes.
Once the shape was set, a coat of GRP held it all in place, allowing it to be scanned in and reproduced by IIRC a subby working for Peco
Thanks for the positive info and genuine help given, all is appreciated. As for the comments about not being able to afford the transport costs, but seemingly being wealth, can I just say I’m not some sort of millionaire car developer. As I’ve said before I’m privately funding this project, and I must evaluate each and every small job on this car to stay within a limited budget.
The reason I decided to start this project, some 3 years ago, is I became frustrated with poorly designed sports cars, costing £1000 to keep on the road. I’ve owned several cars, such as Lotus, TVR and some Japanese Imports, all costing the earth to run. The current Kit car market is full of all the same boring Lotus 7 replicas, fake Lamborghini’s and hardcore focused track cars. The only thing that was of interest to me was the Ultima, but at around £50,000 to make, doesn’t make sense to buy, when you could buy Porsche 911’s, Astons and Baby Lamborghini’s for the same price.
So, I had raised enough money to buy my first Lamborghini, but knew the horrendous running costs. I.e. £5000 for a clutch, £2200 for a new wing, £1800 for a new door mirror, £3000 for a new bumper!
I made a decision to drop the idea of the Lamborghini and Build my own car from the ground up, using easily available and affordable parts. I have a close circle of “now” friends who are willing to help, without looking for an “easy meal”. Thanks to them and being extremely tight with the budget, I’m 3 years into a 4-year project. The car is now drivable (minus the exhaust), “only” requiring some outer bodywork completing, with GRP moulds etc.
I’m not going to publish any drawings or details as yet. I want the car finished, IVA tested and on the road before I do. When the time comes, Piston heads will be one of the first to know.
If you wish to make a positive comment and offer any help to me, so I can continue my work and ultimately develop a “Supercar” for Mondeo Money, then thank you.
The reason I decided to start this project, some 3 years ago, is I became frustrated with poorly designed sports cars, costing £1000 to keep on the road. I’ve owned several cars, such as Lotus, TVR and some Japanese Imports, all costing the earth to run. The current Kit car market is full of all the same boring Lotus 7 replicas, fake Lamborghini’s and hardcore focused track cars. The only thing that was of interest to me was the Ultima, but at around £50,000 to make, doesn’t make sense to buy, when you could buy Porsche 911’s, Astons and Baby Lamborghini’s for the same price.
So, I had raised enough money to buy my first Lamborghini, but knew the horrendous running costs. I.e. £5000 for a clutch, £2200 for a new wing, £1800 for a new door mirror, £3000 for a new bumper!
I made a decision to drop the idea of the Lamborghini and Build my own car from the ground up, using easily available and affordable parts. I have a close circle of “now” friends who are willing to help, without looking for an “easy meal”. Thanks to them and being extremely tight with the budget, I’m 3 years into a 4-year project. The car is now drivable (minus the exhaust), “only” requiring some outer bodywork completing, with GRP moulds etc.
I’m not going to publish any drawings or details as yet. I want the car finished, IVA tested and on the road before I do. When the time comes, Piston heads will be one of the first to know.
If you wish to make a positive comment and offer any help to me, so I can continue my work and ultimately develop a “Supercar” for Mondeo Money, then thank you.
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