Started to put my trumpets in... parp!

[chris1972]

Got some advice and ideas from Blitzracing web site www.g33.co.uk and thought I'd have a go myself. Picked up some tungsten carbide bits for my die grinder, some 45mm full radius trumpets and started work this eve. My wife had to drag me in at 20:00 because the compressor was keeping kids awake... very addictive! I have all the ports machined out to fit the trumpets now, but need to polish them and then grind in the trumpets so that they sit together. Quite an enjoyable job so far... definitely beats removing the exhaust manifolds!

Any ideas what adhesive I fit them back in with?

Here's a couple of pics, just as an illustration! Not actually started to seat the trumpets yet.

[Andy_mr2sc]

Hi Chris
Did a local company machine out the base for the trumpets?

[chris1972]

I did it myself. I purchased a set of tungsten carbide bits from Amazon. They cut through the alloy very quickly. I then ground it a little further using a standard grinding stone. Took me about 90 minutes. I'll finish off/ smooth the surfaces tomorrow.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004WGJ5V8/ref=...

[Andy_mr2sc]

Oh ok. The reason I ask is I've got a Bridgeport cnc machining centre in my workshop that I use as a hobby/sideline business that would make light work of doing that!

[chris1972]

Lol! I'd very much like something like that!!! The problem is, I'm spending too much time on the car and not enough earning at the moment. Kitting out my garage with that stuff would only make it much worse!

If only I had known!!!!!

Edit: I'll pass you details on though. I know quite a few people that may be interested in that sort of thing! What exactly do you offer?

Edited by chris1972 on Thursday 9th May 22:12

[Andy_mr2sc]

I built up a pretty good engineering workshop a while ago with the intention of getting away from 8yrs of building and back in to what I trained in from school but since then then I've been so busy with building work I haven't managed to do the swap back. Quite frustrating but its a case of go where the money is. I do a few bits for local companies when I get the chance/time but other than that its a very expensive toy!!

[chris1972]

I've just looked at a few on Google That beast could have saved me tons of time, thats for sure! Wish I'd known, I could have got you to do my manifold as well before I put it back on!

Do you know somebody who offers good and competitive welding locally? I'm ongoing to decat a Y-piece and need it welding back up. I was going to do it myself and borrow a welder, but I'm running out of steam and time!

[Andy_mr2sc]

Dave @ Dave Hammond Racing in Whitfield is a guru welder in tig or mig or H at Ashford Motorsport in Dover. I have a mig myself but use it so little that I can't promise that your manifold won't fall apart!

[chris1972]

Andy_mr2sc said:

Dave @ Dave Hammond Racing in Whitfield is a guru welder in tig or mig or H at Ashford Motorsport in Dover. I have a mig myself but use it so little that I can't promise that your manifold won't fall apart!

Excellent, thanks for that. I'll pay them a visit!

[Andy_mr2sc]

I'm interested to see what gains your manifold/plenum mods see. I intend modifying mine over the winter and I'm considering the different options on this as there seems to be a huge difference of opinion. In the back of my mind I'm thinking to open the trumpet holes out to 45mm and either blend out the body on my mill or insert trumpets like yours. If I get round to drawing the manifold up on my cad system I'll open the ports out to match the heads and blend it all through. That's the idea anyway...

[chris1972]

I don't think it's the extra mil width that will make any difference as I've kept the aperture at the base the same as before so it matches the manifold. However, the flares on the trumpets should help with the airflow and have to be better than the standard TVR ram pipes. These were by default 20mm shorter than the standard 500 trumpets, so I gather it will move some of the torque a little further up the rev range (not a problem as I understand on the 500). I've also got an insulating gasket to help reduce heat transfer from the manifold.

I'd be interested in seeing the difference too. I did consider the ACT trumpets. really nice, but just a tad expensive at the moment; however, these have nice big full radius flares, so should do a reasonable job.

I'd like to gas flow my manifold as well, so let me know when you get around to it as I'd be interested in seeing it done! I've got to the point now that I just want to get it back on the road for a little while!

[Andy_mr2sc]

That's how I feel too. It's running well so I'm reluctant to take it off the road before the end of summer. I think I'll spend a day spanking those pre cats out soon though. Made quite a difference when I did this to my last chim and should compliment the ACT Y piece nicely.

[chris1972]

I did this a couple of weeks ago. Took me about three hours to get the first pre-cat out and about an hour for the second. I really fancy a nice shiny ACT or Clive Y piece, but just don't have the budget to justify 'shiny' at the moment and I don't think I've seen a second hand one!

Have you thought about making some alloy trim in your spare time? Handbrake handles, indicator stalks, gear knobs etc? People always like shiny stuff!

[Twistygit]

if you don't mind me asking, where did you get your trumpets from and how much?

[chris1972]

£60, Fleabay. I'll find the link tomorrow for you. Off to bed, school run in the morning... yawn!

[Andy_mr2sc]

When I get the chance I want to make a Ferrari style selector gate for the gear lever in polished ali. I haven't seen this done on a chim and think it would give a good Motorsport look.

[chris1972]

Andy_mr2sc said:

When I get the chance I want to make a Ferrari style selector gate for the gear lever in polished ali. I haven't seen this done on a chim and think it would give a good Motorsport look.

I'd like to see that!