Side Pipes Anyone ?
Discussion
I'm thinking about side exiting exhausts on my SEAC. I reckon it would sound fantastic in a stone walled country lane (or built up area 
)
Side pipes will also solve my current big-time lack of ground clearance where the exhaust passes under the diff.
Another PH'er reckons Karl Cordwell already has side pipes on his TVR, Karl if you are listening - what do you reckon ? Anybody else out there tried them ?
However - I've also been told side pipes might be illegal. Anybody know the score ?
) Side pipes will also solve my current big-time lack of ground clearance where the exhaust passes under the diff.
Another PH'er reckons Karl Cordwell already has side pipes on his TVR, Karl if you are listening - what do you reckon ? Anybody else out there tried them ?
However - I've also been told side pipes might be illegal. Anybody know the score ?
Duncan,
I think the side-exit pipes are a great idea; and I can appreciate your lack of ground clearance...my SEAC exhaust has a 'few' dents in it !
Although I thought that side-pipes were only legal if they were originally designed for the car e.g. Cobra (could well be wrong though
) Then again, I've seen a few UK registered Vipers that had fake side pipes, I assumed it was because they were deemed illegal on UK roads.
I think the side-exit pipes are a great idea; and I can appreciate your lack of ground clearance...my SEAC exhaust has a 'few' dents in it !
Although I thought that side-pipes were only legal if they were originally designed for the car e.g. Cobra (could well be wrong though
) Then again, I've seen a few UK registered Vipers that had fake side pipes, I assumed it was because they were deemed illegal on UK roads.
quote:
I know that if you build your own Caterham 7 as a kit car then you can have a side pipe, but if you want a type-approved factory-built car then you can't specify a side exit. Perhaps that implies that there is some kind of legislation?
Thats an interesting point. V8 Westfields have sidepipes on each side, and pass an MOT. It might be worth checking with an mot station and find out what they would pass as and aftermarket fitment. The Rally healeys are the same.
Would it not be easier/cheaper/sound better to run the exhaust around the diff rather than under it?!?!
Surely, routing the exhaust down the Transmission Tunnel and then around the diff (and maybe over the back axle) and then exit in the same place would be easier than trying to get it to exit out the side!!!
On the point on Side exits, what about the Speed 12?!?! The exhausts on that exit to the side and it's road legal!!!
Surely, routing the exhaust down the Transmission Tunnel and then around the diff (and maybe over the back axle) and then exit in the same place would be easier than trying to get it to exit out the side!!!
On the point on Side exits, what about the Speed 12?!?! The exhausts on that exit to the side and it's road legal!!!
quote:
Would it not be easier/cheaper/sound better to run the exhaust around the diff rather than under it?!?!
Adict,
You obviously haven't seen a 450 SEAC exhaust.
You know those ridiculous bean cans the max power walahs stick on thier Novas... Imagine a pipe that size that needs to be routed to the engine!!!!
There aint no way its goin' over or around anything
quote:
Surely, routing the exhaust down the Transmission Tunnel and then around the diff (and maybe over the back axle) and then exit in the same place would be easier than trying to get it to exit out the side!!!
That's the normal Wedge exhaust routing. Unfortunately, in SEACs the floor of the boot is different and it is not possible to route over the top of the axle. :frown:
I've seen a SEAC which splits the pipe into two in front of the diff and joins them back together before exiting via the tailpipe. This gains about an inch of clearance and the skid plate fitted to that exhaust system was pretty badly worn.
My exhaust pipe has a flat area two inches across whare I have beaten it against the road
I'm thinking of keeping the existing silencer which is below the tunnel, there isn't anywhere else for a silencer! The pipe will then be split into small(er) bore tubes and routed to the sides.
Hopefully my V8 howl will be preserved, though I suspect I might lose a little bass from the note because of the smaller pipes.
Even at the moment, the available space is only about double the diameter of the pipe. BTW - there are no baffles in the silencer
Hopefully my V8 howl will be preserved, though I suspect I might lose a little bass from the note because of the smaller pipes.
Even at the moment, the available space is only about double the diameter of the pipe. BTW - there are no baffles in the silencer
quote:
if sound is important to you side pipes might not be for you....I have a pal whose Cobra sounds like a 4 pot to him because he only hears the pipes nearest to him but if you run all eight into one on the drivers side, that'll do it
There's a firm in Nuneaton called Custom Chrome. See thier bits in Demon Tweeks etc but they make to measure as well. They do all sorts of wierd and wonderful bending at thier workshops, they might be able to help. I know they have done a few TVR's.
Or you could get a monster truck conversion to get a bit of height
>> Edited by JMorgan on Saturday 30th March 20:05
Or you could get a monster truck conversion to get a bit of height
>> Edited by JMorgan on Saturday 30th March 20:05
Your exhaust looks as bad as mine 
!!
One option if the side pipes are a non runner.....get hold of some titanium, and weld it as skid plates along the vunerable areas....I've been tempted to do this myself. I've got a skid plate, but it's only steel; and I'm starting to get through it now.
!! One option if the side pipes are a non runner.....get hold of some titanium, and weld it as skid plates along the vunerable areas....I've been tempted to do this myself. I've got a skid plate, but it's only steel; and I'm starting to get through it now.
Patrick - Here's one somebody else prepared earlier !
I don't think it's your SEAC, though it is White. I took it last year at Peninsula while the SEAC was having a roll-bar fitted.
As you can see they have gone to the trouble of splitting into two smaller bore pipes and fitting a skid plate and it's still completely abused !
I don't think it's your SEAC, though it is White. I took it last year at Peninsula while the SEAC was having a roll-bar fitted.
As you can see they have gone to the trouble of splitting into two smaller bore pipes and fitting a skid plate and it's still completely abused !
For non-SEAC o'philes here's that same mystery SEAC nicely displaying why SEACs sound the way they do - LOUD 
Check out that silencer! 4500cc of race tuned engine going through a 'box' you wouldn't stick on a lawnmower. No, that is not two silencers and No, there are no baffles in that 'box'
Check out that silencer! 4500cc of race tuned engine going through a 'box' you wouldn't stick on a lawnmower. No, that is not two silencers and No, there are no baffles in that 'box'
I have got a mate with a renault 5 Turbo and he has a side exit which is TUV approved. Made by PECO or Janspeed, not sure though. He has had it for about 2 years with no hassle getting MOT's ETC but he has had a problem with the Old Bill on occasions because of the noise and flames, also the fact he had one of the smallest silencers around.
As far as i am aware there are no legal implications aslong as you can prove it is TUV approved or otherwise. KIT Cars get away with it and they have to go through that road worthy and safety test.
As far as i am aware there are no legal implications aslong as you can prove it is TUV approved or otherwise. KIT Cars get away with it and they have to go through that road worthy and safety test.
Who are the pipe being fitted supplied by???
It is a grey area but if people can buy side exit exhausts from the Likes of Max power and Revs etc. Then there must be some tolerance for them..
Some are deemed illegal because of noise but thats it!
by the way v.nice 450.. May see you at a race meeting in the future.. Poss Donington 14th April
Just purchased a 4.5 Cerb but its gone to blackpool for a Rebuild, Garage fronting the cost (Thank God for that)
Doesnt the Trans Am have side exit????
TUV - Europen Legal thingy in theory all exhaust manufacturers have to produce there goods to (thats Theory)
>> Edited by stc_bennett on Saturday 30th March 23:32
It is a grey area but if people can buy side exit exhausts from the Likes of Max power and Revs etc. Then there must be some tolerance for them..
Some are deemed illegal because of noise but thats it!
by the way v.nice 450.. May see you at a race meeting in the future.. Poss Donington 14th April
Just purchased a 4.5 Cerb but its gone to blackpool for a Rebuild, Garage fronting the cost (Thank God for that)
Doesnt the Trans Am have side exit????
TUV - Europen Legal thingy in theory all exhaust manufacturers have to produce there goods to (thats Theory)
>> Edited by stc_bennett on Saturday 30th March 23:32
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