Pre-cat and cat rear sections different?

[clacs2]

Hello there, first post on Pistonheads, please be kind.

I have recently bought a Griff 400 as a project car. On removing the obviously newer rear exhaust section tonight I found that a previous owner had badly attached the exhaust at the engine end by using a (leaking) sleeve, as the rear exhaust section is too short. My question for a knowledgeable chap is: do the cat cars have a different, shorter pipe at the engine end? This would explain the difference in length, (and also why the rear hanger is in the wrong place).

Cheers, James.

[Aussie John]

The rear mount is in a different position depending which diff is in the car.The bar which is welded across the rear pipes is on the top of the pipes for a late model diff and at mid-height for the earlier ones. I think the later ones have this bar further back [ or maybe forewards] but definately in a different position.

[clacs2]

Thanks John, that definitely confirms that the exhaust is for a later car, but I'm still concerned that the downpipe may have been cut down for some reason. Do you know if the exhaust is shorter at the engine end as well as having the rear hanger in a different position? James

[Aussie John]

Is yours a precat? Mine is catted but a pre-serp 1994, I could do some measurements on mine today if you like. If your exhaust has the bracket further forward than the original then it won't have the length to meet the engine pipe, do the tailpipes stick out past the back of the body more than a standard Griff? cheers, John. I have just been under the Griff and I have to correct my first post; the late exhaust has the rear bracket welded at the bottom of the tailpipes. It is 2.5" further forward of the earlier cars. I can't measure how long the engine pipe is because I dont know how far it is inside the exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe finishes about 6" back from the round chassis crossmember. If you want a chat mail me a phone number, cheers, John. [ I assume that if the back bracket has not been moved back then this will leave it 2.5" too short at the engine pipe]

Edited by Aussie John on Saturday 15th January 08:27

[MPoxon]

Welcome to the forums James and congratulations on your purchase

Be sure to post up some pics!

[clacs2]

Aussie John: Thanks for your reply. The back bracket is clearly under the exhaust and looks to be about as offset from the hanger as you would expect. I shall get under the car and have a look at the front part when I get the car back from the dealer (see below). Thanks again for your help.

MPoxon: Thanks; to my eternal shame I drove, sideways, into a post whilst joining the M11 in the snow before Christmas and its going into Racing Green tomorrow to be fettled. So photos are a bit of a no-no at the moment. The post lost, I don't know what it read as I broke the sign off. Probably 'Do not crash into this sign.'

[MPoxon]

clacs2 said:

Aussie John: Thanks for your reply. The back bracket is clearly under the exhaust and looks to be about as offset from the hanger as you would expect. I shall get under the car and have a look at the front part when I get the car back from the dealer (see below). Thanks again for your help.

MPoxon: Thanks; to my eternal shame I drove, sideways, into a post whilst joining the M11 in the snow before Christmas and its going into Racing Green tomorrow to be fettled. So photos are a bit of a no-no at the moment. The post lost, I don't know what it read as I broke the sign off. Probably 'Do not crash into this sign.'

Sorry to hear about the incident with the sign - LOL at 'Do not crash into this sign'

I have driven mine in the snow once and I vowed never to do it again, they are just impossible to keep in a straight line even when going very slowly.

Good luck with getting her fixed up!