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underslung exhaust systems
cd.thomson - 23/12/08 at 10:56 AM

Just spitballing here, but I wanted to check with the guys in the know first.

You may have seen that I'm pressing for SVA, but this has two possible outcomes I think - high levels of expense or low levels of quality. I imagine that the result will end up being a vehicle which is noticeably more expensive than intended and not the car I hold in my minds eye.

So..onwards.. lets say I bite the bullet and plod through into IVA. Aside from the extra costs of the test it is also possible that a sideslung exhaust will make passing impossible.

I know some owners have come up with clever ways to undersling their exhaust systems and I was wondering if they could talk me through it? My car seems low enough already without an exhaust pipe sitting proud underneath it..

[Edited on 23/12/08 by cd.thomson]


Macbeast - 23/12/08 at 11:12 AM

My first thought, which I haven't developed yet, was to make a protective cover for the whole external system, somewhat in the way some people put perf jacket round the silencer box.

Unfortunately, I think it would probably fall off on the way home


cd.thomson - 23/12/08 at 11:17 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Macbeast
My first thought, which I haven't developed yet, was to make a protective cover for the whole external system, somewhat in the way some people put perf jacket round the silencer box.

Unfortunately, I think it would probably fall off on the way home


I had considered this, but a cage or box around the ENTIRE unit (including headers etc) would no doubt fail IVA due to its edges. Also, how could I attach it without damaging my body panel, therefore need a replacement after it does fall off.


nstrug - 23/12/08 at 11:27 AM

Has anyone just considered wrapping the entire exhaust system?

Nick


cd.thomson - 23/12/08 at 11:30 AM

quote:
Originally posted by nstrug
Has anyone just considered wrapping the entire exhaust system?

Nick


the IVA section that deals with the problem states that the exhaust system must not be exposed and be able to burn pedestrians I believe. Wrapping it will still leave the system exposed in the sense that if people touch it, even though they're not touching the metal, they will injure themselves.


jabbahutt - 23/12/08 at 12:00 PM

I have an idea which would sort the problem, bear with me before laughing.

How about a cover which runs the entire length of the exhaust and is tapered at the top angling sown to a curve that goes under the exhaust.

It could be attached top and bottom using button head bolts into rivnuts that would already be thre for securing the side panel top and bottom instead of sikalflex.

There are plenty of skillful people on here who work with fibreglass and it wouldn't have a single edge to pose a problem.

looking it at from the end it would look like a right angled triangle with the bottom corner opposite the 90 deg as a curve instead of a corner.

Once SVA's remove it and refit the button heads back to hold the side panel.

I hope that makes sense as it solves the problem without and problems of how to attach.

does anyone see a proble with the idea?

Nigel


jabbahutt - 23/12/08 at 12:08 PM

quick section sketch, forgive my drawing skills

exhasut cover
exhasut cover


the ends could be rounded back towards the car with just a hole for the exhaust fumes edged with SVA trim

If that doesn't make sense post your questions and i'll attempt to explain better.

Nigel


cd.thomson - 23/12/08 at 12:13 PM

I like this Jabba, what would you make the rather odd shape from?

Do I understand it right that the second image is as seen if you were looking from the rear towards the front of the car?


PAUL FISHER - 23/12/08 at 12:16 PM

The best solution Ive seen is by "bigrich" on his Mac1,with the exhaust running down the transmission tunnel,then exiting out of the rear,utilising the oringinal headers and twin bike silencers out of the rear Rescued attachment 2exhausts BIG RICH.jpg
Rescued attachment 2exhausts BIG RICH.jpg


Guinness - 23/12/08 at 12:21 PM

As far as I can see it there are two possible solutions for 7's.

1. Option 1 for BEC's only, keep the headers inside the chassis rails, drop down and forwards, put the joints behind the rad, but in front of the engine, 90 bend, then put the can in beneath the steering column, with a side exit just in front of the drivers footwell. I think the "modern" styled 7 that toook aaaagggggeeeessss to come to production has a similar arrangement, but with the can mounted sideways behind the rad, exiting just behind the front wheel.

2. For CEC's who aren't going to have the space, I think it's going to mean making the centre tunnel a bit bigger, and running the pipe down the middle of the car. The silencer then goes across the back of the car. Will require some adjustment to the location of the fuel tank! Some ventilation to the centre tunnel and stopping using plastic to form the internal panels.

I liked Bigrich's system on his MAC1.

Cheers

Mike


jabbahutt - 23/12/08 at 12:24 PM

Yep it's a very crude section through the cover from either front or rear.

If it's a temporary structure I thought make ribs from plywood similar to a model aircrafct fuselage and cover with thin ply secured top and bottom with bolts and painted to at least make it look semi permenant.

alternatively someone like with the suitable fibreglassing skills or even the manufacturer could start making model specific covers.

I don't know how ply would stand up to the heat from the exhaust, fibreglass may be a better solution but it would cover the entire system with no contactable edges.

Nigel

[Edited on 23/12/08 by jabbahutt]


fesycresy - 23/12/08 at 12:34 PM

Are we 100% sure that this is going to be passed ?

I'd wait until it's confirmed before doing anything.


Miks15 - 23/12/08 at 12:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Guinness


1. Option 1 for BEC's only, keep the headers inside the chassis rails, drop down and forwards, put the joints behind the rad, but in front of the engine, 90 bend, then put the can in beneath the steering column, with a side exit just in front of the drivers footwell. I think the "modern" styled 7 that toook aaaagggggeeeessss to come to production has a similar arrangement, but with the can mounted sideways behind the rad, exiting just behind the front wheel.



Im going to give this ago, ill have a bit more space because im not using conventional bodywork so im going to have my exhaust no further back than the engine and it will exit just in front of the driver footwell


Mr Whippy - 23/12/08 at 12:37 PM

if you are struggling for space in the tunnel, how about that part of the exhaust being made from wide flat box section say 10mm thick by 150mm wide or more. There'd be little restriction due to the large internal volume. You could easily fit such a pipe even to the underside and since its area is so large it would keep cool even tight next to the floor. At the ends just make a flattend cone to go to and from the round section pipe.


cd.thomson - 23/12/08 at 12:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by fesycresy
Are we 100% sure that this is going to be passed ?

I'd wait until it's confirmed before doing anything.


Its part of the IVA testing pilot manual. This means that during the current pilot period when cars will be inspected using IVA and SVA manuals but only approved using standard SVA criteria exposed exhausts will lead to an IVA "fail" (although the cars will still be given their SVA).

What this means to the builder yet to be tested is that it is very unlikely anything major will be changed between now and the introduction of IVA as the consultation phase is being drawn to a close. If this requirement is to be withdrawn or adjusted it will be done at a later date, possibly leading to a period when se7enesque cars will automatically fail.

This overview was provided over the phone by Peter from DJ sportscars (who produce the Dax Rush and other kit cars).


bilbo - 23/12/08 at 12:55 PM

All I can say is

I didn't know about this new restriction. I'd recently decided not to bodge my car to get it ready in time before IVA. As a result, I've missed a lot of potential build days doing other things. Now it looks like I have a lot of extra work to do before my test
I'll probably go for the boxed in approach as already muted on this thread as I'll never fit an exhaust down the t-tunnel
Presumably a side exit is still OK?


cd.thomson - 23/12/08 at 01:01 PM

quote:
Originally posted by bilbo
All I can say is

I didn't know about this new restriction. I'd recently decided not to bodge my car to get it ready in time before IVA. As a result, I've missed a lot of potential build days doing other things. Now it looks like I have a lot of extra work to do before my test
I'll probably go for the boxed in approach as already muted on this thread as I'll never fit an exhaust down the t-tunnel
Presumably a side exit is still OK?


Yes side exit is fine, its the exposed steel thats the issue for the test.

Peter was as frustrated as me, he told me to forge onwards with the build and to hope visciously for the best!


Mr Whippy - 23/12/08 at 01:07 PM

ok so like here's my idea for a flat exhaust that could fit down the tunnel or under the car. sorry for the rubbish sketch but all I have is MS paint at work Rescued attachment flat exhaust.JPG
Rescued attachment flat exhaust.JPG


bilbo - 23/12/08 at 01:10 PM

Thinking about it, Whippy's idea of flat box section under the car sounds another good possibility. Looking on the bright side, either way, it means I wont nessesarily have to fork out for expensive Stainless components either


dinosaurjuice - 23/12/08 at 01:17 PM

off topic slightly. but for mid engined cars does the IVA not allow you to have a silencer at the back of the car but outside the bodywork?

whippys flat exhaust idea looks the best option for front engined cars. i think it will look really neat having the tailpipe at the rear

will


smart51 - 23/12/08 at 02:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
ok so like here's my idea for a flat exhaust that could fit down the tunnel or under the car. sorry for the rubbish sketch but all I have is MS paint at work


The problem with this is gas flow. Gas flow in a rectangular tube takes on the shape of an oval. The gas flow is almost stagnant in the corners of the tube. A very flat rectangle will have very poor gas flow. You could overcome this with sheer size, though.

If you could find a new location for the fuel tank, you could put the silencer across the car at the rear. A single pipe along the side of the car and under the rear somehow wouldn't be hard to cover nicely.

There was a picture on here a while ago of a futuristic Caterham, in green, that had an enclosed side exhaust. It looked really good.


A1 - 23/12/08 at 02:09 PM

jeeso! i didnt know about this restriction...i like jabbas idea, i did a similar idea of sharing bolts for the silencer bracket, so when its off you dont see anything...
what about having a double skinned system? dont most bikes use this currently? (ive not read much of the iva, so maybe im missing something)


gavin174 - 23/12/08 at 02:10 PM

another option is to fit a zetec or xflow and run the exhaust through the passenger seating area...

you could then completly cover this area and then after iva remove the exhaust and cover and fit through the side as usual..

would mean a q plate for me thou i think as using sierra hubs and column etc


Mr Whippy - 23/12/08 at 02:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by smart51
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
ok so like here's my idea for a flat exhaust that could fit down the tunnel or under the car. sorry for the rubbish sketch but all I have is MS paint at work


The problem with this is gas flow. Gas flow in a rectangular tube takes on the shape of an oval. The gas flow is almost stagnant in the corners of the tube. A very flat rectangle will have very poor gas flow. You could overcome this with sheer size, though.

If you could find a new location for the fuel tank, you could put the silencer across the car at the rear. A single pipe along the side of the car and under the rear somehow wouldn't be hard to cover nicely.

There was a picture on here a while ago of a futuristic Caterham, in green, that had an enclosed side exhaust. It looked really good.


True but the area is so large that the gas flow would be quite slow

a simple calc and the area of a 2 inch pipe is about 19.5 cm sq compared to almost 8 times as much for just a 150mm wide 10mm thick flat pipe meaning the gas is travelling around only 1/8th the speed inside so little in the way of drag…

[Edited on 23/12/08 by Mr Whippy]


907 - 23/12/08 at 04:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy

True but the area is so large that the gas flow would be quite slow

a simple calc and the area of a 2 inch pipe is about 19.5 cm sq compared to almost 8 times as much for just a 150mm wide 10mm thick flat pipe meaning the gas is travelling around only 1/8th the speed inside so little in the way of drag…

[Edited on 23/12/08 by Mr Whippy]




I'm having trouble following your maths


Paul G


mr henderson - 23/12/08 at 04:22 PM

2" = 50.8mm
1" = 25.4 mm
25.4 x 25.4 x 3.14 (pi r2) = 2025sq mm

150mm x 10mm = 1500 sq mm


MikeRJ - 23/12/08 at 04:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
True but the area is so large that the gas flow would be quite slow


And that hurts performance as much as back pressure.


edspurrier - 23/12/08 at 06:15 PM

So a series of narrow cylindrical tubes with an ideal total diameter?


907 - 23/12/08 at 08:34 PM

You would need five 1" pipes to equal a single 2" pipe.


Paul G


sebastiaan - 23/12/08 at 09:06 PM

I think this is how westfield do their underslung system for the V8:

westy exhaust

a bit ride heigth critical, but not too difficult to knock up.


edspurrier - 23/12/08 at 09:42 PM

I was thinking more 20 pipes of 11.5mm dia to make a 2 inch up. So have 5 for each cylinder, perhaps, running to a frankly ridiculous collector at the back. Heaven knows what the losses would be. Perhaps you could vary the diameters so each is harmonic for a different engine speed? Might make an interesting noise, even if it did sap all the power away.


The Black Flash - 23/12/08 at 10:47 PM

Wait and see what happens I reckon...it's under appeal from all the manufacturers so I'm told.


A1 - 23/12/08 at 11:05 PM

fingers crossed the manufacturers win!!!
toes too...


NS Dev - 23/12/08 at 11:30 PM

kart style sidepods?


C10CoryM - 24/12/08 at 04:17 AM

Not sure if it helps, but the Donkeyvoort car use rear exit exhaust with covers over the sides.

Anyone have pictures of locosts with rear exit exhaust? I've decided to try and go that route myself as the engine Im using does not have a nice exhaust note.
Cheers.


bilbo - 24/12/08 at 09:25 AM

quote:
Originally posted by NS Dev
kart style sidepods?


This is what I'm currently thinking. I think I will continue down the traditional line of a side exhuast for now, then box it in like this if I need to. (probably be cunningly designed to fall off on the way home from the test - unless it looks really good for some reason)
At least I've not got big headers to worry about, just a single pipe.


ss1turbo - 25/12/08 at 11:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 907
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy

True but the area is so large that the gas flow would be quite slow

a simple calc and the area of a 2 inch pipe is about 19.5 cm sq compared to almost 8 times as much for just a 150mm wide 10mm thick flat pipe meaning the gas is travelling around only 1/8th the speed inside so little in the way of drag…

[Edited on 23/12/08 by Mr Whippy]




I'm having trouble following your maths


Paul G


I think there's a zero gone missing somewhere...15cmx1cm = 15cm2 last time i used a calculator! A 200mmx10mm section would be about the same, dependant on wall thicknesses!

Didn't a factory Westfield of some 90's vintage use twin 1.5" pipes underslung to get round clearance issues?

IIRC its the McLaren SLR which has the exhausts exiting in the front wings, so as not to disturb the flat floor..


Simon - 26/12/08 at 02:43 AM

Iirc the Viper exhausts are housed inside the sills - which I know we don't have, but they wouldn't be difficult to make from F/g or ally. Would suggest wrapping the exhaust all the way down as Clarkson managed to get sill alight.

I think underslung the car would work only if provision was made from the build outset - I only have 5" clearance under the car!

When I was doing the turbos a friend suggested I run the exhausts straight from the turbo outlets and cut them flush with the side panel

ATB

Simon