MadaboutKitcars

Need to decide on side or rear exit set-up.For those that have finished what are your views on your set up?

rear exit is less intrusive on a long trip, but you loose lots of ground clearance. You also need to heat shield the tank. I've moved my upwards to give me more room.

I like the side exits but it does mean the engine bay is even more cramped! And you will still probably need a heat shield for the brake master cylinder.
I don't know about ground clearance - I have about 5 inches to the bottom of the sump - the lowest point of the exhaust is about level with the bottom of the sump but it is tricky fitting it all in (I had a bit of help with that bit...)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33105452@N05/4610806927/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33105452@N05/4610805505/

Good luck!
Tim

I went rear exit, as I wanted a quiet car. Most people who I spoke to before hand all suggested a side exit is wearing on a long journey. I have tried to tuck mine up in to the highest point throughout its length ie in the transmission tunnel, and along side the diff rather than under it. This makes it more complex to make, but hopefully it will have been worth it.
I also positioned my petrol tank 25-30mm higher than Marlin suggest to get more clearance at the rear.
The sump is the lowest point on my Cabrio, but as this is close to the fornt axle line it should not be too much of a problem, (except for those square raised sleeping policemen that you normally straddle to avoid any bump in a standard car)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikes_bmw_marlin_cabrio/4534476930/

Mike

The best exhaust I have seen on a Sportster is the one on the ex-Tim Dutton car. I think there is a picture of it in the gallery. It's a side exhaust but custom made. I had a quote for one similar - it was getting on for a Grand - I didn't go this way in the end.

Like Mike - mine runs under the car with the silencer positioned under a (raised) fuel tank. I have about 5" of ground clearance. I used two straight pipes back from the BMW downpipe and a TR6 silencer which handily fitted without any modification except to shorten the outlet pipes a little.

It's nice and quiet (a bit too quiet sometimes :-) )

Robin

Robin
This has cheered me up.
I want a quiet car, and after spending hours making mine with a centre silencer as well as twin rear TR6 boxes, I noticed Peter had dropped his TR6 silencers in preference for Jetex boxes!?!

What db reading did you get for your exhaust at your MOT/IVA tests?

Thanks for this comment- I live in hope again.
Note to myself, I really must get my engine fired up soon- I must stop putting off the electrics!!
Mike

I've got the same Marlin sourced setup as Timbo - It's a faff to fit, but works well once in. There's lots of pics of it on my site.

As for the noise issue - it's not that bad. On the way to Stoneliegh, at motorway speeds it's fine - and sounds great when you drop a cog and floor it.

IIRC, my IVA average dB was 96... I don't have my paperwork to hand, but I'll confirm it later.

Mine is a "standard spec" TR6 box (albeit stainless) which fixes across the car. I think Peter's may have been one of the go faster ones.

Can't remember the db - but there was plenty of margin.

Robin