TVR S3c exhaust

[PhilS3c]

Just started a refit of the exhaust on my car. It look as if the front pipes to the cats are short as the exhaust catches on the front chassis member. Taking into account these are new cats and a new chassis I suppose this is not unexpected so I am going to need to some custom made front pipes.

Has anyone else had similar issues and is there any other way of solving this problem apart from custom made front pipes?

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|https://thumbsnap.com/ua29zTyT[/url]

[O mage]

Have the engine mounts been replaced the engine looks a little high in the chassis that could cause the issue.

[PhilS3c]

They have and I was just considering that very point. I hope not as they will be a real git to replace!

[PhilS3c]

The anti roll bar is only 1.5cms off the sump so I assumed this was ok - wondered if any one knows how deep the engine mounts should be?

[Fefeu52]

PhilS3c said:

Has anyone else had similar issues and is there any other way of solving this problem apart from custom made front pipes?

If I were you, I would modify the cross-member. Yes... I hear you... You just have repaint the chassis, and I'm talking to cut/weld it The ground clearance is really a problem on the S3C, and your problem is a blessing in reality. You can win 15mm on the ground clearance and it's a really good thing.

[PhilS3c]

Thanks for the suggestion - I havent driven the car for 10 years but i cannot remember ground clearance being something I worried about but you may well be right. Its just that I am not able to cut and weld the chassis myself so it seems a difficult fix compared to a custom pair of slightly extended front pipes. Thanks for the suggestion.

[tvrgit]

Do you have cat replacement pipes? Obviously, those bolt on to the manifolds are the top and to the j-pipes at the bottom. If the cat pipes are at slightly the wrong angle they can pull the j-pipes up towards the chassis. Have you tried loosening the top ends of the pipes (at the manifold) and turning them both downwards slightly. Then you might be able to spread and turn the j-pipes just enough to get them to connect.

If not, the next option is to get any decent exhaust fabricator to cut the cat pipes, and insert a collar to extend them by the distance you need. I ended up extending mine by 10mm (because the pipes I ordered were10mm shorter than the cats I took off - they were never going to fit!)

[PhilS3c]

I decided to keep with Cats but replaced them with new ones. Looking at the sump I am reasonably confident the engine is sitting at a good height (1.5cms above ARB). My biggest concern was that if I had fitted thick engine mounts the bonnet wouldnt fit. Cannot figure that out until I get it out of my shed! So will possibly have to get higher front pipes to bridge the gap whilst having enough space under the chassis rail. Do you know how close the front pipes are to the front chassis member? Thanks

[PhilS3c]

tvrgit said:

Do you have cat replacement pipes? Obviously, those bolt on to the manifolds are the top and to the j-pipes at the bottom. If the cat pipes are at slightly the wrong angle they can pull the j-pipes up towards the chassis. Have you tried loosening the top ends of the pipes (at the manifold) and turning them both downwards slightly. Then you might be able to spread and turn the j-pipes just enough to get them to connect.

If not, the next option is to get any decent exhaust fabricator to cut the cat pipes, and insert a collar to extend them by the distance you need. I ended up extending mine by 10mm (because the pipes I ordered were10mm shorter than the cats I took off - they were never going to fit!)

By the way thanks for your web site - been of great use to me during my strip and rebuild!

[tvrgit]

PhilS3c said:

Do you know how close the front pipes are to the front chassis member? Thanks

Mine are only just clear of the crossmember - 1/4 inch or less!

PhilS3c said:

By the way thanks for your web site - been of great use to me during my strip and rebuild!

Thanks for that - that’s what it’s there for! (And to help me remember today, what I did yesterday...)

[Maffe]

I had the exact same problem after changing engine mounts, manifolds and cat’s.
Solution become manufacturing “spacers” and put them between manifold and cat.

[PhilS3c]

Maffe said:

I had the exact same problem after changing engine mounts, manifolds and cat’s.
Solution become manufacturing “spacers” and put them between manifold and cat.

Thanks Maffe - thats good to know and an interesting solution - I may look at that as a possibility.