Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: LeftAngle on Saturday,March 10, 2018, 01:02:33 AM
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It’s been a slow process, but as a shipwright’s disease sufferer, I suppose that’s to be expected. Early on, I had decided to incorporate a decent size Flowmaster with dual outlets. The design incorporates exhaust outlets that are paired with the tail lights. I have no idea what the setup will sound like but I like the sound of the FlowMasters on my truck, so the decision was made to use it with the Lotus. I mounted the muffler high so the transaxle can be seen through the rear grill from behind. The motor bay will be lit and visible through the LAMM window on the rear deck and I think the view from behind will be interesting as well.
For the past week, I’ve been making and fitting prototype exhaust pipes that I can be handed over to a professional bender. My plastic pipes are ridged and dead-on accurate. If properly reproduced, the actual stainless pipes will fit perfectly. I took photos an am quite pleased with the results so far.
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That is excellent, whoever ends up making those pipes is going to have a great pattern to work with and that's half the battle. Looking forward to seeing them in the metal !
Brian
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Cool design! Can’t wait to hear what it sounds like. Your going to need heat reflector on the inside of the engine deck lid with the muffler that close.
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Great placement.
I like the exhaust rings thru the grille and Waiting for the sound bite.
dakazman
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Very nicely done! Maybe you can post a recording of what it sounds like when you're done.
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Looks cool but there was a good reason why the TC/S dropped the open rear panel. At speed air actually flows in through the rear grill. It would spoil the looks but it would be better if the tail pipes stuck out further. Or, you could leave them as they are but make the panel solid.
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Excellent point. I debated on how far I should have them extend lookwise, but didn’t take the airflow pattern into account. Other than eliminating the entire lower body section like a Porsche 917, I’ll have to rethink the design. As the car came to me, the exhaust closer resembled a tail. :headbanger:
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whoever ends up making those pipes is going to have a great pattern to work with
That’s what I was thinking. Rather than leave the car and placement of things in the hands of someone with no invested interest in the outcome, who knows a better (read easier) way to do it. I learned that lesson when the fuel lines were placed.
The pipes are 3D printed from ridged plastic, so there isn’t any chance that they’ll change shape. The only downside I’m having is the time it takes to fine-tune the curves so everything fits and still maintains consistent, eye pleasing curves. It’s a process that turns out to be more labor intensive than expected.
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Waiting for the sound bite.
dakazman
That’s what I and everyone who stops by the garage is waiting for :)
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Cool design! Can’t wait to hear what it sounds like. Your going to need heat reflector on the inside of the engine deck lid with the muffler that close.
The muffler is at least 6” away from the deck lid, which is completely lined with carbon fiber as is the rest of the compartment. It and the pipes will also be painted with header insulating paint (I like the blue over the silver or yellow prototypes). The dark blue pipe is the only shade I had so the actual color I’m thinking of will be the same as the header it’s attached to. As a final resort, I have an insulating blanket cut to fit the muffler. Not as pretty, so I’m hoping it won’t be needed.
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I've heard good things about Jet-Hot coatings.
https://www.jet-hot.com/thermal-barrier/
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Well done, neat job
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Thanks Andy. I don’t think it was Jet Coatings, but it sounds like the same material that’s on my headers. Jet’s in the next state over and I f they have the same blue color, I’ll seriously consider them.
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I’ve used a Jet Hot Coatings and can testify the coatings on headers really work in lowering engine bay temps.
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Had my headers and down pipe done by Jet Hot...6yrs ago...they still look like this!
They run cooler will not discolor ... I chose the satin finish.
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Beautiful, Lou! Great choice!
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Hope it helps. The company is about 30 miles from me. I've seen some motorcycle headers done there, good work, and helps with the heat too. Great work on your car, looks good!
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Another option is Polydyn in Texas. I had the headers on my JPS coated by Polydyn, I think silver for heat reduction in the engine compartment, seems to work. I suspect all of the ceramic coatings work pretty much the same.
http://www.polydyn.com/performance-coatings