BJ7 Side Exhaust for increased clearance

[twas_brillig]

Whilst (it's a British car!) measuring inlet/outlet pipe diameters on the muffler tonight, I got wondering about getting a couple of short (foot or so) pipes bent up to replace the rear exiting pipes and bring the exhaust out just in front of the rear wheel. I understand some folks have side exhausts - would this be the same thing? What would the noise level be like for the driver's left ear? Sound quality? clearance? would a hanger be necessary if the two pipes had a welded connecting plate between them? Other thoughts? I drag that expensive stainless steel a lot more than I'd prefer...
Thanks,
Doug

 

[zblu]

they might bark more if they are the right length, less hanging weight is better, think engine twist when thinking of a hanger, ie flexible

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

<What would the noise level be like for the driver's left ear?>

Throw the exhaust noise out the rear of the car where it belongs or wear ear plugs! I wear an cochlear implant in my left ear and a hearing aid in my right ear while both devices are real modern miracles(especially the implant which has been called by many a "god send"), they can never replace my lost hearing and understanding.
Deal with the low exhaust in that you are going to scrape it every once in a while.
Patrick

 

[Rob Glasgow]

My BT7 had side exit pipes when I bought it in 1963. Drove it that way for many years, but of course I was in my teens and twenties, so I liked the noise. Changed to the normal rear exit and would never go back.

Take a five hour road trip in 100 degree heat with a bad hangover and add the noise of side exhausts and you know you've gone somewhere.....Ah but those were the good old days.....

 

[Wings]

cant hear the stereo very well past 75
but the rear sway bar makes up for any noise in my deaf ear

 

[Genos2]

On my BJ7, I had for many years, 2 glass-packs, w/supertraps on turned out pipes in front of wheel. Not stock, but didn't drag& sounded very sweet! Wife always could hear me coming home,plus always had idiots asking-hows the exhaust get out,was fun! cheers Genos2

 

[HealeyPassion]

I currently have side exhaust on my BJ7 works rally tribute... they are fun for about half an hour. The sound is just to close to your left ear. I plan on moving them to just behind the left rear wheel. That said, I have quick disconnect rear pipes so I can put the side exits back on if I'm just messing around.

Cheers,
Steve
https://stevesaustinhealey.com

 

[zblu]

I have the normal rear exit, however I installed a "cotton reel" afr of the muffler that enables me to convert to side exit when wanted

 

[why]

Well ol chap, jolly good, have the Stebro side piper on mine, thought the hearing loss was just the getting on you know, cheerio, you want English, try the UK Lotus 7 site, everything has to refer back to jolly old Chappers and his pals at Foxrunchapelgate Mews or some such

 

[twas_brillig]

I wonder if the Brits have really adopted a successful postal code system? Their addresses always seemed to start off with 'The Old Glaxonbury White House' and then extend out the length of a short novel.
Doug

 

[Jim_Newman]

Speaking of Brits, it is a pasenger not the driver who would bear the brunt of side exhaust noise. The works rally cars were right hand drive so for the driver of a lookalike in NA, he will have to put up with having the exhaust exit right below his left ear.
Cheers

 

[bob hughes]

I must confess to thinking about a side mounted exhaust, my navigator does not come out with me much so the noise will not affect me as it would you guess on the other side of the pond. It has taken a few years but I have nearly worn through my tail pipes. I have mounted a skid under mine for the moment, it is only temporary as I have used CT1 to fix it on, until I can manufacture something that will not fall off. I have only just finished aa back end rebuild so any sound will be enjoyable.



Bob

 

[John Turney]

I have side pipes and having headsets to talk with the navigator is really necessary.

 

[dougie]

I run a side exhaust system and drive with ear plugs and usually a helmet.....

 

[Healey Nut]

I had a side exit exhaust on my LHD 64 that I sold back to the UK . If you want to preserve your hearing I suggest wearing at least one ear plug in your left ear . They do sound wonderful though …..mine was a custom made by the now defunct Stebroe exhaust co .
The new owner in the UK loves the sound just like I did . My 62 Tri Carb in progress will have a stainless side exhaust from AHspares

 

[bdcvg]

Just out of curiosity what were the measurements You found for inlet and outlet of a BJ7 muffler? I prefer the BJ7 sound to My crappy Moss trophy BJ8 and am considering a switch.

 

[Healey Nut]

Here is my stainless big bore system from AH spares that is going on my Tri carb project rally car .
silencer is 26” long .
inlet 2” OD , outlet 1 3/4” OD . tubing size . The front pipes have a BELL label on them .No labels on the rest .
I would have preferred the side exit pipes to exit at a 45 degree angle as they did on my Stebroe system on my old 64 .
I may take it to a custom exhaust shop and have them alter it once I get it all fitted and tested .

 

[Michael Oritt]

Whilst (it's a British car!) measuring inlet/outlet pipe diameters on the muffler tonight, I got wondering about getting a couple of short (foot or so) pipes bent up to replace the rear exiting pipes and bring the exhaust out just in front of the rear wheel. I understand some folks have side exhausts - would this be the same thing? What would the noise level be like for the driver's left ear? Sound quality? clearance? would a hanger be necessary if the two pipes had a welded connecting plate between them? Other thoughts? I drag that expensive stainless steel a lot more than I'd prefer...
Thanks,
Doug

Doug--

It is not difficult to fabricate a hangar and clamps to accomplish what you want.
It helps if you wear removable hearing aids as the higher sound level is most annoying to anyone over age 18.

 

[bdcvg]

That's basically BJ8 front pipes in and BJ8 size exit. Thanks for that info.

 

[BobHaskell]

Another approach for roadsters - around 9 minutes in: How to build and equip an Austin Healey rally car