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Thoughts On How To Approach Full Length Rocker Panel Exhaust


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#1 Omnomsan

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Posted 08 May 2022 - 07:36 PM

While this is a mixed subject between styling and technical know how, it's a bit more styling oriented so I'll take that approach here.
 
So! Like many of you, I've seen the photoshop "Mad Mini" and love the aggressive look. I've also been following @Chris1992 "Purist" on here and Instagram for a while and love the low and wide stance.
 
Thinking of a combination of the two, without stealing too much from one or the other, I'm planning for Mexico arches, tubbing the rear (and the rest of the modding I'll need to get lower), a golf splitter, etc.
Now! Partly because I like a good challenge, and I'm not a fan of side skirts but I want to fill up the negative space between the fat arches, a full length side exhaust! Think similar to a Shelby cobra, or as seen in the Mad Mini photoshop below.
Attached File  mad_mini_by_bramdc_d30k9bs-fullview.jpg   66.79K   2 downloads
But how :blink: ? Questions and proposed ideas follow.
 
The Questions!
 
Where would you thread the downpipes?
How would you go about threading the needle with the exhaust to go around the various components from the exhaust ports to the front of the sills? There's are handy holes in the back of the front subframe that seemingly do nothing other than stiffening and weight saving, and it would be useful to thread the downpipe on either side through this hole. The main issue would be the steering rack gaiters would probably get cooked.
 
I'm not afraid to cut into my A-panel, though I'm not sure if I would have the clearance between the back of the tire and the flitch panel to thread the exhaust in that direction.
 
Cutting a tunnel into the floor would be easy if it weren't for my pesky feet :lol: ideally I wouldn't cut into the floor.
 
I could make a very shallow and wide box that would connect the down pipes to the side pipes? Like a transition piece that would live right under the floor on both sides. I'm not sure how that would affect the flow characteristics of the exhaust gasses, nor the sound, but it could be a solution... and I would likely need to reroute my fuel and brake lines inside the car like I've already done with my battery cable.
Here's a quick mockup in 3d to illustrate the idea...
Attached File  Screenshot 2022-05-08 142957.png   357.69K   2 downloads
 
An alternative idea is to make a horizontal tunnel under the crossmember and only do a half length side exhaust to avoid having hot feet.
 
How would you fit a resonator and muffler?
I'm thinking there would be enough room to have a resonator and muffler on each side before the tips, then have a nice heat shield that runs the length of the two so that it looks like one long continuous section instead of two little unsightly lumps.
 
How would you mount/support the side pipes?
I'm thinking that the best place to support the side pipes would be from the side jacking point, if I could fabricate something or weld in a captive nut that a support could bolt to. I never use the side jacking point since I use the rear subframe and tie rod mounts, but I also have access to a lift which makes undercarriage work easy.
 
As far as whether or not I should do this from a purist perspective, my Mini isn't rare. It was a 1990 Racing Green edition, but someone previous to me owned it in France and painted it orange after a collision. I'll repaint it eventually, not sure if I'll stick with orange or not though. I'll also never sell it, and I love a good challenge that involves fabrication, especially welding :D
 
I plan to take some cardboard tube and do a mockup soon to see how feasible it would be and where I would route it and how it would look. Thoughts and ideas welcome :)
 
Here's where my Mini is currently. I'll save the photodump for a proper build thread later, though you can find plenty on my Instagram @LilibetMini90

Attached File  Screenshot 2022-05-06 175407.png   539.61K   2 downloads

Attached File  Screenshot 2022-05-06 175345.png   574.6K   1 downloads

 

Thanks for reading!



#2 nicklouse

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Posted 08 May 2022 - 07:39 PM

Side exit exhausts need an oval section. But pointless due to the serious lack of space. Do it internal or out the back.



#3 Omnomsan

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Posted 09 May 2022 - 07:46 AM

Attached File  ff3f6c4eedcb3bbcd35373411e9e01c5.jpg   112.46K   2 downloads

Well evidently it's been done already. I'm curious to see more of the build and how they handled the exhaust under the floor. Does anyone know this Mini?
https://www.instagra...id=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

#4 sonscar

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Posted 09 May 2022 - 01:48 PM

Run the exhaust under the bulkhead crossember,through the inner wings and wheelarch cut into the car to clear the shocks.Buy ear defenders.Steve..

#5 Chris1992

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Posted 10 May 2022 - 09:35 AM

Love the idea! I've seen it done many times actually so it's definitely possible. Instead of brining the pipes under the footwells, could they be moved further forwards to just under the where the rear subframe legs mount to the body? Might get a bit close to the tyre on full lock though. I think the best way to figure it out is get your car on a ramp and hold up a bit of tubing to see where you can route it. Just keep in mind that I occasionally scrape my front floors on speed bumps so if you're planning on going low then you may need the extra clearance in that area! 

 

Cheers for the shout out by the way  ;D



#6 mini rizzler U.K.

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Posted 05 July 2022 - 09:59 PM

Hi, I've put side pipes on my mini. Very loud and gets lots of attention.

 

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#7 stuart bowes

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Posted 08 July 2022 - 12:17 PM

OP picture looks cool but guarantee you'll be burning your legs on it every time you get out after a spirited drive lol

 

(I assume that is the reasoning behind the protective 'honeycombed' tubing on the black flatbed mini post#3)

 

post directly above looks a lot more sensible and well fitted, albeit a bit of a magnet for speed bump damage surely?


Edited by stuart bowes, 08 July 2022 - 12:18 PM.


#8 nicklouse

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Posted 08 July 2022 - 01:52 PM

OP picture looks cool but guarantee you'll be burning your legs on it every time you get out after a spirited drive lol

 

(I assume that is the reasoning behind the protective 'honeycombed' tubing on the black flatbed mini post#3)

 

post directly above looks a lot more sensible and well fitted, albeit a bit of a magnet for speed bump damage surely?

Image in the original post is an old and well known photoshop and technically very hard to do without cutting into the floor.


Edited by nicklouse, 08 July 2022 - 01:53 PM.


#9 stuart bowes

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Posted 08 July 2022 - 02:10 PM

well yes that and the following CAD model along similar lines, both would be burn risks for sure

 

I have a fair idea of which bits you'd have to cut into but I'd be pretty wary of chopping into the bulkhead and floor near the A post, and changing the layout without being well versed in structural work to be honest..   sure there's plenty would be confident doing it but not me 


Edited by stuart bowes, 08 July 2022 - 02:18 PM.


#10 mini rizzler U.K.

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Posted 09 July 2022 - 11:02 AM

OP picture looks cool but guarantee you'll be burning your legs on it every time you get out after a spirited drive lol

 

(I assume that is the reasoning behind the protective 'honeycombed' tubing on the black flatbed mini post#3)

 

post directly above looks a lot more sensible and well fitted, albeit a bit of a magnet for speed bump damage surely?

Hi, not sure if you were talking about my setup being a magnet for speed bumps? I've had no issues with bumps at all which surprised me. 

My thought were if it doesn't work at least I've had a go at making something a little different.  



#11 Midas Mk1

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Posted 09 July 2022 - 11:25 AM

Loads of threads on here, here’s one from 2012, dirks mini when it first started evolving

https://www.theminif...e-exit-exhaust/

#12 stuart bowes

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Posted 09 July 2022 - 11:32 AM

OP picture looks cool but guarantee you'll be burning your legs on it every time you get out after a spirited drive lol

(I assume that is the reasoning behind the protective 'honeycombed' tubing on the black flatbed mini post#3)

post directly above looks a lot more sensible and well fitted, albeit a bit of a magnet for speed bump damage surely?

Hi, not sure if you were talking about my setup being a magnet for speed bumps? I've had no issues with bumps at all which surprised me.
My thought were if it doesn't work at least I've had a go at making something a little different.
I wasn't knocking it all it looks cool, It was literally just that it seemed likely to get caught on stuff but if that's all good then brilliant (I'm also surprised lol) good luck to you is definitely all about variety. I'm not into rows and rows of identical cars that doesn't get me excited at all

Edited by stuart bowes, 09 July 2022 - 11:34 AM.


#13 stuart bowes

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Posted 09 July 2022 - 11:38 AM

I suppose the fact that it's such a short wheelbase helps, less likely to get beached on stuff. I've had low cars before and they got stuck on all sorts of bumps, high kerbs, in the middle of a Ford once. Fun and games

#14 mini rizzler U.K.

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Posted 09 July 2022 - 12:10 PM

 

 

OP picture looks cool but guarantee you'll be burning your legs on it every time you get out after a spirited drive lol

(I assume that is the reasoning behind the protective 'honeycombed' tubing on the black flatbed mini post#3)

post directly above looks a lot more sensible and well fitted, albeit a bit of a magnet for speed bump damage surely?

Hi, not sure if you were talking about my setup being a magnet for speed bumps? I've had no issues with bumps at all which surprised me.
My thought were if it doesn't work at least I've had a go at making something a little different.
I wasn't knocking it all it looks cool, It was literally just that it seemed likely to get caught on stuff but if that's all good then brilliant (I'm also surprised lol) good luck to you is definitely all about variety. I'm not into rows and rows of identical cars that doesn't get me excited at all

 

hi, thanks for the compliment. You didn't come across as knocking it at all.   






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