Challenge exhaust question

I'm potentially have a problem with a local competition and the MX6. A few people have mentioned that the exhaust has to exit past the front wheels. This isn't a competition-specific rule, but rather a rule that the track apparently has.

While i'm waiting on clarification, does this rule apply to the Challenge? I didn't think so, since i've seen some pretty wacky exhaust setups recently. (Gutty comes to mind.)

Is this an NHRA thing, or...?

Safety related or archaic noise rules? I know for a fact the MX6 is way quieter than easily half of what normally runs at this competition. Turbo quiets it down immensely.

Having a full exhaust run would be one of two things, or both. That being near impossible due to packaging constraints, or put me way over budget because of the amount of custom work that would be needed.

If it turns out that i do need a full exhaust (and for future reference anyways), is there anyone on here within a reasonable distance that would be willing to take a look at the car and work this out with me? I can't weld or bend, and i'm exhaust stupid, otherwise i'd attempt to do it myself. Willing to pay, obviously. Currency of your choice, just no wampum.

Many tracks prefer the exhaust exit behind the driver to eliminate the chance the driver will be asphyxiated by the exhaust fumes.

I would just dump the exhaust behind the driver's window in front of the rear tire. You don't need a full exhaust, just enough to meet the rules.

Well, that's the problem. The exhaust is currently exiting out the passenger side of the front bumper. I've got a "boom hole." The current exhaust is a 2.5 foot long 3" diameter pipe with no bends coming straight off the turbo and making a bee-line to a hole in the bumper. The wastegate is also plumbed into the same pipe.

There isn't enough room as far as i can tell to run an appropriate sized exhaust under the car. The issue is getting the exhaust to even route under the car in the first place. I've got a crossmember and lower radiator hose in the way, and i don't think i even have enough space to pull a 180 bend and go back under the turbo, which sucks, because i DO have space to route underneath on the driver's side.

I might be able to squeeze through there if i could relocate that radiator hose and cut out some of the crossmember and other crap that's down there, but that's a little past my abilities, and i can't fab my own exhaust anyways. If i "fix" it, i'm likely going to go over challenge budget.

This sucks. I'm getting caught by technicalities all over in this competition. The Celica gets bumped into "Top Gun" against twin turbo vettes, 9 second Evos, and Vipers simply because it has no interior, and the MX6 looks like it's going to get knocked out because someone thinks the car will kill me?

Think the track will like it if i simply point out that i've run that car there once before? (And got kicked off, but for a different reason.)

Post some pictures and maybe we'll see something you didn't :)

Is there any reason you cant run a temporary exhaust from the hole in the fender down the exterior of the car and have it dump underneath the car?

I've posted some pics before, but i can't find them again, go figure.

Here's a bad picture... that dark spot in front of the wheelwell is the exhaust.

Can you flip the turbo 180 degrees?

might need to stick out some?

Greg Voth wrote: Is there any reason you cant run a temporary exhaust from the hole in the fender down the exterior of the car and have it dump underneath the car?

Hahahhaha!!! I thought about that in passing, but it seemed REALLY strange to me.

turboswede wrote: Can you flip the turbo 180 degrees?

Ehhh... if the flange was cut off and re-welded, that's a possibility, but again, that's going to be more money. I sent an email to the event organizer, and he said that there's been a couple DSM guys that have run exhausts like what i have before and they let them go, the only difference is that mine is a little higher than theirs. I SHOULD be ok, crossing my fingers at least. This event is my shakedown to make sure everything is going to hold together when beating on it for a day.

mad_machine wrote: might need to stick out some?

That picture might be a little misleading. The turbo setup isn't even on the car there, so all you're seeing is the hole. The pipe sticks out about an inch.

In reply to 93celicaGT2:

I'm in the Cincinnati area, and can weld, but can't bend, in case you decide to go with a full exhaust and can't get find someone closer. Willing to work for Fitz's Root Beer and Mexican Coca-Cola.

eastsidemav wrote: In reply to 93celicaGT2: I'm in the Cincinnati area, and can weld, but can't bend, in case you decide to go with a full exhaust and can't get find someone closer. Willing to work for Fitz's Root Beer and Mexican Coca-Cola.

Awesome, that's not very far from me, relatively speaking.

I think something passable could probably be fabbed using 3.5" pre-bends from a truck shop or something.

That said... even if i'm still allowed to compete as is, i'll still probably contact you. When i think about it, i realize that all three of my cars have exhaust issues. Go figure.

I appreciate it!

In reply to 93celicaGT2:

Turn it straight up about three feet and put one of those flapper things on top. Route a little oil to the exhaust so you get some nice black smoke.

I sent an email to the event organizer

Good call. Last time I read a Solo II rule book, there are specific class rules that say the exhaust needs to exit behind the driver.

angusmf wrote: In reply to 93celicaGT2: Turn it straight up about three feet and put one of those flapper things on top. Route a little oil to the exhaust so you get some nice black smoke.

Can i substitute some nice big old fireballs instead? Those are already supplied.

In reply to 93celicaGT2:

No.

Ben, I know you own a proper camera we need pixxors or this car doesn't exist.

Put a "danger intake" sticker over your hole.

Put your stock muffler back on in the rear.

Play dumb.

jamscal wrote: Put a "danger intake" sticker over your hole. Put your stock muffler back on in the rear. Play dumb.

Amusingly enough... the stock cat-back is still attached to the car.

John, i'll get some better pics up soon. Those pictures were in fact taken with a decent camera, just terrible lighting conditions.

But, i did just buy the girlfriend a Pentax K-X DSLR, so maybe i'll get to play with that.

Ben, rock something like this:

Similar to what Greg said. No bends (other than the pre-bents you can buy for cheap), no welds.

^I believe that would probably get me kicked out far faster than my present setup.

That just made my day.

I feel like there was a GRM member who had a LeMons Volvo with a cherry bomb sticking out of the hood in a similar fashion. I can't find a picture right now though.