2bular GT3

The Oily Bits S2 Specific Topics
1

After a lot of time spent agonising what to do with my 24 x 7 2bular exhaust (with sports CAT) on my “S” because it was just too loud for Bedford (0.6db drive by) I decided the only way forward was the GT3 but I didn’t really like the idea of removing my rear panel. But needs must and all that. So I ring Jim and tell him of my plight, he as always is so helpful and listens then tells me he can make me the 24 x 8 GT3 silencer and he is going to send me a prototype part to try. I am of course now quite excited as this is to replace the right had grill with one that has a cut out in for the tailpipe
A few days pass, well actualy quite a while but he is a very busy man…
A large box arrives and I am very excited I open it to find my box a panel illiminator kit and the prototype grill. And wow how good does it look other than the hole and it not been bent to shape yet it looks like a real Lotus part (actually now taking the old one off I think it is better made)
So off to see my long suffering mechanic, up on the ramp it goes (thats an adventure on it own) off all the old bits come including the heat sheild and the right hand grill. This is held on by 2 awkwardly placed pop rivets and the bolt on the end. We removed the rivets with a long thin chisel (read sharpend screwdriver ) and this what you get

[image]http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r53/pureitc/GrillRemovedSide.jpg[/image]

Now we set about the heat sheilding a bit of cutting and chopping and put it back in, this is not easy with the cat still on and as we worked out not realy required. Now we offered up the new piece of grill and screwed it onto the middle section where the old one was riveted. Bowed it to shape and boy does it look good

[image]http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r53/pureitc/CutOutHeatSheild.jpg[/image]

Now to fit the box, this does not go well basicly it won’t fit in with the grill on why we did not spot this was going to happen I don’t know. Remove grill fit box and it is just touching the heat sheild behind the number plate. Much discussion later and with a bit of light malet work to the sheild it now misses the box and is still not touching the number plate plinth. Try to refit grill, oh dear the whole is not in the right place it is too high up (Jim did say it was a prototype) sideways alignment was great so I took some pictures fir Jim and set to cutting it to fit so it could be seen exactly where the hole should be. That done and fitted on the car and this silencer is fantastic, quiet enough for cruising and loud when you use the throttle pedal.

[image]http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r53/pureitc/FinishedBehind.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r53/pureitc/FinishedSide.jpg[/image]

I hope Jim now refines the design and start to sell them as it looks fantastic even with the hole to far up.