Exhaust skid plate

[Mike]

Someone was talking about skid plates to protect exhaust systems. Thread went something along the lines of not being ripped off as good ones can be made? or purchased at a good price. Anyone remember who the expert was? (I have searched the web but cannot find the thread)
Mike
Ahhh...I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again...

[Neil O]

Mike, I also saw something about this, but I can't find it either.
An easy solution would be to fit side pipes.{-}
Can't you make your own? After all how strong do they need to be? If you give the underside a really heavy bash you'll probably be doing some other damage as well as exhausts.
Cheers,
Neil.

[Mike]

I thought underslung was more original{-}
Skid plate would mount to chassis and is really to stop me ripping the exhausts off when you hit those compressions at higher speeds than you intend! I have cans at the back that are proving a little vulnerable.
Your right, I could make my own I was being lazy.
Mike
Ahhh...I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again...

[Neil O]

>Your right, I could make my own I was being lazy.

Too cold in the garage eh? Go on get out there you whoose
{-}
Cheers,
Neil.

[Mike]

Jeez, flamed and shamed and all did was ask a question
Mike
Ahhh...I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again...:tu

[plod]

Mike,

I have underslungs. At their lowest point (silencer) there is about three and a hlaf inches of clearance. They are positioned, more by luck and good fortune than design right in between the rear wheels.

They have not caused me any probs..

Ok, my car has been on a flat bed a few times }( , but they're still firmly attached. I did see another chap with underslungs. His silencers were right at the rear and in the cavity of the rear arches. They were also fitted ermmmm, god, how do i describe this.?? :} :} . Bugger it, dont think it matters. Anyway, to get over any grounding out, he had welded just a strip of steel along the length of the silencer. At the front of the silencer, he angled the strip up until it met with the exhaust about a 6 inches further forward. That make any sense. Didn't think so :}

Paul

[nikbj68]

You can just about make out the sort of thing you are talking about on this pic?


http://www.cobraclub.com/crcforum/user_files/3855.jpg

[Neil O]

Out of interest, what type/thickness of plate would be best for Mike's purpose. Maybe a thicker ally sheet would be easier to cut and shape than a thinner steel one.
I would think that fixing to the chassis might be better than fixing to the exhaust. If there is a big bash, it won't put stress on the exhaust joints and mounts so much.
On the subject of ground clearance, the front of the car is more likely to be hitting first isn't it? What's the measurements on your car Mike?
Cheers,
Neil.

[plod]

Neil,

This fella I met just had steel strips about half inch wide and about eigth inch thick. The fact that he had them attached to the exhaust allowed the whole exhaust/plate/silencer unit to flex if he hit something as the exhaust moves around a bit anyway.

Fixed to the chassis might take away that little amount of flex and the weld point on the plate/strip/silencer might break.

Anyway, will see if I can attach some pics.

Paul

[kdavies3]

The usual way of doing it on rally cars is to weld a plate from the pipe about 4" / 100mm in front of the silencer fan shaped and the welded to the front edge of the silencer.

http://www.woodoouk.eclipse.co.uk/Wales.gif

Kev Davies
Dax, 383ci Chevy Stroker, Tremec TKO
South Wales