Gauging interest in gt17 downpipes
Turbo Mini Forums

Forgot to add these photos showing the area that needs to be smaller

So by the looks of it, if the pipe was a smaller diameter where it passes the pot joint, that would allow the pipe to swing towards the engine a little bit more allowing the second bend to clear the subframe and give more clearance at the top lip of the subby.

As the downpipe is sitting now, what angle is the pipe under the car? Is it pointing up/down level with floor?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Squashed the pipe for more clearance, got it down to 48-50mm





The next problem is as the pipe goes through the tunnel it is now fouling the side of the tunnel. This causes the clearance between the pot joint to be a little tight and fouling of the block until this is sorted out.





I think by adding a flexi pipe in will help with the block clearance and pot joint, also help the tunnel issue. Not sure if having more of slight bend just after the pot joint will help put the pipe position more to the middle and stop the end touching the gear selector box.



If you are ok with me adding a flexi pipe in Matt i will get this welded in tomorrow night?

Hopefully this all makes sense haha

Edited by Nick warwick on 6th Apr, 2014.

Can you rotate the flange on the turbo a little to bring the pipe more in the centre of the tunnel?

That should bring it to a position to clear the back of the block better.

I had it positioned so the pipe was completely clear of the inner cv boot, so probably wants to be moved 10-15mm over.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Matt i cant rotate it either way as it wont go any further due to it hitting the tunnel.

Adding the flexi should help this a fair bit i think.

Ok, I think thats answered the question whether a 57mm pipe can be made to easily fit.

Go for it, if you think it will help the fitment.

I think the best solution would be for me to put a reduced slip joint between the first and second bend, at least that way it's reducing the pipe size past the pot joint and will allow for minor adjustment to get the centre section aligned to clear the gear selector. Obviously won't be soo much of a problem with an internal gear linkage, but for a downpipe to fit all applications I think that's the best solution.

I'll have a play with making up a 2 piece version, and see how that goes.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

Yeah i think you are right with a smaller pipe.

I will let you know if the flexi works out.

If you need me to test the next DP let me know mate.

The downpipe passes the pot joint a little too far over, away from the diff side cover where the space is a bit narrow.

My down pipe is 2.25" and it fits down the back nicely, however, I use Hardy Spicer joints ( I don't think it makes any difference as the flange is quite wide), and the turbo is not mounted that low in the bay.

What I did......

Moved the engine forward to the same position of all late (SPi/MPi) subframes while using the Auto or late engine steady and gained ~10mm extra space at the back of the engine.

Folded back (rather than cut off) the lip on the back of the subframe. (you've already done this)

Angled the bottom bend on the downpipe towards the center of the car as it passes the driveshaft, then another shallow bend to straighten it back up in the tunnel. (that might need a little cut and shut of the current pipe)




When mocking up my downpipe, I sat a complete engine on a sheet of ply and blocked it up enough to fit a normally aspirated manifold, such that the manifold was just touching the plywood. I drew round the manifold onto the ply. I then fitted the selector mechanism and did the same, drew round that.

This gave me the basic shape I needed to follow and stay within, It also gave me the correct length/ drop/ height of the downpipe when constructing it from a series of weld elbows.

While some of the things mentioned above might not be possible with the turbo so low in the bay, it shows it is possible to get a 2.25" pipe down the back there. Perhaps a tighter bend out of the turbo is required, which might mean using a weld elbow instead?..........

Just some thoughts...............................................................................

Attachments:

86.61kb

I think one of the main underling issues is that the manifold Nick has is an early version compaired to the latest one Matty usded to fabricate the manifold.

The other is that Nick can only tilt has engine to 225mm and not the 220mm as Matty had.

Great work Nick by the way and good luck with the L2B deadline.

What the mind can conceive the mini can achieve
MITP 2012 17.01 seconds 1/4 mile against "The Don"
MITP 2013 16.83 seconds 1/4 mile

Getting the flexi pipe welded in tonight, thinking of welding it in at a slight angle to try and bring the pipe underneath a little more to the right in the tunnel.

Sprocket it right on the space being slightly more closer to the diff housing.

Cheers Lee hopefully i can still make it!

Has a flexi welded in last night but this still didn't get it inline with the tunnel. Although it did help fitment a little.

The last bend as it passes the pot joint needs bending towards the diff housing more or the first bend from the turbo.

How much further over can it go before the exhaust fowls on the gear selector? I have no gear selector on my car to measure from.

I have the parts ordered up to make a reduced type downpipe, which can be tweaked on the car to fit, i'll have a look into making it fit more to the centre of the tunnel aswell. Do you want to send yours back to me Nick, so I can modify that one?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

You have just over 1inch of space.



Cut a slit in the pipe at then welded them together while being pushed together.



This little slit gave me a fair bit of movement below compared to the top photo. Could have really cut a little more away too.



It now fits but it still a tight fit with the larger flexi i have welded in. Going to make a bracket that keeps it pulled over to the diff cover.

Hope this helps mate.

It's easy enough to move it over, I just have to angle the flare slightly more at the end of the pipe to bring it all across some more.

So if it was moved over say 15mm how much clearance would there be between the tunnel and pipe if it was 2" pipe?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

With a 2" pipe Matt you should get a fair bit of clearance. I will try get some decent photos today of what clearance i have got.

Does the down pipe ro past the selector ?

Got a good picture at home of the tunnel with my exhaust fitted.

What the mind can conceive the mini can achieve
MITP 2012 17.01 seconds 1/4 mile against "The Don"
MITP 2013 16.83 seconds 1/4 mile

that would be good to see Lee. The new downside will stop short of the selector, but obviously needs to be inline with the centre action that will pass the selector.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

The play mini system i have has a hump if you can call it that to get past the selector.

The fletchers manifold i had first also put the exhaust close to the body where Nick has had the issue, i changed that for a Manifolw stage 2 which was a little better fit BUT still needed a hammer to clear the body on the Y piece.

I'll get the picture up later, i did think i had it on my works laptop.

What the mind can conceive the mini can achieve
MITP 2012 17.01 seconds 1/4 mile against "The Don"
MITP 2013 16.83 seconds 1/4 mile

an LCB center branch passes down the back of the block and turns under the car around the diff side cover where there is plenty clearance. it is almost inline with the collector outlet, as the collector has a sort of dogleg to clear the tunnel.

In my opinion, you need to aim for that 'wider' area around the diff side cover then sort out the angles as it enters the tunnel

Managed to get out to the garage, fit the selector and take a couple of pictures for you.
Hope these help with the positioning of the down pipe.

What the mind can conceive the mini can achieve
MITP 2012 17.01 seconds 1/4 mile against "The Don"
MITP 2013 16.83 seconds 1/4 mile

Does this picture help.




The LCB was a new fletchers one which fouled the body so got sent back to mini sport and replaced with a stage 2 Maniflow.

Edit?

Wrong picture. Ooooppppsssss

Edited by lee.pb on 13th Apr, 2014.

What the mind can conceive the mini can achieve
MITP 2012 17.01 seconds 1/4 mile against "The Don"
MITP 2013 16.83 seconds 1/4 mile

Ah yeah that's spot on Lee. It looks like mine is in the right position in the tunnel then, as yours looks like it runs well off the centre of the tunnel.

I'm still waiting for the parts to arrive, but it should need too much of a tweak from the looks of things with a smaller pipe.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Fabri..._homepage_panel

www.fusionfabs.co.uk



1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

The Y piece could of been another 1/2" towards the selector to allow clearance from the body.

The maniflow LCB was a better fitment but not got any pictures of that.

Hope the parts arrive looking forward to getting it started but still got a way to go.

What the mind can conceive the mini can achieve
MITP 2012 17.01 seconds 1/4 mile against "The Don"
MITP 2013 16.83 seconds 1/4 mile

Matt
This looks far to close to the bulkhead and outdrive pot? wont the heat be a problem?

On your list for both downpipe and manifold

Jawd

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett