TVR Chimera type headers

[Sunbmw]

As per title, are they any good? I have chance of buying a nice pair, and due to clearance issues on my SD1 rally car, thought out of the box and thought I may be able to adapt TVR headers and front pipe and give myself loads of clearance.

Two things jump out at me, one is that the pipes are unequal lengths, which is never really a good thing, and two would be the conceren about under bonnet temps with the massive front pipe sat behind the radiator.

TVR engines always seem to have the beans though.

So, good or bad idea, your thoughts would be most appreciated.............

[kiwicar]

Hi
They are unequal length but still tuned lengths, I think you will find they give whole number multiples of exhaust tract length. Where they gain in the TVR is that they allow the engine to be mounted further back in the chassis than would be otherwise possable which on a light car like a TVR is important. in your SD1 I would thing if you rea going to use them so you can move the engine back in the chassis then they are worthwhile, if not then long tube 4 into 1 equal length headers are a better bet.
Best regards
Mike

[Ian Anderson]

Having unequal length runners may not be such a bad thing.

If you have perfectly tuned equal length headers you will potentially get a higher max HP and torque at a set RPM

But either side of the exact RPM you will be compromised

So if you are running a F1 engine at a constant 18000 rpm you need everything exact

SDI rally - it will be at different revs all day - in my opinion no need to spend so much on equal lengths etc A proper tuned lengths set of headers matched to you specific engine would cost you about £3000

IAn

[Sunbmw]

Thanks guys, I am literally just fabricating the engine mounts now, (Chassis, mount, see my other post), and I have got the engine vitually touching the bulkhead, I still seem to have not bad clearance for the headers, and the advantage on the O/S (steering column side) is that it actually gives better clearance for them to pass through the x-member.

However, having a damn good weigh up today, The TVR manifolds would make things like the starter, dry sump pump etc much easier to access, and I kinda think they look damn sexy too.

They are cheap enough, so I might buy them and have a play...........

Look out for more pics soon on my build thread, I have been off a couple of days and I am racing along, next step shell dipped and painted!