Dumb (possibly) exhaust question.
 

Hello all -

I am fabricating a non-standard exhaust system for my '65 Mk2, and despite the fact that I have made up my own exhaust systems a few times, I've never come across a car where the exhaust runs UNDER the rear axle. To be honest, I rather assumed this exhaust routing was another back-yard mechanic's hack job (the '65 has a few of those) - So imagine my surprise when I find out.....its supposed to be that way!

I've completed the head-pipes and now I'm ready to do what ought to be the easy part - except that I'm not sure what to do about the rear axle. In the current condition, I have the car on a body-lift, so the suspension is hanging free - no weight on the rear axle. The existing dual pipes are in contact with the rear axle, may even be supporting it. Here is my basic question: Is there a measurement from some reference point that I can use to hang the new pipes at the correct level? For example.....6-inches down from the heat shield, or 4-inches from X reference point to the top of the pipe?

I could simply hang the new pipes at the same measurement as the old ones, but that would be assuming the old pipes were hung correctly, and if the rest of the design anything to go by, it would be unlikely. I also thought perhaps I could just hang the pipes such that they are a hair below the rear axle - after all, the rear end will never hang so low as it is now (on a body lift) unless I'm catching air over a jump.....not what I have planned. BUT ....I thought I'd check and see if there is an actual measurement to use.

Thanks,
Allan.

It's not a dumb question Allan, the exhaust pipes should sit approx 1 1/2" down from the heat shield to the top of the pipes where they travel under the long heat shield.

hope that helps

Sorry for the late response - Appreciate the measurement. Just got the exhaust done. I think I made an error on the mufflers (too loud) but otherwise it went well.

On my car the standard exhaust does touch the axle when its jacked up.

Perfect, thanks for the verification. That's basically how I set it up.