Silencer replacement?

[Bev Spiers]

Hi I'm asking for suggestions or thoughts on what silencer to use when I replace the very loud and antisocial Cherry Bomb one I have fitted at the moment. A nice sports sound is important so what do you think ?

Bev

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

How many Cherry Bimbs are in the pipework?   If one…..Add a second Cherry Bomb.   Years ago I found the additional silencer in the pipe coming through the chassis before the axle quietened it all a bit    I now run a standard two silencer system, stainless steel made by Langford 35 years ago.   No headaches caused by resonance after long runs with the roof up.  No grizzly neighbours after you get home late at night, no plod suggesting the car did not comply.     We all did the stupidly loud exhaust thing as youngsters, then we grew up.  
 

PS.   I have two NOS Stateside Cherry Bombs sitting in the rafters of my garage which I am unlikely to fit to my TR3.  Will list in BST next month.  

Edited September 4, 2025 by BlueTR3A-5EKT

[Rod1883]

I run a single box - the Moss larger silencer - with just a tail pipe without a second silencer. This is the closest approximation to the single silencer system that the TR2's had. It produces a very nice sound, and not stupidly loud - imho.

[TR Rob]

I have just the rear silencer , no middle silencer.

Initially I thought it was great, but over time I thought it was a bit noisy. Thought about adding an additional silencer prior to trip to Annecy, this didn’t happen and after the trip never will, as the exhaust sound became addictive, it gives a lovely burble and pops and bangs on the over run….typical TR3a….love it !

[Richardtr3a]

I worked on my exhaust about three or four years ago. I have the two box system . The front box had to have the corner cut off and welded where it was tight against the chassis and a replacement pipe at the rear end where the diameter did not fit the rear silencer. This involved two visits to a local welder. But it does now work well and is not in any way annoying to the general public or the driver.

Good luck

Richard & B

[Ralph Whitaker]

I have the Moss Tourist Trophy 2 box stainless system. Nice throaty note under power, but  not intrusive cruising.

Ralph

[Lebro]

Standard two box SS Phoenix system for me (but with four branch manifold) load enough for me !

Bob

[Bev Spiers]

Interesting Bob,  I have a stainless four branch manifold as well so I may go for the two silencer fix. Can I ask, what does it sound like?

[Lebro]

Load enought to sound sporty, but not enough to be intrusive.

Bob

[james christie]

A new stainless steel exhaust can be a little noisy and sound tinny until they are sooted up a bit - but at least they last for years. I think mine must be some 25 years old!

james

[Bev Spiers]

Thanks James, my stainless system is in excellent condition and has been on the car since 2014 ( I bought it in Aug 2024).  The only issue I have is that the Cherry Bomb silencer is so loud on eccelleration. I'm starting too get some bad vibes from the neighbours. As long as I get it sorted for next Spring I'm sure peace will prevail.   😀

  

[Hamish]

I have a phoenix Ss manifold and a big bore system to a single rear box. 
my videos and people at meetings are always saying it sounds good. 
scrutineers test to be at 98dB

 

https://youtu.be/w8dMxSYIr6g?si=GHoK0toXpuXUnV2k

[iain]

I use the Revington Rally twin silencer system , with standard manifold, it’s sporty whilst being scrutineering compliant. 
Iain

[Ralph Whitaker]

Just seen that the price of the Tourist Trophy system that I bought in 2018 was £206.  Same system from Moss is currently £463.  Ouch.

Wish my wages had gone up at the same rate.

Ralph

[Bev Spiers]

Tell me about it Ralph, that's one of the reasons why I'm taking my time choosing a system .

 

[PXC]

Hi Bev

Mine is s/s with a single silencer, bigger bore than standard I think, but mine does need the tweak mentioned above- namely, needs a corner trimming off the silencer to avoid wedging against the chassis (winter job).
Sound-wise it’s a nice burble, or throaty when you step on the loud pedal. 
 

Can’t tell you what make, cos it was on when I bought the car. 
 

Cheers

Paul

 

[Bev Spiers]

Thanks Paul

[Chris Glasbey]

I have owned my TR3A for 50 years so far and spent 10 years competing in Hillclimbing hence fast road engine, webers and competition exhaust big-bore system (one silencer). Silencer had to be replaced after 25 years (SS) because the baffles eventually distintegrate. A new silencer was fitted but it was too quiet so now has the louder competition one. Probably near 105db. Can't talk to your passenger under hard acceleration .....and pop and bangs on overrun.   Some may think it unsociable but I still love it.

Chris 🙂  (age 73)

 

[Tony_C]

I’m with you Chris, although I have only owned my 3a for 48 years. I have a big bore double bomb that sounds magnificent..

[TR Rob]

11 hours ago, Chris Glasbey said:

I have owned my TR3A for 50 years so far and spent 10 years competing in Hillclimbing hence fast road engine, webers and competition exhaust big-bore system (one silencer). Silencer had to be replaced after 25 years (SS) because the baffles eventually distintegrate. A new silencer was fitted but it was too quiet so now has the louder competition one. Probably near 105db. Can't talk to your passenger under hard acceleration .....and pop and bangs on overrun.   Some may think it unsociable but I still love it.

Chris 🙂  (age 73)

 

+1

[Bev Spiers]

I'm still looking and trying to decide which way to go. Last question I hope, can anyone give me the outside dimensions of a standard pipe and the big bore pipe. please.  Thanks  Bev

[Upriis]

Hi Bev, I had the Phoenix sport single box big bore system on mine.

After failing  scrutineering at castle Coombe with this set up, I purchased the Phoenix twin box standard set up.

I found that the bore of the pipes was identical?

I fitted the front pipe and centre box from the "standard’ twin system and retained the original "big bore" back box as it was bigger and quieter than the "standard" rear small box.

The sound is still sporty, but much more bearable and importantly now passes scrutineering.

Great car by the way, it was a toss up for me between yours and the car I have now, when I purchased a few years ago…

[Bev Spiers]

That's interesting, sounds like I nearly missed out on David Gillespie's superb restoration. In the past all my classics have needed work, some have been a real money pits, like my 53 Jowett Jupiter. I know I paid big money for 499KPA but it's perfect and  needs no work at all, possibly saving me money in the longrun. I just need to change the silencer to quieten it down a bit so I don't fall out with any of my neighbours.    😀   Thanks to everyone for replying to my questions 

 

[Upriis]

It was a close call…

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Edited September 11, 2025 by Upriis

[Bev Spiers]

Where and when was photo taken. It must of been earlier in it's restored life. Red brake calipers are now black and two grill badges added before I bought it. Love to know who owned the car between me and David Gillespie  the restorer. Just to say, 499 KPA features in the latest Practical Classic magazine, page 88