MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Exhaust Systems

Im just about to replace the tired exhaust on my 74 GT, i know that im going to go stainless but was just wondering what systems people have fitted and any improvements in flow, sound etc. Ive been told that a standard stainless systems produces a slightly different note to the standard steel system to begin with but have also be warned that the twin pipe systems can be a little too noisy? As i have a GT though i wouldnt have thought that would be much of a problem...ideally im looking for a slighty more throaty sound than standard but without going over the top.

thanks in advance...
john

John-
Twin Pipe system? Is it a V8? If not, try the Peco system. Excellent flow and a nice street-legal baritone sound. Maniflow also makes a good-flowing system with a somewhat deeper note.
Steve S.

I installed a Peco header and exhaust system recently and highly recommend it. Easy installation and a great sound.
Bill M.

Hi John

The twin rear pipe system is awful...very, very loud....and possibly restrictive due to the silencer design....try Peco or Maniflow mild steel....

Peter
Peter Burgess

Need a new system for my B. Does anyone have any experience with "Bell" Stainless Steel Exhausts?
Thanks.
BOS

John,
Can I, as one who had one, confirm what Peter Burgess said about the twin pipe back box. They are, as he said, absolutly awful. You would not believe what a noise it can create within the confines of a GT. Not a nice noise, nor a burbly, or throaty noise, but a droning, booming, nose bleeding cruise ruining row.

Not far behind in the ranks of useless, money wasting kit must be the stainless tubular manifold made by SS exhausts and sold by the MGOC. Very hard to fit, and made of such poor quality that you will need to return several before you recieve one that a)has a flat 'face', and b)has been constructed correctly to allow the pipe to pass between engine and chassis rail. When fitted, it will undoubtedly lose power, as the pipes are of random lengths, and then, as mine did, will probably just break, allowing a chunk of pipe to bolt for freedom.

Can't make any recomendations, I'm afraid, but can only advise on my painful experiences due to my cars PO having more money than sense.

Mike.
Michael Watkins

Historically - Ansa has been a favorite, too. You have to dig for it (I found mine in Texas, e.g.) The "best" sound and good flow. I know that John Twist recommends them. Also, while it's steel, it's not cheap stuff and lasts a long time. The system on my GT was installed just before I got the car in 1989, and I'm just replacing it now (more due to the hits the middle resonator got before I got new rear springs). On our roadster, the Ansa went on before 1988, and it's still doing fine. I understand that on stainless systems the internal baffles may not hold up that long.

So - for longevity, sound and good flow, you might want to add Ansa to your list.

PS - skip the lookalike Monzas - they're junk.
John Z.

I have the Monza - twin tip and I think that it is too quiet. Stock exhaust was a little deeper in tone quality.

Mike D.

Very true, John Z. I thought that something had gone from within my twin pipe back box, although when I read what Peter Burgess says in his MGB tuning book, I thought maybe not. But it would be very easy to fix it so that the internal baffles burnt through, in time. I've only got the centre bomb to replace on my system. I reckon a good quality steel system might be a better buy than a cheap stainless.

Mike.
Michael Watkins

Sounds like the twin pipe boxes should be avoided then?
Still Maniflow are based quite near me here in the UK so will give them a try and see what they have. Other than that maybe have to try Peco, which i must admit have avoided for no other reason but that every 17yr old kid seems to have one attached to his mums escort where are live!

thanks to all those who have posted...
john

Has anyone fitted the Peco Sports Twin Pack -
Three branch manifold - Twin chrome tailpipes system that the MGOC sell? Id like to have the look of a twin pipe rear box but the problems others describe have made me re-think a bit... Might just stick to a single type.

thanks again
john

John,

I got the Falcon "Big Bore" stainless system from Moss, and I like it a lot. Went together well, and has a great sound. The system eliminates the center silencer, using a rear only. As the name implies, it is a slightly larger diameter pipe than stock.

Cheers, Doug
Douglas Keene

I second the vote for the Falcon. I'm using the
standard Falcon stainless exhaust (not big
bore) on my B and midget, and both work great.

They are installed without cutting and welding,
which I find to be a big advantage.
Ronald

I don't know if they have improved any, but I would think twice before buying another stainless system. At 6 years old, mine hasn't corroded but all the silencing function has long gone so the car now sounds loud and nasty. Follow Mr Burgess' advice - get a good quality mild steel system.
Mike Howlett

I used the Falcon SS stock system on my MK I
GT , it went right on no hassle and sounds nice to boot .

-Nate
Nate

I'm confused, which one is the best.?

S/S or MS.?

Twin or single box.?

Peco, Falcon, Maniflow or what.?

Cast Iron Manifold or tubular.?
Jack

John,
I too had the twin pipe s/s sports exhaust from the MGOC. I found the twin pipe back box much to noisy. I replaced the twin pipe back box with a single pipe s/s rear box, again from the MGOC, and now am quite pleased with the complete s/s system. I didn't notice any power loss by changing boxes, but now I can rev the car without being embarrassed about the noise it makes.

If anybody wants a hardly used s/s rear twin pipe back box, it's going free.

Charlie.

Charles Goozee

I'm thinking that you folks in the UK must be buying a different stainless steel system than we are over here. I don't recall ever seeing a comment where a UK owner referred to a FALCON stainless steel system, you have problems with yours, and Michael Watkins said "stainless tubular manifold made by SS exhausts and sold by the MGOC" earlier in this thread. Like many others, I installed a Falcon big bore (1 7/8" IIRC) and it works great, great sound - like an MG but a little bit deeper (2 liter engine may contribute to this), went on so easily that I almost felt that something was wrong when I was done, and gave a noticeable performance improvement over the stock system it replaced. It also doesn't have any buzziness or boominess that UK drivers have reported. So what's up?
Wade Keene

I think it's worth restating that I found no real difference in performance when I replaced the ss tubular manifold with the original cast one. IF I was pushed, I might say that I THINK I have a litle more torque now, and a slightly lower ability to reach 5500 rpm, but I may be just imagining it. I would definitly say that any difference is so small that it simply is not worth spending the money, and definitly not worth the aggro of having to fit 2 or 3 different examples, with all the associated hassle of returning shoddy mail order goods etc.

Use your money to buy petrol, and get out and drive that car!
Michael Watkins

This thread was discussed between 23/09/2002 and 26/09/2002

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.