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MG TD TF 1500 - Finished the header install MAN WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

Today was the first start up with the header installed. HOLLY COW!!! There's a VERY noticeable difference in spool up from the stock manifold to the tri-y header. It feels as though I'm at 5-6K before I can really think about releasing the throttle (way free-er reving). There's a very large surge of 'go' starting at about 2-2.5K throttle and she pulls hard up to and through 5K where I ran out of road to keep testing.

This was the last part of the engine build and I'm REALLY pleased so far. I still have to re-sync the carbs and set the final advance on the distributor. As I remember, the advance adjustment makes quite a difference in performance as it begins to take advantage of Len's roller cam.

Here's a video of when I had it set up just on straight pipes before I made it to the exhaust shop, as well as a few photos of the install. Sorry about the shaky appearance of the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwySnFHBjA4&feature=plcp

Alex
Alex Waugh

Here's the header installed. The front air horn has less than a quarter inch of clearance! I LOVE the chrome finish of the ceramic coating. VERY sexy next to all that red.


Alex Waugh

here's a picture of the exhaust system while it was on the lift. A VERY clean installation with 2" pipe from the collector of the header all the way back.


Alex Waugh

Here's a view of the pipe right where it mates up to the header. In order to be able to remove it in the future, we opted not to clamp it. They say the 3-4" of overlap is suitable to avoid any leakage.


Alex Waugh

And finally, a view to the rear showing all the artfully placed bends to make it around the axle. This fellow is in his early to mid twenties and has the skills of a craftsman. He does nice work.

NOTE: when viewed from the side, the bottom of the "V" bend lines up right with the axle.


Alex Waugh

Alex,
Very nice. Hope you post another with rest of exhaust hooked up.

I am very courious as to what you are running on the valve cover vent!
I recently put my stock Vokes on for the first time but have a small "battle" going on with the VC vent from my aftermarket cover.

The aftermarket cover had no baffle in it and under hard driving I ended up with oil dripping out the bottom of the air cleaner. (Made a real mess...oil dripping out the bonnet side vents)

Made a baffle in the cover but still sucking some oil. I know it is because I rigged up a small "collector" on the breather pipe to monitor it. (Baby food jar in the line looks real funky, but at least I'm not having to clean up the mess whilst I prototype a baffle.)
David Sheward

Dave,

I have a small K&N breather pipe filter. I can't remember the part number but I was able to find it pretty quickly with a Google search. I was concerned about oil drip as well and found a small 90 degree elbow to keep the oil out of the breather. This proved to be the hard part. I ended up finding a fitted hose at the local parts supply hose and then cutting out the part I wanted. On my stock rocker box the filter clears the bonnet just fine.

I'm on the fence on the exhaust. I like it a bit loud but it is QUITE loud at the moment (more than my old set up of a rusted out cherry bomb from the 60s). I may have the shop turn the muffler round so the scalloped part collects the gasses into the glass. Won't be for a bit though.

I will get another quick video of the sound with the muffler on. She pops REALLY nice on first start up when you lay into the throttle. Very cool.
Alex Waugh

Dave et al...

Here's a vid after the muffler was installed.

Alex

http://youtu.be/N8N_kRmi2OM

Alex Waugh

Alex,
Is that a Manley Ford extractor????
STEVE WINCZE

Steve,

Yes... It's a Manley.
Alex Waugh

Alex,
Thanks for the info on the breather.

A thought ...before you change the muffler set-up, maybe try a "clam shell" on the pipe?

I have an old period Raydyot clam shell on mine.
Made a big differance in the "note" by directing the exhaust down to the pavement. Best desscription I can give is "warm & throaty"...I love it.

The way my old Raydyot is made I think it would work on the 2" ...not sure about the "MG" crested ones they sell.

Bet the "hot-rod" vendors have one to fit 2" pipes.
No doubt a lot less "pricey" than the crested ones.

I'll post a pic later when I get out to the garage.
David Sheward

Screw the neighbors..... I love it.
LaVerne

Alex, I've tried a 2" exhaust also, and like you I found it very loud. I like a loud exhaust but it was just TOO loud and sounded like one of those raceboy Acuras that the kids all drive around. I took it down to a 1.75" pipe and it got much quieter with a nicer tone. 2" is really far too large for a 1250cc engine anyway, but since I was running a stock header and downpipe I figured I had enough back pressure anyway. In the end I'm happier with the 1.75 than I was with the 2". Sounds more MG-like anyway. Hope this helps your decisions!
Steve S

Steve,

What sort of muffler did you have on your set up before you stepped down to the 1.75" pipe?

Alex
Alex Waugh

Clam shell.
You wouldn't think it would make a lot of differance ...but sounds like 2 different cars with this on or off.


David Sheward

Sometimes moving the same muffler to a different location in the pipe makes a big difference in noise level. And, another muffler of the same diameter but different length can also drastically affect it.

I once made a system for a Deutsch-Bonnet, a two cylinder 850cc device with an odd exhaust signature. Used an MGB muffler because I had one, and it fit under the car, sounded pretty good and not too loud. I then fitted about a 24" tail pipe, exiting in front of the rear wheel. When I started it, the damn building almost fell down - unbelievable racket! So, I made a longer pipe to the rear - problem solved. All piping and muffler were 1 3/4".

FRM
FR Millmore

Great news!
Alex, what are you using for carbutator air filters?
Thanks, Len
Len Fanelli

Len,

Those are something Manley sells. They are custom built to each air horn and sold as a set. He can also make you ones for your existing air horns. I wouldn't have been able to use the stock vokes with this manifold as the clearances are WAY too tight.

Alex
Alex Waugh

Alex, it was a simple 24" glass pak.

I also agree with FR that length will affect the sound deadening ability of the silencer and well as the noise properties of the tail extension. Typically speaking, you always fit the longest silencer you can in order to quiet a car down.
Steve S

Interesting... I set the advance on the timing today (34 degrees max advance set at 3100 RPM) and she's a little quieter. I'm still going to have the muffler shop turn the resonator around to see what that does. They also indicated that we could find a longer resonator (glass pack) if turning it around didn't work.

I've also been looking at motorcycle resonators that I could put in the last little bit of tail pipe. This would likely give similar results that Dave S. experienced with his clam shell, except you wouldn't see it. They are smaller diameter pipes with the scallops cut in them facing into the stream. Should provide a bit of difference, and is very reversible.

Stay tuned!

Alex
Alex Waugh

This thread was discussed between 14/06/2012 and 17/06/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

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