MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

TR parts and Triumph parts, TR bits, Triumph Car Spares and accessories are available for TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4, TR4A, TR5, TR6, TR7, TR8, Spitfire and Stag and other TR models are available from British car spares and parts company LBCarCo.

Triumph TR6 - Exhaust Header

Has anyone out there had experience with high thoughput pacesetter 6 into 1 exhaust headers...would like to hear some opinions, stories etc

thanks

bob
Bob Craske

Bob, I have 6 into 1 exhaust headers on my '74. Experience??? The only experience I have are the skinned knuckles trying to remove it for my engine rebuild. It seems to performe well, but can't make a comparison, since it was on the car when I purchased.
Cheers
Pete Russell
Pete Russell

Hello Bob,

I do not know Monza header but my experience with that company for a Monza pacesetter free-flow system was very bad.
Why the need for an header as Mr. Kastner in his book "TRIUMPH PREPARATION HANDBOOK" says that an header is not necessary for a twin pipes manifold TR6.

Cheers,

JGC
J. G. Catford

I have both data and an opinion on this matter.

First the data, many years ago I installed one of these headers on my TR6. Fit was marginal at the head, some grinding was involved to get everything to clear. Like your typical header installation, access for installation of the retaining hardware was more restricted than with the stock exhaust manifold. Where the header passed by the inner leg of the frame, clearance was minimal even with new engine mounts. Any amount of mount collapse would allow the headers to hit the frame, so replace your engine mounts with the best ones that you can buy (Revington TR mounts, also sold by Roadster) and keep an eye on them. Also like your typical header, thin wall tubing can only take so much and cracking will occur, especially if the header is allowed to hit the frame. But the real question is did it make any difference and my answer to that is not that I could tell.

You know what they say about opinions...... and I've got one of those too. If you are just hell bent for leather to run a header, cough up the extra bucks and get one of the factory pattern, two piece, six into two into one set ups. They offer a better fit and appear to be of higher quality. You still have the not much frame clearance issue, so watch those engine mounts and the thin wall tube considerations to deal with. Oh yea, I forgot about the starter. The header makes dealing with the starter more of a pain.

However, the strongest part of the opinion is just don't bother with a header on a street car. While the early single pipe manifold and exhaust could use a little help, the later twin downpipe exhaust manifold flows very well, it fits the car like it was designed for the car and it works. You move away from the thin wall tube syndrome, you get starter clearance, etc., what's not to like. If you have an early car with the single pipe manifold, go junk yarding/ebaying for a twin pipe manifold. I prefer the 73/74 manifold as it does not have the prot for the air injection system. Those can be used, but you must plug the ports. Then run a later model exhaust system.
SteveP

I appreciate the feedback, this and some older archived threads on this bbs and other tr6 bbs's pretty well makes it clear that this is one update that isnt really necessary and could have a very high aggrevation factor. I think i will focus on other improvements this winter (which i think started today!)

thanks again

bob
Bob Craske

I have a Monza Pacesetter 6 into 1 into 2 header, which I installed myself. I got mine "Jet-Hot" coated (in & out) which cost about the same price as the header itself. As above, I had to grind the header's manifold plate to align with the carb's intake manifold, and I had to grind away the inside lip on the frame near the bottom of the header to allow for clearence. I then had the frame welded where I had done the grinding, to ensure that all way still strong. Finally, I purchased a $35.00 header clamp to keep the 2 header pieces (1 into 2) nice & tight. Performance Improvements? Only above 3,800 rpms is there somewhat of a noticeable difference in bottom-end, no top-end improvement here. Besides, I rarely put the 6 above 3,500 rpms.
P Johnston

"Besides, I rarely put the 6 above 3,500 rpms. "

Then why on earth mount a header? They shift the powerband higher in the RPM range. You probably LOST power below 3500 RPM compared to the cast-iron manifold.
Tom

Well Tom, that's a very good question. Hind-sight is 20/20, especially when looking back over 5yrs ago. But, there still is the weight factor, "man" that original cast-iron is one heavy piece.
P Johnston

""man" that original cast-iron is one heavy piece"

Agreed. I bought one on eBay recently and was surprised to see that all the extra weight didn't buy much strength: I found a crack in the flange as soon as I started examining it. One or two more and I'll have a decent boat anchor.

Cheers, Tom
Tom

Now I that changed my mind...i now have a 6 into 1 used (but new powder coat) manifold with an additional header extension (new from pacesetter) for a dual exhaust pipe set up (1975-76)...anyone wants it...just drop me a mail and BO gets it

bob

Bob Craske

This thread was discussed between 17/11/2005 and 23/11/2005

Triumph TR6 index