Dear Don et al.My Vitesse,(same port configuration as TR6) is fitted with a
mild steel tubular manifold/headers made by Mike Randall/'Mike-The-Pipe' of
128 Stanley Park Road,Wallington,Surrey,England. tel:00-44-181-669-1719
No connection,other than being a satisfied customer.He's been trading many
years and makes 'special' exhausts for 'special'
cars,ie:Custom,Classic,Vintage,Museum cars etc...And,unlike some of the
apparently less well thought out/designed manifolds sold by so-called
'tuning' suppliers,the manifold I got from him has been subject to much
testing:on bench,track and road.I will attempt to describe it:It comes in 3
seperate pieces,which slide/bolt together,The piece with 2 pipes,nearest to
the engine block,combines the exhaust gases from exhaust ports # 1 & 6,and
runs down to the joining section,below the gearbox,The second piece with 4
pipes,attached together at the cylinder-head, combines the exhaust gases from
exhaust ports # 2 & 5 and takes them down to the joining section below the
gearbox & also combines the exhaust gases from exhaust ports,# 3 & 4 and
takes them down to the joining section below the gearbox. The important
consideration is the way/order that the gases are combined.The combination
section comprises a fairly large bore pipe,1 & 7/8th inch diameter I
think.,with a special triple pipe connector just below the gearbox.There is a
lot of worthwhile information on exhaust design in the "tuning manual" for
Standard Triumph cars (1959-80),by g.thomas,a privately produced loose-leaf
publication,in a yellow cardboard cover,produced in 1986.Unfortunately,far
too much to reproduce here,but if any listers really want it,and ask me
nicely,I would be prepared to send them a copy of the relevant section.You
might be able to order yourself a copy of that manual from your favorite
local specialised bookshop,or failing that by mail order from The Triumph
Bookshop at P.O.Box 28,MarketHarborough,Leicestershire,LE16
7FX,England.see<http://www.the-studio.demon.co.uk/bookshop.html>
I think I also saw them for sale at "Chaters Motoring Booksellers Ltd" at 8
South Street,Isleworth,Middlesex,TW7 7BG,England. tel:00-44-181-568-9750. (no
e-mail).The rest of my system is of hi-grade non-magnetic Stainless Steel
made by Bells of Swindon and bought from the TSSC as their "Vitesse Ml.2 full
sports system" # BE222, just one big pipe runs the length of the
car,splitting into two at a Y-piece just below the differential and exiting
via two oval boxes with long and impressively wide pipes,which I had
micropolished for additional effect. The full sports system doesn't contain
much baffling & is quite "rorty" Some people make the mistake of having the
pipes sticking out past the tail of the car,so they trip over them! This
makes them much louder,probably too loud,but if mounted inboard,just ahead of
the rear valance/skirt,they are much more bearable and no less fun!
Alternatively,you can contact Bell Silencer Services Ltd,at Hoopers
Place,Newport Street,Swindon,Wiltshire,SN1 3RA,England.
tel:00-44-1793-619-234 or FAX:00-44-1793-484-520. and enquire about a system
for your TR6 directly from the manufactuer.Lastly,be wary of anyone who
bandies about such pseudo-scientific phrases as "extractor system"(what else
could it be?),"maximises backpressure" and "freeflowing"That's all and good
luck.,Leon F Guyot.
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