wow, Stuart. Thanks for all the info. My system could best be described
as a PECO system without the bright paint that the catalog shows. I love
the sound of the single rear muffler, and it hasn't missed a beat in the
14 years it has been on the car. I have decided to abandon the multipiece
pipe and weld the pipe to the dpwnpipe to do away with the clamp under the
floor. For those who suggested it, I have tried putting the clamp
sideways and it usually lasts 2 weeks there (double the life of the
downfacing clamps). Even with all the proper mounts, I can't keep the
exhaust off the ground, so tonight I will weld the system together and see
low long it takes to wear through that. Thanks everyone for your advice
and suggestions.
James Nazarian
'71 B roadster
'71 BGT rust free and burnt orange
'63 Buick 215
"Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines"
Enzo Ferrari
On Tue, 11 Jul 2000, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
> James,
>
> After 31 years of tearing up or wearing out various exhaust systems on
> my '65 (stock, Ansa, custom, Abarth, and now the complete PECO system
> header, pipes and muffler) I recommend replacing the entire undercar
> section of pipe from the down pipe to the rear muffler with one
> welded-in piece, and have a good muffler shop do it for you that is
> experienced in custom work (i.e., NOT Midas!). Forget about a front
> muffler, it is not needed if you get the proper rear muffler.
>
> Your old Thrush is most likely too small for pleasant sound, so you may
> want to consider a new muffler too. When I looked into exhaust systems
> recently I found a good discussion of muffler design in Peter Burgess'
> book "How to Power Tune MGB 4-Cylinder Engines", and that is what
> prompted me to spring for the $500 PECO system, the one he likes and
> recommends, but there is no reason you couldn't come close to
> duplicating it for less.
>
> Peter points out that there is a great variation in the quantity and
> quality of the packing material used in straight-through mufflers like
> the PECO, and this has a dramatic effect on the sound, as well as
> maintaining the sound over time. Lesser quality packing disintegrates
> or packs down over time leading to more noise. And, the PECO system has
> larger 2" pipe and a HUGE straight through muffler, about two feet long
> and 8" in diameter! I was surprised how big it was when I first saw it.
>
> I have also read on other lists that the Walker Turboflo line is very
> good, you might want to see if you can find one about this size when you
> replace the pipe, which you could also increase to 2" for improved
> flow. Though the pipe will flatten a bit as you inevitably scrape
> bottom, it will not break or significantly restrict flow, and it will be
> pretty inexpensive to replace when needed.
>
> Have fun!
> --
> Stuart MacMillan
>
> '84 Vanagon Westfalia
> '65 MGB (Driver since 1969)
> '74 MGB GT (Restoring)
>
> Assisting on Restoration:
> '72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
> '64 MGB (Son's)
>
> Parts cars:
> '68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT
>
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