Alan, Thx for the thoughtful answers......as you ususally provide to the
List. R.
Robert N. Blair
Yellow 65BJ8
RNBmail@yahoo.com
--- On Wed, 6/15/11, Alan Seigrist <healey.nut@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Alan Seigrist <healey.nut@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] BJ8 Exhaust Systems - BJ8 or BJ7?
To: "Robert Blair" <rnbmail@yahoo.com>
Cc: "Healey List" <healeys@autox.team.net>
Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 8:36 PM
1. I am not interested in SS system - unecessary expese here in dry CA.
The purpose of SS has nothing to do with whether you are in a dry or wet
climate. Water is a natural byproduct of combustion, and when your exhaust
system cools down, water will always pool into the bottom of your
muffler/silencer. That's why mufflers usually go bad at the bottom of the
muffler at the seam. In a Healey this area is under even more stress due to
the regular touching of the bottom of the muffler, at the end cap seam, with
pavement. Any mild steel system will probably last around 30K miles before
holes start appearing. If you are ok with that and welding them up as they
appear, then go with mild steel.
That being said this issue with mild steel gives you a MUCH bigger chance of
having a broken silencer baffle in the near future, which sounds like hell and
can't be fixed unless replaced. I favor SS because of this rust-baffle
problem.
2. So steel is fine for me. I will probably paint it black anyway.
ok.
3. We all know the low ground clearance issue on the Healey/BJ8 rear boxes -
and my rear is lowered 2 inches for appearance - plan to leave it as such.
The rear boxes are usually fine if the BJ8 suspension is stock and in good
shape. If you have lowered your car, I would get rid of these resonators,
although in my opinion I like the sound of them. Quiet but sporty.
4. If I use a full BJ8 system with rear boxes, which manufacturer would you
recommend and why? Where is good price incl delivery to N. CA? [I currently
have a Walker brand I think]
I would just go with whatever David Nock at BCS has. They will be able to
ground ship, and BCS is generally good about vetting for quality.
5. If I use a front part BJ8 system and replace the rear cross boxes with 2
straight pipes out the back/LHS, how much will the noise increase. Likeable
or too noisy for easy driving? Fruity is ok for me.
Some people swear by this set up, that it sounds very cool. It will be
louder, however. People on this list seem to think this sounds better than
the stock BJ7 unit. Also note the out pipes are bigger on the BJ8, so you
will have slightly better HP with the BJ8 silencers.
6. The Moss BJ7 system has an oval/thinner double pipe front box and no rear
boxes. Obviously better on ground clearance at mid and rear of car. Has
anyone put a BJ7 system on a BJ8 - did you like it and why? What were the
fitting problems? BJ7 system is much cheaper then BJ8.
BJ7 Advantages - lighter and easier to fit.
BJ8 Advantages - more HP, sounds a bit better and with separate silencers for
cyl 1-3 and 4-6, gives you much better ability to diagnose engine running
problems.
7. Any other suggestions - smart or otherwise?
I'd say go for the BJ8 w/ straightpipes... although I am partial to having all
four silencers on my BJ8.
Alan
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