Monza & Falcon Exhaust Selection

[Patrick67BJ8]

I'm getting ready for the exhaust for my BJ8 and would like feedback on the two systems.

*I like the looks of the Monza and is sounds good. I haven't heard or seen a Falcon system installed. The rear tail-pipe "tips" also look better than a stco system.

My BJ8 sits "level" due to the leaf springs being set that way. I dislike the "jacked up" look in the rear BJ8's! I decided against original BJ8 exhaust due to clearance issues.

Engine is being built "stock", but balanced, so a system made for the earlier cars will be fine, IMHO. The Monza seems to address increased performance so the 25 or so extra BJ8 engne performance shouldn't be affected.

Thanks,

 

[Wings]

Patrick
i can weigh in on the Monza system, which i ran for many years w/o the second muffler under the trunk.
it exited straight out the back dr. side. The tips were long enough(& chromed) not to give me any exhaust blow back. This was not a problem although i have read (on this forum) where it can be. I cant remember any quality issues(rust, fit,ect) and we all bust the rubber mounts after a time
it sounded good although a bit deeper toned than stock sound
I currently run a Stebro out the side to accommodate a rear sway bar and I like the way it sounds although a bit heavy in weight

 

[dcarlg]

Hi Patrick.
I ran a Monza exhaust on my BT7 for many years. I liked the loud, deep growl for awhile. But as I matured, the loudness of the exhaust would get tiring and cause my ears to ring.
2 years ago, my co-pilot told me she wanted to listen to music while we cruised around. Before I installed a CD stereo and speakers, I had the Monza system removed and a Falcon SS system (from Moss, via Little British Car Co.) installed. Falcon has a more subdued sound, but still pleasant. And we can hear our tunes. Both had tail pipes long enough to prevent exhaust fumes into the cockpit. I actually shortened the Falcon tailpipes a couple inches with a hacksaw.
Hope this helps.

 

[HealeyRick]

Patrick

I currently run a Stebro out the side to accommodate a rear sway bar and I like the way it sounds although a bit heavy in weight

I've posted this before, but I couldn't resist. That Stebro is a thing of beauty:

(Caution, exhaust porn below

[/quote]

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Hi Patrick.
I ran a Monza exhaust on my BT7 for many years. I liked the loud, deep growl for awhile. But as I matured, the loudness of the exhaust would get tiring and cause my ears to ring.
2 years ago, my co-pilot told me she wanted to listen to music while we cruised around. Before I installed a CD stereo and speakers, I had the Monza system removed and a Falcon SS system (from Moss, via Little British Car Co.) installed. Falcon has a more subdued sound, but still pleasant. And we can hear our tunes. Both had tail pipes long enough to prevent exhaust fumes into the cockpit. I actually shortened the Falcon tailpipes a couple inches with a hacksaw.
Hope this helps.

I forgot to mention that I'll be using my Factory Hardtop so not all of the sound won't make it inside(car is also air-conditioned). Protecting your Hearing is essential! I have a cochler implant on my left ear so I having the flexibility to select a program with less volume for noisy places.

I had a friend who had a Stebro and he had a problem driving the car with the noise all on the side. I used to have an original BJ8 Abarth, but that was several years ago. Too quiet! I've narrowed my choices down to the Falco and Monza. Maybe a Falcon with Monza "tips"??
Thanks for the input!

 

[DerekJ]

I have a Dennis Welch side exhaust and have a factory hardtop and in my opinion the noise is worse with the hard top (minus screens) as you get a drum effect which tends to resonate. On left hand drive cars I imagine this will be worse for the driver. When driving to events I sometimes wear ear plugs.

 

[Lotuswins]

Hi Patrick,

I have a Falcon SS BJ7 exhaust on my BJ8. It seems to be fairly well built, but I have had a couple of problems with it. The rear strap which ties the two pipes together failed by fatigue, even though I've never driven the car on the road, just started it periodically. Apparently there is too much vibration at idle and the pipes move around. I modified it to increase the rigidity, a fairly easy fix which should be okay. The second problem is the rear pipes seem well undersized. The flex pipes going into the muffler are 1.5 inch I think, but the rears are much smaller and I fear choke the exhaust flow. I am planning on replacing the rear tubes with 1.5 inch when I feel the 'need for speed'. The sound is nice, but tinny as you would expect from a SS system, and it is raspy I think mostly due to the smaller tubing size. Also, I had to move the rear muffler support to match the frame holes.

Just my own opinion and experiences. The muffler sits pretty low, the lowest part of the undercarriage too, but I assume that is to be expected.

How did you 'level' your BJ8? Mine has the jacked look, and the rear axle is up against the frame bumpers. I assume it will come down when the springs break in??

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Hi Patrick,

I have a Falcon SS BJ7 exhaust on my BJ8. It seems to be fairly well built, but I have had a couple of problems with it. The rear strap which ties the two pipes together failed by fatigue, even though I've never driven the car on the road, just started it periodically. Apparently there is too much vibration at idle and the pipes move around. I modified it to increase the rigidity, a fairly easy fix which should be okay. The second problem is the rear pipes seem well undersized. The flex pipes going into the muffler are 1.5 inch I think, but the rears are much smaller and I fear choke the exhaust flow. I am planning on replacing the rear tubes with 1.5 inch when I feel the 'need for speed'. The sound is nice, but tinny as you would expect from a SS system, and it is raspy I think mostly due to the smaller tubing size. Also, I had to move the rear muffler support to match the frame holes.

Just my own opinion and experiences. The muffler sits pretty low, the lowest part of the undercarriage too, but I assume that is to be expected.

How did you 'level' your BJ8? Mine has the jacked look, and the rear axle is up against the frame bumpers. I assume it will come down when the springs break in??

Hi Jerry,
Thanks for the info! It will help me make my decision! For the reasons you mentioned, I'm leaning towards the Monza. My floorboards and tunnel wil be insulated when I get ready to do the interior.

Ride height: I had a Jule frame made and purchased a new set of rear springs at the same time from Jule/Martin and specified "level" ride height. The springs were about $295.00 and the shipping wasn't extra because they came back with the chassis. My car is still on the "dolly" at present so I can't say when I'll know about the ride height and when it will come down to "level".

You can level the rear of the BJ8's with longer U bolts and spacers. My was done that way about 30 years ago.

Engine is still at the Machine shop being checked out and they aren't in a hurry(over two months now). The car was supposed to be at the Painters last month and they're running behind(standard operatimg proceedure for Paint shops?), so no engine to reassemble and install.

 

[Lotuswins]

Thanks Patrick, I'll look into the spacers for the axle when I've gotten the car on the road. Mine is now in the paint shop, due back July 1. I think it is SOP for paint shops though, it took me 2 months to get it in there......

Are you doing your own interior?? I've ordered the upholstry from UKHealey center as it turned out to be the most cost effective. Steve is the one who did the video on the 50,000 pound healey so I think I can trust the source. I ordered red leather with white piping and it should arrive next week, fingers crossed.

Good luck with the engine, sounds like yours is going to be as good as new. Mine has a few miles on the engine, but it was in good nick, so I bypassed all the machine work.

Jerry

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Thanks Patrick, I'll look into the spacers for the axle when I've gotten the car on the road. Mine is now in the paint shop, due back July 1. I think it is SOP for paint shops though, it took me 2 months to get it in there......

Are you doing your own interior?? I've ordered the upholstry from UKHealey center as it turned out to be the most cost effective. Steve is the one who did the video on the 50,000 pound healey so I think I can trust the source. I ordered red leather with white piping and it should arrive next week, fingers crossed.

Good luck with the engine, sounds like yours is going to be as good as new. Mine has a few miles on the engine, but it was in good nick, so I bypassed all the machine work.

Jerry

I've been leaning towards the Heritage interiors but with some changes instead of all red. My car was orginally with red vinyl but I'm going leather and not red piping but possibly back piping and with black carpet. I may consider other color combinations with the red seats that Tony @ Heritage suggested. I want the interior as good as I can get it. Not sure what I'll do with the black interior that I have(long story).

The machine shop called and when they were pressing in the center two camshaft bearings they "folded". Evidently it's ny a rare occurence.

I believe rear height adjusting pieces are available from a couple of vendors. When I orginally did mine it was several years ago.

 

[rjc157]

the monza is not going to fit on a bj8 i found that out the hard way and its a piece of s--t i wouldn't but it

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

the monza is not going to fit on a bj8 i found that out the hard way and its a piece of s--t i wouldn't but it

"Why" won't it fit?
Thanks,

 

[dougie]

Jerry -

I just picked up my '57 100-6 MM vintage racer from my painter on Saturday. Delays fitting the new front wings have me working overtime to make the first race of the season June 29th in Seattle. I'll be at the Portland Historics July 6th-8th for sure, stop by the pits if your in town.

 

[DerekJ]

Dougie

Are you a perfectionist? Your car looked pretty immaculate before the repaint.

 

[dougie]

Last year's Sonoma Historics left me with little front end damage that had to be corrected......Now if only I could do the same for the driver. :laugh:

 

[AUSMHLY]

Last year's Sonoma Historics left me with little front end damage that had to be corrected......Now if only I could do the same for the driver. :laugh:

Hi Dougie,
From photos I've seen of your Healey's, you seem to keep them in beautiful condition. How does the paint on the front of the Healey hold up on the race track? Does the paint get chipped much? Do any of the racers install a clear bra, to keep that from happening? I put it on my car right after my restoration and it has keep the front end, chip free. (Second photo shows the marker outline where we are going to cut the film.)

 

[dougie]

I do use this subtle 4"size of https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/protective+shield.do?sortby=ourPicks
along the front bottom and sides of my race. Unfortunately the damage I encountered last year was a little more severe (Healey Marque September, 2011). I think most vintage racers just accept the rock chips until they're bad enough to get them repaired and re-sprayed. Others just see them as "a badge of honor".

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Hi Patrick.
I ran a Monza exhaust on my BT7 for many years. I liked the loud, deep growl for awhile. But as I matured, the loudness of the exhaust would get tiring and cause my ears to ring.
2 years ago, my co-pilot told me she wanted to listen to music while we cruised around. Before I installed a CD stereo and speakers, I had the Monza system removed and a Falcon SS system (from Moss, via Little British Car Co.) installed. Falcon has a more subdued sound, but still pleasant. And we can hear our tunes. Both had tail pipes long enough to prevent exhaust fumes into the cockpit. I actually shortened the Falcon tailpipes a couple inches with a hacksaw.
Hope this helps.

Helps a lot! I don't like the "wimpy" look of the stock type of tail pipes and prefer the Monza's larger "tips". Maybe a Falcon with a couple of angled "tips" from Borla might be a good alternative?? I'll have to find out the outside diamter of the Falcon pipes to see what lind of adapter I may need. My co-pilot has the same requirement as yours when it comes to music, plus she wants to occassionaly take over the controls on some select sorties. I had speaker pods put in for that very reason.

 

[Lotuswins]

Dougie,

Drat. I was planning on attending, then the oldest son finally, and I mean finally set his wedding date at July 7. It looks like I cannot attend the July meet, and I would really like to see your car on track.

I will make the September meet though, unless the younger son decides to tie the knot, but then he doesn't have a regular so that shouldn't be an issue 8^), crossed fingers.....

What type of paint are you using?? and did you cut the front shroud for an oil cooler??

 

[dougie]

I don't mean to keep hi-jacking this thread...... but I'm in the coating business so I supplied my painter with SW's Ultra 7000 2K base-coat clear coat system. And yes, I wanted a unique look for the oil cooler, so I designed an Aston Zagato styled unit.