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MGB Stock vs larger exhaust [MGB]

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drooartz

drooartz

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Trying to research/search on MGB exhaust systems is a truly futile exercise. Various folks have various opinions, often conflicting with others on the same system. Ah well...

So my question is this: truly stock (probably stainless) vs one of the "performance" systems like the Falcon big bore or the Moss Tourist Trophy. How much performance difference, really, is there. This is with a probably stock engine and stock manifold.

My normal instinct would be to go stock-type for a more relaxed sound, but I'd put up with a bit more noise if the performance difference was worth it.

As to why -- the system on my B is a bit of a bodge job, so I'd like to get it right and not have to worry about it again.
 
Standard iron headers and an Ansa, Drew. Wihtout doing the engine (or the head at a minimum) you don't gain measurable benefit from the dollars you'd spend on tubes.

With headwork (reprofiling the chambers, cc-ing it, cleaning and matching the runners and ports) the tubing becomes more effective.
 
One further question: two mufflers or just a rear one?
 
On my last "B" I used a Stebro system (mild steel) with a stock iron manifold and an unmodified engine and I loved it. Not too loud not too quiet, just right. However it was a while ago and i don't know if those mufflers are available anymore. Bob
 
Rememer this, your engine has to breath, the better it breath's the better the performance. I have had Blown big block chevy's down to the LBC's. It is a known fact.
Now with some of my cars, when I have the heads off, I will sit alone at my work bench and pocket port and polish them, if I break down the head (remove the valves) then I may do a full blown port and polish. I do this mainly because I am a addicted to speed and horsepower. I do this for the cars that are my keepers.
IF you are not so much the horsepower junkie. I would stick with the stock exhaust manifold, and go with a monza exhaust, they have a nice tune to them and good performance.

That should be plenty for the enthusiast who just likes to enjoy their LBC.
 
On a stock B, there is no exhaust system you will feel a difference from. If your engine breathes heavily then you can go up to 2" for a slight boost. Mainly you choose an exhaust system for sound, and larger is louder. I recommend deleting the front silencer, as it's mostly good for scraping up speed bumps!
 
So Carla and I are replacing our exhaust because it's falling off. Should we leave out the front muffler and just add pipe somehow to only use a rear muffler?
 
Thanks, all. I'll probably try and take it down to my local muffler shop (luckily they're right across the street from my storage unit) and see if they can make up something. The 2-1 pipe is fine, it's just everything aft of that.
 
GaryBeu said:
So Carla and I are replacing our exhaust because it's falling off. Should we leave out the front muffler and just add pipe somehow to only use a rear muffler?
Click to expand...

That makes it a bit loud, Gary.
 
It doesn't make it that much louder. The rear does most of the silencing. I've deleted the front can from all of my Bs. Mainly the tone gets deeper and slightly louder, both inside the cockpit and out.
 
If you go single and feel it is too loud you can always add a single tip resonator to tone it down. As long as the single muffler isn't absurdly loud (like an early 60s Thrush glasspack - don't ask me how I know this) you should be OK.
 
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