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The sound of the car; why doesn't it purr?

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100DashSix

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Here's how it is:

I fire up my 6 cylinder Austin Healey and am deligted to hear a purr that I've heard from no modern car; it's the purr of a British sports car.

But why, I say to myself, doesn't my MGB sound like that? It too is a British sports car, though (perhaps admittidly) a 4 cylinder.

How do your MGs sound? Is there another muffler I can put on the car to change it?

As it is I need to use the stereo in the MGB and not the Healey--I'd rather not be tempted to use the stereo in either!
 
A few factors affect the sound, but assuming you've got it tunned properly, thats just the way they sound. MG's have more of a put-put-put sound than a purr. Thats one reason I got a TR6, for the purrr. Alough my 58 MGA with a monza exhaust system purrs very loudly, so I am sure you can find an exhaust system that will give you the sound your looking for.
 
It's just the difference between a 4 and a 6 in my opinion... but, the MG has a distinctive british sound of it's own too. The six is a lot smoother, hence the purr.
 
admittedly an MGB is never gonna sound like a Big Healey , but it shoulden't be disappointing. If you want a bit more "snot" to your B maybe try a Monza or Ansi system. Also how are the carbs? If they're out of adjustment the exhaust note can sound poor. uneven, splashy, or "popping" tones are indications of needed adjustments.
 
MGC will sound similar to the Healey, but a 4-cylinder B-Series engine will never make that beautiful sound of the straight 6.

I'd recommend a Peco exhaust. You only need the system from the downpipe back. I welded my Peco on just behind where the two downpipes merge into one. It sound much nicer, deeper and smoother.
 
An MGB will never sound the same as an MGC............unfortunately /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif
 
Nor does it sound like a big block Ford at full tilt, sigh.
 
It doesn't purr because it's not a Jag..... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif Watch out when they puur at you, 'cause you'll be bringing it home and hiding it in the garage.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
It doesn't purr because it's not a Jag..... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif Watch out when they puur at you, 'cause you'll be bringing it home and hiding it in the garage.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

...and emptying your wallet to keep it there /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
I love the way my MGB with ported head, cam, and ANSA exhaust, minus the center muffler, sounds.

Haven't fired up the Healey yet to compare! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Thanks for the advice on the mufflers, and that article, Rob, was a good read. You say you have the muffler without the center piece, David...hmm. The Ansa and Monza exhausts are both intriguing, but I'd have to hear each of them before deciding to switch mufflers.
 
Mine sounds good... Sorta stock system (no kitty) with a leak in the pipes connecting between the front silencer, and the muffler. I'd think with the center silencer gone, it'd be a nice mellow, yet satisfyingly throaty rumble.
 
Unless you drive places without speed bumps, having a center muffler that will last without being ripped off or cracked will be a miracle.

If you're coming to MG2006 in Gatlinburg, TN you can hear my exhaust! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I certianly have a great dislike for the center mounted muffler on my car. I didn't have any clearance problems with it until I tried to enter a gated parking lot and the muffler found the gates track... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

The next time I have exhaust work done I plan to have the muffler at the back.
 
I agree, lose the center muffler. You can then hear the distinctive resonance that occurs as you go up through around 25-2700 rpm. Mine did that so sweetly. That is, until I did the engine, PP/cam/lighten flywheel/balance, etc. Now it goes past that spot too quick. Darn fast reving engine....
 
After talking to the fellow at Brit-Tek and reading the replies here, I've ordered a Peco exhaust w/ no center muffler. The more I heard about the Monza system the more and more it sounded like a cheap hunk of near-junk.

Once I put it on I'll hook up my microphone and get a nice recording of it, for those who're intereted to hear!
 
I'd be interested in knowing how difficult/easy the installion is on the peco as I am also considering one in the future.
 
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