Section : Exhaust

Sports Exhausts 

Posted By : Simon Brown, 05-Oct-2004, 01:53pm

• Sports Exhausts 

  Posted By : Chris Wilson, 05-Oct-2004, 02:14pm

  Simon, if all you are looking for is a "sporty exhaust note", there are cheaper options aside from investing in a sports system, semi or otherwise!!
  
  I can't offer any advice on semi sports systems but I have had a full s/s (including 4-2-1 manifold) twin sports system on my 1500 for a good few years now and consider it money well invested!! If you decide to go down this route there are other considerations you will need to think about, i.e. type of air filters, (I use K&N but the choice is not limited!), tweaking the carbs (assume SU's?), different needle, damper springs - the list goes on!!
  
  Apart from the obvious advantage that this system doesn't rust, it's a doddle to take apart when accessing propshaft jobs/under car work!!
  
  Regards

  • Sports Exhausts 

    Posted By : Paul Beeson, 06-Oct-2004, 05:29pm

    Hi Simon,
    
    I've fitted a Club Twin Sports Exhaust to my Spitffire many years ago. My budget was tight then, so I didn't go for the manifold/downpipe. The club exhaust fitted perfectly to the existing pipe work.
    
    It sounds great and still looks good. They last forever, so you save money in the long run, by not having to replace your exhaust every year or two.
    
    I didn't have to change my needles on my carbs either.
    
    I am now thinking about getting the sports manifold.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

• Sports Exhausts 

  Posted By : Philip Rosenberg, 05-Oct-2004, 03:21pm

  Fitting a sports exhaust allows exhaust gasses to escape faster, improving performance. I think you can fit a sports exhaust to a regular manifold but you get greater performance by fitting a tubular manifold as well. Fitting free flow air filters again increases performance.
  
  If you make any of these changes then you will need to adjust the carbs to take into account the changed needs of the engine. This may just be simple mixture adjustments or may involve changing needles and springs depending on how many of these changes you make.
  
  Phil

  • Sports Exhausts 

    Posted By : John Muggleton, 05-Oct-2004, 05:08pm

    The range of TSSC systems for the 1500 are all interchangeable, you can fit the semi-sports box with the 4 branch manifold, if you do not want to change the outward appearance of the back of the car too much.
    I suggest from experience that the 'full sports' would be a better option with the manifold. As Phil suggests, have a look at the breathing as well, I have used K&N's on my own cars in the past with good results. Re-jetting, richer needles may be needed depending on how much wear are on you existing ones!!
    The great thing with the Bells systems is that they use the same pipe diameters as the original system, so if you are doing it on a budget you can do a bit at a time.
    
    They do sound great and much better than the standard pea-shooter, only downside I have found is that they do tend to drone on longer trips.
    
    Cheers
    
    John M (Club HQ)

    • Sports Exhausts 

      Posted By : Chris Wilson, 05-Oct-2004, 06:26pm

      Drone????? I reckon you're getting old John!! . Just checked my receipts - I purchased the full sport system and manifold from the club back in Sept 2000 and it's still as good as new!!! Worth every penny!!
      
      Regards

      • Sports Exhausts 

        Posted By : Tim Everitt, 06-Oct-2004, 10:10am

        Just a subjective comment, but I think the semi sport box is VERY loud. The full sport system seems to make a pleasanter din.

• Sports Exhausts 

  Posted By : Andrew Dawson, 06-Oct-2004, 01:00pm

  Hi Simon,
  
  I had a similar experience in wanting a better exhaust note for my car and was also on quite a tight budget. My standard backbox was the most ugly thing you ever did see, but my budget forbid me to have one of the sports systems too. I heard a few people had put motorbike exhausts on cars like Mini's and Triumphs, so I had a nosey around the idea and ended up buying a very nice titanium exhaust from eBay for &163;45 delivered. It was designed for a Kawasaki ZX9, a 900cc 'bike, and I figured that if this can could shift exhausts from a 900cc at circa 10,000rpm at full blat, then if you doubled the cc's and halved the rpm I still shouldn't have a problem!
  Anyway, it cost a few extra pounds to make up an adaptor plate to get it to fit onto the midpipe, but it worked, the car sounds infinitely better and its now just waiting until I can afford a tubular mainfold!
  I can understand its not to everybody's taste, but I like it and it definitely is a good way of making the car sound better!
  
  You can some find some pictures here if you're interested anyway!
  http://www.methinksperchance.com/gallery/categorie...
  
  
  Andrew

  • Sports Exhausts 

    Posted By : James Carruthers, 06-Oct-2004, 05:47pm

    Your titty-box does sound pretty nice Andrew... ... certainly something different - which is always a good thing.
    
    Personally Im not a fan of the twin box system... sounds too boomy and farty to me. Depends on the system though - some seem to sound better - and they sound much better on 6 pots... I think the club system sounds better than the others - something to do with the pipe being thinner which effects the tone by making it higher pitched (relatively)
    
    I love my standard stainless Mk3 exhaust - sounds gorgeous at full whack... much more tuned than the twin box systems. No reason why you couldnt fit that back box to any Spit - not sure how "sports" it is though...
    
    If I could have a system made up - I'd probably go for some sort of peashooter twin exhaust - a bit like the LeMans Spit.
    
    
    
    James
    

    • Sports Exhausts 

      Posted By : Philip Brammer, 06-Oct-2004, 07:00pm

      Dear Car and Car Carruthers, I saw a Citreon Saxo today with 6 tailpipes and a weird blue glow coming from underneath it. Can I convert my Spitfire to look the same? I'm sure it would make people look at me and think I woz kool too!
      Yours, sad of Donington.
      
      Seriously there seems to be a compo round these parts to see how many tailpipes they can fit between the rear wheels of cars. Theres a green Corsa in Boston with 8.....Errr, why?

      • Sports Exhausts 

        Posted By : James Carruthers, 06-Oct-2004, 07:20pm

        It is scary - the funny thing is most of the time theyre not actually plumbed in - just stuck on doing nothing - always good to spot on a cold night...
        
        Twin boxes are also not as efficient as a single straight through design... and anyway - Im sure the twin box system is OTT in terms of breathing... it's only a piddly 1300/1500cc engine... which is why they sound better on GT6s...
        
        You can over do it on the exhaust... unlike air filters...
        
        
        
        
        James
        

      • Sports Exhausts...but I now have a rear bumper query..... 

        Posted By : Simon Brown, 07-Oct-2004, 08:57am

        
        Thanks to all that replied to my message on Sports Exhausts. Lots of good advice.
        
        Going to have a think about it (and speak to my credit card nicely!), but am thinking about going for the Club full-sports system.
        
        I have another query:
        
        I am also looking to replace my buckled rear bumper (late 1500), following my Dad driving into me (don't ask!!), and I am having trouble finding anywhere/anyone which has one.
        
        I am either looking for a new one or (preferably) an old one which is in good condition.
        
        Is anyone looking to sell one or recommend anywhere/anyone I can get hold of one from?
        
        Thanks
        
        Simon
        1980 Spitfire 1500

        • Sports Exhausts...but I now have a rear bumper query..... 

          Posted By : Jason Chinn, 07-Oct-2004, 09:13am

          As all remanufactured chrome for Spitfires comes from www.canleyclassics.com I'd have a look there and if you don't see what you want, give them a bell. NB if you're worried about your credit card taking a spanking then shop around for your exhaust too

        • Sports Exhausts...but I now have a rear bumper query..... 

          Posted By : Chris Wilson, 07-Oct-2004, 10:19am

          Simon, where abouts are you in the UK?
          
          Regards

          • Sports Exhausts...but I now have a rear bumper query..... 

            Posted By : Simon Brown, 07-Oct-2004, 11:07am

            
            Chris,
            
            I'm in Bristol. Why?
            
            Si

            • Sports Exhausts...but I now have a rear bumper query..... 

              Posted By : Chris Wilson, 07-Oct-2004, 11:36am

              Si,
              
              Ah - ok. I have a couple of rear bumpers, one off a late 1500 and another one off a late MkIV (I think they're the same!?). I was going to suggest that if you were stuck then I may have been of help to you. Having said that, I'm at work at the mo and cannot remember what condition they are in but there's no holes in them at least!!
              
              Regards

              • Sports Exhausts...but I now have a rear bumper query..... 

                Posted By : Simon Brown, 07-Oct-2004, 01:40pm

                
                Chris,
                
                Sounds positive! If you are willing to sell one of your spare bumpers (one with two number plate lamps) then I may well be interested, as long as it is in good condition and you aren't too far from Bristol!! Would you like to let me know?
                
                My email address is: simonffbrown@hotmail.com
                
                Thanks
                
                Simon
                1980 Spitfire 1500

                • Sports Exhausts...but I now have a rear bumper query..... 

                  Posted By : Chris Wilson, 07-Oct-2004, 04:40pm

                  Hi Simon,
                  
                  Ooops - I've just got home and checked the bumper from the "later" model 1500 that it came off but it's not the "latest" bumper as it still has the one piece number plate light, not the two piece as is on yours!!! The Mk IV bumper also has the one piece number plate light. Sorry!!
                  
                  Regards

                  • Sports Exhausts...but I now have a rear bumper query..... 

                    Posted By : Mark Stradling, 07-Oct-2004, 05:35pm

                    Have you taken a peek from the bottom?
                    
                    Seem to remember reading somewhere that the bumpers were the same, with the same hole locations/sizes for both types of light fixing - anyone confirm this our just scoff at my ignorance?
                    

                    • Sports Exhausts...but I now have a rear bumper query..... 

                      Posted By : Simon Brown, 07-Oct-2004, 05:42pm

                      Will take a peek this evening and if Mark is correct, then I'm still interested.
                      
                      Cheers,
                      
                      Si

                      • Sports Exhausts...but I now have a rear bumper query..... 

                        Posted By : Lindsay Dearing, 07-Oct-2004, 06:17pm

                        The earlier plinth light bumper and the later twin light bumper have different hole centres and so the two fittings are not interchangeable. You can fit the earlier plinth to the later bumper by drilling extra holes but this is only an option if you are rechroming.
                        Lindsay

• Sports Exhausts 

  Posted By : Colin Wake, 06-Oct-2004, 01:29pm

  Simon
  
  Take careful note of the comments about the 'volume' etc of various systems. The TSSC systems are great for hacking round town or round the lanes, they sound great. Your head will be droning/throbbing in time with the exhaust on a long run.
  
  If you want something a bit more muted, try a Phoenix system.
  
  There is another make that is EVEN LOUDER than a TSSC one!!!
  
  If you can, get along to a local meet and ask for rides in cars with different systems.
  
  I have 1 of each in use. Phoenix system for the long distance spitfire, TSSC system for the 'thrash-a-bout' spitfire.
  
  Colin
  
  p.s. you could just remove the rear box and fit a bit of pipe, or an old box scavenged from a scrapyard/motorway hard shoulder. I have done that as well in the past.

  • Sports Exhausts 

    Posted By : Mark Stradling, 06-Oct-2004, 02:21pm

    Si is familiar with the effects of a long distance run with a Moss SS sports system, having had the passenger seat in mine down to Le Mans and back for the classic ^_^