BJ8 Stainless Exhaust Q's..

[Schroeders]

Hello,

Getting back into the forums after a long time away, and also tending to some much needed maintenance issues!

At any rate, we have a BJ8 that the center mufflers are getting pretty tired on and I had removed the end silencers about 10 years for a more "ratty" exhaust note.

Can anyone recommend a stainless (or mild steel I suppose) system that gives the car a throatier tone than the stock system and some of the Moss stainless etc., systems I've heard?

I'm half tempted to just have my trusted exhaust guy build me something, but I also don't want to waste a bunch of money on a home brew and have it come out too ratty (both in appearance and in tone)..

TIA all!

 

[tahoe healey]

"Bell" is sweet but not as loud as steel. People hear us comming but we can talk while driving.

 

[Schroeders]

Thanks! "Bell" as in Bell exhaust and tyres in the UK? Did they fab you up something custom or was it an off the shelf system they build for the BJ8?

I'm wondering if I could / should just put an earlier styled system on and go with an Ansa or the like? I do like the Ansa sound, but of course, the tips would be hanging out of the wrong side..

Thoughts??

 

[healeynut]

For a throatier sound, many BJ8 owners dispense with the rear resonators and either run the pipes across to be more "original" or run them straight back like a BT7. I think most people who have done this like the results.

Bell makes a great system, very nice high quality, but also pricey. You can have a system made, but my experience is any custom system seems to always have the wrong sound.

FYI I have a stock FALCON SS system on my Austin Healey. I like the sound.

 

[TimK]

I installed an Monza system (dual pipes and single muffler) on my BN7 in 1982. It is still on the car and sounding great. I've only put about 7,000 miles on the car in 27 years, but there is no rust and sounds the same as the first day I put it on.

 

[bighealeysource]

Hey Schroeders,
I have had BJ8's with the stock system but always thought they lost part of
the Healey sound appeal compared to some earlier 3000's I had (BN4, BN6, BT7).
So, when putting a new system on my 67 BJ8, I went with a system designed for
a BJ7. I was able to use stock rubber mounts with a bit of modification and
it looks great going almost straight back. Sounds great too - lot of low
throaty tone, almost like a muscle car. Maybe too loud for some but I like
it and don't have a radio anyway. Went with the standard mild steel one from
Moss as opposed to the stainless.
Regards,
Mike

 

[Schroeders]

Awesome, thanks so much guys!

I'm just going to go older to (hopefully) open up a bunch of on-the-shelf options. Having the pipes out the pass side doesn't mean enough to me to reinvent the wheel, so I'll start shopping!

 

[Andy65]

I put the Bell BJ7 on my BJ8. Sounds great. Straight pipes. Throatier than regular BJ8. Went on easy. Better sound than falcon imo

 

[steveg]

I had a Bell tailpipe in combo with a Moss replacement muffler and it sounded good. Now I have ceramic-coated Kirk headers in combo with the newer-type (non-Ansa-syle) tips. It's quite loud but sounds really good.

The Monza muffler has a single oval hole thru the center so the 2-in 2-out setup is more visual than audio.

Plus the Monza is bigger in diameter than the Bell, and as we all know, size matters.

 

[steveg]

Correction: meant to say in combo with the newer-type Monza system, etc.

 

[mrdibbles]

I would highly recommend calling Sports and Classics and purchasing the NOS Abarth exhaust system that he's been squirreling away for years. I have a BT7 so it won't fit my needs. If I had a BJ8 I would have bought this set up 5 years ago.

Sports & Classics Inc.

512 Boston Post Road

Darien, CT 06820



Ph: (203) 655-8731

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

I would highly recommend calling Sports and Classics and purchasing the NOS Abarth exhaust system that he's been squirreling away for years. I have a BT7 so it won't fit my needs. If I had a BJ8 I would have bought this set up 5 years ago.

Sports & Classics Inc.

512 Boston Post Road

Darien, CT 06820



Ph: (203) 655-8731

FWIW: I purcahsed a brand new Abarth when I first got my '67 Healey in '72. A very well made system and if I remember correctly, the hanger system was incorporated in the construction of it. I paid $158.00 for it back then(not cheap for '72 prices). Oh yes, one other important thing...it was "quiet", a little too quiet for me, but maybe not for other Healey owners.
Patrick

 

[mrdibbles]

Hey Patrick-
That's a complaint I have heard before of BJ8 Abarth systems versus the earlier Abarths. The design changed and with that change came a quieter exhaust. I still have heard lots of good things from these later Abarths but I've personally never heard one of the later versions personally.
Matt-

 

[rjc157]

i bought a later abarth for my bj8 and the note actually sucks i went for it because i like the tips i probably going to try to change the front mufflers to some kinds of glasspacks

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Hey Patrick-
That's a complaint I have heard before of BJ8 Abarth systems versus the earlier Abarths. The design changed and with that change came a quieter exhaust. I still have heard lots of good things from these later Abarths but I've personally never heard one of the later versions personally.
Matt-

The design changed probably due to the increase in hp plus the BJ8's finally got radios.
Patrick

 

[GregW]

The design changed probably due to the increase in hp plus the BJ8's finally got radios.
Patrick

I'd be inclined to believe it was US regulation to make cars quieter. I think adding the two resonators would hurt the power output of the engine. I'm speculating here though.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

The design changed probably due to the increase in hp plus the BJ8's finally got radios.
Patrick

I'd be inclined to believe it was US regulation to make cars quieter. I think adding the two resonators would hurt the power output of the engine. I'm speculating here though.

I worked at a Custom & Speed equipment parts store in the 60's and we sold the "cherry bomb" mufflers so I don't think exaust noise was an issue(but I could be wrong). The Abarth for the BJ8's was "big bore" pipes.
Patrick

 

[Genos2]

On my'67 BJ8, I put glass packs(4) with monza tips on her in the late '80s,great throaty sound+ better ground clearance.On my '63 BJ7, I used glasspacks & supertraps exiting in front of left tire. Bit loud, put really sounded sweet(built engine, hot cam, Jag carbs). I 've got an old Abarth system in the rafters & may try it soon when I get her back on the road.Monza has some dual inlet& outlet mufflers I may try,also I think I;ll use some covered& braided flex pipes like VW uses. I'm tired of the old flex pipes cracking & leaking,I 've got NOS pipes,but there are still ify. cheers Genos2

 

[GregW]

we sold the "cherry bomb" mufflers so I don't think exaust noise was an issue(but I could be wrong). The Abarth for the BJ8's was "big bore" pipes.

Hi Patrick,
The aftermarket industry is a whole other ballgame. They can sell whatever they want with a disclaimer of "Not legal for road use." It isn't their responsibility how the customer installs them. Mallory dual point distributors for instance, are illegal at least in some states. OEM's have to follow the law if they want to continue selling their products though. Jesse James was slapped with a $271,000 fine for emission violations on 50 motorcycles he sold.