Morris Minor Owners Club

I'm looking at getting a new exhaust and manifold. I've noticed there are loads of options out there from replacing the standard mild steel system (about £50 for just the exhaust) to the large-bore stainless steel LCB systems that could set me back £300. I am probably going to upgrade my engine to a 1275 (1098 at the moment) and would at least be upgrading the carb to a HS4 or similar and the head to something like a 12g940 if I can get my hands on one so am thinking a large bore system would be a good investment.

ESM do a stainless LCB large bore system for £316 including VAT. If I'm spending this much money I don't want it rusting away like my old one in 10 years time, so I think stainless steel might be a good option, best to spend more on something that will last.

My main question though, is does anyone have any information on Maniflows system? I'd like to buy from them because I've heard nothing but good words - my only worry is that at arround £300 (cheaper than ESM) the system is mild steel and might not last:



(the only picture I could find!) It's painted from the picture. This suggests to me that its not stainless steel, but may help it stop rusting away to nothing! I doubt a company that has put so much development would charge less for stainless than ESM but it doesn't actually say whether its Stainless or Mild, does anyone know?

There is also the option of JLH (who I'm happy to say put the diameter and material of their parts! I have to assume ESM and Maniflow are 1.75, though I suppose it doesn't matter if I buy from the same place), who I've also heard good things but I'm not sure which parts I would need for a complete system (and If I can fabricate them together well enough) so I don't know how much its going to cost overall... Also they don't appear to have a manifold!

Just wondering if anyone has some advice/experience with the different systems. Cheers!

I would certainly go for stainless - but do ask Maniflow.

Maniflow do 2 'off the shelf' sizes (listed on their website) and I think you'll find that they'll recommend the smaller one for a 1098 and the larger bore for 1275, so unless you're definitely changing to a 1275, you will probably need to consider carefully which size to go for. They're very helpful if you phone them up with a query.

As you plan to lift the 1098 to '1275' power level anyway - go for a 1275 sized exhaust.

Ringing them up would be a good idea, I'll try them on tuesday

bmcecosse wrote:As you plan to lift the 1098 to '1275' power level anyway - go for a 1275 sized exhaust.

Yeah, I was hoping to do this which made me think the larger bore would be more suitable.

If you change the type of manifold, you should tell your insurance company. On the other hand, I doubt if any insurer would be interested if you simply fitted a stainless steel exact equivalent of the standard exhaust sytem.

Let us know what your insurer has to say about this, and the other mods you've mentioned. Even if they don't want any more premium, I'd make sure they have any modifications declared in writing.

Kevin

Ok, after ringing up maniflow I confirmed that the system online is mild steel, they do a stainless version for £390 ex VAT.

So its £468 versus £324. ESM do a stainless steel system for just £316.8. I don't think I can warrant the extra cost of the maniflow one!

Haven't rung up insurance company yet. Thanks for that, would never have thought of it.

Birmingham MMC also do a 3 piece s/steel LCB 1275 system

mike.perry wrote:Birmingham MMC also do a 3 piece s/steel LCB 1275 system

I had a look, Can't seem to find stainless steel parts except for the manifold... Also, I heard it could be rather brittle?

Mine seems OK

Is that the Falcon system that MMC Brum sell? I seem to remember someone on here having some 'fun' with one of those a few years back... That said, stainless is a naturally more brittle material than mild steel.

MMC Birmingham only has the LCB manifold in stainless. the rest of the system is mild.

i did have my manifold break at the tail, but since welding it back together and fitting an extra strap infront of the first silencer, it's been fine ever since.

whatever system you go for, i'd definately recommend putting an extra strap infront of that first silencer to support the weight, and protect your investment!

According to the receipt from Birmingham MMC dated 9/12/05
L/Bore LCB Manifold S/Steel
L/Bore Front Silencer S/Steel
L/Bore Rear Assembly S/Steel
15 years anti corrosion warranty

that was 6 years ago now.

the information i gave is current

So it is, good thing I bought mine 6 years ago. Only 9 years warranty left.