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MG Midget and Sprite General - Maniflow, RC40 or what?

I managed to rip the back box off the midget on Saturday. I could refit it by getting the mounting bracket welded back on but am tempted to try something "better". At present I've got a Moss stainless LCB manifold and a Moss stainless straight through silencer (which I think may have lost a fair bit of wadding anyway) both fitted by the PO. Looking through the archives there seem to be various arguments for and against the various alternatives. My manifold seems OK and appears to be 1 5/8"ish. The existing rear pipe fits over it on a sleeve. Ideally I want something that will fit fairly easily to the existing mounting points rather than to muck about. From what I can tell the RC40 may be a tight fit between the spring and tank but everyone likes the sound. Kim Dear seems to sell a pipe and single box for circa £75, or I could seemingly just by the box from minispares for quite a bit less. Maniflow's website suggests I could get a rear pipe and box for not dissimilar cash. I don't want to spend a fortune!
Anyone got any alternatives, opinions or advice?
I also remembered why I should always carry some uncoated wire in the boot. I melted about a dozen cable ties and a nylon webbing strap on the jury-rigged journey home. Exhausts get damn hot!
Matt1275Bucks

The RC 40 is a tight fit and I do not know if it will fit with just anny old pipe (the one from Kim has some slight angles)
The maniflow is noisyer than the RC40

Bought Kim's RC40 system last time because i was on the cheap otherwise i would have gone for his more bling items.
Onno Könemann

Matt, Kim also sells Maniflow... hence the closeness of price
David Smith

On my Frogeye (therefore straight through) I have the maniflow system with the RC40 box on the back. I really like it. The sound being lower (and nicer) than my old SS system with a standard box, is much less tireing on long journeys. I have never had the maniflow rear box so dcan't compare each. Mine was bought from Kim too and he is a delight to deal with.
Gary & Gaps

Matt

I have a Maniflow manifold + RC40 also from Kim Dear, its a good setup. But my RC40 is fitted across the back of the fuel tank similar to the standard exhaust, I also have a v small cherry bomb intermediate silencer in the line.
Ian
Ian Webb '73 GAN5

I love my all-Maniflow system (manifold, pipe, single back box). It's rather loud, verging on hooligan, but it's low and fruity rather than high and buzzy.
Jordan Gibson

I have an all Maniflow (LCB and single box system) Midget challenge setup and love it and the noise it makes. A little hooligan too at full chat, and combined with the rather enthusiastic induction noise from weber, it's not for the shy as it's very difficult to remain unnoticed.
OrangeSpyderMan

MGB rear box GEX3429 sounds great on a Midget for those of us who are old farts and like the burble without it being too racey.
Paul Walbran

I got an RC40 from Minispares and then ordered a length of pipe from my local exhaust place. I think it was Timax or something like that, a 1.5m length and I think it was 1 3/4 dia. Was about £10 or £20. It is straight till it gets to the bracket near the front leaf spring mount then I angled it up by cutting halfway through, bending, then welding back up. Fits perfectly. Or, for a few quid more and a lot less hassle, you could just get the same thing from Kim Dear!
John Payne

What about a harley davidison motor cycle muffler, ive been seeing more and more midget people going that direction

Its not common, but an extra option

Prop
Prop

Kim's on hols for a fortnight, but this is another vote for his service! He'll sort out what suits your car best.
Max max-at-midgetmax-dot-com

Hi Matt,
I previously had an unknown LCB manifold/standard stainless through pipe and single RC40 rear box set up.

The setup worked well although the RC40 was a tight fit it never knocked/banged on anything.

When I had the engine out I swapped the exhaust out to a Maniflow LCB (another vote for Kim at Magic Midget!) and also ordered a through pipe and single rear box with twin tail pipes (Sebring style according to Maniflow) direct from Maniflow.

This fits even better and sounds fantastic!!

Thanks
Mark
Mark Whitmore

Mark, this twin tail piped rear box, is the twin pipe only the last bit or through the whole muffler?
Alex G Matla

Hi Alex, I think the twin pipes are through the length of the muffler and must join together at the front end as there is only one pipe that joins onto the rest of the exhaust.

Let me know if you want some pics.

Thanks
Mark
Mark Whitmore

Brilliant chaps. Thanks for all the help. I discovered Kim was on his hols from his answerphone. Unfortunately I need something quick so I'm going to give the Maniflow kit a whirl direct from them. A bit pricy but fruity sounds fun!
Matt1275Bucks

Mark i want a pick!
Onno Könemann

Hi, here are some pics of the exhaust.

The tail pipes are 1" 5/8 diameter. I was also told that they could be 1" 3/4 if required.

Mark Whitmore

Heres a closer one.
Mark Whitmore

Aaargh, wrong button!!



Mark Whitmore

And finally one from underneath.

I couldnt get one showing inside the pipes but I can confirm that they run individually through the silencer coming together just before the front of the box in a 'Y' shape.

Thanks
Mark

Mark Whitmore

Matt, I found that Maniflows delivery was excellent. I ordered the parts one morning and they were delivered the next via courier.

Mark
Mark Whitmore

Thx Mark. I do like my Midget silent, and I'm in need of a new system. Actually, I've never bought a new exhaust ever. Always bodged them up from odd parts and bits, new and old.
Alex G Matla

O/T

Mark, that carpet you've got in the garage may not be doing you a favour - they usually hold moisture which you don't usually want in a garage and on your metalwork
Nigel At

Nigel who said its his garage...did you not know he parks it in the spare room !!
Rob Newt

Nigel,
I also have a nice piece of carpet over my garage floor. It may have the danger of holding moisture but its a lot more comfortable than cold concrete to lie on! My garage is so draughty that I think I should be OK and I also have a decent damp proof membrane under the concrete.
Photos to come when I've fitted the new exhaust at the weekend hopefully.
Matt1275Bucks

I must admit that carpet is better than we have in our home as my wife would tell you through gritted teeth :)

ventilation is the key I have loads in my 'garage' and a sky high roof :)
Nigel At

Hi, I wish I could park it in a spare room (SWMBO resented giving up HER garage so I wouldn't want to push my luck!!), it would be warmer to work on in the winter!!

I do have a decent gap underneath the garage door so ventilation shouldnt be an issue.

I agree with the comfort element which is why I persuaded my wife that we needed new underlay when we had a new lounge carpet, so that could emigrate to the garage too!!

Mark
Mark Whitmore

Update.

After a minor degree of swearing and a skinned knuckle or two I managed to get my new Maniflow through pipe and back box on last night. I really need to move the rear mount stud a little further inboard to get the tail pipe sitting centrally between spring and fuel tank but a little bodged bracketry seems to have done the trick for now.
I went for an 11pm 10 mile blast last night to make sure all was OK and to bed in the assembly paste and it seems to work a treat.
I think my old back box must have been knackered as the Maniflow seems remarkably quiet in comparison but has a very pleasing deepish "woofle" rather than the somewhat tinny stainless steel rasp I had before. Probably entirely in my mind but the car seems to pull a little better too!

The Maniflow pipework fitted very well and Chris kindly supplied four low profile clamps to hold it all together rather than those horrible U clamps.
My only problem is that I forgot to peel the Maniflow sticker off the tailpipe so I now have a nice ring of charred plastic to scrape off!
Matt1275Bucks

I said they were fruity :o)
Jordan Gibson

Matt,

have you a photo of the low profile clamps please as I had problems with nora and even Mikalor clips on my exhaust and I certainly need low profile as I wore thro' two normal U-clamps with my last exhaust

cheers, Nigel
Nigel At

Nigel,
I'll see what I can do when I get home. No idea who made them though!
Matt1275Bucks

It sure is a lovely sound - and get a bit of backfire in it on the way to the Ace Cafe - and you'll get shot :)
rachmacb

cheers Matt
Nigel At

Nigel,
Try this. Apologies for the excess quantities of assembly paste. I nearly spilt it on my carpet!

Matt1275Bucks

From the rear (and a nice bit of Wilton!)

Matt1275Bucks

cheers Matt

it's safe for me to look now without the boss getting all dewy-eyed over that carpet

blimey you were very stingy with the paste how exhausts are you expecting to do

nope I've not seen clips like those
Nigel At

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2011 and 10/08/2011

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