The 'E' Type Forum

Anybody any experience with this product?
A very attractive price, but it seems it would not allow fitting of the "top heatshield.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Jaguar-E-Type-XK ... SwdG9XRaG1



Cheers
Jan

The tubular headers will make a lot of noise and radiate so much heat it will bubble the paint on your frames. At low revs you will hear what sounds like a bell tinkling - they are the individual cylinders firing! If that does not put you off you will probably end up with a torque dip between 2,250 and 2,750 rpm which is the sweet spot for overtaking. Keep the standard manifolds and spend what you save on a standard bore stainless or mild steel (nicest sound) system. If you want a louder exhaust note and more power specify straight through rather than baffled silencers. Tubular manifolds are great if you are going racing using high revs but useless on a road car at normal speeds.

You do realise that advert is not for a full system - just the manifolds and resonators, no silencers or intermediate pipes!

Thanks for the feedback.
I was contemplating changing the original manifold since 2 of the bolt holes for the down pipes have broken off, and the heat resisting paint which a local paintshop claimed would be perfect to replace the enamel is basically melting just from having the engine idling for 5 minutes... I will be taking them of and bringing them back to them.
I will follow your advice and keep the exhaust system mild steel, which considering I have been quoted 300 euro for a complete system by the local exhaust shop is most reasonable.
Now just contemplate buying some new manifolds, or not.
Cheers
Jan

The finish on a new set of manifolds will last no more than 3,000 miles with the front one usually starting to craze over first. This is usually because of rain water flooding off the screen, along the bonnet and down the louvres under braking. Whatever finish you try will probably flake off and the best solution is to use black BBQ paint available from most DIY stores. It is matt black but retains its finish very well and is easy to repaint if you need to.

XK's Unlimited offer new, unfinished manifolds (you can also order them ceramic coated) for $146.

http://xks.com/i-7142389-jaguar-manifol ... com%2Fsear

Before installing them, spray them with VHT (or barbecue paint as David suggests). I don't know if it's available on your side of the Pond, but you should be able to pick up some brand of manifold paint at your FLAPS.

https://www.zoro.com/vht-flameproof-coa ... &gclsrc=ds

I used VHT on my exhaust manifolds nearly four years ago, and they still look good without any touchups. They actually look better than the photo shows. The flash makes them look splotchy while in direct sunlight or less, they look evenly hued.

Thanks! Great advice. As it happens I still have some lying around from repainting a scooter exhaust in another lifetime...

The link is to eBay.ie, wherever that is. Location is given as N. Carolina, but he has some dreadful feedback, including an allegation that some parts are shipped direct from China. Enough to put me off, regardless of the arguments against S/S headers.

FWIW I spent a merry hour or two wire brushing my old manifolds to remove as much of the rust as poss. No cracks found. Sprayed them with two coats of sperex exhaust paint...Matt black. 15 months later they are still fine. An hour of grinding and about £20 for a can of paint...job done. The tubular manifolds will soon dull and I have heard from others about heat issues and flat spots...an example of original is probably best maybe...

Yes, this is what my manifolds ended up looking like after 10,000 miles and nothing will restore the shine:


More info on cast vs tubular: viewtopic.php?p=23287#p23287

If anyone wants a 'cost effective' path to getting that original E-Type exhaust note then XK's can sell you a pair of chromed resonators for $185 (4.2) or $195 (3.8) : http://xks.com/search.html?q=resonator

Just check that your intermediate pipes are standard 1.75" otherwise they will not fit.

Just did some more googling... found out there are several, obviously chinese, suppliers to be found on Alibaba.... who would send you a 100 sets for, well, basically peanuts.
They mention prices as low as 10US$. Not kidding.
Will stick to my original manifold/headers and will consider getting those chromed exhausts mufflers.
Cheers everybody!!
Jan