INSTALLATION OF NEW TOURIST TROPHY MGA STAINLESS EXHAUST
HISTORY
Last week I happened to go on the North American MGA Registry website just to see what was happening. There was a news note that someone could win a new Tourist Trophy MGA stainless steel exhaust system just by applying for it online. This is a new item that was donated by to NAMGAR to give to a lucky member a to install and evaluate. Moss also donated a new Classic Gold master cylinder for evaluation. I had just installed a new master cylinder but needed a new exhaust system. Mine is the original on my MKII. At least it was on the car when I acquired it in 1975.
Guess what??????
George Merryweather informed me that I was the lucky member to get the new
exhaust system. I was elated to hear this news. I don't know how I was selected, but I appreciate it.
RECEIVED
Today August 26, 2010, as George M said, I received the Tourist Trophy Exhaust system, Moss PN 454-879 with all new hangers and hardware including new brass nuts to attached to the manifold, donut gasket, two hangers kits and clamps. As the UPS man was bringing the box across my front lawn, I noticed that the contents were starting to slide out of the box. The tape on one end had broken, but the rest of the box was in good shape.
UNPACKING
I proceeded to unpack the box by just sliding the untapped end out on the floor. Lots of packing paper was on all sides of the system. The pipes and muffler in 3 pieces were double wrapped together in clear plastic. The 3 individual components were also individually wrapped. Also the installation parts were in a separate stapled bag. It looks so shiny that I believe I can see my face in it. I laid them all aside, now to go out and start removing the old exhaust and prepare to put in the new.
UNINSTALLING OLD EXHAUST
First, I had to put the car on my EZ Car lift that I have had for awhile. It sure comes in handy in a low garage ceiling. All you have to do is roll it under the car put some blocks under the frame and use a drill to operate the lift.
The lift will raise 26 inches but, I usually raise it about 21 inches. This allows me to lay on a creeper and move around and not have to stretch my old bones too much. Laying on my back is comfortable anyway.
I removed the flange nuts to the manifold first, then I remove the rear hanger bolts from the frame and last the long bolt on the middle hanger. I was able to drop the complete old exhaust and pull it from underneath the car and put it out in the driveway. I removed the old middle hanger and chucked it.
INSTALLATION OF THE TOURIST TROPHY EXHAUST FROM MOSS
My first inclination when I first unpacked this beautiful shiny exhaust system was to just hang it on the wall. It is almost too pretty to put under the car.
I first fitted the front pipe that connected to the exhaust flange. Put the donut gasket in and put the new brass nuts with lock washers finger tight. Perfect fit.
Then, I slid the clamp to secure the front and rear pipes together over the front pipe. Next, I installed the new center hanger to the frame with the bolts supplied in the hanger kit. I then slid the rear pipe into place attaching it to the front pipe. Then, I attached the rear pipe to the middle hanger. Perfect fit so far.
INSTALLING THE MUFFLER
The proof of the pudding is, does the final piece, the muffler, fit. I slid the rear muffler clamp over the rear pipe then slid the rear hanger over the muffler tail pipe. Next, I fitted the muffler to the rear pipe (first I had to spread the muffler pipe slightly) and checked the fit by holding the muffler in the proper position. I have a trailer hitch installed on my car so the muffler hangs down about an inch further. I then rotated the muffler in place until I was satisfied with the clearance to the gas tank and so the tailpipe would point slightly down and toward the center of the car. It is possible to point the exhaust pipe several directions however.
The fit was perfect in my opinion. So, before I tightened all the nuts and bolts, I installed the front straps the from the pipe to the transmission (I recommend this highly).
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IN CONCLUSION
First, I want to thank Moss Motors for donating this fantastic new product to NAMGAR for evaluation. I would also like to thank NAMGAR for selecting “moi” to be the lucky person to be the first to install it.
This Tourist Trophy polished stainless steel exhaust system is of fantastic quality. The fit was very easy with no modifications required by me. The installation was simple and you could use your existing hangers, clamps and nuts and bolts. I recommend that you get all new hardware unless yours is fairly new. I took several days to install this system, it could be done in a day easily.
After finishing, I couldn’t wait to start the engine and take Ole Blue out for a drive. The sound is also fantastic, with a mild throaty sound. I sound off through the gears the way it should and it has a mild throaty rumble shifting down. On the road it is a pleasant throaty sound that any MGA lover would be proud to sound off in front of company. Lol.
I recommend this exhaust system highly.
SUBMITTED BY GIL DUPRE
NAMGAR MEMBER Since 1977, Car #567
