My 66 E-type is in the preservation class and I have no plans to restore, however the car is too much fun to drive and as such when the exhaust turned to cheese, it recieved a stainless set of headers and matching big bore system. The power is much improved but I wonder what a Judge will say at the next concours? As I live in S. Florida A/C is also inltalled and the beast is driveable at all times. Any thoughts?

Submitted by hilstonsmg@aol.com on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 14:39

To Ron Foster; The headers and link pipes were found on e-bay and are listed at least every few days. They start at $275 and I bid $ 300 which included shipping and a week later they arrived well packed and brand new as listed. Other than a few studs that broke (45 years in place) they installed fine. The rest of the system , straght thru mufflers, rear pipes came from AFB Systems. Resonaters were donated by a friend and were also 2" stainless. The system was installed by Jaguar Doctor in Boca Raton Fl. I'm changing some of the stock clamps to Marine type stainless which are much smaller and better than the stock clamps, they can be had at any good Marine store. As for the torque, there are two 40 foot rubber burns in front of my house after the conversion that wern't there before and a couple of neighbors that think I've lost my mind. Life is good

Submitted by rrfoster2001@y… on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 13:02

Don, I have a 66 also and am in need of a new exhaust. What brand and supplier did you go with for your headers and exhaust? Did you find the big bore version was an improvement? I heard that the larger bore can reduce torque.
Thanks for the info.

Submitted by hilstonsmg@aol.com on Wed, 02/02/2011 - 00:07

George; Take my word for it, the Jag is much faster, at least 10% and I've been driveing cars fast and drag raceing since '54. More than a few engines and sundry blown parts to show for it , to my shame and damaged wallet. But damn, the Jag is fun to drive and as such I shall not lighten my foot. As to the judgeing it's just something I'll have to live with and I did keep all the old parts to pass on to the next caretaker when the time comes.

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Tue, 02/01/2011 - 23:28

Don preservation class is just that---headers will be a deduct! AC
was an option if it is the correct factory approved system. See the AC guide in the concours section. As far as your power improving --well it may have been a bit but I doubt "MUCH'> Louder perhaps!