S/S header Noisy?

[trunt]

I have taken the plunge and ordered some Phoenex headers, My experience with S/S headers on my TR was that they were overly noisy and I ended up wrapping them. So whats the experiences out there? If they are known to be noisy I was going to have them ceramic coated which should quieten them a bit. Or will it?

Terry

[022Dave]

Hello Terry,

I've had mine on for the last 20+ years, and haven't found them to be unduly noisy, but that said, I had the rest of the SS exhaust system made without baffles, so I'm in no position to comment!

I have heard good reports from people that have had the ceramic coating for reduced under bonnet (sorry, hood) temperatures, but non have commented on sound attenuation. Just enjoy the sound track!

Dave

[stagwingnut]

Hi Terry, I’ve had Phoenix headers for 20 + years too , no noticeable difference in sound that I’ve noticed and very happy with them , only wished they came with a flanged down pipe connection , because the sleeved connector can be a pig to budge when other work is required, I usually end up removing all boxes from the rear , just my experience. Regards Graham

[jakesmig]

My Monarch headers were not too noisy, but I wrapped them a couple of years ago to reduce engine bay temperature, which worked well.
At less than 10% of the cost of ceramic coating, I would always opt for wrapping.

Rgds,

John.

[bullstarz]

The type of metal the headers are made from will not make the exhaust sound louder. Its design will. Exhaust wrap isnt designed to make things less noisy, it s there to keep exhaust gases velocity and reduce under bonnet heat.

[trunt]

Still a bonnet, I try to resist Americanism even after 30 years here, but do slip occasionally! (isn’t header an Americanism)

Ok that’s great, on the tr6 ones it was a tinny pinging sound, not very nice.. but I’m sure these are made of thicker steel. I just priced up ceramic coating and it’s around $225. I’m thinking I’ll just do it.. it’s only money!

so do you need to cut the existing down pipes?

terry

[DJT]

I've had Phoenix exhaust manifolds fitted for the past 5 years. Not wrapped or coated. No noticeable increase in noise. No issues with under bonnet temperatures or detriment to wiring or paint - I do have the OE fan fitted which circulates the air very nicely. Slip joint with the rest of the system is easy to remove whenever necessary - they are clamped using Mikalor stainless clamps and no sealant.

[stagwingnut]

Still a bonnet, I try to resist Americanism even after 30 years here, but do slip occasionally! (isn’t header an Americanism)

Ok that’s great, on the tr6 ones it was a tinny pinging sound, not very nice.. but I’m sure these are made of thicker steel. I just priced up ceramic coating and it’s around $225. I’m thinking I’ll just do it.. it’s only money!

so do you need to cut the existing down pipes?

terry

Rimmer bros sell suitable link pipes from centre boxes to down pipes

[DJT]

Rimmer bros sell suitable link pipes from centre boxes to down pipes

The Phoenix manifolds come complete with short bends, and yes, you do have to cut the original downpipes - but it isn't difficult. The same manifolds are sold by other suppliers (Robsport, EJ Ward) and it is up to you to discover who is selling them at the best price. (Hint: not in Lincolnshire )

[trunt]

Ahhh. But there’s 15% off in Lincolnshire at the moment... plus they always have the lowest shipping to USA, I got the complete kit with the short bends and can cut the pipes..

terry

[mike@thenook]

Hi Terry,

Had mind for 20 years, originally from Jonathan Finnes when he owned Monarch but they were even then made by Phoenix I think, no real increase in noise BUT I have got some serious heat resistant padding (The type they use around/near turbo's) both sides of the bay near the headers as the heat from them is more than from cast iron and they sit closer to the bodywork in any case;
Wrapping or ceramic coating I think i'd not bother with but I would put some protection down the sides to protect the wiring particularly from the increased heat.

You'll be pleased with them for sure!

Mike

[sujitroy]

I'm aware Terry u are a dab hand at working on cars but have been told you'll need to make mods for them to fit LHD Stags.

[trunt]

Apparently not these latest design Phoenix ones..

there’s an interesting article on the tsc USA site on ceramic coating but those headers maybe from 3 years ago look different. Edit: cos they are rover ones!

https://www.tscusa.org/tech/Ceramic%...ael%20Link.pdf

it says they fit both rhd and Lhd with no mods, don’t need the alternator moved but it does say they will foul the aircon hoses. I will surely report on the forum when I install the engine in a few months.

I am not fitting the a/c initially, and when/if I do it will be with the much smaller sanden type compressor that will possibly need a fabricated mounting bracket anyway, But I have the original bracket if it can work.

I was actually eying up those alternator relocation type brackets as a basis, but that’s probably a year or two away

terry

[PJB]

How can headers be hotter ? Think about it.
I dont think they can be. They certainly warm up faster but also cool much much faster.
I've always coated mine - both for appearances sake but also because it does appear to reduce the heat output.

[Phil S]

had my headers ceramic coated, 1 coat inside and 2 or 3 on the outside, under bonnet temps of about 220 c but not sure what they were before, ceramic coat cost more than the headers, but great sound with my 2" big bore system. word of caution if coating, the steering shaft dent is not in the correct place so I have had to have a small steering shaft and the engine has been raised by about 1/4" to get the clearance.
so if you are going to coat them make sure a new dent is hammered in first