[Healeys] BJ8 Exhaust Systems - BJ8 or BJ7?

[BJ8 Healeys]

Robert, moisture that rusts out an exhaust system comes more from what the
engine generates than from external sources such as wet streets.  The
hardest thing on an exhaust system is short trips that do not allow the
engine to get well up to temperature to dry everything out before shutting
it down.

I have a stainless exhaust system on my BJ8 that I installed in 1986, and
although it has its share of dents, it's still doing its job as well as it
did new.  It came from Moss, but I have no idea about the quality of what
they are selling now.  Mild steel exhausts are fine as long as you limit the
frequency of short trips.

Steve Byers
HBJ8L/36666
BJ8 Registry
Havelock, NC USA

-----Original Message-----
From: healeys-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Robert Blair
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 9:24 PM
To: Healey List
Subject: [Healeys] BJ8 Exhaust Systems - BJ8 or BJ7?

Hi Listers, The time has arrived for a new exhaust system on my BJ8.  Banged
up rear boxes are holed/rusted thru - just age and bottoming out.

Would like the List's collective experience.  Here are some facts/questions
for those folks that have replaced exhausts recently:
1.  I am not interested in SS system - unecessary expese here in dry CA.
2.  So steel is fine for me.  I will probably paint it black anyway.
3.  We all know the low ground clearance issue on the Healey/BJ8 rear boxes
-
and my rear is lowered 2 inches for appearance - plan to leave it as such.
4.  If I use a full BJ8 system with rear boxes, which manufacturer would you
recommend and why?  Where is good price incl delivery to N. CA? [I currently
have a Walker brand I think]
5.  If I use a front part BJ8 system and replace the rear cross boxes with 2
straight pipes out the back/LHS, how much will the noise increase.  Likeable
or too noisy for easy driving?  Fruity is ok for me.
6.  The Moss BJ7 system has an oval/thinner double pipe front box and no
rear
boxes.  Obviously better on ground clearance at mid and rear of car.  Has
anyone put a BJ7 system on a BJ8 - did you like it and why?  What were the
fitting problems?  BJ7 system is much cheaper then BJ8.
7.  Any other suggestions - smart or otherwise?

Thx.
Robert N. Blair  Yellow 65BJ8  RNBmail at yahoo.com / RNB333 at live.com