Lagondaforum

Subject: Stainless exhausts

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I'm taking my exhaust to Bell next week to have a new one made up in stainless steel. They've done a few DB4 and 5 exhausts and have been recommended by another exhaust specialist - check out the link below;

Bell Steel Fabricators

The cost for a DB4/5 system is £480, so I expect a Rapide will be a bit more because of the split rear box (I will find out). I have a good feeling about them, so if their product is good and their price is around £500 then it looks like a great deal.

Possibly it might be even cheaper if they make more than one so if you're interested let me know.

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Subject: Re: Stainless exhausts

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Christian hello! I'm never sure which exhaust is best, but stainless suits I feel. Can I ask, is your pricing based upon a new system from the exhaust manifold all the way back to the tail pipes? Will you be having them modify it slightly to provide more ground clearance and will they be fitting it? If it is not too late, I could be interested if the price is preferential. We have a chap nearby in Notts who also makes bespoke exhausts for DB3, 4's, 5's etc & I shall speak to him on Wednesday.
Clocked up 4,000 miles now & all appears good with the modifications on the p/steering, electrics etc. Possible brake upgrade & a respray when the car comes back from rallying in the USA Autumn 2013. I have repaired the crude electric windows & if these play up again, I shall upgrade to a later DB system. Due to start running the Lagonda on Evans Classic Cool 180 very shortly which is an interesting progression!
Best wishes,
Guy Vinall.
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Subject: Re: Stainless exhausts

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Guy, you may find your ground clearance improves when you fit new bushes in the de Dion. My car has a Quicksilver SS system as do 2 in Germany because we bought 3 whole systems to get 30% discount back in 2001 or so. If you do go with your local supplier, the key aspect is the angle between manifold and level run; mine needed some (hot) rework to get the run to fit. My other car has a Langford's straight through single-box system from 1975 (lifetime guarantee which I still have), but too noisy for a LR!

Subject: Re: Stainless exhausts

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I like the look of Evans Cool 180 - I think I'll use that too! I'm taking the old exhaust over to Bell this afternoon. It looks fairly straight forwards to remanuafcture, the bends are separate sections etc. David, would I be right in thinking the whole system hangs from one bracket under the rear seat?

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Subject: Re: Stainless exhausts

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Are you keeping the old exhaust manifold or looking for a complete s/s system?

Let me know how the cost works out please.

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Subject: Re: Stainless exhausts

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I'm keeping the cast iron manifolds; so new downpipes onwards. Two details I would like to keep are the small triangle flanges which reinforce the split box and the 45 degree endpipes - so it looks original. I will let you know what they are like and how the cost works out...

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Subject: Re: Stainless exhausts

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I had thought there should be another exhaust hanger under the front passenger seat but may be mistaken? My other car has SS manifolds (they were about £400 if I recall) but again I wouldn't fit them to the Rapide because they are noisier than the cast iron ones. If you do retain the cast iron ones you should ensure that the flanges to the head are flat (they can warp) otherwise you'll be forever replacing blown gaskets etc.

Subject: Re: Stainless exhausts

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Spoke to Don Pemberton at Stainless Specialist Exhausts. He is very experienced with DB AM's & understands the the needs of angle & height. Not cheap at £860 + VAT fully bespoke & fitted. I will be going with him, because of his background & knowledge. Regards, Guy.

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Subject: Re: Stainless exhausts

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Hi Guy, that price doesn't sound bad for a fitted system, I originally budgeted that for an unfitted system. The only reason I started to look around is because I found the suppliers weren't always the manufacturers, with my Rapide fitting is not an option as it's not drivable.

Over the weekend I was under the rear of the car quite a bit and found the three hanging / mounting points; the first is by the rear passenger footwell, the second is just behind the de dion and the third above the rear valance - one per box.

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Subject: Re: Stainless exhausts

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The final price from Bell is £686 plus VAT...

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