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Carburetors, Headers and Exhaust

The carburetors homemade heat shield with a set of modified Cannon headers behind.

Speaking of headers, buy the 4-2-1 (4 into 2 into 1) stainless TSSC headers (probably made by Bell, don't yet know of a US distributor) from England, Triumph Sports Six Club, www.tssc-hq.demon.co.uk/offers.html) if you're leaning that way! Another choice (I'm leaning this way) is Rimmer Brothers (www.rimmerbros.co.uk) has 2 headers and several exhaust systems that look good also, and are cheaper in cost. Rimmers also offers free delivery in the US on several occasions during the year. Register with them as a customer and get flyers and catalogs.

The "straight down and straight back" 4-1 (4 into 1) headers most common here in the USA are junk in my NSH opinion. You'll loose ground clearance and end up with flattened header tubes in short time. They exit below the frame and expect you to custom make a system starting below frame level. I cut the 4 parallel down-tubes a few inches, put sleeve-tubes over them and brazed them back together so as to loose only an inch or 2 of clearance. Then bent the collector so as to run my system within the frame. Not too bad, but I still don't recommend this system! Here are some pictures of George Parker's engine with 4-1 header installed. Email George at ygpz4re@hotmail.com to see what he thinks.

Stahl had a great system in the '70's but it required cutting the bell housing and engine backing plate. Ken Slagle had Stahl headers on his championship F-Prod car. I mention all this because of a recent discussion with Dave Belden, who's been racing a G-Production Spitfire since we were both young. Now he runs Vintage events and the Volvo Historic (SCCA) series in the Northeast. Hi, Dave! He regularly switches between the GP 1147cc engine and 1300cc FP engine, depending which race series he's entering.

I have a stock Midas Muffler 1974 Spitfire muffler on the back. I had a Pacesetter or some such brand (2-chrome tips) on long ago for about 2 weeks. Toooo Loud! Present setup sounds real nice. Built up engine and headers make for louder exhaust than stock engine and manifold even with the stock muffler.

I had foam air cleaners till a couple years ago and the foam disintegrated. Will probably get K&N's soon. Carbs were rebuilt by Mike Barratt himself back in the 70's!

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Email: me

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