THE INTERNATIONAL JAGUAR 'S'-TYPE REGISTER FORUM

Joe I did not try it. The old original system was shot and it sounded like a junker. The rear resonators had been replaced with straight pipes as well. The entire system was welded together.

During the trip from San Francisco to Nashville doing 90 mph on the straights of New Mexico I heard one of the mid mufflers explode. Later after arriving in Nashville I got under the car and there was a large rip in one of the mufflers. It sounded awful.

Shopping time. I started searching and asking around. It was my mechanic at J.D. Classics in Nasville who told me to install a system to factory specs.

Cass sorry to hear about the Alvis. You know that's the car I want! If only it was LHD.

Thanks for the explanation about the balancer muffler. I thought it was just another restriction part in the system.

I want to add that the S type's exhaust system is identical to the exhaust system in my 1984 XJ-6. There must be some kind of "formula" for these exhaust systems. The difference is the SOUND. The S type is a lot louder than the XJ, even with the brand new BELL system. I also rebuilt the XJ's exhaust system completely with original British Leyland parts, and it is very quiet in comparison.

Joe here's some more pics:

1) diagram of the factory system, the Bell system is identical.

2) some of the new hardware that came with the Bell system. Not shown: the mid-hangers and the "U" clamps.

3) the Band clamps I used. 8 of them. Got them from a racing outfit.

Perfect.....thanks Jose. Probably be awhile before I will need it. Car is being painted now. I will go see it on Monday.

Talked to my guy today and he does not like the round band clamps. He uses these and has had great performance out of them since they cover more of the piping.

what is it? looks like a hanger.

This is a different one, but the same operation. Band clamp.....

that is a racing Sleeve clamp. Same thing as a Band clamp but it is overkill Joe. Not really needed.
You.re not going to be racing the car I hope?

Everything I have been doing on this car is overkill.....LOL. Thanks for all your help and advice. It is greatly appreciated.

The 2nd band clamp you have pictured is for joining to pieces of exhaust of the same size together. Ie, butting the two ends together as opposed to sliding one end of the pipe in to the next piece. They will work on inserted pipes which is what the first photo shown is possibly for. The "U" clamps that are traditionally used in this case due tend to crimp the ends of the pipes together meaning they are difficult to part should you need to take the exhaust off where as the band does not do this. There are reports on YouTube though that indicate that these band clamps do come loose with the heat expansion and retraction and do not have the capacity to tighten up fully afterwards.
I suppose it all depends on how many times you are likely to be taking your exhaust off. If its a stainless steel exhaust system the chances are that once it is on it stays on until the car falls apart around it.