The V8 Owners Forum -

Hi guys.
Newbie here.

I'm just about to embark on a RV8 conversion into a 1991 Hilux pickup. Not very original I know but if you've ever driven a diesel Hilux you know that they really are dog slow. I also drive a subaru and ZX7R so the slowness of the hilux is really starting to get a little tiresome.

I reckon I've got most stuff sorted by buying a range rover complete but everyone says that you can't use the rangie manifolds because they sit where the chassis rails are. I know you can get block huggers from poppa browns but I'm tight and pay a fortune in insurance and fuel bills, so I like to save what I can where I can and would rather use manifolds off something else that I can get second hand.

So any ideas what manifolds sit nice and tight to the block as standard?

Also, the Lux is being built for off roading and trailer pulling so I want to keep as much torque as possible. And I'm gonna need to fab a complete exhaust from these manifolds. Is the best way to make a single 2.5in exhaust or 2x 2in exhausts?
It's gotta sound really nice too. Don't wanna lose the rumble so I'll probably just fit a single box.
Thanks for any help.

You don't have a lot of choice here really but try this thread http://www.v-8.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=911 for some cast examples. There is also the original MG V8 headers that are tight but they wont be cheap as they are sought after. There are a few Hilux conversions on here so maybe one of them will pipe up with a cheap solution.

101 forward control manifolds are short and sit high to the block, not good for power but can give you an alternative exhaust layout, and dont cost alot as no one wants them.
Mike

Top, 64-67 Buick 300 V8

Bottom, Rover SD1



Greg

none of them are SD1 as they are 4-2-1 cast manifolds and are long, the uk ones are anyway.

katanaman wrote:none of them are SD1 as they are 4-2-1 cast manifolds and are long, the uk ones are anyway.

Oops. My error. What are they then? TR8?

Greg

eBay is your friend.

I picked up a set of block huggers on ebay for my MGB GT V8 conversion for £90

I got my MG block huggers from one of the forum members for £100 and randomly spot the ebay.

Thanks guys.

I've bought apir of SD1 manifolds and down pipes but have now been told that they'll give me about 5mm either side to the chassis legs.

Bugger.

I'm doubly gutted coz a guy from the Hilux forum sold some block huggers about 3 weeks ago just before I got the ball rolling on my conversion.

Nevermind. The SD1 manifolds should get me running at least. Then I can kkep my eyes open for block huggers on the bay..

But. Going back to my original post, Would a single or double exhaust be better for torque? And which better for sound? If theres not a lot of torque difference then which will sound best

I have a single system on mine, one large centre silencer, approx 1.85" OD throughout.

Sounds like :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE6fdEEWFys

Not sure wether it's better or worse for torque.......Not really looked into that

single exhaust should be 2.5" twin should be about 2". The twin sounds the best for the v8 rumble but the single is a little better for torque. You can put a cross pipe into a twin which gives you the best of both worlds. Course you need the room to do this but I don't think the hilux should give too many problems on that front.

As for header clearance if your engine rocks too much and you hit the chassis you can either put head steadies on or use solid engine mounts. The huggers really don't perform that well so if you can get away without using them your better off. Sd1 4-2-1 manifolds were actually pretty good for standard items.

I like your Dolli Lewis.

So they way ahead exahust wise is to use the SD1 manifolds 1 way or another. Solid engine mounts wouldn't be too bad on the lux cos the cab has rubber mounts to the chassis.
Then 2x 2" pipes with a cross pipe.
I've found some nice cheap back boxes on ebay that I will make fit. Not really the look I'm after but money is a greater concern than looks.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... &rd=1&rd=1

Ta!

Sounds like a plan!

I guess with the 'Lux at least it won't be hard to get underneath to fiddle with different ideas or silencers

I was under the impression that the ~1.8" system was too small as well BTW katanaman, this is something I intend to attend to at the start of my summer holidays System (and manifolds) up to and including the Y piece, as far as I can tell, is MGB V8 then into what I think is a Sprints sports system. Thanks for confirming it though

The MGB V8 fannymolds are very tight fitting as well, it seems.

I have set of TVR Griffith manifolds that might suit you. They're just sitting around in the attic at the moment.

These are my new ones. The old ones fit on the car in exactly the same way, but has a single Y piece instead of the double and the primary pipes are shorter due to having cats in them (these are now removed)

I use the late range rover 4-2 manifolds with long 2-1 pipes joining into a y-piece tight up against my gearbox. The system runs through 2 silencers from a 2.5tdi land rover 110, which are straight through with 2 1/4" bore, then through a single straight pipe out the back pto hole.

This set up is relatively quiet on cruise, with a nice background burble, but hit 3000rpm, and it sings like the chase from bullitt



I've had a lot of people stop and compliment me on the sound of the exhaust, which only cost me £50 including all bolts and gaskets.

All I would do now is remove one of the silencers just to get a bit more presence