MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - MGA Muffler Options

Any of you MGA owners out there know how great that new stock muffler sounds. Then, in fairly short order, it turns from sweet and mellow to raspy and irritating. Barney Gaylord came up with an innovative solution; drill a couple holes in the rear end and stuff fiberglass insulation into the muffler. I may end up trying that, but first I'd like to ask out there if anyone's found a muffler that sounds as good or better than the stock one and continues to sound that way for a reasonable length of time. Even if you haven't, have you heard of a muffler brand that holds promise? Thanks!
L.R. deOlazarra

I realize it sounds strange but I did this on a TF-1500.. I needed a tail pipe from muffler to rear. It was a Sunday and Muffler shops were closed. I went to Lowes and purchased a 1-3/4" section of copper thick wall tubing. I have never heard a better sounding exhaust. It had a bell like ring to it. there was zero harshness. It resonated completely different from anything else that I have ever had.
Sansy
SANDY SANDERS

I like the sound of my glass pack muffler, had it for years and it still sounds good.
N Wessely

I have a Stebro muffler on my car. Perhaps a bit loud but not at all harsh. Just a great "British" burble.
Andy Bounsall

Hi, the guys at the muffler shop said that a muffler from a Chrysler K car was a very good match. That is what is currently on my 1500 roadster. Inexpensive and has a very nice tone! Just my 2 cents worth! Glenn
Glenn Hedrich

I have had success two different ways in trying to get the sound that I have with the first A that I bought. The first way is just to buy a glass pack muffler from your local auto parts store. Just tell them the diametor sise you want at the inlet and they will get it for you. It will be short so you will have to find some lind of extention to put on the rear of the muffler. The other is to take a stock muffler, cut it in half take everything out of the inside of the muffler and then weld it back together. Both ways will give you the desired sound.
GK George

Thanks for all your feedback. I drilled a couple 1" holes in one end of the muffler and stuffed fiberglass insulation inside, surrounding the center pipe. Finished too late to test. Will let you know what the results are in a day or two.
L.R. deOlazarra

Stuffing a worn out glasspack with fiberglass insulation works, by god.. :)
Took it out today and it sounds great! Deep and mellow; no more loud and raspy. I'll be able to judge better in a month or more to see how it holds up.
A big thanks Barney Gaylord for this; he outlined the procedure on his site. If you'd like to try reviving your old muffler, check out his site in the "Carburetors and Exhaust" section. The article's labeled "Repacking a Muffler". Just Google his name.
L.R. deOlazarra

This thread was discussed between 09/11/2009 and 11/11/2009

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.