MSA Twice pipes

[Cutlass372]

Hey everyone, I just received my MSA Twice Pipes today and thought I would post some pics. The pipes seem to be of pretty good quality, all the welds seem nice and the pipes were fairly easy to slide together. I plan to install the pipes within the next few days, but I need to find time to get to Napa to pick up my headers gaskets. My total came to $200 and included the Twice pipes and a set of intake and exhaust studs and nuts. This thing looks like its going to be pretty loud, so we will see how it goes. I will try and get some videos up once the pipes are on, I know videos may persuade some of you guys to go this route as well. It's going on a stock rebuilt L24 with twin Su carbs. Pretty much a normal stock install with 3-2 headers. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Cutlass372]

[Cutlass372]

Here is the video as promised. Sorry you can't see **** till I turn the lights on, I had to wait till the batteries in the camera charged. It was kinda cold when I started it so thats why it sounds wierd at first. I dont think this video really does the exhaust justice but.. atleast it will give you guys some idea.

[GunnerRob]

Your pipes sound wonderful.

Is it me, or did I hear an exhaust ticking sound, possibly from a gasket leak?

Congradulations are in order!

Rob

[kinfish]

Sound is great ...... hopefully the exhaust fumes did not get the best of you!

The ticking noise sounds like a valve knock! When was the last time you checked clearnaces? If clearances are OK, check cam lobes for wear grooves.

[Cutlass372]

I have never checked the clearances and the motor did tick before I put the headers on. I think a large majority of the ticking is a header leak though. The nuts that are used to tighten down both the intake and exhaust are really hard to tighten. Someone told me to try a deep socket and a universal so I'm going to try that when I get home. Thanks for the compliments, I think the exhaust sounds pretty good and better in person. The fitment wasn't very bad as well and don't hang as low as I thought. The only problem is cutting the rear valance to fit the exhaust.

Edited January 31, 2009 by Cutlass372

[bobc]

Elliott,

Be careful with that plan. The factory torque settings for those bolts/nuts is around 11 ft. lbs. You really, really, really, don't want to break off a stud or bolt in your cylinder head. No fun :tapemouth

If you take off the air cleaner completely (including the backing plate, you should be able to get to all the bolts/nuts using an extension w/o a universal joint.

Just my thought, since you said the ticking sound was there before you put the header on, I'd go with setting the valve clearances first and see what that does.

2nd step (if step one doesn't do it) - Having a helper keep the motor running, squirt some automatic transmission fluid into each carb. Big clouds will come out the back, but if it's a stuck valve, this is an old mechanics trick that might burn off whatever is causing it to stick

3rd step (if neither one or two works - Loosen up the header/manifold bolts/nuts and re-torque them to no more than 12 ft lbs.

From what I heard, it sounded more like an exhaust leak than a valve, but it's difficult to do if you don't hear it in person. Take a mirror and look all around the mating services of the header to the cylinder head. If the leak is there, you'll usually see a black streak where the exhaust gases are escaping.

Hope this helps!

Bob

Edited January 31, 2009 by bobc

[Cutlass372]

I think it might be a leak as well. I used 2 gaskets so maybe that has something to do with it as well. I will have to try out what you said, it seems like that might help. I hope that I didn't strip out one of the bolts because I did tighten them pretty tight and as I was tightening one started to get loose . I think I should be able to tighten down most of the bolts and get the majority of the leaks to go away. We will see how it goes.

[bobc]

Why two gaskets? That could be your problem. I'd go with one, although I know it would be a PITA to take the intake/header off again.

If yo do, get some Hi Temp Copper RTV and coat both sides of the gasket. I would think you've already got a good smooth surface on your head and same for a new set of headers, so one gasket should be enough.

Just another thought, you said you went to NAPA to get your header gasket. Did you specifically tell them the gasket was for use with a header? There is a difference between the stock gasket and a header gasket.

Bob

Edited January 31, 2009 by bobc

[Cutlass372]

I don't really recall what I said that I wanted. It's a Felpro gasket though so its probably a header gasket, there is no metal around the ports. I think the 2nd gasket may be causing a problem as well, but I don't know if I want to go through the trouble of taking it all off again... Hopefully I can just get them to go away with tightening the bolts down more. I thought the standard was to use 2 gaskets on headers, but I guess not.. Ughh I hope I can get them tight and not have to take them off.. Such a PITA...

Edited February 1, 2009 by Cutlass372

[bobc]

Elliott,

If it doesn't have metal around the flanges, then it sounds like a header gasket, but I haven't heard anything about using two before.

It takes about an hour to an hour and a half to pull the intake and exhaust manifolds off, it might be worth it compared to snapping off a stud in the head!

You haven't mentioned that you're using a torque wrench. Again, highly suggested and work in a pattern versus cranking each one down fully to start with.

Either way, good luck!

Bob

[beebeecivic]

Did your pipes come welded? i thought the kit at msa is in pieces?