The folks at Verve Vintage Motorworks as well as my buddy Brent had all commented that my EMPI muffler was making my top end really hot. It was just jammed up too close to the distributor, carburetor, etc. The internet speaks highly of a A-1 Performance Class 11 Exhaust. I checked out reviews (I found none 🙂 ) but went ahead and ordered it through Aircooled Vintage Works . The install was started super easy, I bought new nuts and gaskets, which I might not have needed. You remove your old one and get to work. I used graphite exhaust gaskets from CB Performance and copper nuts from J-Bugs . I had troulbe because my rear bumper cage was causing interference, but I worked it all out.
Why two sets of gaskets? Well, I was going to install EMPI pushrod protectors, but I will need to modify the EMPI pushrod protectors to fit, if I went through all that, why not just make a skid plate? I ended up using one set. I tired to take a pic showing how the pushrod protectors do not fit, but the polish is so good it is just a weird awkward selfie.
That decision made, time to start putting on the headers. These are quite a bit more expensive than the EMPI headers, and it is apparent why. They are stainless steal and the flanges are 3x as thick as the old ones.
I loosely attached the headers one part at a time to so I could wiggle things into place. Everything fits together fine.
For nuts, I used these copper EMPI ones, I did not use any anti sieze. The Muir book does not mention it, so I skipped it.
I followed the big warning on the gaskets to only torque to 10-12 ft/lbs.
Sometimes this was easy, other times, I had to get creative with attachments on the ol’ torque wrench.
Now we run into a problem. The stock class 11 muffler hits the cage on a baja.
I reached out to the Aircooled Vintage Works and they said A1 would not do anything to help, however I reached out to Tiger at A1 via text and he said no problem! Send it back and we’ll modify it to fit. I opted to buy a polished one and send this muffler back to be modified so I’ll have a spare(he never sent this one back to me). The new one arrived and it went around the cage, but was now rubbing on the cage. Pretty easy fix, I bought a dimpler from Summit, marked the spot and made a few dimples. Plenty of clearance and everything works, no touching now.
The engine runs noticeably cooler, the sound is LOUD, like so loud. I added their silencer, but I’ll do it for the cooler motor. Maybe I’ll switch back at some point.
Also I sent my old muffler back that did not fit, Tiger said he’d fix it and send it out and never did. But eh…