Racebits V6 Headers - Piccie Request

jamie_duff

jamie_duff

Honorary Member
Club Member
Sep 28, 2004
4,249
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New Deer, Aberdeenshire
Does anyone have good photos of Racebits headers installed - as near to directly underneath the car as possible would be ideal.

I want to enhance the X-Type's performance. Intake modifications are effective and free, but the real restriction on the transverse AJ-30 is the exhaust manifold and Y-pipe set up.

Now the headers should bolt to the cylinderheads ok, with the same exhaust ports and stud spacing etc, but I can't remember where all the ancillaries on the Cougar are, and I understand the X-Type's catalytic converter flange was moved a bit compared to the Cougar/Contour/Mondeo to make space for the transfer 'box and propshaft. By how much I don't know.

I'd like to use Racebits headers and modify the Y-Pipe by chopping it up for the header connections but eliminating the tight 180deg bend by moving the Y and catalytic converter aft in the car. I'll heat-wrap the entire lot back to the catalytic converter to keep the temperatures nice and high inside the exhaust to keep the cat working efficiently and thus keep my emissions within limits. I reckon on 2" pipework whilst the banks are separate merging into 2.5" pipework after the Y-pipe. This should give the best compromise between backpressure and velocity for exhaust scavenging and thus performance on a 3.0 litre engine in this sort of power bracket. I'd like to think I could get to 270bhp from this.

If possible, I'd like to see pics of the headers installed on a Cougar so I can sketch out what changes I'll need to make.

Thanks for reading.
 
That's perfect. Thanks!

You can see that horrible bit I want to eliminate right there! Just need to get under mine and measure where the c/l of the transfer 'box and propshaft is relative to the bellhousing flange now. :)
 
jamie_duff said:
That's perfect. Thanks!

You can see that horrible bit I want to eliminate right there! Just need to get under mine and measure where the c/l of the transfer 'box and propshaft is relative to the bellhousing flange now. :)
Click to expand...

Happy to help mate! (y)
Yeah i think i know the piece u mean!
 
I want to do something like this - but I need to establish exactly where the grey and black blocks (representing the transfer case and propshaft) actually are.

Oh, and at least achieve some decent tack welds on stainless before trying to talk someone into properly welding it up nice and pretty for me.

Concept.jpg
 
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Well I wouldn't mind a trip to Yorkshire :LOL:

The help of someone who knew what I was trying to achieve would be a big help. Arden managed to get a warrantied 263bhp from this engine with a cat-back exhaust system and a remap. The exhaust manifolds are still the worst part of the whole engine though, and there's a proven gain to be made by modifying both the airbox (removing baffles and matching the inlet sizes to the outlet) as well as sorting out a lot of manufacturing/casting things in the manifold itself which are far from ideal with a Dremel and grinding stone. I think 270bhp should easily be in reach.

I had thought of how to courier them tack welded, but the prospect of them being donked and bent frightens me a bit. I could probably make some manner of MDF jig though. Ideally I'd just tack them up in-situ under the X-Type, then unbolt the tacked up Y-pipe and place it carefully in the boot of the other car and take it to where it would ge welded :LOL:

Even more ideally - weld them up on the car to check for distortion during the welding but that would be a logistical PITA.
 
I agree..best way to ensure a good fit would be to weld up as much as possible while still attached to the car..unfortunately i couldnt help you with this as the TIG gear is at work.

The only help i could offer would be for you to ship the tacked pipes to me so i could take em into work and do it there. I reckon it would be ok in a sturdy box with loads of that poly chipping stuff..up to you mate..the offer is there if it helps ..maybe safer to get a local company to quote you though?
 
My employer owns an exotic fabricator, and I know the director from working together in a previous life (also at an exotic fabricator). They're good welders but not car folk per se, though it would be worth me speaking to Baz to see if he'll do me a favour...

Otherwise I might just take you up on your offer for suitable reimbursement :eek:) I'd need the headers in the first place either way because I'm not starting those from scratch! :eek:
 
Ta muchly - Spent this month's pocket money on a new graphics card and some outrageously priced shirts and shoes (everything else looked like it was for girls - grrr). Hopefully next pay packet though :)
 
Hi, got your email was going to respond, feel free to ring me direct on 07977913931 and can try and work something out for you. May even consider producing these as have had a few jag owners contact me previously.

Shaun
 
Shaun I started the poll on the Jag forum as we discussed. I'll (weather depending) get lambda sensor and flange location for you tomorrow.

http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=48889

Can I ask another Cougar favour? Could someone please measure the distance between the sill rails on the Cougar (where the floor pressing is folded/welded into the sill pressing - the bits you locate the emergency jack onto) and measure the distance of the centreline of the Y-Pipe to Catalytic Converter flange from these? I'd also appreciate a fore/aft distance of the flange from the back of the V6 engine block.

Anyone willing/able to help? :)
 
I'm attemting to fit my stainless manifolds today pal so if I manage it I will measure up for you (the old y pipe is already removed)
 
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