Manalishis Mk 1a 827 Vitesse (manual)

[Fastback]

Just consulting the 'Rover 800, the complete story' book, there looks to have been three different spoilers. Yes the one on mine shown was 'standard' but still not all all fastbacks. The skirts are from an 820 Turbo as I think the rubbing strips are but not sure. Mk1 Vitesse also had different bumpers, they're not quite as deep, possibly shaving a couple of inches off the overall length.
And definitly blanking plugs on your spoiler.

[Manalishi]

Just consulting the 'Rover 800, the complete story' book, there looks to have been three different spoilers. Yes the one on mine shown was 'standard' but still not all all fastbacks. The skirts are from an 820 Turbo as I think the rubbing strips are but not sure. Mk1 Vitesse also had different bumpers, they're not quite as deep, possibly shaving a couple of inches off the overall length.
And definitly blanking plugs on your spoiler.

Thanks Mark. Need to fabricate something there. Can’t be too complicated.

My car has the smaller bumpers. I think it makes the car look less heavy and more of a sprinter.

[Manalishi]

Small things make a difference. My car lacked the chrome strips over the windshield and the rear sixthlights. Cheapy eBay stuff but it works for a winter or two.

[scoobyh123]

Looking good Henrik - i don't know why but i always thought the Vitesse was meant to have black trim instead of chrome.
I might be confusing things with the Volvo and the GLT/GLE which is their Vitesse and Sterling equivalents or perhaps Ford and their GT or S Vs Ghia models.

What did Gunnar think of the Vitesse now?

[Manalishi]

Looking good Henrik - i don't know why but i always thought the Vitesse was meant to have black trim instead of chrome.
I might be confusing things with the Volvo and the GLT/GLE which is their Vitesse and Sterling equivalents or perhaps Ford and their GT or S Vs Ghia models.

What did Gunnar think of the Vitesse now?

I can agree on the skipped chrome trim bit Dave, and often, as pointed, the ”sportier” ones are black and not chrome. I remember my old Passat, a 79, the old one. I put black electric tape on the chrome trim and that made the car faster indeed!

With the vitesse I’m not sure as the chrome trim in the door mouldings (or rather stainless steel ones) are black. Not sure if an all black appearance would look smart. As I need to repaint the doors the fine light grey stripe will have to go and I’ll see what it looks like when we are there.

Gunnar liked it a lot, but we didn’t take it for a spin this time, only a start up.

By the way, it’s really noisy! How much engine note should there be? Mine sounds very potent and ”sporty”, but I would prefer less noise. Obviously the system is solid and sealed with no leaks.

The exhaust is as you know new but I’m wondering if the silencers are smaller on the cat-version? I have a cat-version exhaust, specially fitted to my non-cat home made front pipe. I know they aren’t the same by number but not sure if there is any difference in the size of silencer?

The manifold is the original one with inner and outer pipe. I did cut the outer pipe some higher than the joint but it feels strange if this would be the problem.

I’ll see if I can find the pics.

Pics found.
Original (?) exhaust next to the one I fitted, first silencer and the joint where the double skin front pipe can be seen.

[scoobyh123]

Did you join to the inner of the double-skinned front pipe Henrik? Not entirely sure on the silencer sizes, i know the cat ones are less effective at silencing as the cat takes so much out, not just efficiency but noise as well.

[Manalishi]

Did you join to the inner of the double-skinned front pipe Henrik? Not entirely sure on the silencer sizes, i know the cat ones are less effective at silencing as the cat takes so much out, not just efficiency but noise as well.

No I didn't. Not sure what I did do, but the inner pipe is definately stainless steel. One plan was to wrap it all in heat wrap but I really have mixed emotions about it as I strongly believe it holds moist leading to rust.

I think so too and I think that might be the reason as the system is for a catted car. Ok it's not over-loud, but I was hoping this would be as quiet as a regular 827 (mk2) that I have driven. (Gunnars) And it is not.

[scoobyh123]

I hope heat-wrap doesn't hold moisture and lead to rust Henrik!



Theory says because it gets hot it dries out so doesn't hold moisture, it's also non-adbsorbent as far as i know.

Thinking back to when i last had the decat pipe fitted, it was a fair bit raspier - "rortier" than with the cat on there. Also more powerful, economical and smoother.

[Manalishi]

It’s a bit like with a taxi Dave. If you drive it enough it never gets cold and details like the exhaust lasts Forever.

I have heat wrap on my Austin special. It is quite expensive top notch stuff and it definately gets wet. It was even the way of fitting it, soak in water, then wrap tight and start it up to heat to shrink the wrap. It’s almost like a plaster casting around the manifold ”bunch of bananas”. Very ”Brooklands” too!

Obviously when a car runs it takes 20seconds for it to dry out but if driving a car seldom, leaving it for days or weeks outdoors in the elements I’m not too sure. But it might be brain ghosts as we say here so I might give it a go later on.

[scoobyh123]

Very true with the taxi analogy Henrik. The heatwrap i used doesn't need water to fit it, i seem to recall it also said it was waterproof. It's a few years back now so can't remember exactly but it definitely pays dividends on the 827 - the oil stays much cleaner and in better condition a lot longer.

It also quietens the exhaust and improves performance too.

[Manalishi]

Very true with the taxi analogy Henrik. The heatwrap i used doesn't need water to fit it, i seem to recall it also said it was waterproof. It's a few years back now so can't remember exactly but it definitely pays dividends on the 827 - the oil stays much cleaner and in better condition a lot longer.

It also quietens the exhaust and improves performance too.

Sounds interesting so probably go that route too! Thanks Dave, you cleared the ghosts!

[scoobyh123]

Glad to help Henrik!

[Manalishi]

Not too bad!

[scoobyh123]

Not too bad!

EEEeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk!!! Those wheelarch spats certainly harbour moisture and dirt!

Good luck with sorting all that out! Are you refitting the spats afterwards?

[Manalishi]

Not too bad!

EEEeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk!!! Those wheelarch spats certainly harbour moisture and dirt!

Good luck with sorting all that out! Are you refitting the spats afterwards?

Yup!!
I was quite honest. The inside of the sill and floor is actually ok (on that side!) and cutting that out and making a new panel is easy peasy. And with my new hyadralic ramps and speed glass helmet I’m almost looking forward to the job. Too many memories of being on my back, seeing zero-zip-nothing and still welding. Ouch...


More pics tomorrow. Promise.

Ps. It’s always worse than the first appearance...