A stainless steel exhaust is the most worthwhile exhaust upgrade for the 1098cc Midget, replacing the short-lived mild steel original with a system that carries a lifetime guarantee against corrosion. In the damp British climate, where road salt attacks mild steel from the first winter, a stainless system is fitted once and forgotten, making it the most cost-effective choice over the life of the car.
The 1098cc Application
The 1098cc engine was fitted to the Mk1 (from October 1962) and the Mk2 Midget. Its exhaust system is specific to this installation, differing from the later 1275cc and 1500cc systems in pipe routing, silencer position, and the manifold connection. The system must therefore be ordered to suit the 1098cc car specifically; a 1275cc or 1500cc system will not fit correctly.
Stainless Steel Construction
Stainless systems are manufactured from corrosion-resistant grades with mirror-finish silencer bodies, produced to accurate tolerances for straightforward fitment. The stainless construction resists the internal and external corrosion that destroys mild steel silencers, and the smooth bore promotes efficient gas flow. The traditional MG exhaust note is retained, so the car sounds correct.
Fitting and Components
A complete system fitment includes the necessary clamps, brackets, mounting rubbers, and the manifold gasket. The mounting rubbers isolate the system from the body to prevent transmitted noise and fatigue, and renewing these alongside the system is good practice. The system connects to the original or a replacement exhaust manifold.
Ordering Considerations
Confirm the car is the 1098cc model before ordering, as the system is specific to this engine. Order the fitting kit, clamps, brackets, and mountings, at the same time, as these perished components are usually due for renewal whenever the exhaust is changed. A stainless system is a one-time investment that ends the recurring cost of mild steel replacement.