[DeTomaso] 3503 at a Costa Mesa dealer

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/5/13 6 50 44, steve at snclocks.com writes:


> One thing that was not commented on are the dings I see in headers from
> impacting things like half-shafts and sway bars.
> 
>>>The headers are completely unmarked, as far as I can see.   The 
tailpipes have been 'clearanced' by being whanged by the swaybar, which is fairly 
typical.   The stock Pantera tailpipes were considerably smaller in diameter, 
while the factory GTS pipes were larger, and routinely got nailed by the 
swaybar when the suspension compressed.   These pipes have similar markings.


> >  Is this pretty much to be
> expected?  And, is it normal to see a flange/stub welded onto a pipe that 
> is
> part of a new exhaust system?
> 
>>>How else would you connect the muffler/tailpipe assembly to the header?  
 FWIW the tailpipe/mufflers are custom-made for this particular car, while 
the headers are Pantera-specific.

Or are you talking about the muffler hanger?   Proper Pantera mufflers 
incorporate a tab to accept the muffler hanger, but these are just generic 
ricer-boy mufflers, so the muffler shop that fabricated the tailpipes had to make 
do and just weld tabs to the pipes to accept hangers.   I suppose they did 
a fairly decent job of it?
> 
> >And, lastly, what is the benefit of the "lay down" radiator? 
> 
> >>>They lighten your wallet a lot!

They afford the opportunity to use sucker fans, which theoretically might 
have better performance, but practically, not so much.   It allows better 
access to the headlight raising mechanism.   Tiltiing the radiator forward 
reduces its frontal area exposed to the relative wind and thus theoretically 
reduces its effectiveness, but practically, not so much.

I think it's pretty much a wash, comparing the traditional setup with the 
laydown setup.   But a Pantera vendor put $1000 or more in his pocket, most 
likely replacing a perfectly good existing radiator/fan setup with a 
different, perfectly good radiator/fan setup, so SOMEBODY is gaining from the 
modification at least. :>)

Cheers!

Mike (the power of accurate observation is often labeled 'cynicism' by 
those who fail to have it...)