Service today: more on the to-do list

My P38 is currently at a LR specialist having a service. I've opted for the big one where everything is replaced so I know I've got a reasonable base line to start from.

As expected though, a few problems have been identified.

1. Air con can't be regassed as the condenser is leaking. I plan to fix this myself - either with "liquid metal" or more likely by swapping it out for a new part. Any horror stories on this one or is it just a case of following RAVE and not putting your screwdriver through the radiator?

2. One of the foglight switches on the dash doesn't illiminate when you push it in, however the foglights do work. Therefore, sounds like the bulb behind the button. I was told changing this requires partial disassembly of the dashboard(!). Is this true? Any tried and tested methods for the unskilled and lazy like me? I wouldn't normally worry about this sort of thing but was informed this is likely to be a MOT failure, so I need to get it sorted somehow.

3. Three of the four airbags will need doing at some point over the next few months so it makes sense to replace the lot. What's the consensus... Worth paying more for Arnott IIs, or are the "proper" Dunlops the way forward? I know there's a price differential, but given that I'm only planning on doing this job once in the time I'll own the car I'm happy to spend more if it's actually worth it. The car never gets used offroad, will definitely never tow anything, and will rarely carry more than a few people and associated luggage.

4. The centre box of my exhaust is on the way out. This gives me the perfect excuse to start looking for replacements that will aurally optimise the fact I've got a big V8 under the bonnet. A quick read-around has informed me that Powerflow exhausts are well regarded. Any other recommended exhausts that provide that TVR-esque soundtrack?

Janspeed catback system, good value and sound - or replace the centre box with a cherrybomb - nice sound without denting the wallet.

1. Can't repair, buy new

2. True. Takes about 20 minutes. The bulbs are very small and go in the side of the switch.

3. Going with arn II's myself. But Dunlops are cheaper and OE fitment.

4. Janspeed system is great! Getting rid of the centre box on mine and putting straight pipe in.

I can vouch for the Janspeed, have the cat back system on mine - makes it sound like a proper V8 should.
I'm going with Arnotts when i replace mine on next big job.

If you don't off road and if your not likely to do another 80k miles I'd stick with Dunlop

odysseus said:

2. One of the foglight switches on the dash doesn't illiminate when you push it in, however the foglights do work. Therefore, sounds like the bulb behind the button. I was told changing this requires partial disassembly of the dashboard(!). Is this true? Any tried and tested methods for the unskilled and lazy like me? I wouldn't normally worry about this sort of thing but was informed this is likely to be a MOT failure, so I need to get it sorted somehow.

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Here you go, I did some of mine a while back.

Fascia Switch Pack

stjohnsmythe said:

Here you go, I did some of mine a while back.

Fascia Switch Pack

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Brilliant information, thanks very much! :tea:
Out of interest, where did you get the bulbs?

StuckAgainSteve said:

Janspeed catback system, good value and sound - or replace the centre box with a cherrybomb - nice sound without denting the wallet.

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Would replacing the centre box with something like a cherry bomb make it loud and boomy on the motorway since you're sat on top of it?

What about the universal back boxes on eBay? I imagine fitting them would be a pain but could give some nice rumble without replacing everything.

odysseus said:

Brilliant information, thanks very much! :tea:
Out of interest, where did you get the bulbs?

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Just Google the part numbers, I think I got mine from Island 4x4.

speedyyellow said:

Would replacing the centre box with something like a cherry bomb make it loud and boomy on the motorway since you're sat on top

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No. It'll just let more sound pressure through to the back boxes. So you'll get a deeper and louder exhaust note. Part throttle\cruising refinement shouldn't be affected much. The cherrybomb itself is made from much thicker steel than a standard exhaust so if anything, localised sound emissions should be reduced. The rear boxes will warm up faster and run hotter extending their life.

Aircon is a new condensor, easy job.
I think the Arnott Gen II's are worth the extra, Gen III's only if you do serious off roading.
I have just fitted a Double S cat back stainless system, very good quality and a perfect fit.

StuckAgainSteve said:

No. It'll just let more sound pressure through to the back boxes. So you'll get a deeper and louder exhaust note. Part throttle\cruising refinement shouldn't be affected much. The cherrybomb itself is made from much thicker steel than a standard exhaust so if anything, localised sound emissions should be reduced. The rear boxes will warm up faster and run hotter extending their life.

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Sorry for the hijack odysseus...

So looking here shows a variety of length and diameter cherry bomb centre boxes, does anyone know the diameter of the standard exhaust? What difference would the length make, shorter would be louder?

Finally, if I were to roll into my local tyre/exhaust place with one of them in the boot would they be able to fit it? The pipes to connect that to the rest of the exhaust would need to be custom bent right?

speedyyellow said:

Sorry for the hijack odysseus...

So looking here shows a variety of length and diameter cherry bomb centre boxes, does anyone know the diameter of the standard exhaust? What difference would the length make, shorter would be louder?

Finally, if I were to roll into my local tyre/exhaust place with one of them in the boot would they be able to fit it? The pipes to connect that to the rest of the exhaust would need to be custom bent right?

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I can't remember the name of the bloke who fitted one on here unfortunately, but he did say the inlet and outlet are 2.5inches and the cherrybomb was 28 inches long.

On my old classic I put a combination of Turbo Mufflers and a cherry bombs on it.

No worries about the hijack, it's a topic that's relevant to my needs and one that I'm interested in (as my YouTube search history will confirm).

Obviously the main thing to make a V8 sound like a V8 is the exhaust, but is there anything else relating the breathing that should be looked at? Air filter or similar?

In principle, I would have no issue with my Range Rover looking like a classy and refined SUV when parked, and sounding like a beefy Griffith / Camaro when moving.

I also like to keep mine classy & original but like to have a nice V8 sound to it. My Janspeed system gives just the right sound. No noise on a motorway run but a quite thrum. You can always add sports cats (Double S) do them in 200 & 100 cpi.
I'd steer clear of 'performance' air filters as the oil coating can clog the MAF & cause running issues.

martynv8 said:

I also like to keep mine classy & original but like to have a nice V8 sound to it. My Janspeed system gives just the right sound. No noise on a motorway run but a quite thrum. You can always add sports cats (Double S) do them in 200 & 100 cpi.
I'd steer clear of 'performance' air filters as the oil coating can clog the MAF & cause running issues.

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Good call on the air filters. Mine has some K&N thing (a consequence of the LPG install I think) which I'll tolerate as long as it doesn't knacker the MAF.

On the subject of your Janspeed, do you mind me asking when you did this and how much you paid? Also, forgive my ignorance but what is 200 and 100 cpi? I've never had anything other than standard exhausts on any of my cars so have little knowledge of tuning in this area!

I got my Janspeed from Roadrunner (on the bay) £475 last September & the pipework looks as new as when fitted. You have to cut away the rear valance for the rear pipes to exit (images on my profile).
CPI is cells per inch. I think the stock cats are 400cpi so sports cats let the exhaust 'breath' better. A full sports set up also makes the exhaust system run hotter quicker so prolongs life, especially on short runs where otherwise the exhaust doesn't heat up to evaporate condensation in the system & can cause early corrosion.
If mine behaves it'self long enough i'll probably go for a sports cat set-up.

Your car looks exceptional Martyn, I'm getting inspiration from those pictures!

In my case I think my back boxes are ok so it's just the centre section which needs to be done sooner rather than later. Maybe a temporary cherrybomb type centre in the short to medium term, with a full SS Janspeed in the frame as the long term plan.

Thanks Odysseus! I do try & keep it clean & spangley...just the one-thing-after-another mechanical issues that keep me busy with her now.
My mid box was corroded which prompted the stainless system, i run LPG which doesn't help with exhausts otherwise i may have gone with a cherrybomb.

martynv8 said:

My mid box was corroded which prompted the stainless system, i run LPG which doesn't help with exhausts otherwise i may have gone with a cherrybomb.

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My situation sounds the same as the one you describe. Corroded centre box leading to thoughts of upgrade. I'm interested about your comment about LPG though... Does this preclude the cherrybomb option? If so why?