Alfetta exhaust mods (was Better Alfetta)

[graham.hilder@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Graham Hilder)]

Replying to my Better Alfetta post, Nathan wrote (in Vol.7 no.3) ....

>>>>>>>
All you need now is a bigger exhaust. ......my car with the standard
exhaust ...... wouldnt rev over 5000 in 3rd........we replaced
everything from the extractors back with our old race exhaust....a
standard centre muffler, followed by a 2.25"pipe all the way out
the back......... its loud, but still rorty....... and gee the engine revs a
lot better now ;)
>>>>>>>

Yes well I'm interested in any recommendations people might have
please, as to the Alfetta exhaust. Mine has the original manifold
and the adjacent in-line front unit (resonator, is it called?), but all
behind that is non-original, and apparently is standard stuff from a
standard exhaust shop, rather than any specialist performance
system.  I don't really know how much is to be gained if I replaced
some or all of it with performance-orientated stuff.   After all the
engine is just a standard one (apart from the slightly warm cams),
and as it is, it already revs perfectly happily to 6 and a half so it
doesn't really feel like it's being restricted by the exhaust system. 
(I'm not really looking for any more than 6 and a half to be on tap,
by the way.  This is a 90k mile old motor and not knowing its
history I feel I should treat it with a little respect, rev-wise).

Nonetheless, I'd be very interested in any more comments from
Nathan and/or others on the exhaust, including :

- -  Comments on the nanifold (original Euro cast iron)..... is there
much benefit from replacing this with a performance design?
Is the standard Alfetta design really as poor as sometimes
claimed?
 
- - Any comments about the resonator (the first in-line component
behind the manifold)? What is its function in life, and what would
be the pros and cons of removing it?

- -  Any other comments? This motor feels pretty damn free-revving
already. Given that, does it seem likely that I'd get much bang for
the buck if I spent money on a free-er flowing exhaust?  

All comments appreciated,
Thanks, 
Graham H. 
77 Alfetta GTV 2.0

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