Extractors (also known as “headers”) might be the ultimate, but what can I do to improve my exhaust system without spending a fortune?

After experimenting with several system configurations on a series 1 E-Type I found that a straight through system in which the centre silencers were replaced with 600 mm resonators worked for me.

Resonators come in several guises, but I used the following: A perforated pipe passing through a larger body with the space between packed with fibreglass. I kept the pipe diameters 1-3/4” all the way to the rear. This offers much less resistance to flow than the standard system. The result is “street legal” for sound under modest power, but can make a delightful growl when provoked. The standard rear resonators were retained.

The inlet and outlet ends of the original twin centre silencers are offset and not opposite one another. Therefore, if your front pipes are to the original pattern, the above idea will result in the pipes not being quite parallel. Over the length of the car this will not be noticed. Incidentally, the twin exhaust pipes should exit under the reversing light at 6 inch centres.