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MG MGB Technical - Horn upgrades for ' 80 B



I was wondering if anyone has tried aftermarket horns on their B's? I found a pair of new Fiamm horns for $10 each. My LE has one wire going to each horn and I was wondering how I should wire this if I use a 2 terminal horn. I haven't been able to find single terminal horns like the originals. I'm also planning on adding a relay to the system. Paul's website has some info on this that I've already read through.

Thanks in advance.

Dave
David Plantz

Just run a gound wire for the second terminal.

Wayne
Wayne Pearson

Dave,
Up grading your MG horns is a great idea. I put a set of the MOSS duel air horns on my MGC. I still have the original horns on my MGB. The air horns make a tremendous difference. A rely is recommended. Wayne is right-on about the second wire to a good clean ground.

Dave
Dave Kalp

I went to the salvage yard and bought some Cadillac horns.

Haven't installed them yet, but they should "clear the way".

rick
rick ingram

Dave,
I've used both the modern "snail" OE-style horns and a two trumpet air horn. I prefer the air horn and have one on the blue car. The red one has a Model-T Oogah horn, but that's another story... I got the air horn at Harbor Freight and fitted it without the need for modification. I recommend it for where we live and especially Morgantown.
Kemper

I have air horns on my 74 midget, work great on a day over 45 degrees, but no so great in temps below 40.I would go with the "snail"
James


Thanks for the advice guys. I'm trying to decide where to put the relay now. My first thought was to stick it beside the others near the fusebox, but thought about putting it inside. My car is never in the rain anyway, so it would probably be just fine in the engine bay with the others.

My '77 B has a set of earlier B horns on it. A PO drilled holes and mounted them directly onto the hood close panel. Their idea of wiring them was to tape the bare wires to the terminals. I pulled those and plan to put a set of the snail horns back on the original brackets.

I found this info in the BB archives for wiring the relay:

horn push wire goes to W2 on the relay, wire to the horns goes to C1, power on W1, and C2 is the ground.

Many thanks,

Dave
David Plantz

I have the OE "snail" horns wired to the horn push and a pair of Maserati "discord" air horns on a spring loaded toggle on an auxilary switch panel ,between them they let the car say dooh daaah which is fun. I use whichever warning device suits the purpose, a pedestrian in a dream in a high walled narrow street, a toot on the "snails" A lorry pulling out when I,m halway past, I let the Maserati brothers have a word in Italian.
Stan Best

David,
Over the years I have installed several types of air and magnetic horns, or what others are referring to as snail horns. The air horns are usually louder, but vary with brand and model. (they are not all the same) Check out the db on each and get the highest number. Just a couple of db at higher ranges makes a huge difference.
Also, I found that keeping the plastic hose short between the pump and the horns allows for a faster response to your request for noise. Due to lack of space, one time I positioned the pump on one side of the radiator panel, and the horns out near the grill. There was a short pause before the sound came out, which can be very disconcerting when a lorry pulls out.
Cleve

I installed Hella horns in my B, and boy do they clear the way! It was a simple installation and I think they sound appropriate for the car. I previously had an air horn installed, but it had a delay while generating the necessary air. I guess I like immediate gratification!
Jeff Schlemmer

Dave,
I installed a pair of Fiamm horns on my A by using the original mounts and wiring, and grounding the black wire to the body. They have a higher pitch, "European" sound and definitely attract attention. Easy, inexpensive and effective.
Bill
Bill Boorse



Bill,
Glad to hear that the Fiamms sound okay. I was happy with their cheap price and somewhat close appearance to the B's original horns.

Jeff,

I bought a pair of Hella horns for an older Volvo that I drive. They were a huge improvement over the stock setup.

Thanks,
Dave
Dave Plantz

"I put a set of the MOSS duel air horns on my MGC"

Is that like "duelling banjos" :o)

It's actually more convenient to put the relay in the cabin, I have mine mounted by the column, that is where all the wires you will need are.
Paul Hunt 2

This thread was discussed between 07/03/2006 and 09/03/2006

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