84 replies to this topic

[GordonMasson]

OK so not a great start to the new year…. But happy New Year to you all anyway!

So, the manifold on the GT3 has developed a small hole in it just next to the locating stud on cylinder No. 3.

No doubt there will be various view on whether to go for a Lotus replacement or a tubular stainless alternative so I throw the question open to the experts out there who may have been here before.

Suggestions please … and an idea of cost would be great too.

Thanks

[Trevsked]

Gordon,

Manifolds are about £500 plus fitting. That's for a cast one and would be what I would get fitted. Depending on who is able to do it and how far you want to travel I would think the total cost would be in the region of £1500.

Trevor.

[Nelly9000]

I am going for a stainless tubular on my S2 when funds allow - for me going tubular or cast depends on how long you are keeping the car for. If its a lifer and you can afford it then go stainless.

[Bibs]

Neil, speak to Simon350s as he's got my old RDEnterprises tubular manifold gathering dust. I'm sure he'd be open to an offer on it.

[mr.oogieboogie]

Stainless about £850 around the same price as a cast one

[Bibs]

£525 from SWLC

[Alex --GT3--]

I had mine replaced recently, the Cast one from SWLC. The expensive bit is not the fitting of the new but the taking off of the old if the nuts are all siezed. Some were on mine and so the garage cut them all off and replaced all with new studs and nuts.

[GordonMasson]

OK thanks for the info guys.

So it sounds like a cast one is the one to go for then?
Anyone think the stainless one is a better option before I bite the built.

Any suggested alternatives to SWLC or is that the best to go for?

[gghc87]

Had the SWLC manifold fitted to my S4S in May 2007. Seems fine so far.

[Bibs]

Gordon, the 3 choices are OEM, SWLC or Stainless Steel. If I were replacing mine, I'd go down the SWLC route. If you want that one, let me know and I'll see if I can get you a deal

[mr.oogieboogie]

Mine had an update south west lotus manifold on and it cracked when I was looking they were £725 plus the vat now 525 plus the vat so delivered around £650 would I still buy a stainless manifold and save the 200 quid today .. Yes worth the additional 200 quid also don't have to take off the engine mount for fitting

[Luke Colorado]

Who's manufacturing SS manifolds?

I have one, but it was part of a limited run manufactured here in the States. Several other people have made there own or comissioned small runs, but I didn't know they were available off the shelf.

[Bibs]

They're not, Pete has his done by a local exhaust company.

[mr.oogieboogie]

Hello Lucas, I had my name on one of the ones that Al had made but when the 1st batch did not fit I got one made in the uk I know they have now supplied at least one other to an s4s . Dr Hess (the chap in the states who made the original stainless one) sent me over details that were very helpful when mine was made

[Luke Colorado]

I'm pretty sure I can source one of "Al's" (it's a nice piece) if someone is interested!

[comem47]

Don't know about turbo cars, but I purchased and installed a Dave Bean stainless 4-2-1 header into exhaust system on my S2 and love it. (still wonderful 20 plus years later.) Sadly it went out of production shortly after I bought it. As mentioned, getting off the old cast iron lump was a bit of a challenge with poor access to the nuts and some came out with the studs and one I had to cut off with a torch. Besides the much lighter weight and better breathing , the future access to the mounting hardware is much better. Once again, that's for an S2 and YMMV.

[mangel]

I need one of these too. was going to go stainless but not sure what I'm doing with the old girl this year now so will go for the SWLC one instead I think!!

[GordonMasson]

Gordon, the 3 choices are OEM, SWLC or Stainless Steel. If I were replacing mine, I'd go down the SWLC route. If you want that one, let me know and I'll see if I can get you a deal

Bibs

Thanks mate..... see PM i sent you

Cheers
Gordon

[GSimpson]

The stainless headers can be prone to cracking due to the heat. A steel header is better. I have had a couple made for cars I have had. One, which had an exposed header I had chrome plated but one could get one of those ceramic coatings done in the colour of your choice. I had the Supercharged Lancia I have a header made 4 into 1 in steel with the rest in stainless. The header cost $NZ200 (~100 euro) I did supply the plate for the head and made up a jig.
My lotus obviously had a cracked manifold at some stage as it came with a steel fabricated header. I have picked up a cast manifold locally since and I have in storage somewhere.
Look at steel headers as it is easier to work with and less prone to cracking. Corrosion is not a problem as it is hot enough to keep dry. Fit a stainless muffler if you like,

[PilotSteve]

has any one tried the quicksiver system sold by the forums for a n/a s3 need to replace mine or any info on the sj sports system thxs for any info rgds steve