Taking manifolds off - does the engine need to come out?

[chris watton]

I am thinking of having my manifolds ceramic coated at some point.

However, that all depends on one thing, does the engine have to come out to take off/install the manifolds?

Cheers

[mk1fan]

That's why I bought a second set of manifolds.

Performance 1 Coatings did mine and I'm happy with the result.

http://www.performance1coatings.com/

I can't help with the removal question though. I'd like to know too. Looking at it, I think they should come off 'in situ' from below. Once the CATs are off there should be access. Would need some ramps at the very least I would think.

[chris watton]

mk1fan said:

That's why I bought a second set of manifolds.

Performance 1 Coatings did mine and I'm happy with the result.

http://www.performance1coatings.com/

I can't help with the removal question though. I'd like to know too. Looking at it, I think they should come off 'in situ' from below. Once the CATs are off there should be access. Would need some ramps at the very least I would think.

I have performance 1 Coating in my Favourites, and Zircotec. I asked for a quote from the latter and I got this:

"Regarding pricing; for a TVR S6 6 cylinder (2 x 3) manifold, the cost to coat is £327.00 for Primary Black™; £468 for Performance White™ or £538 for any from our Performance Colours™ range. Prices exclude shipping and VAT."

Quite a lot - more than the cost of new manifolds!

I wouldn't change them myself, but would get a specialist to change them. But it depends on how easy they can be removed/fitted - a couple of hours labour or, if the engine needs to come out, it wouldn't be financially viable. Wish I could have afforded the ceramic coating when I had the 4.3...

ETA - Have emailed Dom to find out...

Edited by chris watton on Wednesday 10th June 16:23

[mk1fan]

I think I spent about £1,100 (inc VAT and return delivery) with Performance 1 on all the various bits I dropped off.

Off the top of my head the list was;
Speed 6 manifolds and de-cat pipes.
S3C manifolds and de-cat pipes.
Rocker covers to the V6.
Alternator bracket to the V6.
Front diff cradle off the S3C - with hindsight this hould have been galvanised instead.
Speed 6 fuel rail.
Spped 6 engine mounts.

15 items in all.

Photobucket photos!

[chris watton]

Cool! Never thought about getting the cats coated too!

Do you have them on your Tam now, and has it made any noticeable difference?

[chris watton]

Ah, Dom tells me that, to change the manifolds, it's an 80% engine drop.

[mk1fan]

They are empty CAT cans. I need to speak to Performance 1 about whether CATs can be coated. No time like the present I suppose. So just e-mailed them.

If I don't like the sound of the de-CAT'd car I'll get the CAT's coated. Well, I'll get the existing and spare the CAT's (I picked up at a great price coated).

[mk1fan]

chris watton said:

Ah, Dom tells me that, to change the manifolds, it's an 80% engine drop.

WTF does that mean?????

Sounds like a faff, I might wait until the engine swap then.

[chris watton]

mk1fan said:

WTF does that mean?????

Sounds like a faff, I might wait until the engine swap then.

I don't know, but it sounds expensive, labour-wise.

[ninetynine]

Took my manifolds off on mine very awkward job even with a ramp but it can be done from memory I think I had to take one of the engine mounts off to get them out

[mk1fan]

I'll have a look on Saturday when I'm faffing about. Need to swap the back box over and renew the hangers so may swap the CAT's over at the same time.

[mk1fan]

Quick response re the CATs -

'We can coat these too. I'm glad the rest is all fitted and hope
all looks well?

Costs for these would be £45 per item. (VAT & shipping
excluded)

We are now running a 7 day turnaround.'

Hhmm, when Samy is off to the bodyshop may send of the 4 CAT's and other spare manifolds (somehow I have 3 sets) for coating.

[chris watton]

Cool!

I think I need a plan, perhaps something for the end of year. I would like the gearbox changed to CR, and perhaps while the gearbox is out, have the manifolds and cats ceramic coated (I have just wrapped most of the exhaust under the car, but for terrible resonance reasons, it's the full big bore system) - I think the Tam will be perfect for me, then.

One thing I have noticed, the standard manifolds are actually touching the bulkhead heat shield in one area, I wonder how the larger bore SS manifolds would fit - must be very tight!

[mk1fan]

I'll probably have a nice collection of spares by then

[m4tti]

mk1fan said:

Quick response re the CATs -

'We can coat these too. I'm glad the rest is all fitted and hope
all looks well?

Costs for these would be £45 per item. (VAT & shipping
excluded)

We are now running a 7 day turnaround.'

Hhmm, when Samy is off to the bodyshop may send of the 4 CAT's and other spare manifolds (somehow I have 3 sets) for coating.

What is performance 1 coating them with for that money?

[chris watton]

Dom tells me it takes around 13 hours labour to take off/put back the manifolds, plus antifreeze, oil etc.

That's kyboshed that idea, then.

[mk1fan]

m4tti,

No idea of the actual product. Webpage speil is for heat management but as I haven't fitted any stuff to a 'working' car yet I can give no back up to the claims.

I need to sort Tamy's exhaust over the weekend. I can at least compare the temps of the CATs and de-CATs. Plus the manifolds and the de-CATs.

Chris,

I think I'll wait for the engine swap.

[coco79]

I would get rid of the de-cat rings and replace with a collector for much better exhaust flow..then some nice ceramic coloured coating

[clive f]

coco79 said:

I would get rid of the de-cat rings and replace with a collector for much better exhaust flow..then some nice ceramic coloured coating

a collector would be very nice, but with laws getting more stringent every year what will you do when you may be forced to refit your cats? it`ll be very tricky to find a short enough in line cat to fit without hitting the bellhousing or chassis?

[coco79]

clive f said:

coco79 said:

I would get rid of the de-cat rings and replace with a collector for much better exhaust flow..then some nice ceramic coloured coating

a collector would be very nice, but with laws getting more stringent every year what will you do when you may be forced to refit your cats? it`ll be very tricky to find a short enough in line cat to fit without hitting the bellhousing or chassis?

Not sure about everyone else, but my emissions are on par with a Peugeot 206..let's just hope they stay that way