Pre-Cat advice - Which manifolds/Y piece and 15" tyres?

[Fozzie73]

Hi All,

I'd be grateful of any input as I'm looking at the options to replace my manifolds as they have been welded previously (and I think are leaking some exhaust gasses too).

I've seen the ACT stainless manifolds which look great but just wanted to see if anyone has any experience of these or if there are other options I should consider before delving into the Piggy bank.

Any feedback or recommendations would be appreciated.

I'd also welcome any similar experience you have with reference to tyres - the car currently has little used TOYO's fitted but they are approaching 10 years old so I'd like to get some newer rubber before any serious miles this summer.

Many Thanks

John

[JamsD]

I have the ACT manifolds on my chim. I wish I had waited until the CliveF manifolds were created as I am completey underwhelmed by the finish and quality of the welding on them. The spatter and over all general look of them for the price I paid are not worth it. I also have a CliveF decat pipe which still makes me smile when I open the bonnet. I still might save up and buy the CliveF manifolds and ditch the ACT efforts.

[carsy]

This isn`t the first dissapointed customer with the ACT Stainless manifolds, I think it was Bobfather who recently expressed similar dissapointment. Shame really as Tim at ACT is a great bloke to deal with.

Maybe Clive F could be persuaded to produce a few pre cat style manifolds. Worth asking him.

As per tyres; Rainsport 3`s seem a popular choice at the minute.

[griffdude]

What he said /\

[Wildfire]

I have the ACT Manifolds and have had no issues with them. They have been on my car since 2003 and I have had no issues aside from the early exhaust manifold gaskets blowing, mainly where I have thing faces due to ported heads. Once I switched to the steel backed items all has been good.

Tim from ACT is a long standing member of the TVR community and ACT has been going for years. You guys who had issues, have you tried contacting him?


I have the full ACT system from the Cherry Bomb system through to the Y Piece and maniofld and it all works really well.

[Milky400]

I can only comment on Clive's work and it is second to none. If I was in your position I'd be saving a little more for Clive's artwork.

[Fozzie73]

Thanks folks - I've looked on both websites and have messaged Clive to see if these are something he could supply but if not I'm reading that ACT are the only provider?
Will let you know how I get on should anyone else be considering new manifolds.
Fingers crossed!
John

[stevesprint]

www.jpexhausts.co.uk makes the standard Precat manifolds in stainless steel

[Fozzie73]

Thanks again. Clive has confirmed he doesn't do precat manifolds so I think that removes my element of choice.

[andy43]

JP make (or used to make) the ACT bits. I've got ACT manifolds and a brand spanking Clive F Y piece - the Clive Y has turned a more even golden colour and has some beautiful welding but other than that I'm quite happy with both. I used ACT's bolt and gasket kits with the smaller headed bolts and nordlock washers, professionally fitted but nipped up by me
I don't think Clive does the 8 bolt flange stuff - if on a budget it might be worth considering converting to the catted V clamp bits as more secondhand V clamp type parts come up for sale as all but the earliest Chims also used them? Used Clive F and ACT bits do come up occasionally. If you just want 'ole-less manifolds have a shot at a wanted ad on facebook/PH etc as someone somewhere will want shut of a pair of catted V clamp manifolds and Y piece in half decent condition. Fill 'em with water as a rough and ready hole test. An hour or nine decatting with a masonry bit, chisel and a large box of elastoplasts might save a bit of cash

[Barreti]

If you go down the 2nd hand route make sure the manifolds are exactly the same layout.
What I mean is the pipe which goes to ports #5 & #7 are #5 at the top and #7 underneath.
There are some (Tim at ACT thinks they are JP) with the pipe configuration the other way around and the tube to #7 fouls the inner wing. This means it will rub away the heat protection matting then burn the fibreglass.
I have a beautiful pair of stainless manifolds like this and had to modify the inner wings to make them fit.

I think this only affects some of the early pre-cat cars which were modified after they left the factory when they found the twisting action of the engine was causing the manifolds to foul and wear through the heat shield.
Mine was very clearly modified but they only put a small indent to give the manifold some room to move.
The later cars have much more space around the back of the engine and it isn't a problem.