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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[chris watton]

I wonder if these thermal manifold sleeves would be an OK substitute, and may just be doable with a little bit of contorting:

https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/thermo-tec-8-...

Looks like you simply wrap the sleeve around the pipe and then you can pull it into position like a sock.

The problem I have is that one of the manifold pipes is actually touching the bulkhead heat shield.

[chris watton]

mk1fan said:

I have two coated mounts to fit too.

Looks more and more less faffy / sensible to wait for the engine swap.

Meant to ask, what are you swapping your engine with, and why?

[chris watton]

mk1fan]Tamy's [still original said:

3.6 has always been tappety but now there's a slight whining. Now this could be nothing or it could be something.

I've no issues with the performance of the 3.6 but have started to make vague plans for a rebuild of some sorts.

Then up popped a 4.0 engine on evil bay being sold needing a rebuild. Complete with gearbox, throttle bodies, injectors, manifolds and alternator. Seller was down the road from me. Went and had a look. Engine ran, no noises but smokey when warmed up.

Had a look at Powers website. Replacement tall engine £7.4k, standard rebuild £5.4k. The engine offered was less than the £2k difference and came with other bits too. So deal was done.

Seller was also heading past Powers and delivered it for me.

I instructed Dom that I was in no hurry for the motor so it has been with him a month now. I think it's ready for assembly but there's been a few 'urgent' requests made so (and I have no issue with this) Dom has set mine aside.

Once returned to me and after Samy goes to the paint shop, I'll do an engine swap - along with some wiring mods and other bits whilst the engine is out. I've got a set of modded throttle bodies to go on too.

Sounds great - Quite a project then! Should be better than new when complete.

[chris watton]

This is why I was thinking of having the ceramic coating - one of the manifold pipes actually touches the heat shield, and no matter what I do, I cannot change that:

[chris watton]

m4tti said:

Chris. Was it touching before the rebuild? Did you have new engine mounts? You may achieve some clearance by loosening the engine mount bolts and having someone push the engine towards the drivers side while you tighten them up again.

I can't honestly remember, I never really took much notice before. Not sure about the mounts, but they look quite new. Will see if the engine can be moved slightly towards the drivers side when it's next in.

If it can't be moved, then there's not a chance in hell of those larger bore manifolds fitting, not without incurring heat damage, at least, I would have thought.

[chris watton]

m4tti said:

Haven't studied those new manifolds, sure Clive will be able to comment on fitment. I'll check mine later. Bonnets on the shelf.

I know the body is wider on the Sag (Clive's car). I wonder if the engine bay is, too. Or it may be as you say, my engine is too far to one side...

[chris watton]

m4tti said:

Seems to be plenty of clearance in the Tuscan.

You're right!

I wonder if it's worth just taking the whole lot off and starting again?

But I assume the engine needs to be dropped to do that properly, which is 13 hours labour.

Didn't think to get that sorted while the engine was out, effing idiot....

[chris watton]

m4tti said:

Can you remember what it was like before the rebuild. It wouldn't need to have moved by more than a couple of degrees to close that clearance up.

I can't unfortunately, Matt. I think it's something I'm going to have to live with for a while as it's something I cannot rectify myself. (Negative Midas Touch when it comes to working on my Tam...)

[chris watton]

m4tti said:

Good man.

Chris, If things are sitting a bit of centre this could explain your resonance.

I don't think it's the manifolds that caused the resonance, I am sure that was the full big bore system I just had fitted. I wrapped most of the exhaust and now there's no vibration in the cabin. I am just worried about the manifold pipe being too close to the bulkhead, as I know just how hot they get. The resonance occurred once the exhaust was hot, and made a terrible drone when lifting off.

[chris watton]

SergSC said:

Has your insulation been refreshed? If its the original stuff and anything like mine, it will have de-laminated (turns into thick fluffy fibre glass), which brings the foil closer to the manifolds by ~1 inch, but not in danger of coming into contact with the body.
If they are coming off you might as well redo that bit of insulation (if not already)

That may be a possible reason, Serg, but could I rip out the old shield and replace it with new while everything is still in place?

[chris watton]

Cheers Stewart, that looks about the same as mine, then. Your heat shield looks flat against the bulkhead, whereas mine seems thicker, presumably because of the fibre backing.

[chris watton]

Cheers Clive. I think I shall take out the old insulation and replace it with new stuff.

Are there any recommendations for the best heat shield to use so close to the manifolds, and what is the best adhesive to secure the mat?

ETA - I would also like to wrap my cats, but I assume I need someone to take the lower front exhaust off in order to get to the top one?

Edited by chris watton on Thursday 18th June 21:28

[chris watton]

m4tti said:

Chris give nimbus Motorsport a call. They will send you some free samples, so you can make your on mind up. Mine bulk head has Dei floor and tunnel on it and the flat areas you see are DEI Reflect a cool. They are both self adhesive.

http://www.nimbusmotorsport.com/ProdShop.asp?categ...

You can get gold reflective shield if you want some bling

Thanks Matt

Will the self adhesive backing be ok in such close proximity to the manifolds?