Exhaust manifolds S3
Exhaust manifolds S3
Author
Discussion

esmyth

Original Poster:

73 posts

260 months

Monday 14th February 2005
quotequote all
Hi all. Just removed the manifolds over the weekend - managed to break one bolt - is this a an imperial thread ?

Secondly which new manifold to choose - stainless or mild steel ???

The existing maifolds have the down pipes inserted into the bottom of them and a clamp holding them in place - this seems a poor method of ensuring a gas tight seal - are there any manifolds where the down pipe goes over the end of the manifold ?

kentishS2

15,169 posts

258 months

Monday 14th February 2005
quotequote all
Hi,

The mainfolds don't rust anyway because of the high temperature which burns off condensation in seconds after start up but you do get a fine surface rust but it's generally burnt off.

Mild steel is also more forgiving and less prone to cracking, it's also cheaper and if you do need to ever weld it, anyone can do it without the need to find a company who weld stainless steel.

IMHO, it's also best to have mild steel downpipes as they get hit on speed ramps so frequently and again are less prone to cracking. You can spray them with VHT silver paint and they still look nice or better still use manifold wrap to lower those under bonnet temperatures and enhance the performance a little.

esmyth

Original Poster:

73 posts

260 months

Monday 14th February 2005
quotequote all
Those were my thoughts on favouring mild steel over stainless - however i would still like to alter the way the manifold and down pipes fit together - if you know what I mean

Kentish

15,169 posts

258 months

Monday 14th February 2005
quotequote all
I know what you mean!

I have modified downpipes fitted now, they have extended and sleeved sockets to fit properly over the exhaust so that it fits well and doesn't leak.

Podie

46,647 posts

299 months

Monday 14th February 2005
quotequote all

esmyth

Original Poster:

73 posts

260 months

Monday 14th February 2005
quotequote all
Thanks all - Kentish who supplied your manifolds and are they stainless ? This set sounds good.

Kentish

15,169 posts

258 months

Monday 14th February 2005
quotequote all
Mine are JP which were the same as those sold by ACT but they are cheaper from ACT (work that one out). Mild steel for reasons mentioned above and the downpipes are also JP but I have had them modified with the socket extensions to obtain a really good seal over the exhaust system.

Stainless steel does look nicer and the manifolds go that nice blue shiny colour!