996 Manifolds - options?

[chris_w]

Things are starting to get a bit noisy out back and my manifolds are the prime suspect. Have previously scared myself by looking into the cost of sorting and then ignored as they were essentially fine but rusty, now can't put it off any longer.

I'm looking for OE levels of performance and noise, with that in mind has anyone any experience or comments on the following options please:

- DesignTek (Design 911, £554), claims slight improvement in performance and some more noise, too much?

- EuroCup GT, High flow (£295 from Porscheshop), look ok value but maybe louder?

- MillTek (Design 911, £600), no performance claims, are they an OE equivalent?

- OE (£700+?)

- eBay stainless steel (£~140), look ok but have heard they reduce performance?

Also, looking for an indie in the SE who is comfortable with this job (broken studs, helicoils etc) and, naturally, doesn't charge the earth, anyone got any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

[Chris Stott]

chris_w said:

Also, looking for an indie in the SE who is comfortable with this job (broken studs, helicoils etc) and, naturally, doesn't charge the earth, anyone got any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Can't advise on the manifolds, but I can recommend GTOne in Chertsey as a good Indie.

[Terminator X]

Surely you'd avoid EBay cheap ste like the plague with any 911?!

TX.

[Slippydiff]

What 996 are we talking Chris ?

[chris_w]

Terminator X said:

Surely you'd avoid EBay cheap ste like the plague with any 911?!

Normally yes but I've seen a good write ups on them elsewhere. But have also seen a comment which says they sap a little power which puts me off.

Good point Slippy - it's a '99 996 C2 (standard 3.4). Already have the modded back boxes so not in need of any more noise.

[bobsan]

OP, are you sure its the manifold's, unusual for them to perish.

[nogsk]

Can't help with the which part. I'd recommend Addspeed Horsham

[chris_w]

bobsan said:

OP, are you sure its the manifold's, unusual for them to perish.

Have previously inspected them when the car is up on ramps and they're not pretty. Good point though, will be inspecting again before going through the expense, could just be a clamp etc.

[chris_w]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Just sounds like it's blowing. Other indications that it's got a leak somewhere in that it's a bit uneven at low revs (and MAF has been done) which I suspect might be linked.

[edc]

If it's blowing its got to be cheaper to check the bolts/connections. I don't know what the 911 is like but on my Boxster most of the bolts were thoroughly rusty and of the bolts from manifold to midpipe one had a nut the other side that was so rusty it barely held together. As for ebay manifolds, I went down this route coupled with a silencer. Visually the quality is pretty decent, especially when you compare the price to other similar kit. As for power gains, the butt dyno says yes but I am due on the RR again soon and have already got a standard baseline from the same RR earlier this year to compare to.

[Pugley]

I have a set of original 996 manifolds. Rusty but perfectly sound as I removed them to fit stainless a few years ago.

PM me if you are interested.

[chris_w]

Pugley said:

PM me if you are interested.

Thanks - have sent PM but got an error message, please let me know if it didn't make it through.