4.3 Pre-Cat Exhaust Manifolds & 'Y' Piece
Discussion
Hi all, have just thoroughly inspected the removed manifolds & Y piece, and though it all initially looked good and sound I have discovered a potential issue! The flat mounting flanges when cleared of the remnants of the old gaskets show signs of deterioration, in as much as they are flaky and the edges crumbly with rust. This concerns me as I believe when cleaned up and grit blasted the surface will not be satisfactory enough to provide a good seal! So, as I have them all off it would be prudent to replace them, therefore not wanting to have to fork out almost £1000 for the proprietary stainless systems available from suppliers, has anyone got a good set of manifolds and 'Y' piece that I could buy off them? All the best, Pete
JP exhausts in Macclesfield have Jigs and new flanges (already cut on a shelf under the bench IIRC) to replace if necessary.
However I'd be surprised if you cant just get the faces ground flat ~ there's plenty of meat in the metal to skim off any rust/crap. I'd try cleaning it up with a flap wheel first, it might just be somebody's liberal use of sealant because they followed PHadvice for sealant on clamp manifolds or couldn't be arsed to source new gaskets...?
However I'd be surprised if you cant just get the faces ground flat ~ there's plenty of meat in the metal to skim off any rust/crap. I'd try cleaning it up with a flap wheel first, it might just be somebody's liberal use of sealant because they followed PHadvice for sealant on clamp manifolds or couldn't be arsed to source new gaskets...?
Firstly thanks Russell for the offer, nice talking to you again. I have now made the decision to fit a nice ACT Stainless Steel system, original Pre-Cat style. Have spoken with Tim at ACT and placed the system on order!!! All I have to do now is finish off the other work in the engine compartment, fit the new heat pads, then when arrived install new manifolds and Y piece. Can't wait. Regards, Pete
Hoover. said:
Can you post some pics when you get them..... not seen replacement precats ones...
I love the big flanged connections on the precats, rather then the punny 500 efforts
Hi Hoover, yes I will post some pics of the new setup when it arrives. I agree the large flanged pre-cat setup does look nice. As mentioned in my thread I am changing the side heat pads/shields as well. Also giving the chassis a good clean down inside the engine compartment as several years of wax oil has baked on and made the chassis members look black. Regards, PeteI love the big flanged connections on the precats, rather then the punny 500 efforts
The ACT manifold and Y piece arrived on Friday (1/2/13), great looking kit!! Can't wait to fit it. need to finish work in engine bay first though, i.e clean old crusty waxoil from chassis members, repaint where needed, fit new heat barrier kit. I managed to do most of the cleaning on Saturday and applied a coat of fresh black satin paint on sides where it had deteriorated (used a higher temp 2 pack paint). Hopefully next weekend will fit the new heat pads and paint up chassis. I purchased from Tim at ACVT a set of Nordlock washers, great items. As I said in previous thread will be using plated steel on manifolds with thick (3mm) washers plus the Nordlocks and stainless (A2) on the Y piece. Will also be giving the wheelarches a freshen up with a coat of Dinitrol 4941 (good stuff, flexible and self healing if damaged by stones). Will place some pics of new installation when in. Regards, Pete
Hoover. said:
God some people are slow round her, I'm waiting like an impatient child to see if these precat manifolds are what they say on tin 
HURRY UP
Hi Hoover, the long, long wait will continue for a little while yet, as I need to do other stuff on the Griff before installing the manifolds and of course this all takes time!!! The plan is all installed and running by early March. So the saga will be continued. Wait for the next exiting episode (drum roll and end credits) HURRY UP 
Well, at last engine compartment finished; new heat pads in place (from JohnnyZ), bits painted up and ACT manifolds & Y piece fitted, I am very pleased with the installation, see pics below:
Have also had my Gotti wheels refurbished by a local specialist, they are absolutely stunning now having had a slightly 'sparkly' finish. Will post pics when back on car - she is still up on axle stands at the moment whilst I clean and repaint the wheel arches (Dinitrol 4941) and clean up and waxoyl other bits. All the best, Pete
Have also had my Gotti wheels refurbished by a local specialist, they are absolutely stunning now having had a slightly 'sparkly' finish. Will post pics when back on car - she is still up on axle stands at the moment whilst I clean and repaint the wheel arches (Dinitrol 4941) and clean up and waxoyl other bits. All the best, Pete
angry jock said:
That looks great mate!
FlipFlopGriff said:
Pete,
Looking good. Who did the wheel's and do you have pictures? Also what was the damage?
Hoover - I beleive the flange on both the joint to the bleock and the Y piece is steel not aluminum?
FFG
Hi FFG, wheels were done by a company called Wheelworx. The branch I used was in Colchester. They deal with many high end car wheels - Ferrari, Porsche, Range Rover etc. They have a range of paints to suite your needs and suggested the more sparkly finish as suiting TVR's. They take full care of them from taking tyres off, replacing valves (they used lovely short profile ones), balancing and clearing the taper where nuts sit - a cracking job, all in cost of £288. Will post pics when back on Griff.Looking good. Who did the wheel's and do you have pictures? Also what was the damage?
Hoover - I beleive the flange on both the joint to the bleock and the Y piece is steel not aluminum?
FFG
Yes the flanges are steel, I painted them in some Frost's manifold silver paint. Rgds, Pete
MPoxon said:
Wow they look great Pete, I bet you are more than happy with those. Engine bay looks massively improved on last time I saw it too.
Hi Matt, yes really pleased with the installation and as you can see took the opportunity to have a good 'tidy & fettle' in the engine compartment. Rgds, PeteForums | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff