Manifolds - mild or stainless...?
Discussion
The manifolds on the S need replacing, and I know about bolts snapping etc etc... but do I go for mild or stainless steel..?
I've been told that mild are thicker, so might take and hits better... whilst the stainless ones can make the exhaust note more tinny..?
Is this true..?
Opinions / thoughts..?
I've been told that mild are thicker, so might take and hits better... whilst the stainless ones can make the exhaust note more tinny..?
Is this true..?
Opinions / thoughts..?
I'd've thought that s/s would be better in terms of longevity, although the cost is obviously higher. I've also heard that s/s is harder to seal where it joins the other pipes, but that's probably not enough of a factor to influence the decision - I know there was another recent thread discussing the best ways of sealing the joins.
I reckon your best bet would be to speak to someone like Peninsular (or perhaps somewhere more local to you whose opinion you trust) and ask them about the pros and cons. I reckon you'd get an honest opinion from them.
It'd be interesting to know what you decide on in the end and how you get on with changing them.
I reckon your best bet would be to speak to someone like Peninsular (or perhaps somewhere more local to you whose opinion you trust) and ask them about the pros and cons. I reckon you'd get an honest opinion from them.
It'd be interesting to know what you decide on in the end and how you get on with changing them.
WildfireS3 said:
Another person to get in touch with is 2shed@ACT as he sells both Mild and SS ones and could probably tell you the pors and cons. I plan to get my SS exhaust from ACT when I can justify the expense to myself.
What's to justify!??!?!
do it NOW! Seems mild are thicker walled, but S/S are less prone to heat expansion (from what the office know-it-all has just told me). Given the manifolds are NOT equal length, this may help reduce cracking...?
Apparently SS are a bit more brittle.
Justifying. Weeellll The bank manager still owns all my money, and I have to get together £1.5k by Sept so I can re insure the car.
If I can get a pay rise, well that is if I still have a job in a few weeks, then I will probably speak to Tim and get one + some magnecore leads...................+ some silicone hoses
Justifying. Weeellll The bank manager still owns all my money, and I have to get together £1.5k by Sept so I can re insure the car.
If I can get a pay rise, well that is if I still have a job in a few weeks, then I will probably speak to Tim and get one + some magnecore leads...................+ some silicone hoses
RichardR said:
Anyone who KNOWS...?
Surely you're not expecting a useful answer from anyone here are you? This is where you come for idle speculation and uninformed opinions. If you want an sensible answer you'll need to ask an expert!
this is why I started doing nob gags you know - never got answers to serious questions... 
[quote=WildfireS3]Apparently SS are a bit more brittle.
According to the guys at Topcats, the mild steel manifolds are more brittle due to the fact that they are more prone to carbon build up than stainless.
Podie, I have stainless manifolds and don't notice them being noticeably more 'tinny' but possible there is a deeper note from the thicker mild steel jobbies.
still sounds b***dy great tho!
Mark
>> Edited by rubyV8s on Monday 9th February 17:23
According to the guys at Topcats, the mild steel manifolds are more brittle due to the fact that they are more prone to carbon build up than stainless.
Podie, I have stainless manifolds and don't notice them being noticeably more 'tinny' but possible there is a deeper note from the thicker mild steel jobbies.
still sounds b***dy great tho!
Mark
>> Edited by rubyV8s on Monday 9th February 17:23
Podie said:Well obviously if anyone has any nob gag related questions, they know where to find an expert!
Podie said:
Anyone who KNOWS...?
Surely you're not expecting a useful answer from anyone here are you? This is where you come for idle speculation and uninformed opinions. If you want an sensible answer you'll need to ask an expert!
Stainless, Stainless and Stainless ....
They are very slightly more tinny, but you will not notice once tucked up in the cockpit.
When you wrap them with heat shield they will not corrode when the condensation sets in .....
They look better ....
You can brag in the pub .....
All the best S's have SS ones ....
They are very slightly more tinny, but you will not notice once tucked up in the cockpit.
When you wrap them with heat shield they will not corrode when the condensation sets in .....
They look better ....
You can brag in the pub .....
All the best S's have SS ones ....
As an alternative viewpoint, I replaced mine recently with mild steel manifolds which were the only ones I could find which were available ex stock. Given I wanted the car back on the road and every where else quoted 3-4 weeks to make, it became a no brainer.
WRT longevity, I took the view that the originals had lasted 13 years and 65,000 miles and I couldn't see me keeping the car that long!
Exhaust note seems fine to me, but haven't compared to a stainessl steel equipped car?
WRT longevity, I took the view that the originals had lasted 13 years and 65,000 miles and I couldn't see me keeping the car that long!
Exhaust note seems fine to me, but haven't compared to a stainessl steel equipped car?
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